US embassy cable - 05AMMAN1959

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 AMMAN 001959 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR PM AND NEA 
 
SECRET  NOFORN 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O.  12958:  DECL: 03/01/15 
TAGS: PREL, MARR, PARM, MASS, JO 
SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR GENERAL RICHARD MYERS 
 
CLASSIFIED BY CHARG D'AFFAIRES DAVID HALE FOR REASONS 1.4 (B 
AND D). 
 
1. (S//NF) GENERAL KHALID SARAIREH, CHAIRMAN, JORDAN ARMED 
FORCES IS LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR VISIT TO JORDAN.  IT WILL 
PROVIDE AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THE JAF LEADERSHIP 
FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT TO OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM AND 
OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, AND WILL HELP ENSURE JORDAN'S 
CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR FURTHERING U.S. SECURITY OBJECTIVES IN 
AND AROUND THE REGION. 
 
2. (C) YOU WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH GENERAL 
KHALID AL-SARAIREH, CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF, 
LIEUTENANT GENERAL PRINCE FAISAL BIN AL-HUSSEIN, SPECIAL 
ASSISTANT TO THE CHAIRMAN, WHO WILL BE THE REGENT IN THE 
ABSENCE OF HIS BROTHER, THE KING, AND BRIGADIER GENERAL AHMED 
SIRHAN, COMMANDING GENERAL OF JORDANIAN SPECIAL OPERATIONS 
COMMAND.  KING ABDULLAH WILL BE IN THE U.S. FOR MEETINGS WITH 
PRESIDENT BUSH AND OTHER SENIOR OFFICIALS. 
 
3. (C) KING ABDULLAH MET DECEMBER 6 WITH PRESIDENT BUSH.  THE 
KING RENEWED HIS ASSURANCES THAT HE WILL CONTINUE TO "STICK HIS 
NECK OUT" TO HELP ADVANCE U.S. AND JORDANIAN JOINT INTERESTS IN 
THE REGION, BUT NEEDS CONTINUED AND EXPANDED U.S. SUPPORT.  HE IS 
GRATEFUL FOR THE ADMINISTRATION'S REQUEST FOR NEARLY $300 
MILLION IN SUPPLEMENTARY ASSISTANCE, ALTHOUGH THE FIGURE 
FALLS SHORT OF HIS AMBITIOUS REQUEST FOR $800 MILLION.  JORDAN'S 
SUPPORT ON CRITICAL FOREIGN POLICY GOALS HAS INCLUDED: 
 
--POLITICAL, DIPLOMATIC, AND SECURITY SUPPORT FOR THE EMERGING 
INSTITUTIONS IN IRAQ; 
 
--STRONG SUPPORT FOR ABU MAZEN AND ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN 
REENGAGEMENT, DEMONSTRATED BY PARTICIPATION IN THE SHARM 
SUMMIT, THE RETURN OF A JORDANIAN AMBASSADOR TO ISRAEL, THE 
FOREIGN MINISTER'S RECENT VISIT TO ISRAEL (THE FIRST SINCE 2001), 
AND OFFERS TO PROVIDE SECURITY TRAINING TO PALESTINIAN FORCES, 
AS WELL AS READINESS TO RETURN TO THE WEST BANK A JORDANIAN- 
RECRUITED AND -TRAINED BRIGADE OF PALESTINIAN SECURITY 
PERSONNEL; 
 
--SUSTAINED COUNTER-TERRORISM COOPERATION OF GLOBAL REACH 
AND SIGNIFICANCE; 
 
--OUTSPOKEN PUBLIC CONDEMNATION OF OBJECTIONABLE SYRIAN 
BEHAVIOR AND PRIVATE REINFORCEMENT OF OUR MESSAGE TO SYRIAN 
OFFICIALS TO ALTER THAT BEHAVIOR OR FACE THE CONSEQUENCES; THIS 
HAS INCLUDED CONSPICUOUS SUPPORT FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF UNSCR 
1559 AND FULL WITHDRAWAL FROM LEBANON; 
 
--COMMITMENT TO A SHARED VISION OF DOMESTIC AND REGIONAL 
REFORM, AND A RECOGNITION THAT JORDAN NEEDS TO ACCELERATE ITS 
POLITICAL REFORM PROCESS IF IT IS TO REMAIN IN THE VANGUARD OF 
ARAB ADVOCATES OF CHANGE. 
 
