CODEL HASTINGS VISIT FOCUSES ON DISPLACED IRAQIS

S E C R E T AMMAN 000327 CODEL NOFORN SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ELA AND H H PLEASE PASS TO HELSINKI COMMISSION AND HOUSE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (ADDING CAPTION) E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/28/2020 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER MOPS JO AF SUBJECT: CODEL HASTINGS VISIT FOCUSES ON DISPLACED IRAQIS AND CONTINUED COOPERATION WITH JORDAN Classified By: Ambassador R. Stephen Beecroft for reasons 1.4 (b) and ( d) ¶1. (S/NF) Summary. During a January 11 visit to Amman, Representative Alcee Hastings (D-FL),in an audience with King Abdullah and joint meeting with Prime Minister Samir Rifai and Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, reasserted the importance of U.S.-Jordanian relations, a message well-received days after the December 30 terrorist attack that resulted in the deaths of both American and Jordanian officials. During his meetings, the Congressman also discussed assistance to displaced Iraqis in Jordan, advancing Middle East peace negotiations, Afghanistan, and enhancing the already strong, cooperative bilateral relationship. Jordan's leadership expressed their desire to see progress on the peace negotiations and renewed their offer to increase Jordanian support for U.S. efforts in Afghanistan. Hastings also had a one-on-one meeting with Lieutenant General Prince Faisal, brother of the King and the GOJ's senior military advisor, and private meetings with representatives of the General Intelligence Directorate. End Summary. HASTINGS, PM, AND FM AGREE REGIONAL COOPERATION IS KEY -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C/NF) Rep. Hastings began his one-day visit to Jordan in a joint meeting with PM Rifai and FM Judeh where they condemned the December 30 attack in Khost, Afghanistan, and insisted the losses would not negatively impact U.S.-Jordanian cooperation. Hastings then recounted his recent travel to Syria, Egypt, and Turkey, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation and working closely with the U.S. on the peace negotiations and to bring stability to the many displaced Iraqis in the region. Legislation alone, he said, would not resolve the situation; it was important to work together and regionally and to address health and educational needs to prevent desperation from deteriorating to extremism. He further stressed the need for Arab states to do more to assist Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and encouraged Jordan to spread the same message. PM Rifai agreed with Hastings' assessment, commenting, "everyday without progress (on regional peace issues) is a day for extremists" and called for Arab states to agree on a plan at the March Arab Summit in Libya. He added the situation would improve "when people feel the benefits of working with one another." Jordan, therefore, was pursuing railway and energy projects with its neighbors. Returning to Palestinian issues, Judeh noted the conflict ceased to be regional when Indonesian terrorists used it to justify their actions. Resolving the conflict would not eliminate terrorism, but it would remove its global platform. KING ABDULLAH ASSERTS PRIMACY OF THE PEACE PROCESS -------------- -------------- ¶3. (S/NF) After exchanging condolences for the shared losses in Afghanistan, King Abdullah and Hastings focused their discussion on the peace negotiations. The King said that Jordan is waiting for the U.S. to unveil the next stage of the process, which must deal with protecting Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and resolving ongoing tension between Israel and the GOJ. He expressed some disappointment that President Obama's efforts in 2009 did not result in more progress towards regional peace. The King remarked that U.S. credibility is down and that no one now really believes there will be substantial advances in the near future, further compounding the challenges of advancing the peace negotiations. Hastings affirmed his commitment to enhancing stability in the region and agreed with the King that progress needs to be made. Hastings remarked that he has visited Jordan many times and is a long-standing supporter of both Jordan and Palestinian statehood. He thanked the King for sending such a robust and well-informed delegation to the OSCE and asked that Jordan's cooperation continue in that area. Hastings also discussed his commitment to displaced Iraqis in the region and his belief that the U.S. and its allies must help Jordan support displaced persons from Iraq. Hastings emphasized the importance of educating Iraqi children now in Jordan in order to help stop the spread of extremism. ¶4. (S/NF) Offering his perspective on regional issues, the King commented that Syrian President Assad is now ready to move away from Iran and be more open to the moderate Arab countries. The King also stated his hope that Turkey will help open ties with Syria, including through railway, communications, and energy connections in order to make the region more stable and create jobs. The King also suggested that the new Lebanese government wants Turkey as a partner. He said that like Jordan, Lebanon is eager to embrace the positive aspects of a relationship with Turkey and sees improving bilateral ties as a way to continue to help draw Syria towards Turkey and Europe and away from Iran. The King committed Jordan to continued support for U.S. efforts in the region. He said that Jordan will send more troops to Afghanistan and might send Jordanian airmen to Djibouti. ¶5. (C/NF) Rep. Hastings also met one-on-one with Prince Faisal, the King's brother and special advisor on military matters, and with officials of the General Intelligence Directorate. ¶6. (SBU) The CODEL has not cleared this message. Beecroft