JORDAN EXPRESSES INTEREST IN ECAP

UNCLAS AMMAN 003248 SIPDIS FOR NP/ECS - KATHY CROUCH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KSTC ETTC JO EXBS SUBJECT: JORDAN EXPRESSES INTEREST IN ECAP REF: AMMAN-NP FAX OF 12 JUNE 2002 This is an action request; see para one. ¶1. (u) On June 6, Post received a letter of thanks from Mohammed Obeidat, Head of the International Cooperation Section at Jordanian Customs, for USG support for Jordan's participation in the May 20-24 Barcelona Transshipment Conference (ref). In the letter, Obeidat expressed interest in taking advantage of NP's ECAP program per discussions held on the margins of the Barcelona conference. In particular, he welcomed an evaluation tour by appropriate USG officials to examine Jordan's border security needs. Action request: Post believes ECAP funds could be well used in Jordan and would appreciate advice on how best to respond to the GOJ's request. Text of letter below. begin text: The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Ministry of Finance Customs Department Ref. No.: 25/93/ Date: 09/06/2002 Mr. Thomas Goldberger Economic Counselor Embassy of the United States of America Amman, Jordan Dear Mr. Goldberger, Firstly, allow me to thank you on behalf of my colleagues who participated in the United States Department of State Transshipment Enforcement Conference which was held in Barcelona/Spain on May 20-24-2002, namely Messers Faisal A. Al-Serhan and Fadi B. Makhlouf for the excellent co-operation. Now that the conference has finished with great success, I would also like to pass on a word of thanks to your excellent team, namely to Mrs. Allyson Cornish and Mr. Gabi Afram who contributed greatly with their knowledge and efforts to the successful arrangement of this important event. Jordan is suffering from terrorists attacks. It is prone to suffer from terrorism in the future. It is clear that the role of Jordan and particularly of the Jordanian Customs in the field of nonproliferation is growing every day. We address our wish to receive further and more in-depth knowledge on how the dual use of materials and nonproliferation function in practice. A task which stays on the top of our agenda and for which we will be happy to benefit from your administration's knowledge and expertise which your colleagues kindly agreed to do so in the very near future. Taking into account the increased co-operation between our customs department and other international customs administrations and organizations which will only be to the benefit of trade and economies in the region but also the worldwide. Finally, allow me to express our gratitude for your kind invitation and careful considerations which resulted in the intention of a delegation from your side to make an evaluation tour to our country to look at the weakness points which will fill up the gap left by virtue of circumstances and allow a speedy and up-to-date hi-tech. Looking forward to future co-operation with you and your Customs Services. Hoping an active participation from our side in the coming conference in Warsaw in October this year. Sincerely yours, Mohammad F. Obeidat Head of International Co-operation Section end text Gnehm