4. (S) DURING YOUR MEETINGS WITH JORDANIAN MILITARY LEADERSHIP, 
YOU MAY WISH TO DRAW FROM THESE POINTS: 
 
- (C) THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE 
GOVERNMENT OF JORDAN REMAINS A CLOSE AND COOPERATIVE ONE ON 
POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, AND INTELLIGENCE ISSUES.  THE JORDANIAN 
MILITARY CONTINUES TO PROVIDE OUR DEFENSE ATTACH OFFICE, 
SECURITY ASSISTANCE PERSONNEL AND DISTINGUISHED VISITORS WITH 
EXCELLENT ACCESS.  HOWEVER, THERE ARE SUBTLE INDICATIONS OF 
INCREASING FRUSTRATIONS RESULTING FROM SOME JORDANIAN 
MILITARY OFFICIALS' PERCEPTION THAT THE U.S. HAS FAILED TO 
DELIVER ON PROMISES MADE IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO OIF.  WHILE THE 
JAF REMAINS PLEASED WITH BASELINE FUNDING LEVELS, THERE HAVE 
BEEN SIGNIFICANT DELAYS IN REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENDITURES FOR 
BORDER SECURITY ENHANCEMENTS AND TF HASHEM.  THE WORK OF A 
DOD TEAM, LED BY THE COMPTROLLER, THIS WEEK IN RESOLVING 
OUTSTANDING CLAIMS HAS GONE FAR TO PUT THIS PROBLEM BEHIND US, 
AND THE KING HAS INDICATED HIS SATISFACTION. 
 
- (C) SENIOR JORDANIAN OFFICIALS EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR THE ONGOING 
POLITICAL PROCESS IN IRAQ.  HOWEVER, THEY REMAIN CONCERNED 
THAT EFFORTS BE MADE TO DRAW ACCEPTABLE SUNNI ELEMENTS INTO 
THAT PROCESS.  THE JORDANIAN PUBLIC AND PARLIAMENT ARE HIGHLY 
CRITICAL OF U.S. POLICY ON IRAQ, AS THEY ARE ON THE ISRAELI- 
PALESTINIAN FRONT.  THERE ARE SOME SIGNS OF WARY OPTIMISM 
ABOUT DEVELOPMENTS ON BOTH ISSUES, BUT THE PUBLIC REMAINS 
SKEPTICAL OF U.S. MOTIVES. 
 
- (C) JORDAN REMAINS AN IMPORTANT PARTNER IN THE WAR ON 
TERRORISM AND IN REBUILDING IRAQ.  AS YOU ARE AWARE, JORDAN 
HOSTS CUSTOMS, BORDER, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING, AIR 
FORCE CREW AND SUPPORT TRAINING, AND COUNTER-TERRORISM FORCE 
TRAINING FOR IRAQIS.  THE JAF HAS DONATED AND WE HAVE 
TRANSFERRED A TOTAL OF 50 UKRAINIAN MADE BTRS AND 26 BELGIQUE 
SPARTANS.  UP TO 100 US-ORIGIN M113S, WHICH THE JAF HAS SCHEDULED 
TO GIVE IRAQ WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, WILL BE THE THIRD OF 
SEVERAL TRANSFERS THAT WILL ULTIMATELY AMOUNT TO 230 ARMORED 
VEHICLES. 
 
