ISRAELI EMBASSY IN JORDAN QUESTIONS JORDAN,S WATER

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 001219

NOFORN
SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ELA, NEA/RA, AND OES
STATE PASS TO USAID

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/28/2019
TAGS: SENV EAGR EAID PGOV PREL JO IS
SUBJECT: ISRAELI EMBASSY IN JORDAN QUESTIONS JORDAN,S WATER
STRATEGY

REF: A. A. AMMAN 1116

B. B. AMMAN 1027

C. C. AMMAN 906

D. D. AMMAN 860

E. E. AMMAN 508

F. F. 08 AMMAN 1639

Classified By: DCM Lawrence Mandel for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C/NF) Jordan and Israel, which both suffer from water
shortages, have enjoyed a healthy collaboration on this
critical issue. The 1994 peace treaty stipulated water
exchange provisions between the two countries and as recently
as the summer 2008 drought, Israel loaned Jordan extra water
(ref F). In a May 13 meeting with Emboffs (DCM, USAID,
ESTH),Israeli DCM Alon Roth-Snir highlighted Israel's desire
to continue supporting Jordan in the water sector. According
to Roth-Snir, during a recent water pollution accident
affecting Jordan's water supply from Israel, Israel provided
ten times the amount of affected water, before Jordan even
sought corrective action (ref C).


2. (C/NF) According to Roth-Snir, Israel has offered to
provide Jordan with desalinated water at $0.72/cubic meter
(the projected price of the water to be pumped from the Disi
aquifer is $1.0-$1.2/cubic meter (ref B)),and has proposed
the option of a desalination plant on Israel's Mediterranean
coast, to be operated by the GOJ. Jordan, however, has not
been responsive to Israeli overtures. (Note: Israel has made
a significant commitment to enhance its desalination efforts
to combat its own water woes. End Note).


3. (C/NF) Israel, according to Roth-Snir, believes Jordan's
two proposed mega-water projects, the planned Disi and the
proposed Red Sea-Dead Sea conveyance project are likely to
face significant difficulties. As a result, Jordan will have
little recourse in the medium term but to purchase water from
Israel. He further noted that the annual "pilgrimage" to
Israel by Jordan's Minister of Water and Irrigation is likely
to happen soon with the accompanying request for more water
for the difficult summer months.


4. (C/NF) Israel is aware of Jordan's energy woes as well as
its potential for solar and wind energy generation.
According to Roth-Snir, Israel has offered to purchase solar
or wind generated power from southern Jordan to strengthen
Jordan's nascent energy sector.


5. (C/NF) Comment: The GOJ has not proved to be
particularly successful at projecting water related
operational and maintenance costs and developing sound
financial models. Post concurs with the Israeli view that
the GOJ has laid its bets on the two mega-water projects
without having adequate contingency plans. It is likely that
Jordan will need Israeli water assistance for the foreseeable
future. End Comment.


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Beecroft