Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09AMMAN2012
2009-09-03 05:28:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Amman
Cable title:
FORMER AMBASSADOR OUTLINES JORDAN'S RELATIONSHIP
how-toVZCZCXRO7547 RR RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHKUK RUEHTRO DE RUEHAM #2012 2460528 ZNY SSSSS ZZH R 030528Z SEP 09 FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5872 INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE
S E C R E T AMMAN 002012
SIPDIS
NOFORN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/01/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON KINR IR JO
SUBJECT: FORMER AMBASSADOR OUTLINES JORDAN'S RELATIONSHIP
WITH IRAN
Classified By: Ambassador R. Stephen Beecroft
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
S E C R E T AMMAN 002012
SIPDIS
NOFORN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/01/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON KINR IR JO
SUBJECT: FORMER AMBASSADOR OUTLINES JORDAN'S RELATIONSHIP
WITH IRAN
Classified By: Ambassador R. Stephen Beecroft
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: Former Ambassador to Iran Bassem Al-Umush
described the contours of the official relationship between
Jordan and Iran during a September 1 meeting with PolOff.
Jordan maintains a minimal diplomatic presence in Tehran to
reflect the lack of substantive relations. Iran's efforts to
expand economic ties in recent years have been rejected by a
Jordanian government wary of political implications. While
there is little business to conduct, Jordan and Iran maintain
the relationship as a way to keep lines of communication
open. End Summary.
A Foot In The Door
--------------
2. (C) Umush said that Jordanian interests in Iran are
minimal. When he was Ambassador (2000-2001),there were only
44 Jordanians residing in Iran, most of whom were married to
Iranians and required little in the way of consular services.
Due to the paucity of official business between Jordan and
Iran, the Jordanian Ambassador in Tehran is largely a
ceremonial post that is usually filled by a political
appointee.
3. (S/NF) Trade is miniscule, and Umush noted that Jordan
has rejected several Iranian proposals in recent years that
would have expanded economic ties. Underlying suspicion that
Iran was planning to use business and transport links to
create a political foothold in Jordan effectively scuttled a
series of deals. Iran reportedly offered to finance the
construction of an airport for pilgrims to a Shiite shrine in
the rural town of Karak. While not directly shutting the
door on Iran's proposal, Jordanian officials indicated that
they would apply strict security measures for incoming
visitors to such an airport, and the idea was quietly
dropped. Iran also reportedly voiced interest in submitting
a tender for the Disi project, which will convey aquifer
water from southern Jordan to Amman. When it emerged that
Iran was proposing that the pipeline be constructed entirely
by Iranian workers, Jordanian officials raised objections
which effectively ended the tender.
4. (C) Umush said that Jordan remains concerned about
Iranian political influence in Jordan, and keeps a close eye
on the Iranian Embassy's activities in Amman. He estimated
that there are around 2,000 Shiites in Jordan, and claimed
that many of them receive financial assistance from the
Iranian Embassy. (Note: Jordan's State Security Court
recently started a trial of six Shiites for allegedly
proselytizing and "inciting sectarianism." End Note.)
Maintaining The Status Quo
--------------
5. (C) Regardless of the political distance which
characterizes ties between Jordan and Iran, Umush said that
the relationship is valued by both countries as a way to keep
the door open for possible future cooperation. He predicted
that Jordan and Iran would continue the status quo of
maintaining open lines of communication and avoiding
controversy for the foreseeable future. While Iran is
interested in expanding its relationship with Jordan,
officials in Amman are cool to the idea. Umush predicted
that substantive ties may only come when a solution to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict allows for a regional
re-assessment of Iran's political role.
Bio Note
--------------
6. (SBU) Umush started his political career in the Muslim
Brotherhood, which he was a member of for 30 years. He was
elected to parliament in 1989 as an Islamic Action Front
representative from Zarqa. In 1997 he broke with the Muslim
Brotherhood over its decision to boycott the parliamentary
elections that year. Likely as a reward for doing so, Umush
subsequently appointed Minister of Administrative Development
and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs. He served as Jordan's
Ambassador to Iran from 2000 to 2001. In 2007, Umush was
appointed as the director of the Islamic Center Society
following a government takeover of the organization (septel).
