JORDAN: SCENESETTER FOR SE MITCHELL'S JUNE 11 VISIT

S E C R E T AMMAN 001278

SIPDIS

NEA/FO, NEA/IPA AND FOR SENATOR MITCHELL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/02/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAL IS JO
SUBJECT: JORDAN: SCENESETTER FOR SE MITCHELL'S JUNE 11 VISIT

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

Summary
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1. (S) Your visit to the region will be viewed by Jordanians
as the first follow-up to the President's speech in Cairo.
Despite widespread admiration and praise for the speech,
Jordanians at all levels of society believe concrete actions
must follow in the next few months before optimism about the
prospects for peace turns to disappointment and cynicism.
Many are asking what steps the U.S. will take to encourage
meaningful participation by a seemingly recalcitrant Israeli
government.


2. (S) Since returning from Washington in April, the King has
actively reached out to partners in the region to generate
support and momentum for President Obama. The King and other
Jordanian contacts, however, say that the King must be
supported quickly by concrete actions which demonstrate
progress if he is to maintain his forward-leaning positions.
Domestically, the King remains a popular figure, and June 9
has been declared a national holiday to celebrate the tenth
anniversary of his ascension to the throne. End Summary.

King's Regional Tour
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3. (S) Most recently, the King has visited Syria, the United
Arab Emirates, and Bahrain. In Jordan, he has hosted Syrian
FM Mu'allim, PA President Abbas, Egyptian FM Gheit, and the
Emir of Qatar. Chief of the Royal Court Nasser Lozi was
dispatched to Beirut for consultations with Lebanese
President Sleiman. Additionally, Jordan has reached out to
North African states to include them in the regional
discussions. Prince Ali, the King's half brother, had
positive discussions with President Bouteflika in Algieria on
May 18 and delivered a personal message from His Majesty.
Foreign Minister Judeh traveled to Morocco on June 4. The
King tells us that he and his regional partners are actively
discussing a list of deliverables to assist the U.S. efforts
and to encourage Israeli participation in the negotiations.
However, talks appear more general than specific to date.

Bilateral Relations With Israel
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4. (S) The King hosted Israeli PM Netanyahu in May, prior to
Netanyahu's visit to Washington. As the King told a recent
CODEL, Netanyahu frankly stated that he needed more time to
consolidate his own domestic political position before he
could push for difficult discussions with the Palestinians.
The King is greatly concerned about delays, saying that Arab
public opinion could turn in June or July. The King believes
delays will also hurt his own personal position in the
region, leaving him unable to play a pro-active role.


5. (C) A recent Knesset bill proposing that Jordan be
declared a Palestinian state has struck a nerve. Media and
analysts tout this as a sign of bad faith, attributing the
statements of one Knesset member to the Israeli government as
a whole. The Foreign Minister convoked the Israeli
Ambassador and the Jordanian parliament issued a formal
protest, as well. Your private assurance that the U.S.
remains committed to a two state solution will be heartening,
in combination with the President's recent public remarks.

Looking Forward
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6. (S) Jordanians view Israel as unwilling to negotiate on
difficult issues and the call for "concrete actions" is a
reflection of this pessimism. They believe that the current
deadlock can only be broken by decisive action from the U.S.


7. (C) During your meeting, the King will be particularly
interested in Israeli Defense Minister Barak's visit to
Washington, as well as your recent conversations in Israel.
He also closely follows USG developing relations with Syria
and will likely ask for a brief on that issue.
Beecroft