US embassy cable - 05AMMAN9201

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 009201 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, PTER, KDEM, ECON, JO 
SUBJECT: NEW PRIME MINISTER MAKING GOOD USE OF HIS 
POLITICAL HONEYMOON 
 
REF: A. AMMAN 9145 
     B. AMMAN 8823 
 
Classified By: CDA Daniel Rubinstein for Reasons 1.4 (b), (d) 
 
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SUMMARY & COMMENT 
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1.  (C) King Abdullah has publicly charged newly appointed PM 
Marouf Bakhit with implementing political reforms, combating 
terrorism, and reducing poverty and unemployment.  A 
well-respected figured untainted by rumors of corruption, 
Bakhit has already met with leading politicians and pledged 
to maintain a balance between security and public freedoms. 
While he brings strong academic, diplomatic and security 
credentials to the job, his lack of political experience with 
parliament may leave him hard pressed to push through 
controversial reforms.  At least in the short turn, this may 
prove to be a significant hurdle given that earlier 
speculation about parliament's imminent dismissal has now 
been definitively quashed - parliament is to resume its 
session on December 1, and there are presently no plans to 
dissolve it.  END SUMMARY & COMMENT. 
 
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MARCHING INSTRUCTIONS 
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2.  (U) In a public letter issued November 24 designating 
Marouf Bakhit as prime minister, King Abdullah charged the 
new head of government with vigorously pursuing political and 
economic reforms, while adopting a comprehensive strategy to 
fight terrorism.  Rather than set back proposed reforms as 
some analysts had expected, the King claimed that the 
November 9 terrorist bombings of three Amman hotels 
"increased our determination to adhere to our reform and 
democratization process, which is irreversible."  He 
specifically asked Bakhit to "quickly draft" new laws on 
elections, political parties, and municipalities that would 
"renew our parliamentary and political life, and ensure wider 
participation in the decision-making process."  On the 
economic side, the letter highlighted the need for the new 
government to "immediately alleviate poverty and 
unemployment" by developing plans to create jobs, attract 
investment, and eliminate corruption. 
 
3.  (U) King Abdullah further called on Bakhit to wage a 
"relentless war" on terrorism, and particularly against "the 
culture of takfir," (the revolutionary Salafists' tactic of 
branding other Muslim as unbelievers).  Without offering 
specific proposals, the letter advocated the adoption of a 
broad anti-terrorism strategy that would "not only deal with 
the security dimension," but also address ideological, 
cultural and political factors that give rise to religious 
extremism. 
 
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A QUICK START 
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4.  (U) Within hours of his designation as prime minister, 
Bakhit met separately with the Speaker of the Chamber of 
Deputies, Abdul Hadi Majali, and the President of Senate, 
Zeid Rifai.  According to the press, Bakhit told both 
legislative leaders that his government would focus on 
implementing reforms, improving economic opportunities for 
Jordanians, and enhancing security.  He further stated that 
his cabinet would carefully balance new security requirements 
with public freedoms.  Bakhit met with members of the 
principal blocs in parliament on November 26 to outline his 
priorities and to discuss the formation of his cabinet, which 
was named on November 27 (ref A). 
 
5.  (U) In his official reply to the King's letter of 
designation, Bakhit said his government would be "committed 
to placing reform as a top priority."  He continued that the 
reforms recommended in the National Agenda (ref B), formally 
presented to and endorsed by the King on November 23, would 
"guide our way" in "enhancing democracy as a lifestyle, 
culture and practice."  He expressed his determination to 
preserve national security and combat terrorism, adding that 
while his cabinet would "embrace dialogue" and listen to the 
opinions of others, "Jordan's higher interests will always 
remain a redline that no one will be allowed to cross." 
 
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REACTION 
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6.  (C) Bakhit has been well received by columnists and 
editorial writers in the local media.  Contacts whom we have 
talked to regarding Bakhit have likewise been positive in 
their comments.  While a few MPs have grumbled that the new 
PM "should have been a politician," all agreed that he is a 
well-respected figure untainted by corruption allegations. 
Bakhit has been described to us as "mature," "balanced," 
"experienced," and "a solid choice," although a few contacts 
remarked that he is "not particularly imaginative." 
 
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COMMENT 
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7.  (C) Bakhit brings impressive credentials to the job of 
prime minister.  An East Banker and retired major general, he 
combines a strong security background with solid experience 
as both an academic (PhD holder and former university 
vice-president) and a diplomat (former ambassador to Turkey 
and Israel).  What he lacks is experience as a politician and 
influence in parliament -- as did both of his immediate 
predecessors, former PMs Faisal al-Fayez and Adnan Badran. 
Bakhit's prompt meetings with MPs provided a good start in 
his relations with the legislature.  But he will be hard 
pressed to push controversial reforms - particularly a new 
elections law - through a parliament dominated by 
traditionalist East Bank politicians who see themselves as 
losing out in any significant change of the political system. 
 While the largely anti-reform parliament may have earlier 
been on the chopping block - and thereby less of a challenge 
to a new PM and his reformist ministers - the new cabinet 
brings to a close the current round of changes in the 
political lineup.  Parliament is to resume its session 
December 1, and we understand there are presently no plans to 
dissolve it. 
RUBINSTEIN