MFA ON RUSSIAN-JORDANIAN TIES AND CHECHNYA

C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 000517

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/26/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL JO RS
SUBJECT: MFA ON RUSSIAN-JORDANIAN TIES AND CHECHNYA

REF: A. MOSCOW 390

B. 07 MOSCOW 5734

Classified By: Political M/C Alice G. Wells for reasons 1.4 (b/d).


1. (C) MFA Jordan Desk Officer Andrey Vavilov explained that
Jordan's position as a moderate Arab state, and the growing
ties between Jordanians of Chechen descent and Chechnya
contributed to Russian-Jordanian relations. Speaking to us
following King Abdullah's February 11 Moscow visit, Vavilov
said that these factors, combined with the Jordanian
monarch's personal diplomacy, have been important aspects of
improved bilateral ties (ref A). The GOR sees in the King a
moderate Arab leader seeking to reduce tensions between
Muslim states and the West, an ostensible goal of GOR
diplomatic efforts. Abdullah has been receptive to the GOR's
desire to play a constructive role in "bridging the divide
between Christians and Muslims." Vavilov said Abdullah's
calls for religious tolerance were similar to Russian
initiatives such as the Dialogue of Civilizations, which the
King publicly praised as a means to lessen international
tension and reduce the threat of terrorism.


2. (C) Vavilov told us that Chechnya could play a greater
part in Russian-Jordanian relations as ties between Jordan's
significant Chechen population and the Russian republic
increased. The Jordanian leadership understood the
importance Moscow placed on improving the situation in
Chechnya, and the Kremlin valued Jordanian assistance in this
area. Although King Abdullah did not visit Chechnya as he
reportedly said he would when Chechen President Kadyrov went
to Jordan in 2007, the King's brother, Prince Ali, met
Kadyrov in Moscow on February 11 (ref B). Vavilov said that
a delegation of business leaders from Jordan's Chechen
community planned to visit Chechnya in 2008 to explore ways
to assist reconstruction and development efforts.


3. (C) Finally, Vavilov understood that Jordan was
particularly interested in attracting Russian investment in
the development of the country's tourism industry and hoped
to become a destination for Russian visitors. In order to
raise its profile, Jordan gave Russia property on the bank of
the Jordan River associated with Jesus' baptism during
Putin's 2007 visit to the country. The site was transferred
to the Russian Orthodox Church, which is building a facility
for Russian pilgrims. Vavilov compared this gesture to the
UAE giving Russia property upon which to build an Orthodox
Church when Putin visited that country in 2007, and said that
both were well calibrated to appeal to Putin's embrace of the
Church and demonstrate that an increased Russian presence in
the region was welcomed.
BURNS