US embassy cable - 04AMMAN4230

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 004230 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, KDEM, PHUM, PGOV, JO 
SUBJECT: POSITIVE JORDANIAN REACTION TO G-8 REFORM PLAN 
TEMPERED BY REGIONAL TURMOIL 
 
REF: A. SECSTATE 106755 
 
     B. AMMAN 03227 
 
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SUMMARY 
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1.  (U)  Embassy Amman has continued its consultations with 
Jordanian government officials and civil society leaders on 
the G-8 reform plan (refs).  Feedback has been constructive, 
highlighting weaknesses of the civil society movement and 
Jordanian government strictures that could affect reform 
initiatives in Jordan.  Contacts also offered ideas to 
strengthen the specifics of the G-8 plan.  However, our 
interlocutors continue to emphasize that regional turmoil and 
related growing anti-U.S. sentiment will make it nearly 
impossible for the proposals to gain traction unless people 
perceive substantial improvement in the Iraq and Palestinian 
situations.  End Summary. 
 
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WEAK NGOS AN ISSUE 
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2.  (U)  Several civil society leaders told us that it would 
behoove G-8 reform planners to develop a mechanism to prevent 
recalcitrant government officials from slowing the pace of 
progress or stifling initiatives by civil society because 
they fear criticism or encroachment on what they see as their 
prerogatives. 
 
3.  (U)  Our contacts worry that obstacles currently facing 
civil society organizations in Jordan could adversely impact 
implementation of the plan's ideas.  In Jordan, complicated 
procedures make it nearly impossible for new organizations to 
register with the government.  The inclusion of government 
officials on their boards compromise their independence and 
undermine credibility with citizens.  They say that NGOs are 
generally unable to raise funds and many of their 
administrators lack organizational and communication skills, 
and resources (e.g. computers and other communications 
equipment) needed to mobilize constituents. 
 
4.  (U)  They note that civic organizations tend to run into 
cultural barriers when they try to raise funds from private 
individuals locally.  One activist complained that for years 
foreign donors have refused to give money for infrastructure 
or training of the civic organizations themselves, dictating 
that their money instead be used for specific activities, 
such as holding conferences.  They urged more 
capacity-building for NGOs, whether in the form of training 
or outright financial support or donations of office 
equipment, for example, that would in turn strengthen the 
groundwork in Jordan for implementation of the G-8 plan.  To 
avoid local NGOs becoming "addicted" to foreign funding, one 
activist suggested that holding workshops on private 
fundraising or relying on volunteers will help ensure that 
new organizations are solidly rooted in their communities. 
 
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CHALLENGE IS TO IDENTIFY, BOLSTER TRUE REFORMERS 
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5.  (U)  One contact noted that until now the public has had 
two bad choices: fundamentalism and corrupt secular leaders. 
It is important that the G-8 reform plan help strengthen the 
"third alternative" -- reformers.  Along this vein, activists 
say there is a strong need for civic organizations to 
cooperate with independent media so they can reinforce each 
others' independence and monitor corruption in the public and 
private sector. 
 
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LOOKING FOR AN EXPANDED "FORUM OF THE FUTURE" 
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6.  (U)  Activists reacted favorably to the Forum for the 
Future, but say there should be parallel meetings for civic 
organizations combined with plenaries through which NGOs and 
other independent forces in the region could provide input to 
the Forum's deliberations and recommendations for action. 
 
7.  (U)  One contact in the Prime Minister's office (who 
acknowledged her bias since she may soon assume the role of 
assistant to Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa in 
Cairo) made a pitch for inviting the Arab League Secretary 
General to the Forum's meetings as an observer.  She says 
this coordination may help bolster the League's role in 
advocating reform in the Arab world beyond mere declarations 
and recommendations. 
 
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DEMOCRACY ASSISTANCE GROUP COULD CONNECT REGIONAL REFORMERS 
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8.  (U)  The NGO representatives liked the idea of a 
Democracy Assistance Group that could serve as a 
clearinghouse for information, enable reformers to share 
"lessons learned," and assist them in developing joint 
activities.  Above all, they saw a need for regional 
coordination and dialogue in facing common challenges among 
Arab countries.  At present, one NGO activists said, there 
are too many people "flying off in different directions," and 
not benefiting from each others' experiences or avoiding 
duplication of efforts. 
 
9.  (U)  The official from the PM's office argued for a 
mechanism to coordinate the various components of the G-8 
plan, such as the Democracy Assistance Group and the Forum 
for the Future.  As plans move forward, it will become 
important that each group has the opportunity to hear about 
and discuss the others' plans and accomplishments.  As an 
aside, FM Muasher told the Ambassador he was pleased the 
"Foundation for Democracy" idea had fallen by the wayside 
because he thought it would have been negatively perceived as 
a "watch dog" organization to impose Western-style ideas on 
the region. 
 
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SUPPORTING FREE AND TRANSPARENT ELECTIONS KEY 
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10.  (U)  There was widespread agreement that outside 
assistance is needed to monitor elections in the region, 
either through support and training for the media, or through 
technical assistance to the election organizers themselves. 
 
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TRAINING IS VITAL, BUT DON'T FORGET RETIRED MILITARY 
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11.  (U)  The Prime Ministry official noted that training the 
various groups mentioned -- including teachers, youth, 
judges, and women -- is vital.  However, she believes that 
one important group is missing: retired military and other 
government personnel.  She said that the majority of them are 
still young, disciplined, qualified, and seeking jobs. 
Reaching out to this group will help the credibility of the 
programs in Arab societies. 
 
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ANTI-U.S. SENTIMENT, VIOLENCE WILL HINDER PROGRESS 
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12.  (U)  Our interlocutors are increasingly concerned that 
the poisoned political atmosphere stemming from the festering 
Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Abu Ghreib prison scandal, and 
ongoing violence in Iraq is a growing stumbling block to 
implementing badly needed reform plans in the region.  Not 
only does it provide an excuse to reluctant governments to 
delay movement on reform but it also reinforces the public's 
perception that the U.S. (under the guise of the G-8) is 
pushing reform as a means to distract people from the "real" 
issues in the region.  For this reason, it also makes it 
difficult for reformers to speak out publicly on issues, at a 
time when such dialogue is badly needed. 
 
Visit Embassy Amman's classified web site at 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman or access the site 
through the State Department's SIPRNET home page. 
GNEHM