US embassy cable - 02AMMAN4443

S E C R E T AMMAN 004443 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/08/2022 
TAGS: PREL, IZ, TU, JO 
SUBJECT: IRAQI, TURKISH FONMINS VISIT AMMAN:  FOCUS ON 
IRAQ, BUT NO MOVEMENT 
 
 
Classified By: Amb. Edward W. Gnehm for reasons 1.5 (B) and (D) 
 
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IRAQI FONMIN IN AMMAN... 
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1.  (S)  Iraqi FonMin Naji Sabri visited Amman August 6 and 
met with King Abdullah, PM Ali Abul Ragheb, and FonMin Marwan 
Muasher.  In an August 8 conversation with the Ambassador, 
Muasher said that Sabri was clearly concerned about what King 
Abdullah had discussed regarding Iraq during the King's trip 
to the U.S. last week -- although Sabri did not ask about the 
King's discussions directly.  According to Muasher, the King 
told Sabri that he was frustrated with Iraqi regime policy: 
even though he has tried to give good advice to Iraq, the 
regime never listens.  Muasher said that when the King told 
Sabri that Iraq should immediately implement all applicable 
UNSCRs, "we did not get any positive reaction."  Sabri 
repeated his public line that Iraq is prepared to cooperate 
with UN weapons inspectors, but only as part of an overall 
deal involving the lifting of sanctions.  The King, Muasher 
claimed, told Sabri that Iraq "can't dictate the conditions 
-- don't you realize that?" 
 
2.  (S)  According to Muasher, Sabri also expressed concern 
over former Jordanian Crown Prince Hassan's appearance at a 
July conference of Iraqi oppositionists in London.  The King 
reportedly told Sabri that he had not approved Hassan's 
appearance and, in fact, had known nothing about it 
beforehand. 
 
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...AND THE TURK AS WELL 
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3.  (S)  Turkish FonMin Sukru Sina Gurel also visited Amman 
August 6 and met with King Abdullah, PM Abul Ragheb and 
FonMin Muasher, as well as Iraqi FonMin Sabri.  Muasher told 
the Ambassador that Gurel had wanted to discuss Jordan's 
position on Iraq, but had provided little insight into 
Turkish thinking.  However, Muasher commented, Gurel left the 
impression -- but did not state explicitly -- that, in the 
end, Turkey will "provide support" to possible U.S. military 
action against Iraq. 
 
4.  (C)  Turkish Charge Sadi Altinok (protect) claimed to the 
DCM August 7 that FM Gurel was unaware that Iraqi FM Sabri 
was in Amman until FM Muasher mentioned it in passing during 
his meeting.  After the meeting with Muasher, Gurel decided 
on his own to ask Sabri to meet.  According to the Turkish 
charge, Gurel urged Iraq to comply with UNSCRs, and Sabri 
restated the Iraqi position. 
 
5.  (C)  According to Altinok, PM Abul Ragheb and Gurel in 
their meeting had discussed scenarios for the "day after" a 
possible military action against Iraq.  Both agreed the Iraqi 
regime is bad for everybody, but worried that Iraq would 
break apart in the wake of a war.  Abul Ragheb told Gurel 
that removing the Ba'ath party would leave Iraq without any 
political glue, perhaps leading to disintegration of 
authority and civil war. 
 
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KING ABDULLAH SHIES AWAY FROM TURKISH PRESS 
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6.  (C)  In an interesting side note, Altinok said that King 
Abdullah had turned down a request to appear on Turkish state 
television.  The palace said the King had been on TV quite a 
lot lately and was cutting back on his exposure. 
 
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COMMENT 
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7.  (S)  Sabri seems to have come to Amman both to check on 
what King Abdullah did in Washington and to remind the 
Jordanians that Iraq is watching Jordanian actions.  As 
usual, the Jordanian-Iraqi exchange seems to have produced 
little movement in any direction. 
 
Gnehm