US embassy cable - 05AMMAN5623

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 005623 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, KCRM, ECON, JO 
SUBJECT: KING ABDULLAH CREATES ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION 
 
REF: AMMAN 05451 
 
Classified By: CDA David Hale for Reasons 1.4 (b), (d) 
 
1. (U) King Abdullah, in a letter dated June 26 and released 
publicly, instructed Prime Minister Adnan Badran to form an 
independent commission to fight corruption.  This commission, 
according to the letter, was charged with drafting an 
anti-corruption law designed to ensure transparency, justice 
and integrity in Jordan.  The commission is part of a package 
of steps (to be reported septel) the GOJ is taking in part to 
head off discontent over recent fuel price increases 
(reftel), but more fundamentally to demonstrate commitment to 
broad reforms. 
 
2. (U) Members of the commission include newly named Minister 
of Justice Abed Al-Shakhanbeh and Head of the Legislative 
Bureau at the Prime Ministry (and former Justice Minister) 
Mohammad Al-Alawneh. The commission's mandate is to develop 
an anti-corruption law and monitor all state agencies, civil 
society institutions, public shareholding companies, and 
establishments that deal with the public sector.  On July 12 
the Cabinet endorsed the draft law submitted by the 
commission, that is slated to be presented to the Jordanian 
Parliament in the extraordinary session to begin in mid-July. 
 
 
3. (U) MPs, political activists and commentators have reacted 
positively.  The Jordan Times, polling opinions from selected 
economists and investment experts, reported their views that 
the new anti-corruption commission could lead to greater 
foreign direct investment in Jordan, inasmuch as curbing 
corruption could create a more investment-friendly 
environment. 
 
4. (C) Although reactions portrayed in the media have been 
positive, many Jordanians privately remain skeptical as to 
whether the commission will have any real impact.  In the 
minds of these skeptics, past experience has shown that 
ending, or even curbing, corruption is very difficult.  Key 
issues for Al-Alawneh and Al-Shakhanbeh (neither of whom has 
a track record as a champion against corruption) will be 
overcoming public skepticism and establishing effective means 
to initiate real action.  The King has shown determination in 
private to create a meaningful, effective anti-corruption 
tool, as he realizes Jordan's leadership risked a tarnished 
reputation.  He deliberately took this step in order to 
replace the anti-corruption unit at the General Intelligence 
Directorate (GID).  After Saad Khayr's removal from the GID, 
the King learned, to his dismay, that that unit was in fact a 
major source of corrupt practices within the government. 
Deputy Prime Minister Al-Muasher told Charge that 
Parliament's adoption of the legislation needed to create the 
commission was the government's priority for the 
extraordinary session, second only to winning a vote of 
confidence. 
 
5. (C) COMMENT: The new anti-corruption directive comes at a 
time when the GOJ's lifting of fuel subsidies (reftel) is 
bound to cause public discontent.  Mindful of widespread 
rumors of the misuse or siphoning off of government money, 
the GOJ's re-emphasis of anti-corruption measures is in part 
an element of a strategy aimed at demonstrating a commitment 
to transparent use of public funds, and reinforcement of the 
patchy social safety net, at a time of belt tightening 
(septel).  However, it is also meant to signal to domestic 
and foreign audiences that the government is serious about 
reform.  END COMMENT. 
 
HALE