US embassy cable - 04AMMAN5418

UNCLAS AMMAN 005418 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/LEA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, MASS, JO, KTER 
SUBJECT: LETTER FROM KING ABDULLAH II TO SECRETARY OF 
DEFENSE RUMSFELD 
 
Embassy Amman received July 1 via messenger a letter from 
King Abdullah II to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld 
dated June 30.  The letter will be pouched to NEA/LEA for 
delivery to Secretary Rumsfeld.  The text of the letter is as 
follows: 
 
Dear Friend: 
 
     Following our constructive discussions on June 14, 2004, 
I would like to assure you Mr. Secretary, that Jordan stands 
steadfast with the United States in its war on terrorism.  We 
fully support the call for a broad and sustained campaign 
against the terrorist organizations, and believe in the same 
values of freedom and democracy that the United States stands 
for. 
 
     Winning the war on terrorism will require Jordan to work 
hand in hand with the United States to continue its efforts 
to defend all its borders.  Jordan has detected increased 
attempts by terrorists to infiltrate our northern borders, 
demonstrated most recently by the foiled chemical attack 
targeting Jordan and US interests in my country.  We are also 
monitoring closely our eastern borders to prevent any 
terrorist to infiltrate into our territory to destabilize 
Jordan, or use Jordan as a launching pad to target our 
neighbors.  On our eastern border we have also been 
monitoring increased activity of attempts to smuggle serious 
weapons, rather than the light firearms that had been the 
norm in the past.  Thus, our focus today is primarily on 
border security and C4ISR. 
 
     As you are well aware, Mr. Secretary, Jordan's border 
security contributes to the region's overall security and 
stability.  As open borders become more secure, evildoers 
will resort to smuggling through border points - which 
require upgrading our screening equipment and capabilities. 
This holistic approach will require an advanced C4ISR system 
that will provide the communication requirements between the 
various forces, with a focus on integration as well as 
sharing of intelligence. 
 
     It is important to understand that Jordan has always 
relied on its human resources to deter any threat at our 
borders and to a lesser extent on technological means to 
secure its borders.  This has stretched thin our 
capabilities.  To address such a difficulty, it is required 
to provide our security forces with much needed equipment. 
These technological devices along the borders will surely 
take some pressure off the Armed Forces, thus enabling them 
to spend the necessary time on matters requiring more 
attention, and focusing these human assets to fight the roots 
of the problem. 
 
     The needed equipment consist of light equipment, light 
vehicles, night operation capability and communication that 
would allow us to deploy a more efficient, yet smaller rapid 
deployment force.  Also, the Javelins, as you well know, will 
provide our special forces that are working in unison with 
the United States forces, an effective edge over the 
well-equipped forces of evil.  Another item in our request 
was the anti missile equipment that will be placed on the 
State Aircraft.  This is of utmost importance now, as we 
shuttle between our neighbors and friends, rallying support 
for the principles we hold so dear - obviously something 
those terrorists not only fear, but also are willing to fight 
at any cost. 
 
     I would like to thank you, Mr. Secretary, for your 
continued profound support to Jordan. 
 
                        Yours, 
 
                        //Abdullah II of Jordan// 
GNEHM