Umush resigned from the position just seven months later
after a dispute over government interference. He is
currently a professor at Zarqa Private University, another
institution which was formerly controlled by the Muslim
Brotherhood. He is also director of the Jordanian Political
Observatory, a small think tank. Umush hails from the Beni
Hassan tribe. He is married and has two college age sons.
Beecroft
SIPDIS
NOFORN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/01/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON KINR IR JO
SUBJECT: FORMER AMBASSADOR OUTLINES JORDAN'S RELATIONSHIP
WITH IRAN
Classified By: Ambassador R. Stephen Beecroft
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: Former Ambassador to Iran Bassem Al-Umush
described the contours of the official relationship between
Jordan and Iran during a September 1 meeting with PolOff.
Jordan maintains a minimal diplomatic presence in Tehran to
reflect the lack of substantive relations. Iran's efforts to
expand economic ties in recent years have been rejected by a
Jordanian government wary of political implications. While
there is little business to conduct, Jordan and Iran maintain
the relationship as a way to keep lines of communication
open. End Summary.
A Foot In The Door
--------------
2. (C) Umush said that Jordanian interests in Iran are
minimal. When he was Ambassador (2000-2001),there were only
44 Jordanians residing in Iran, most of whom were married to
Iranians and required little in the way of consular services.
Due to the paucity of official business between Jordan and
Iran, the Jordanian Ambassador in Tehran is largely a
ceremonial post that is usually filled by a political
appointee.
3. (S/NF) Trade is miniscule, and Umush noted that Jordan
has rejected several Iranian proposals in recent years that
would have expanded economic ties. Underlying suspicion that
Iran was planning to use business and transport links to
create a political foothold in Jordan effectively scuttled a
series of deals. Iran reportedly offered to finance the
construction of an airport for pilgrims to a Shiite shrine in
the rural town of Karak. While not directly shutting the
door on Iran's proposal, Jordanian officials indicated that
they would apply strict security measures for incoming
visitors to such an airport, and the idea was quietly
dropped. Iran also reportedly voiced interest in submitting
a tender for the Disi project, which will convey aquifer
water from southern Jordan to Amman. When it emerged that
Iran was proposing that the pipeline be constructed entirely
by Iranian workers, Jordanian officials raised objections
which effectively ended the tender.
4. (C) Umush said that Jordan remains concerned about
Iranian political influence in Jordan, and keeps a close eye
on the Iranian Embassy's activities in Amman. He estimated
that there are around 2,000 Shiites in Jordan, and claimed
that many of them receive financial assistance from the
Iranian Embassy. (Note: Jordan's State Security Court
recently started a trial of six Shiites for allegedly
proselytizing and "inciting sectarianism." End Note.)
Maintaining The Status Quo
--------------
5. (C) Regardless of the political distance which
characterizes ties between Jordan and Iran, Umush said that
the relationship is valued by both countries as a way to keep
the door open for possible future cooperation. He predicted
that Jordan and Iran would continue the status quo of
maintaining open lines of communication and avoiding
controversy for the foreseeable future. While Iran is
interested in expanding its relationship with Jordan,
officials in Amman are cool to the idea. Umush predicted
that substantive ties may only come when a solution to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict allows for a regional
re-assessment of Iran's political role.
Bio Note
--------------
6. (SBU) Umush started his political career in the Muslim
Brotherhood, which he was a member of for 30 years. He was
elected to parliament in 1989 as an Islamic Action Front
representative from Zarqa. In 1997 he broke with the Muslim
Brotherhood over its decision to boycott the parliamentary
elections that year. Likely as a reward for doing so, Umush
subsequently appointed Minister of Administrative Development
and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs. He served as Jordan's
Ambassador to Iran from 2000 to 2001. In 2007, Umush was
appointed as the director of the Islamic Center Society
following a government takeover of the organization (septel).
Umush resigned from the position just seven months later
after a dispute over government interference. He is
currently a professor at Zarqa Private University, another
institution which was formerly controlled by the Muslim
Brotherhood. He is also director of the Jordanian Political
Observatory, a small think tank. Umush hails from the Beni
Hassan tribe. He is married and has two college age sons.
Beecroft