US embassy cable - 05AMMAN340

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 000340 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/13/2010 
TAGS: PREL, MASS, JO, IZ, NATO 
SUBJECT: NATO SYG VISIT TO JORDAN 
 
 
Classified By: Charge David Hale, Reasons 1.4 (B) & (D) 
 
1.  (C) NATO Secretary General Scheffer briefed NATO Chiefs 
of Mission on January 13 on his visit to Jordan, part of his 
effort to pursue contacts with Mediterranean Partner 
countries.  In meetings with King Abdullah, the Jordan Armed 
Forces Chief of Staff (JAF COS), and Deputy Prime Minister 
Muasher, he heard a readiness by Jordan to find practical 
areas of cooperation and to build military-to-military ties. 
Scheffer said the Jordanians mildly complained that the 
dialogue had produced more talk than action; Scheffer said 
this view may have stemmed from false expectations.  He 
emphasized to the Jordanians that if asked, NATO could 
provide advice, especially on the current effort to enhance 
Jordanian border controls.  What it would not provide was the 
sort of equipment that Jordan has been receiving from member 
states.  The Jordanians agreed to pursue discussions, and 
send the JAF COS or another senior officer to Brussels to do 
so.  In addition to border issues, the King suggested to 
Scheffer that he would welcome NATO advice on ways to enhance 
Jordan's strategic airlift capacity, as it looks to expand 
its peacekeeping and regional special operations capacities. 
 
2.  (C) Discussion  also ranged over Iraqi elections, the 
King's views on the long-term threat posed by Iran, and 
emerging opportunities to advance Israeli-Palestinian 
dialogue and roadmap implementation. 
HALE