US embassy cable - 04AMMAN2277

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 002277 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/25/2014 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, KDEM, PHUM, IZ, IS, JO 
SUBJECT: FOMIN MUASHER DISCUSSES WITH AMB. JONES "BUMPY" 
JORDAN-IRAQ RELATIONS 
 
REF: AMMAN 2198 
 
Classified By: Amb. Edward W. Gnehm for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d) 
 
1. (C) Summary. FonMin Muasher has proposed to Iraqi FM 
Zebari that they form and chair a bilateral committee to 
resolve irritants in the relationship.  End Summary. 
 
JORDAN-IRAQ BILATERAL RELATIONS "BUMPY" 
-------------------------------------- 
 
2. (C) In a meeting with visiting Deputy CPA Administrator 
Amb. Richard H. Jones and Ambassador March 22, Foreign 
Minister Marwan Muasher recounted his recent conversation 
with Iraqi Finance Minister Kamil al-Kilani and Foreign 
Minister Hoshyar Zebari.  Emphasizing Jordan's strong desire 
to cooperate with Iraq and establish good relations, Muasher 
noted that a lack of specific information on some of areas of 
Iraq's concern hampered progress.  For example, al-Kilani 
said Jordan was not being "fully forthcoming" on Iraqi assets 
issues (reftel).  In another example, Zebari complained about 
the presence of Iraqi "intelligence operatives" from the 
former regime who are spending "the Iraqi peoples' money" 
living the high life in Amman.  According to Muasher, when he 
asked Zebari to forward the names of former Iraqi 
intelligence operatives in Jordan, Zebari demurred. 
Similarly, when Zebari complained about a proliferation of 
fake Iraqi passports, he did not provide the information the 
GOJ needed to investigate, Muasher claimed.  Muasher said he 
suggested to al-Kilani and Zebari the formation of a joint 
committee under the two Foreign Ministers which could work 
out mutually acceptable solutions to such issues, including 
on assets.  Jordan was keen to put these issues behind them. 
 
JORDAN'S POLITICAL CONCERNS IN IRAQ 
----------------------------------- 
 
3. (C) Muasher said the GOJ remains concerned about Iraq's 
unity and the potential for an Iran-style government in Iraq, 
and expressed support for strong U.N. involvement in Iraq's 
electoral process.  He also sought U.S. assistance in 
providing security for Jordan's Embassy in Baghdad and its 
hospital in Fallujah.  The Jordanian Charge in Baghdad, 
(present at the meeting with Jones), Muasher related, has 
expressed grave concern over reports that some Iraqi 
religious leaders are preaching that it is acceptable to rob 
and kill Jordanians in Iraq.  Muasher indicated that he wants 
to send an Ambassador to Jordan's embassy in Baghdad after 
June 30 but was having a difficult time securing a building 
capable of housing Embassy operations and living quarters for 
Jordanian staff.  He estimated the embassy, when fully 
staffed, would employ 22 Jordanian diplomats and 
approximately 50 local hires. 
 
COMMENT 
------- 
 
4. (C) Muasher was pleased to be dealing with Iraqi 
government officials, if frustrated at the pace in resolving 
bilateral issues.  He requested assistance from CPA Baghdad 
and expressed the hope that progress between Jordanian and 
Iraq's political and economic counterparts would improve in 
the future.  End Comment. 
 
5. (U) Amb. Jones did not have an opportunity to review this 
cable before departing Jordan. 
 
6. (U) CPA Baghdad minimize considered. 
 
Visit Embassy Amman's classified website at 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman or access the site 
through the State Department's SIPRNET home page. 
GNEHM