- (S) BORDER SECURITY REMAINS A PRIMARY CONCERN FOR THE GOJ. 
JORDANIAN INTELLIGENCE COOPERATION WITH THE U.S. IS ROBUST AND 
A BORDER SECURITY PROGRAM IS BEING IMPLEMENTED WITH USG 
ASSISTANCE.  WHILE THE SECURITY SITUATION HAS IMPROVED 
SIGNIFICANTLY ON THE IRAQI AND ISRAELI/WEST BANK BORDERS, 
JORDANIAN AUTHORITIES CONTINUE TO EXPRESS CONCERN OVER THE 
POROUSNESS OF THEIR BORDERS WITH SYRIA AND SAUDI ARABIA.  UNTIL 
A SENSOR AND COMMUNICATIONS PACKAGE IS FULLY FUNDED AND 
DEPLOYED, THE GOJ WILL NEED TO MAINTAIN SIGNIFICANT GROUND 
FORCES ALONG ITS FRONTIERS. 
 
- (S) KING ABDULLAH HAS DEFINED HIS SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES AS 
THE MILITARY CENTERPIECE TO COUNTER THE TERRORIST THREAT, WITH 
CONTINUED EMPHASIS ON BUILDING THE SPECIAL OPS TRAINING CENTER. 
THE PROPOSED FY2005 SUPPLEMENTAL INCLUDES USD 99 MILLION TO 
ASSIST WITH ESTABLISHING THIS TRAINING CENTER TO TRAIN REGIONAL 
MILITARY, SECURITY FORCES AND CIVILIAN OFFICIALS.  HE IS ALSO 
MOVING FORWARD WITH CREATING A NEW SPECIAL OPERATIONS 
AVIATION HELICOPTER UNIT, CONTRACTING BLACKWATER AVIATION TO 
DEVELOP SPECIAL OPERATIONS TACTICS, TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES 
AS WELL AS TO TRAIN PILOTS IN ADVANCED TACTICAL EMPLOYMENT 
METHODS.  THE UNIT WILL BE BUILT AROUND 8 UH-60 BLACKHAWK 
HELICOPTERS JORDAN HAS PURCHASED USING FMF.  THE HELICOPTERS 
WILL BE DELIVERED STARTING IN FALL 2006.  PRIOR TO DELIVERY OF THE 
HELICOPTERS, THE KING ENVISIONS A RIGOROUS SCREENING AND 
SELECTION PROCESS FOR PILOTS, CREW CHIEFS AND MAINTENANCE 
PERSONNEL, WHO WILL THEN BE SCHEDULED FOR TRAINING COURSES IN 
THE U.S. 
 
- (S) LIEUTENANT GENERAL PRINCE FEISAL BIN HUSSEIN IS SEEKING A 
GREATER REGIONAL ROLE FOR JORDANIAN AIRPOWER.  FOR EXAMPLE, 
THE RJAF PLANS TO HOST AN INTERNATIONAL F-16 COMPETITION IN 
MARCH 2006, EXTENDING INVITATIONS TO SEVERAL PARTNER COUNTRIES 
AS WELL AS THE U.S.  THE COMUSCENTAF HAS COMMITTED HIS FORCES 
TO PARTICIPATE IN "FALCON MEET" BY COMBINING THE FLY-IN WITH 
THEIR "EAGER TIGER" EXERCISE.  PRINCE FEISAL ALSO ENVISIONS AN 
ENHANCED CAPABILITY FOR JORDAN'S ROTARY WING AIRCRAFT TO 
SUPPORT SPECIAL OPERATIONS, BORDER SECURITY MISSIONS, AND A 
FUTURE COMBAT SEARCH AND RESCUE CAPABILITY.  HE IS LOOKING FOR 
OPPORTUNITIES, IN HIS NEW CAPACITY AS ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF 
FOR AIR OPERATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY, TO IMPROVE JOINT 
INTEROPERABILITY AND COOPERATION, ESPECIALLY FOR RJAF SUPPORT 
TO THE JAF AND SOCOM. 
 
