US embassy cable - 05AMMAN6568

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 006568 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/16/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, PGOV, KPAL, OREP, IZ, JO 
SUBJECT: CODEL KING MEETINGS WITH JORDANIAN SECURITY 
OFFICIALS 
 
REF: AMMAN 6238 
 
Classified By: CDA David Hale for reasons 1.4 (b), (d) 
 
1. (C) SUMMARY: Codel King met with Saad Khayr, the King's 
National Security Advisor, General Mohammed Al-Eitan, 
Director of the Public Security Directorate (PSD), and Major 
General Samih Asfura, Director of the General Intelligence 
Directorate (GID) during their visit to Amman on August 2. 
Discussions focused on border security and counterterrorism 
efforts, as well as Jordan's relations with Saudi Arabia and 
Iraq.  END SUMMARY. 
 
======================= 
MEETING WITH SAAD KHAYR 
======================= 
 
2. (C) A congressional delegation led by Rep. Peter King 
visited Amman on August 2.  The Codel included Rep. Charlie 
Dent, Rep. Michael McCaul, Rep. Donna Christensen, Rep. 
Carolyn McCarthy, and U.S. House of Representatives staff 
member Steven DeVine.  Charge accompanied the group on its 
appointments.   Jordanian National Security Advisor Saad 
Khayr briefed the Codel on the previous day's visit by 
Palestinian Authority President, Abu Mazen.  Khayr said Abu 
Mazen was committed to achieving a smooth Gaza withdrawal, as 
evidenced by his meetings with Israeli officials on this 
subject (ref A).  Turning to Jordan,s own national security, 
Khayr stated "we are battling ideology and not just 
terrorism."  Referring to the bombings in Sharm al Sheikh and 
London, Khayr highlighted the need for all Muslims to 
denounce terrorism, and suggested that the West hold a summit 
in which political and Muslim leaders in the West agree to a 
statement condemning terror.  Khayr also shared his idea to 
use the 2006 summit of the Organization of Islamic Conference 
(OIC), to follow up on the international Islamic conference 
held in Amman in July (ref B), to produce further 
denunciation of terrorism by the Islamic world.  Khayr hoped 
that high-profile efforts like these would spur serious 
discussions between the West and the Arab world on issues 
related to terrorist violence.  In response to Rep. King,s 
questions on conversations from Saudi Arabia and Morocco in 
countering terrorism, Khayr replied that while conversation 
is "not exactly strong," Jordan hopes to deepen intelligence 
exchanges, and in the case of Saudi Arabia, training. 
 
3. (C) Khayr focused on Jordan's immediate neighbors and the 
challenges facing them.  He stated his belief that the 
Syrians are still turning a blind eye to the flow of weapons 
from Syria into both Iraq and Jordan.  Consequently, 
relations with Syria remain rocky.  Security relations with 
Israel, on the other hand, remain good as both sides continue 
to share information on cross border infiltration attempts 
and methods to prevent terrorist violence.  Khayr pointed out 
that the GOJ is closely monitoring the Gaza withdrawal as the 
King is concerned about the implications for Jordan, with its 
majority Palestinian population, should it not be successful. 
 Khayr's final comments revolved around Iran's sustained 
efforts to influence Iraqi Shi'as.  Based on his talks with 
Ayatollah Sistani, Khayr reported that he had candidly told 
Rep. King that "most Shi'a are not oriented towards Iran." 
According to Khayr, Iraqi Shi'a are more concerned about 
their future power and status within the Iraqi government 
than aligning themselves with Iran. 
 
