US embassy cable - 04AMMAN8509

UNCLAS AMMAN 008509 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA, NEA/PI; 
STATE PLEASE PASS TO USAID 
ANE/SPOTS; DCHA/DG; DCHA/DG/SAR; IFES 
ABU DHABI FOR HWECHSLER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SCUL, KPAO, KMPI, XF, JO, OXEC, KEDU 
SUBJECT: CEPPS PROJECT - SUPPORT FOR POLITICAL 
PROCESSES-JORDAN 
 
Ref: MWilliams DCHA/DG Email - Sept 10 
 
1.   Mission welcomes the subject proposal by IRI and 
NDI under Consortium for Elections and Political 
Process Strengthening (CEPPS) to be carried out in 
Jordan between August 2004 and January 2006.  We would, 
however, like to highlight some political sensitivities 
regarding assistance to and contact with individual 
political parties. Our main concern is that USG support 
should not create the public perception that we are 
favoring any particular political faction. The CEPPS 
activities should be as generic as possible and open in 
principle to all parties and political activists, as 
well as community leaders and other concerned 
Jordanians who want to strengthen popular awareness and 
engagement in the democratic process. 
 
2.   While most of the CEPPS project, as we understand 
it, would be perceived in Jordan as generic and open to 
all, we are concerned with the proposal (page 4, first 
para under "Promoting More Responsive and Accountable 
Political Parties") that IRI conduct "individual 
consultations and trainings with the four or five most 
viable political parties".   We believe that such 
targeted assistance could both hurt the participating 
parties' public standing, given public hostility toward 
US Policy, and be misinterpreted as United States 
interference in domestic Jordanian politics. 
 
3.   Other proposed CEPPS activities, such as those 
mentioned below, appear likely to be of use in 
advancing political reform. Because they are not 
targeted at particular groups, and potentially make 
assistance available to any bona fide group that 
approaches us, they are far less likely to provide 
ammunition to anti-US and anti-MEPI voices.   Most of 
them closely complement ongoing Mission-supported 
activities. 
 
--NDI: Technical assistance and training resources to 
active parliamentary blocs and their corresponding 
political parties, working through the Permanent Bureau 
of the Lower House of Parliament. Providing such 
programs through the Permanent Bureau would mitigate 
the impression of direct USG support for any particular 
party. 
 
--IRI: Periodic polling on Jordanian public opinion 
towards political parties and governance.  This 
research would be useful, provided it does not 
duplicate polls recently undertaken by organizations 
such as the Center for Strategic Studies at Jordan 
University. 
 
--NDI: Women's forum on involvement in politics.  This 
generic, open-to-all program would complement the 
Mission's speaker, IV and other programs aimed at 
strengthening women's role in politics.  In training 
cadres for the 2007 elections, NDI should ensure that 
such training is open to all candidates on a non- 
partisan basis, and that all participants are supported 
on an equal basis. 
 
--IRI: Series of 12 workshops for youth and women on 
political participation and the New Generation Mock 
Parliaments.  These activities would likewise 
complement other Mission programs. 
 
--IRI:  Enhancing capacity of local elected officials. 
The training and consultations for municipal councils 
would complement other Mission programs aimed at 
decentralization and responsiveness of local 
government. 
 
4.  We look forward to coordinating closely with IRI, 
NDI and MEPI offices on this project.