US embassy cable - 05AMMAN7601

S E C R E T AMMAN 007601 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2015 
TAGS: PREL, MARR, JO, IZ 
SUBJECT: JORDANIAN ARMED FORCES CHIEF OFFERS IRAQ MILITARY 
TRAINING ASSISTANCE 
 
 
Classified By: DANIEL RUBINSTEIN, CHARGE D'AFFAIRES, REASONS: 1.4 (B &D 
) 
 
1.  (S) In discussions with visiting U.S. Ambassador to Iraq 
Zalmay Khalilzad, Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) Chairman of 
the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Khalid 
Sarairah thanked the U.S. Ambassador for the generous 
assistance to Jordan from the U.S..  Sarairah stated that 
only with US assistance is it possible for Jordan to prepare 
itself fully 
to join the fight against terrorism. 
 
2.  (S) Sarairah laid out for Amb. Khalilzad additional 
opportunities for Iraqi military training in Jordan, 
stressing 
that training here not only affords Iraqi forces the 
opportunity to 
improve weapons and tactical skills, but carries the 
potential to improve understanding of democratic values and 
the appropriate role of the military within a democratic 
society.  Specifically, Sarairah offered continued use of the 
existing New Iraqi Army training camp in Jordan, intelligence 
training, additional training for units of Iraqi border 
security and customs agents, and the option to embed an 
Iraqi unit isn a similar parent organization of the Jordan 
Armed Forces (JAF). 
Sarairah also offered additional equipment transfers 
from Jordan to Iraq, available within the JAF as a 
result of the recently-completed JAF Strategic Defense 
Review.  Ambassador Khalilzad thanked Sarairah for his offer, 
and promised to pass it to the Iraqi government. 
 
3.  (S) On border security, Sarairah noted that 
despite the stated belief of Iraq's Minister of Defense, the 
border between Jordan and Iraq was fully secure, and no 
infiltrations of terrorists or weapons was occurring 
between Jordan and Iraq. 
 
4.  (S) On Syria, Sarairah emphasized the need for the SARG 
to 
open Syrian society, focus the efforts of its security 
apparatus on the presence and 
training of terrorists within Syria, and improve border 
security to stop the flow of arms 
and narcotics into Jordan.  Sarairah felt that additional 
political pressure was needed to convince the Syrians to 
focus on domestic issues 
and let the Iraqis address their problems without foreign 
interference.  Ambassador Khalilzad agreed that pressure on 
the Syrian government to cease its assistance to the 
insurgency should be stepped-up. 
 
5.  (S) In response to Ambassador Khalilzad's query on how 
best to stem the insurgency in Iraq, Sarairah said that that 
the Iraqis had to be forced to become more self-sufficient or 
they would 
continue to rely on US forces to provide their security. 
To do this, Sarairah felt they needed more military training 
in groups, 
improved staff officer and leadership training, and 
significantly improved intelligence capabilities to counter 
the insurgency.  Sarairah concluded his remarks by stating 
that the JAF 
would positively consider any requirements for assistance 
requested by the Iraqi military. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
6.  (S)  The GOJ has raised previously all of these offers of 
training for Iraq's military.  Extensive training is under 
way in Jordan -- especially for policemen and some military 
personnel -- but Jordanian offers of additional training have 
often met with cool Iraqi responses due to funding 
constraints,the Iraqi preference for conducting new training 
inside Iraq, and likely, discomfort on the part of many 
Iraqis in seeking and receieving training from Jordanians. 
 
7.  (U)  This cable was cleared by Ambassador Khalilzad. 
HALE