US embassy cable - 05AMMAN5065

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 005065 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/23/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, KDEM, KMPI, ECON, JO 
SUBJECT: KING REACHES OUT TO PARLIAMENT IN WAKE OF FINANCE 
MINISTER RESIGNATION 
 
REF: A. AMMAN 4802 
     B. AMMAN 4652 
     C. AMMAN 4368 
 
Classified By: CDA David Hale for Reasons 1.4 (b), (d) 
 
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SUMMARY 
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1.  (C) The resignation of Finance Minister Bassem 
Awadallah was welcomed by traditionalist forces in 
parliament, most of whom are expected to drop their 
opposition to PM Badran's reformed cabinet in an 
upcoming vote of confidence.  While some observers 
warn the move could embolden anti-reform forces, 
King Abdullah has used the resignation to help shore 
up support in parliament for his reform agenda.  End 
Summary. 
 
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MIXED REACTION TO AWADALLAH RESIGNATION 
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2.  (U) In a public letter to PM Badran quoted on the 
front pages of all major dailies, King Abdullah 
expressed regret at the resignation of controversial 
Finance Minister Bassem Awadallah on June 16 (ref A), 
calling it a "sacrifice" for reform.  The King 
characterized calls to oust Awadallah as an 
"unjustified attack ... by those who criticize and 
stymie this national (reform) program," and stressed 
"reform is about principles, not persons."  The King 
said Awadallah "gave Jordan a lot and he will continue 
to do so in a distinguished way if new developments 
require his return." 
 
3.  (C) For their part, the 48 MPs who had publicly 
pledged to withhold confidence in Badran's government 
over the composition of the cabinet (and who had put 
Awadallah's removal at the top of their demands) 
(refs B, C), expressed satisfaction with the resignation. 
MP Abdel Jalil Maaytah (East Banker, Kerak) told 
reporters that Awadallah's departure was a "positive 
step" that would defuse the crisis between the 
government and parliament.  MP Abdullah al-Jazi (East 
Banker, Southern Badia) noted to poloff that the 
resignation had paved the way for a vote of confidence 
when parliament convenes for an extraordinary session 
(most likely during the first half of July).  MP 
Mohammad Arsalan (East Banker, Zarqa) said in a meeting 
with poloff that while he fully supported Awadallah's 
economic policies, he nevertheless welcomed the 
resignation, stating it was "the price the government 
had to pay" for ignoring parliament and choosing a 
minister known to alienate MPs. 
 
4.  (C) Political analysts viewed Awadallah's departure 
as marking a new chapter in Jordanian politics in which 
the traditionalists in parliament, feeling their 
interests under threat, are now more than willing to 
directly challenge the government despite their strong 
pro-Hashemite loyalties.  "The resignation has become 
the new reality of the political scene," Director of the 
Center for Strategic Studies at the University of Jordan 
Mustafa Hamarneh told press.  Al-Ghad columnist Samih 
Maaytah wrote, "The resignation was a political exit for 
the impasse between both sides," adding that he expected 
a limited cabinet reshuffle would not have a "qualitative 
change or effect."  Dr. Mohammad al-Momani, a professor 
of political science at Yarmouk University, complained 
that Awadallah's resignation was a victory for "anti- 
reformers" and gave the traditionalists "an upper hand" 
in dictating the pace and scope of Jordan's reform 
program. 
 
5.  (U) The English-language Jordan Times was 
downright vicious in criticizing those who forced 
Awadallah's resignation, lambasting them as 
"playground bullies" whose agitation "arises from an 
appalling self-interest."  It accused them of 
"sacrificing the interests of the many in national 
reform" for the interests of a few who are desperate 
to "reinforce the status quo."  "To these deputies, we 
say, you have no right to hold the country hostage to 
your narrow ambitions." 
 
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KING MAKING THE ROUNDS IN PARLIAMENT 
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6.  (U) In the wake of Awadallah's departure, King 
Abdullah has initiated consultations with all 
parliamentary blocs in an effort to build support for 
PM Badran's government and his reform agenda.  In the 
first of a series of meetings, the King met on June 19 
at the Royal Court with 28 MPs representing the 
National Parliamentary Action Front (led by Lower 
House Speaker Abdul Hadi Majali) and the New 
Reformists bloc, urging that a "new chapter" be opened 
between the deputies and the cabinet.  According to a 
press release by the Jordan News Agency, he told the 
MPs that "judgments should be on programs and not on 
persons," and emphasized that the legislative and 
executive branches should "work as one team." 
Reflecting comments made to Secretary Rice during 
their meeting later that evening (septel), the King 
also said the government needed to engage in a 
dialogue with parliament to better explain Jordan's 
accomplishments to citizens.  "I sensed that there was 
shortcomings in talking (to citizens) about national 
programs and achievements." 
 
7.  (C) MP Arsalan told poloff that the June 19 
meeting was "very positive" and that the King 
acknowledged that past governments had done a poor job 
in providing information to MPs.  According to Arsalan, 
all the MPs in attendance (including those who had 
threatened to withhold confidence in the government) 
expressed their support for the King's reform efforts, 
though he questioned the sincerity of some of these 
professions. 
 
8.  (U) King Abdullah continued his outreach to MPs in 
separate meetings on June 20 and 21 with other blocs. 
During his talks with deputies from the Islamic Action 
Front (IAF) and the centrist National Democratic 
Coalition, the King announced a soon to be released 
"integrated study" by the Royal Court on new anti- 
corruption mechanisms designed to increase transparency 
in government and cut graft.  MPs reportedly focused 
their remarks on poverty and unemployment.  Outside of 
the palace, PM Badran is conducting a similar outreach 
effort, holding multiple meetings with groups of MPs, 
as well as leaders of political parties. 
 
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COMMENT 
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9.  (C) While some observers warn that Awadallah's 
resignation may embolden anti-reform forces, the 
palace has no intention of scaling back or slowing 
down its reform agenda.  Rather, the King is 
attempting to use the resignation to the GOJ's 
benefit, indicating to obstructionist MPs that with 
their demands for Awadallah's departure now met, and 
with a renewed commitment to increased engagement with 
parliament, it's time for them to fall in line.  The 
expected addition of new ministers from the south in 
an anticipated limited cabinet reshuffle will also 
serve to placate traditionalist MPs.  Royal Court 
Minister Marwan Muasher told Charge on June 23 that 
the reformed cabinet would be unveiled late next week, 
with 7-9 new ministers, among them himself as Deputy 
Prime Minister and de facto head of the economic team 
and the reform agenda.  A vote of confidence would be 
set shortly thereafter, as soon as parliamentary 
speaker Majali returned from foreign travel.  Painful 
steps, including a 25% cut in fuel subsidies, would 
follow immediately afterward. 
 
10.  (C) As a result of this particular crisis, the 
palace and GOJ have learned, albeit somewhat painfully, 
that selecting a government without parliamentary 
input and introducing legislation without a concerted 
attempt to justify its benefits are out of step with 
calls for more democracy and a surefire way to generate 
suspicions and provide ammunition to the opponents of 
reform.  Although many MPs are narrowly focused on 
their own personal interests and have little appetite 
for genuine reform, a majority of them are still 
predisposed to support the King and, by proxy, the 
government if the palace makes clear its support for 
the GOJ agenda.  More regular dialogue with parliament, 
and a better government PR campaign to promote reform 
among the genuine public, will serve the GOJ well. 
HALE