US embassy cable - 05AMMAN2819

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 002819 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/05/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, JO, PBIO 
SUBJECT: NEW PRIME MINISTER NAMED 
 
REF: A. AMMAN 02694 
     B. AMMAN 2557 (NOTAL) 
 
Classified By: CDA David Hale for Reasons 1.4 (b), (d) 
 
 1.  (C) The government of Prime Minister Faisal al-Fayez 
tendered its resignation April 5, and King Abdullah named Dr. 
Adnan Badran as the new PM to lead a reshuffled cabinet. 
This development is in line with the King's earlier 
discussion with Charge on a government change (ref B) and 
comes on the heels of widespread public rumors that Fayez was 
soon to be ousted (ref A).  The King is expected to make a 
public announcement about the new government on Jordan TV and 
radio the evening of April 5.  Post will provide analysis 
septel, as well as bios on other ministers as they are 
announced.  New Royal Court Minister Marwan al-Muasher 
briefed Charge on the details, reported septel. 
 
2.  (U) Biographical information for Dr. Adnan Badran 
follows: 
 
Dr. Badran, a Muslim East Banker from a small but well-known 
family, was born in Jerash on December 15, 1935.  (His 
brother, Mudar Badran, was Prime Minister from December 1989 
until June 1991.)  He received a bachelor's degree in science 
from Oklahoma State University in 1959.  He later earned a 
master's degree (1961) and a Ph.D. (1963) from Michigan State 
University.  After working as a research biochemist in the 
private sector for three years, Badran became a science 
professor at the University of Jordan in 1966 and was 
promoted to Dean of the Faculty of Science in 1971.  He left 
the University of Jordan in 1976 to found and serve as 
President of Yarmouk University.  From 1986-87, Badran was 
Secretary-General of the Higher Council for Science and 
 
SIPDIS 
Technology.  He served as Minister of Agriculture from 
1988-89, and as Minister of Education from 1989-90.  Badran 
moved to Paris in 1990 to work with UNESCO, eventually 
serving as UNESCO Deputy Director-General from 1994 until 
1998.  Since 1998 he has been president of Philadelphia 
University, Jordan's premier private university.  Badran is 
married with several children.  He speaks Arabic, English and 
French and has written numerous books and research papers in 
the fields of biology, economic development, education, and 
international cooperation.  Badran is a Board Member of the 
Fulbright Commission in Amman, and he participated in the 
International Visitor Program in 1977. 
 
3.  (U) Minimize considered. 
HALE