JORDAN: CODEL ACKERMAN FOCUSED ON REGIONAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 001267

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/10/2019
TAGS: PREL KPAL KDEM KWMN IR IS QT JO
SUBJECT: JORDAN: CODEL ACKERMAN FOCUSED ON REGIONAL
SECURITY ISSUES AND COOPERATION

Classified By: Ambassador R. Stephen Beecroft for reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d).

Summary
--------------


1. (C) On May 27-28, Representative Gary Ackerman, D-NY,
Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and South
Asia of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Representative
Sheila Jackson-Lee, D-TX, Representative Keith Ellison, D-MN,
and Subcommittee Staff Director Howard Diamond visited
Jordan. During their meetings, King Abdullah, Foreign
Minister Nasser Judeh, and General Mohammad Raqqad, Chief of
the General Intelligence Directorate (GID) stressed the
urgent need for concrete and visible progress on the
Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations. While they
appreciate the tone of recent statements from Washington, all
agreed that the Arab public will quickly lose faith if words
are not followed by action. Another theme in the CODEL's
discussions was Iran and Jordanian interlocutors agreed that
it could potentially play a destabilizing role in the region.
Finally, Rep. Ackerman thanked each group for their
excellent cooperation with the U.S., particularly on security
issues, and assured them of Congress's strong support for
Jordan. End Summary.

King Abdullah Says Concrete Actions Are Needed Now
--------------


2. (C) Upon arrival, the delegation met with Chief of the
Royal Court Nasser Lozi and Royal Advisor Ayman Safadi. King
Abdullah joined and proceeded to outline his activities since
returning from Washington in April. He has hosted Syrian FM
Mu'Allem, Palestinian Authority (PA) President Abbas and
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu for discussions in Jordan.
He has traveled to Saudi Arabia (KSA),Egypt and Syria for
consultations with their leaders. He also announced his
intention to travel to the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain
on June 2. Finally, he explained that Jordan was now also
reaching out to North African leaders. Algerian President
Bouteflika had responded by offering to assist in advancing
peace in the region. The King said that he has been using
all of these meetings to brief on his own discussions in
Washington and to build support and momentum for President
Obama.


3. (C) He expressed concern about his discussions with
Netanyahu, who said he required more time to consolidate his
own position domestically. According to the King, if the
Israelis cannot come out publicly with positive statements,
it is imperative that the U.S. do so. "Otherwise, the Arabs
will become disheartened very quickly." He said concrete
actions are needed urgently, not only to satisfy Arab public
opinion, but also to convince the King's fellow Arab leaders
that progress is possible. Congressman Ackerman agreed that
Netanyahu is under pressure and that the issue of "natural
growth" for the settlements will be a particularly difficult
one to solve domestically.


4. (C) Turning to Iran, the King said that he believes Iran
(and its proxy Hizballah) have been quiet recently because
they are confident of a strong performance in the June 7
Lebanese parliamentary elections. After the election, there
could be an increase in Iranian-sponsored activity in the
region. The King also believes that delays in the
Israeli-Palestinian peace talks will embolden Iran and
convince certain Gulf states that it could be in their own
best interest to begin cultivating a closer relationship with
Tehran.


5. (C) Summing up, the King again stressed the importance of
concrete progress. "Talks will strengthen the PA and
diminish Hamas. Delays will embolden Iran and its proxies."
He said there is no time to lose as many people will start
forming their opinions in June or July of this year. The
King said his own ability to advocate for harmony and unity
among his Arab neighbors could be negatively impacted by
delays.


6. (C) Congressman Ackerman warmly thanked the King for his
leadership and friendship with the U.S. He asked the King if
he believed the PA could retake control of Gaza. The King
believes that a PA strengthened by successful peace talks
would become more popular, representative of the people, and
able to exert control in Gaza. Hamas will lose its reason
for being if peace talks succeed.


7. (C) Congresswoman Jackson-Lee followed up with a question
about KSA's financial support for the PA. The King responded
that he had been trying, at many levels, to correct
misinformation that KSA funds had been used by the PA to
purchase weapons.

AMMAN 00001267 002 OF 002




8. (C) In addition to regional security questions,
Congressman Ellison asked the King to consider partnering
with well-known Minnesota companies that specialize in water
resource management.

Themes Echoed in Discussion with the FM
--------------


9. (C) In honor of the CODEL, Foreign Minister Judeh hosted a
breakfast and also included Minister for Planning and
International Cooperation Suhair Al Ali, Ambassador Omar al
Rifai, President of the Jordan Institute of Diplomacy, Samer
Naber, Deputy Director of the U.S. Office at the MFA, and
Ambassador Bisher Khasawneh, Director of the FM's personal
office.


10. (C) Both the Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations and
Iran were discussed at the breakfast. The FM believes that,
although the two issues should be taken into account
simultaneously, there must be progress on the former before
the international community can effectively address the
threats posed by the latter. "Iran is able to capitalize on
the frustration of the Muslim street. Results that reduce
cynicism and frustration will damage Iran's position and its
ability to influence the hearts and minds of others."

CODEL Expresses Appreciation for GID Cooperation
--------------


11. (C) Finally, the delegation met with General Mohammed
Raqqad, Chief of the GID. The delegation thanked Raqqad for
his cooperation and assured him that the U.S. Congress would
continue to provide resources in support of our bilateral
agenda. Raqqad was appreciative and reiterated key areas of
concern mentioned by previous interlocutors. In great
detail, Raqqad stressed the need for immediate and concrete
action to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "The Arab
street is looking for progress, not process." He also
concurred when CODEL members stated that Iranian intentions
were unclear and could pose a threat to stability in the
region.


12. (U) CODEL Ackerman was unable to clear this cable before
departing Jordan.
Beecroft