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RR RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHAM #1267/01 1551557
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 041557Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5231
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 001267 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/10/2019 
TAGS: PREL KPAL KDEM KWMN IR IS QT JO
SUBJECT: JORDAN: CODEL ACKERMAN FOCUSED ON REGIONAL 
SECURITY ISSUES AND COOPERATION 
 
Classified By: Ambassador R. Stephen Beecroft for reasons 1.4 (b) and ( 
d). 
 
Summary 
-------- 
 
¶1. (C) On May 27-28, Representative Gary Ackerman, D-NY, 
Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and South 
Asia of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Representative 
Sheila Jackson-Lee, D-TX, Representative Keith Ellison, D-MN, 
and Subcommittee Staff Director Howard Diamond visited 
Jordan.  During their meetings, King Abdullah, Foreign 
Minister Nasser Judeh, and General Mohammad Raqqad, Chief of 
the General Intelligence Directorate (GID) stressed the 
urgent need for concrete and visible progress on the 
Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations.  While they 
appreciate the tone of recent statements from Washington, all 
agreed that the Arab public will quickly lose faith if words 
are not followed by action.  Another theme in the CODEL's 
discussions was Iran and Jordanian interlocutors agreed that 
it could potentially play a destabilizing role in the region. 
 Finally, Rep. Ackerman thanked each group for their 
excellent cooperation with the U.S., particularly on security 
issues, and assured them of Congress's strong support for 
Jordan.  End Summary. 
 
King Abdullah Says Concrete Actions Are Needed Now 
--------- 
 
¶2. (C) Upon arrival, the delegation met with Chief of the 
Royal Court Nasser Lozi and Royal Advisor Ayman Safadi.  King 
Abdullah joined and proceeded to outline his activities since 
returning from Washington in April.  He has hosted Syrian FM 
Mu'Allem, Palestinian Authority (PA) President Abbas and 
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu for discussions in Jordan. 
He has traveled to Saudi Arabia (KSA), Egypt and Syria for 
consultations with their leaders.  He also announced his 
intention to travel to the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain 
on June 2.  Finally, he explained that Jordan was now also 
reaching out to North African leaders.  Algerian President 
Bouteflika had responded by offering to assist in advancing 
peace in the region.  The King said that he has been using 
all of these meetings to brief on his own discussions in 
Washington and to build support and momentum for President 
Obama. 
 
¶3.  (C) He expressed concern about his discussions with 
Netanyahu, who said he required more time to consolidate his 
own position domestically.  According to the King, if the 
Israelis cannot come out publicly with positive statements, 
it is imperative that the U.S. do so.  "Otherwise, the Arabs 
will become disheartened very quickly."  He said concrete 
actions are needed urgently, not only to satisfy Arab public 
opinion, but also to convince the King's fellow Arab leaders 
that progress is possible.  Congressman Ackerman agreed that 
Netanyahu is under pressure and that the issue of "natural 
growth" for the settlements will be a particularly difficult 
one to solve domestically. 
 
¶4. (C) Turning to Iran, the King said that he believes Iran 
(and its proxy Hizballah) have been quiet recently because 
they are confident of a strong performance in the June 7 
Lebanese parliamentary elections.  After the election, there 
could be an increase in Iranian-sponsored activity in the 
region.  The King also believes that delays in the 
Israeli-Palestinian peace talks will embolden Iran and 
convince certain Gulf states that it could be in their own 
best interest to begin cultivating a closer relationship with 
Tehran. 
 
¶5. (C) Summing up, the King again stressed the importance of 
concrete progress.  "Talks will strengthen the PA and 
diminish Hamas.  Delays will embolden Iran and its proxies." 
He said there is no time to lose as many people will start 
forming their opinions in June or July of this year.  The 
King said his own ability to advocate for harmony and unity 
among his Arab neighbors could be negatively impacted by 
delays. 
 
¶6. (C) Congressman Ackerman warmly thanked the King for his 
leadership and friendship with the U.S.  He asked the King if 
he believed the PA could retake control of Gaza.  The King 
believes that a PA strengthened by successful peace talks 
would become more popular, representative of the people, and 
able to exert control in Gaza.  Hamas will lose its reason 
for being if peace talks succeed. 
 
¶7. (C) Congresswoman Jackson-Lee followed up with a question 
about KSA's financial support for the PA.  The King responded 
that he had been trying, at many levels, to correct 
misinformation that KSA funds had been used by the PA to 
purchase weapons. 
 
AMMAN 00001267  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
¶8. (C) In addition to regional security questions, 
Congressman Ellison asked the King to consider partnering 
with well-known Minnesota companies that specialize in water 
resource management. 
 
Themes Echoed in Discussion with the FM 
------------- 
 
¶9. (C) In honor of the CODEL, Foreign Minister Judeh hosted a 
breakfast and also included Minister for Planning and 
International Cooperation Suhair Al Ali, Ambassador Omar al 
Rifai, President of the Jordan Institute of Diplomacy, Samer 
Naber, Deputy Director of the U.S. Office at the MFA, and 
Ambassador Bisher Khasawneh, Director of the FM's personal 
office. 
 
¶10. (C) Both the Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations and 
Iran were discussed at the breakfast.  The FM believes that, 
although the two issues should be taken into account 
simultaneously, there must be progress on the former before 
the international community can effectively address the 
threats posed by the latter.  "Iran is able to capitalize on 
the frustration of the Muslim street.  Results that reduce 
cynicism and frustration will damage Iran's position and its 
ability to influence the hearts and minds of others." 
 
CODEL Expresses Appreciation for GID Cooperation 
------------------ 
 
¶11. (C) Finally, the delegation met with General Mohammed 
Raqqad, Chief of the GID.  The delegation thanked Raqqad for 
his cooperation and assured him that the U.S. Congress would 
continue to provide resources in support of our bilateral 
agenda.  Raqqad was appreciative and reiterated key areas of 
concern mentioned by previous interlocutors.  In great 
detail, Raqqad stressed the need for immediate and concrete 
action to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  "The Arab 
street is looking for progress, not process."  He also 
concurred when CODEL members stated that Iranian intentions 
were unclear and could pose a threat to stability in the 
region. 
 
¶12.  (U) CODEL Ackerman was unable to clear this cable before 
departing Jordan. 
Beecroft