US embassy cable - 05AMMAN2851

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 002851 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/06/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, KDEM, KMPI, ECON, JO 
SUBJECT: KING CHARGES NEW PM WITH ACCELERATING REFORMS 
 
REF: A. AMMAN 2826 
     B. AMMAN 2819 
     C. AMMAN 2378 
 
Classified By: CDA David Hale for Reasons 1.4 (b), (d) 
 
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SUMMARY 
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1.  (C) King Abdullah has publicly instructed new PM Adnan 
Badran to form a government that will focus on speeding up 
the pace of reform, while cultivating good relations with 
Arab states.  Initial reaction on Badran's appointment from 
contacts has varied, although all recognized his integrity 
and intellect.  End Summary. 
 
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A CALL FOR REFORM 
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2.  (U)  In his official "Letter of Designation" to incoming 
Prime Minister Adnan Badran, King Abdullah charged Badran 
with leading a government that would place reform at the 
center of its agenda.  While noting that Jordan prided itself 
on assuming a "pioneering role in the region" with respect to 
reform, the letter stated the King and the Jordanian people 
were "determined ... to accelerate the pace of reform" and 
called on Badran to actively engage "all segments of 
society."  The King recognized the central role of 
parliament, declaring that "reform cannot be realized without 
constructive communication with" the legislature. 
 
3.  (U) The palace letter highlighted the work of the 
"national agenda" commission (ref C), which it described as 
drafting "a comprehensive reform process which includes 
eradicating poverty and unemployment, improving living 
standards and raising income."  Achieving these economic 
goals will require the active participation of the private 
sector, "the main engine for reform."  The King's letter 
further stressed that reform encompasses "political, judicial 
and media reform, as well as freedom of speech," and 
requested that Badran's government work closely with 
political parties and civil society institutions. 
Decentralization leading to broader participation in the 
decision-making process was recognized as a key element in 
achieving a more responsive and accountable government. 
 
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ARAB BROTHERHOOD 
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4.  (U) Looking beyond Jordan's borders, the King wrote that 
Jordan would always be committed to its "deep Arab roots" and 
strive for constructive relations with "all Arab brethren 
countries."  He instructed the new government to "remain 
supportive" of the Iraqi people by continuing to promote 
"their pursuit to solidify their unity and sovereignty within 
their independent choices and through democracy."  The letter 
also pledged support for the Palestinians, stating that the 
roadmap and the Arab peace initiative are "the most practical 
and objective means" to achieve an independent Palestinian 
state. 
 
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FALLING INTO PLACE 
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5.  (C) Although the King has hand-picked the new cabinet 
(ref A), the palace nevertheless publicly urged Badran to 
select a "homogenous working team of efficient ministers." 
The palace also announced a reorganization within the Royal 
Court.  As expected, current Deputy PM Marwan Muasher was 
named as new Royal Court Minister while Rania Atallah, former 
director of Queen Rania's office, was formally tapped as head 
of the Royal Court's media and information department. 
Outgoing PM Fayez will return to the palace as Royal Court 
Chief and Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the King 
Abdullah Fund for Development.  Outgoing Royal Court Minister 
Samir al-Rifai takes an appointment as palace advisor, so far 
without portfolio. 
 
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INITIAL REACTION 
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6.  (C) Human rights activists Asem Rababah and Fawzi 
Samhouri told poloff that while they were encouraged by the 
King's letter, they had grown wary of "empty talk."  Both 
questioned whether Badran would be able to meet expectations. 
 Political activist Jamal Rifai, who knows Badran personally, 
praised the incoming PM for his honesty, integrity and 
intellect.  However, Rifai stated that a "powerful man" was 
needed to effectively lead a reformist government, and he 
quipped that Badran was not suitable for the position because 
he was "too polite."  Dr. Mohammad Momani, professor of 
political science at Yarmouk University, characterized 
Badran's appointment as "undoubtedly the right step."  Momani 
said Badran was qualified, "clean," and capable of achieving 
what the King requested. 
 
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COMMENT 
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7.  (C) The letter of designation closely parallels the 
points made to Charge by new Royal Court Minister Marwan 
Muasher (ref A).  The clear reformist message in the King's 
letter reflects his determination to achieve progress on 
reform, after the Fayez government dropped the ball, that he 
can showcase both at home and abroad.  As one unnamed "senior 
official" told The Jordan Times, "We have no more time to 
waste."  An April 6 briefing by Muasher for G-8 COMs gave few 
of the details provided to us earlier, but was another 
opportunity for the palace to reiterate the King's commitment 
to reform and desire to have a cohesive cabinet, a cohesive 
palace team, and harmony between the two. 
 
8.  (C) Many post officers have known Badran well, including 
in his capacity as a long-standing member of our Fulbright 
Commission.  There is no question of his intellectual 
capacity and deeply ingrained reformist credentials.  He is 
also recognized as a good executive, and good communicator. 
In some ways, he is an inspired choice.  As reviewed in ref 
A, the challenges he will face involve dealing with political 
opposition from hardcore East Bank constituencies who are 
loyal to the monarch, but threatened by reforms.  Badran's 
family originated in Nablus, but migrated to the East Bank in 
Ottoman days and became regime stalwarts (although for some 
rock-ribbed East Bankers, it just doesn't matter how long ago 
one's family left the West Bank).  His brother, Muthir, is 
cut from very different cloth.  He worked up the ranks of the 
intelligence service to become General Intelligence Director 
and then prime minister from 1989-1991, when King Hussein 
wanted a strong executive hand to balance significant 
political liberalization in parliament.  Adnan Badran has no 
association either with the security services, or Jordan's 
political factions, which accounts for part of his appeal to 
the King.  However, it also means he has few natural 
political allies in a place where moderates and reformists 
have yet to organize themselves effectively.  Badran will 
have to lean heavily on the King and the few political 
"wisemen" expected to join the government if he is to succeed 
in generating and maintaining legislative momentum for 
reform. 
 
9.  (U) Minimize considered. 
HALE