- (C) THE COMMANDER OF THE ROYAL JORDANIAN NAVY (RJN), BG AL- 
ZABEN, AND THE KING REMAIN COMMITTED TO UPGRADING THE NAVAL 
BASE AT AQABA.  IMPROVING THE SECURITY OF JORDAN'S ONLY PORT IS 
A KEY ELEMENT IN THE FUTURE OF THE AQABA SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE 
AUTHORITY (ASEZA).  THE INTENT OF THE AQABA NAVAL BASE 
ENHANCEMENT IS TO ESTABLISH A BASE CAPABLE OF HANDLING TWO 
U.S. CRUISER-CLASS WARSHIPS OR ONE U.S. JFK CLASS AIRCRAFT 
CARRIER.  THE KING HAS ALLOCATED MORE THAN USD 50 MILLION TO 
THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT. THE BASE'S PORT EXPANSION WILL BE 
ABLE TO BERTH THE ENTIRE RJN FLEET IN ONE LOCATION. 
 
- (S) JORDAN VIEWS UNRESTRICTED GROUND ACCESS FROM AQABA TO 
BAGHDAD TO BE OF CRITICAL INTEREST TO BOTH JORDAN AND IRAQ. 
ABOUT FORTY PERCENT OF IRAQ'S IMPORTS ARE FLOWING THROUGH 
JORDAN.  THE KIDNAPPING OF JORDANIAN DRIVERS, SOME OF WHICH 
APPEARS TO BE FINANCIALLY MOTIVATED, HAS CAUSED CONCERN--AND 
JORDANIAN TOLERANCE FOR UNDER-THE-TABLE NEGOTIATIONS WITH 
HOSTAGE TAKERS HAS ONLY GIVEN KIDNAPPERS ENCOURAGEMENT. 
IMPROVED SECURITY FOR THE ROAD INTO IRAQ IS A JORDANIAN 
PRIORITY.  KING ABDULLAH HAS OFFERED JORDANIAN ASSISTANCE IN 
ESTABLISHING A SECURITY FORCE TO SECURE THE HIGHWAY TO 
GENERALS ABIZAID AND CASEY, BUT AWAITS A FORMAL REQUEST FROM 
THE IIG PRIOR TO MOVING FORWARD. 
 
- (S) IN ADDITION TO SUPPORTING OPERATIONS IN IRAQ, A JORDANIAN 
MILITARY HOSPITAL CONTINUES TO OPERATE IN AFGHANISTAN. 
 
5. (S) THE FOLLOWING ITEMS MAY COME UP DURING YOUR DISCUSSIONS 
WITH THE JORDAN OFFICIALS. 
 
- (C) SECURITY ASSISTANCE.  SENIOR JAF LEADERSHIP ARGUE THAT 
JORDAN NEEDS FUNDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION THAT THEY REGARD 
AS NECESSARY TO ADDRESS OUR REQUESTS FOR THEIR SUPPORT IN THE 
REGION IN THE FUTURE. 
 
- (S//NF) GIFTED AIRCRAFT.  PRIOR TO HIS DEPARTURE FROM IRAQ, 
AMBASSADOR BREMER ACCEPTED THE TRANSFER FROM JORDAN OF TWO 
C-130B AND SIXTEEN UH-1 AIRCRAFT ON BEHALF OF THE NEW IRAQI 
ARMY AND AIR FORCE.  JORDAN GIFTED THESE AIRCRAFT WITH THE 
ASSUMPTION THAT REFURBISHMENT WOULD BE ACCOMPLISHED IN 
JORDAN.  TO DATE, FOUR OF SIXTEEN UH-1 HELICOPTERS HAVE BEEN 
TRANSFERRED TO THE IIG AND THE GOJ HAS PAID THE SUBCONTRACTOR 
CONDUCTING THE REFURBISHMENT FOR THE FIRST TWO AIRCRAFT.  THE 
C-130 AIRCRAFT ARE CURRENTLY BEING EVALUATED TO DETERMINE 
WHAT LEVEL OF REFURBISHMENT THEY NEED. 
 
