Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10AMMAN310
2010-02-03 13:28:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

JORDAN: GOJ WILL SUPPORT IRAN SANCTIONS, BUT

Tags:  PARM PREL UNSC IR JO 
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VZCZCXYZ0021
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAM #0310 0341328
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 031328Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6836
INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 000310 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ELA MGREGONIS
DEPT FOR NEA/FO ECATALANO
DEPT FOR ISN/RA RNEPHEW

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2020
TAGS: PARM PREL UNSC IR JO
SUBJECT: JORDAN: GOJ WILL SUPPORT IRAN SANCTIONS, BUT
GENERAL PUBLIC MAY NOT

REF: SECSTATE 09124

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 000310

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ELA MGREGONIS
DEPT FOR NEA/FO ECATALANO
DEPT FOR ISN/RA RNEPHEW

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2020
TAGS: PARM PREL UNSC IR JO
SUBJECT: JORDAN: GOJ WILL SUPPORT IRAN SANCTIONS, BUT
GENERAL PUBLIC MAY NOT

REF: SECSTATE 09124

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


1. (C) On February 1, the Ambassador reviewed reftel points
with Chief of the Royal Court Nasser Lozi and PolChief
briefed Personal Advisor to the FM and Director of MFA Policy
Planning Bisher Khasawneh. Both Lozi and Khasawneh stated
that the Government of Jordan would support USG and
international efforts to increase pressure on Iran. However,
they also stated that this GOJ action may prove to be
unpopular among Jordanian citizens for a number of reasons:

-- Lozi indicated that there will be public pressure not to
comply with sanctions, especially given the perceived lack of
progress on the Israeli/Palestinian peace negotiations.

-- According to Khasawneh, Jordanians will be skeptical given
the perception that sanctions in neighboring Iraq were
ineffective against the regime and its policy, but ultimately
proved devastating to the people, the economy and "the fabric
of Iraqi society."

-- Khasawneh also stressed the "psychological disconnect"
many feel about the accepted Israeli nuclear program and
efforts to deny Iran the right to develop nuclear power
sources.


2. (C) Khasawneh emphasized the "delicate nature" of next
steps towards Iran. He believes that people in the region
feel they are "between a rock and a hard place." While many
are concerned about the advancement of Iran's nuclear
program, they also will be hesitant about escalating this
issue in a region already struggling with a number of serious
conflicts. "No one wants this issue to get out of hand."

-- Finally, Khasawneh expressed concern that Israel would
play a significant role in international efforts to increase
pressure on Iran. "If this happens, the issue itself will
become lost and there is a risk that this could become a
battle between Islam and Israel."


3. (C) Comment: While the GOJ will undoubtedly support USG
efforts to increase pressure on Iran, it may seek to avoid a
public role on the topic. The GOJ is far more focused on the
Israeli-Palestinian issue and may be concerned about the
reaction of domestic hard-liners, especially in this
parliamentary election year.
Beecroft