US embassy cable - 05AMMAN8268

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 008268 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OVIP, ASIG, JO 
SUBJECT: VISIT OF INSPECTOR GENERAL KRONGARD TO JORDAN 
 
REFS: A) STATE 187266    B) STATE 187184 
 
  1.   (U) Embassy Amman grants country clearance and warmly 
    welcomes the visit of Inspector General Howard J. Krongard 
    from November 1-2 and November 9-12, 2005 for the purpose of 
    observing post facilities and operations, including ISU and 
    JIPTC. 
 
  2.   (U) The embassy point of contact is Management 
    Counselor Perry M. Adair.  Contact numbers for Mr. Adair are 
    as follows:  office: 962-6-590-6710; home: 962-6-593-8742; 
    cell: 962-6-79-560-8992; fax 962-6-592-0163. The Embassy's 
    after-hours telephone number is: 962-6-590-6500. The contact 
    for ISU is Richard Boohaker: office 962-6-590-6841; cell: 
    962-6-79-663-0623. 
 
  3.   (SBU) Hotel reservations, airport meet/assist and all 
    ground transportation have been arranged. Hotel reservations 
    are confirmed for the nights of 11/1/05 and 11/9-11/05 at 
    the Sheraton Amman Al Nabil Hotel & Towers, located at 5th 
    Circle, Amman 11184.  Telephone:962-6-593-4111; FAX: 962-6- 
    593-4222. 
 
  4.   (U) Valid visas are required for entry into Jordan. 
    Visas may be obtained at Queen Alia airport; however, 
    Embassy suggests visitors obtain their visas prior to 
    arrival, as there can be long lines for visa issuance at 
    the airport. Money can be exchanged at Queen Alia 
    airport, at the hotel, or at the Embassy. 
  5.   (U) Each visitor, regardless of length of stay, must 
    have fiscal data to pay for direct costs of the visit. Each 
    agency, organization or visiting delegation will be charged 
    for the actual costs attributed to the visit.  Direct charge 
    costs include, but are not limited to: American and LES 
    overtime (for such services as airport expediting, cashier 
    accommodation exchange, control room staffing, 
    representational event support), travel and per diem costs 
    incurred by post personnel in support of visitor's field 
    travel, rental of vehicles and other equipment, long 
    distance telephone calls, office supplies, gasoline and 
    other vehicle maintenance costs, departure tax and other 
    airport fees. 
 
  6.     (U) The month of Ramadan (which began on October 4 
    and   lasts until approximately November 3) is the 
    holiest period in the Muslim year.  During Ramadan most 
    local restaurants will be closed daily between dawn and 
    sunset except those establishments catering exclusively 
    to tourists.  Some restaurants may be open for take-out 
    only during the fasting hours.  All establishments 
    serving alcohol, including bars in hotels, will remain 
    closed throughout Ramadan.  Foreign tourists may be 
    served alcohol in their hotel rooms.  Eating and smoking 
    in public, especially in the streets and in taxis, cars, 
    or buses, are strongly discouraged.  Dressing in a 
    manner inconsistent with Islamic norms is strongly 
    discouraged.  Conservative dress is recommended. 
    Official working hours for Jordanian government offices 
    and ministries are 0900-1400 hours, Sunday through 
    Thursday.  Foreign Service National employees of Embassy 
    Amman are on reduced six-hour workdays.  Traveling by 
    vehicle between the hours of 1500 and 1800 can sometimes 
    be problematic due to traffic congestion and accidents. 
 
  7. (U) Threat assessment: Since late 1999, there has been 
    a series of serious, confirmed terrorist threats and 
    disrupted terrorist plots targeting U.S. interests in 
    Jordan.  Transnational terrorist groups, as well as less 
    sophisticated local elements, have demonstrated the 
    capability to pose threats here.  Anti-western 
    sentiment, though less pronounced since the end of 
    Operation Iraqi Freedom, has been sparked on occasion by 
    regional events, particularly those related to the 
    Israeli-Palestinian conflict and, to a lesser extent, 
    Iraq. 
 
    In May 2004, two men were arrested for plotting to 
    assassinate diplomats in Amman, including an American 
    Embassy employee.  In April 2004, Jordanian authorities 
    disrupted a plan to attack the American Embassy and 
    Jordanian government buildings with explosive-laden 
    vehicles. 
    In September 2003, 13 were arrested for plotting attacks 
    against U.S. and Jordanian targets, including the 
    American Embassy in Amman. In May 2003, three persons 
    connected to the Zarqawi network were arrested for 
    planning attacks against foreigners and tourist sites. 
    The October 28, 2002 assassination of a U.S. diplomat in 
    Amman outside his residence was ultimately linked to the 
    Zarqawi network.  Jordanian authorities arrested the 
    assassins in December 2002. 
    The most recently published U.S. government security 
    alerts state that extremist groups continue to plan 
    terrorist attacks against U.S. interests worldwide. 
    Crime is generally not a serious problem for travelers 
    in Jordan, although petty theft is common in the 
    downtown Amman Hashimiyah Square area and near the Roman 
    amphitheater.  In the narrow streets of the old city and 
    at some of the more popular tourist sites, crowded 
    conditions invite pickpockets and other petty criminals. 
    We urge travelers to be more guarded in these areas so 
    that they do not present easy opportunities to 
    criminals.  Purse-snatchings in central and western 
    Amman are reportedly on the increase.  In several cases, 
    thieves in moving vehicles snatched pedestrians' purses 
    and drove off.  In some instances, victims were injured 
    when they were unable to free themselves from their 
    purses. When carrying a purse, it would be wise to 
    conceal it if possible, to avoid walking near the road 
    within reach of passing vehicles, and to walk towards 
    the flow of traffic. 
  8. (U) Travel guidelines: 
 
    American citizens traveling in Jordan should exercise 
    caution, be alert and stay informed of regional and 
    local events that could quickly impact the security 
    environment in the country.  Travelers should avoid 
    large crowds and demonstrations and take measures to 
    avoid areas where they are most likely to occur (city 
    centers, universities, refugee camps), particularly 
    during periods of increased tension.  It is also 
    recommended to maintain a low profile and not establish 
    predictable patterns of movement, even if only visiting 
    for a short period. Recent worldwide USG security 
    announcements continue to alert American travelers that 
    terrorists do not distinguish between official and 
    civilian targets.  Therefore, facilities where Americans 
    or foreigners are likely to congregate such as hotels, 
    nightspots, restaurants, and places of worship should be 
    considered as potential targets.  Travelers should stay 
    alert when attendance at such locations is necessary. 
    Taxis are the only form of public transportation that is 
    recommended. 
    As Jordan is a predominantly Muslim country, cultural 
    sensitivities should be observed.  Female travelers 
    should dress conservatively and not travel alone, 
    particularly in areas where western visitors are 
    uncommon. Western visitors and residents have reported 
    incidents of sexual harassment, assault and unwelcome 
    advances of a sexual nature.  Such incidents, while 
    troubling, are not common. 
 
  9. (U) Other: 
 
    For further information, see the State Department's 
    Consular Information Sheet for Jordan at 
    http://travel.state.gov/jordan.html and link from that 
    site to the most recent Public Announcement on Travel in 
    the Middle East and South Asia and the most recent 
    Worldwide Caution. 
 
    RUBINSTEIN