=========================== 
A WARM RECEPTION AT THE PSD 
=========================== 
 
4. (S) Codel King was warmly welcomed by the Public Security 
Director, General Eitan (until recently head of military 
intelligence in the Jordan Armed Forces).  He discussed the 
need for continued vigilance along Jordan's borders.  In 
response to questions, he noted that the border with Saudi 
Arabia was the least secure due to a lack of cooperation and 
information exchange with the Saudis.  Eitan continued, 
however, that the Saudis had improved information sharing 
with Jordan in recent months.  Rep. King agreed on the 
importance of sharing intelligence on border security and 
asked what the USG could do to help strengthen communications 
between Jordan and Saudi Arabia.  Eitan was extremely 
receptive to the idea of USG intervention in this matter, 
saying that it would "be best if the Saudis hear this from 
the U.S. rather than from Jordan, so long as the Saudis 
believe that Jordan did not put the U.S. up to it."  The main 
problem Eitan observed with Saudi security forces is that 
"they have many heads and not one single agency."  He 
remarked that, "The Saudis are not unified since Prince X, Y, 
and Z are all heading their own agencies and do not want to 
share any information.  They are better at sharing border 
information, but terrorist information is difficult to get." 
5. (S) When asked about Jordan's own experiences with 
terrorism, Eitan provided a brief history of Jordan's 
security problems dating to the assassination of King 
Abdullah I.  He summed up his views by saying "terrorism is 
an international threat and ...we must unite together to 
fight and contain the terrorists."  Rep. King asked about 
Jordan's human intelligence capabilities, not only within 
Jordan, but also in Syria regarding Iraqi infiltrations. 
Lamenting the lack of information being shared by both Syria 
and Saudi Arabia, Eitan explained that both countries seem 
intent on keeping their information internally, and are only 
willing to share if they believe they themselves are in 
danger and could benefit form Jordanian intelligence.  Eitan 
stressed that security along Jordan's border with Iraq is 
"good," but that the GOJ needed assistance along its frontier 
with Syria.  He was confident that completion of the C4ISR 
program in 2006 would make the Jordan-Syria border more 
secure.  When asked how much confidence he had in Jordanian 
intelligence on Al-Qaeda activities and capabilities in 
Jordan, Eitan remarked that Jordanian security tries to 
follow Al-Qaeda operations closely, but is concerned about 
possible "sleeper cells" and other as yet undetected 
terrorist groups. 
 
6. (C) Eitan used the remainder of the meeting to discuss 
Iraq and the need for a change in the mentality of the Iraqi 
people to mend divides and allow the creation of a stable 
government.  Eitan stressed that Jordan is "very close" to 
Iraq and eager to see violence end there. He said he "hoped" 
that progress was being made in Iraq.  Focusing on the Jordan 
International Police Training Center (JIPTC), Eitan expressed 
concern over the selection process for Iraqi police trainees. 
 He described reports that some JIPTC cadets had already 
received training or had been policemen under the old regime, 
which raised doubts on the vetting of incoming JIPTC 
recruits.  From an internal security standpoint, Eitan was 
worried that an insurgent intent on causing problems in 
Jordan could pose as a police recruit.  The fear that Jordan 
could be the next target of terrorists or insurgents in Iraq 
is very real, according to Eitan, especially in the wake of 
the Sharm al Shiekh bombings:  "We have to expect (an attack) 
at any time."  To improve the JIPTC selection process, Eitan 
recommended that recruits be chosen more carefully, with 
their identities accurately confirmed, by one central 
committee rather than the current practice of using several 
different selection groups.  One committee would also ensure 
that consistent vetting measures are applied. 
 
======================= 
CLOSE TIES WITH THE GID 
======================= 
 
7. (S/NF) The final meeting was with Major General Samih 
Asfura, Director of the General Intelligence Directorate 
(GID) and Colonel Basil Bayuk, head of the GID's 
counterterrorism unit. The first half of the meeting focused 
on the high degree of cooperation between the Jordanian and 
American intelligence agencies.  Asfura said "Jordan is 
committed to fighting terrorism and continued information 
exchanges with the USG as a way to strengthen our 
relationship."  The focus of the meeting shifted to Jordan's 
working relationship with Saudi Arabia.  The Saudis were late 
in addressing terrorism, but Asfura added that Jordan was 
helping to teach the Saudis how to handle the problem. 
Asfura told Rep. King that the GID has been training the 
Saudis in human intelligence gathering methods, 
counterterrorism information exchanges and in general 
building a working relationship between the GOJ and the 
government of Saudi Arabia. 
 
8. (C) Regarding Iraq and JIPTC security measures, Asfura 
echoed Eitan,s comments in urging an improved recruiting and 
vetting process for Iraqi police cadets.  Such a change was 
needed, according to Asfura, to lessen the threat of 
insurgents entering Jordan using JIPTC for cover, although he 
added that Jordan is keeping a watchful eye on JIPTC 
recruits. Asfura stated that Jordan is being targeted by 
terrorist groups, but noted that the GID has managed to foil 
all recent terrorist plots in the country. 
 
9. (U) Codel King did not have the opportunity to clear this 
cable. 
HALE