US embassy cable - 05AMMAN786

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 000786 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR S/ES-S, NEA/ELA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2010 
TAGS: PREL, KDEM, JO 
SUBJECT: JORDAN SEEKS SECSTATE ATTENDANCE AT OECD/BMENA 
EVENT 
 
REF: STATE 18151 
 
Classified By: Charge David Hale, Reasons 1.4 (B) & (D) 
 
1.  (C) Foreign Minister al-Mulki telephoned Charge on 
February 1 with a request from the King.  He asked that 
consideration be given to even the briefest of appearances by 
the Secretary at the Dead Sea OECD/BMENA meeting on Good 
Governance for Development, February 6-7.  He noted that all 
other delegations are represented at the ministerial level, 
and that Prime Ministers from Iraq, Yemen, Sudan, and 
Mauritania are reportedly attending.  Foreign Ministers will 
represent most other Arab states.  The Jordanians see this as 
an ideal opportunity to combine the Secretary's focus in 
Jerusalem on the peace process with engagement and 
encouragement of the reform initiative.  Conversely, they are 
concerned that non-cabinet level participation will leave the 
misleading impression that the U.S. is no longer fully 
committed to the regional reform agenda. 
 
2.  (C) Mulki said a one-hour drop in from Jerusalem would 
allow sufficient time for an appearance at the meeting and a 
bilateral with the King.  Charge pointed out considerations 
which had made a Jordan stop not possible this time, but 
promised to convey this request. 
HALE