- (U) PEACE OPERATIONS TRAINING CENTER (POTC).  ARMY CENTRAL 
COMMAND (ARCENT) HAS BEEN THE KEY U.S. SUPPORT AGENCY FOR THE 
POTC IN THE CITY OF ZARQA.  ARCENT FUNDED THE CONSTRUCTION OF 
THE POTC MAIN BUILDING AND PROVIDED SOME OF ITS CONTENTS. THE 
CULTURAL AWARENESS TRAINING OF U.S. FORCES AT THE POTC HAVE 
BETTERED THE REPUTATION OF THE JORDANIAN FACILITY AND OTHER 
NATIONS, AS WELL AS THE U.N. WHICH HAVE BEGUN USING THE POTC TO 
TRAIN THEIR TROOPS ROTATING TO A PEACE-KEEPING/ENFORCEMENT 
ENVIRONMENT.  US TROOPS ARE CURRENTLY UNDERGOING TRAINING AT 
THIS SITE, FOR WHICH THE USG IS GRATEFUL. 
 
- (U) BATTLE SIMULATION CENTER (BSC).  ARCENT HAS FUNDED MOST OF 
THE BSC EQUIPMENT AND MUCH OF THE ACCOMPANIED TRAINING.  THE 
MAJOR BI-LATERAL ACTIVITY OCCURRING AT THE BSC IS THE EAGER 
LIGHT EXERCISE.  JAF IS STRIVING TO PROFESSIONALIZE ITS BATTLE 
STAFFS AND THIS EXERCISE IS CRUCIAL TO THE ATTAINMENT OF THIS 
OBJECTIVE.  THE JAF MILITARY TRAINING DIRECTORATE HAS BEEN 
PUSHING MORE BATTLE STAFFS THROUGH THE JORDANIAN BSC WITH 
SOME DEGREE OF SUCCESS.  ARCENT HAS BEEN USING TRADITIONAL CINC 
ACTIVITIES (TCA) FUNDS TO SEND JORDANIAN BATTLE STAFFS ASSIGNED 
TO PARTICIPATE IN EAGER LIGHT TO THE U.S. FOR MILITARY DECISION 
MAKING PROCESS (MDMP) SEMINARS.  THIS ACTIVITY (ON ITS SECOND 
YEAR) HAS IMPROVED THE JORDANIAN UNDERSTANDING OF THE 
MILITARY DECISION MAKING PROCESS AND GIVEN THEM FORWARD 
MOMENTUM IN ESTABLISHING PROFESSIONALIZED BATTLE STAFFS.  JAF 
MAY ASK FOR CONTINUED AND/OR INCREASED FUNDING FOR 
ADDITIONAL BSC TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT. 
 
6. (S) MILITARY COOPERATION.  OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, SEVERAL 
BILATERAL EXERCISES WERE CANCELLED FOR OPERATIONAL REASONS. 
THE MOST RECENT CANCELLATION WAS THE INFINITE ACCLAIM NAVAL 
AIR EXERCISE.  WE REQUEST THAT YOU GIVE ASSURANCES TO THE JAF 
THAT THESE CANCELLATIONS DO NOT SIGNAL A CHANGE TO OUR BI- 
LATERAL RELATIONSHIP.  IN ADDITION, INFINITE MOONLIGHT, THE 
SINGLE LARGEST EXERCISE HELD IN JORDAN IS AT RISK OF BEING 
CANCELLED FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR.  INFINITE MOONLIGHT IS 
THE ONLY OPPORTUNITY FOR A MEU TO EXCHANGE TTPS WITH JORDAN 
AND IS THE ONLY REGULAR GROUND FORCE FTX CONDUCTED BETWEEN 
JORDAN AND US FORCES.  WE ARE CONCERNED THAT A THIRD 
CANCELLATION IS AS MANY YEARS WILL SEND THE WRONG MESSAGE. 
 
HALE