Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09AMMAN2104
2009-09-15 12:29:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Amman
Cable title:
JORDAN PRESSED ON ISRAELI SPEAKING ROLE AT UNRWA
how-toVZCZCXRO5917 RR RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHKUK RUEHROV DE RUEHAM #2104 2581229 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 151229Z SEP 09 FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0092 RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5953 INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 002104
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/13/2019
TAGS: PREL UNGA KPAL JO
SUBJECT: JORDAN PRESSED ON ISRAELI SPEAKING ROLE AT UNRWA
AT 60 EVENT
REF: A. STATE 94885
¶B. AMMAN 1979
Classified By: Ambassador R. Stephen Beecroft
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
(C) The Ambassador engaged Royal Court Chief Nasser Lozi and
FM Nasser Judeh multiple times in the past week to seek
Jordanian support for a speaking role for Israel at the
upcoming UNRWA at 60 event (Ref A). While both were wary of
regional and domestic criticism, they acknowledged the need
for Jordanian representatives in New York to take a balanced
position. FM Judeh recently phoned his Egyptian counterpart
in an attempt to soften Egypt's stance on the matter, but was
rebuffed. Judeh has since instructed Jordan's Permanent
Representative in New York to take some initiative in the
next meeting of the organizing committee. The Jordanian
PermRep has been told to say that as the country that hosts
the largest number of Palestinian refugees, Jordan has the
largest stake in UNRWA's work. As such, Jordan needs the
organization to be strong. In that context, Jordan's opinion
will be that the event should be about what is best for
UNRWA, even if that means allowing Israel to speak. Judeh
told the Ambassador that he is optimistic about the ability
of the parties to reach a resolution on the issue in advance
of the event. The Embassy will continue to engage its
interlocutors on this subject.
Beecroft