JORDAN-AMERICAN BUSINESS COMMUNITY FORMS OSAC

UNCLAS AMMAN 001082 SIPDIS CCOMMERCE FOR 4520/ITA/MAC/ONE/COBERG E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EINV CASC ASEC JO SUBJECT: JORDAN-AMERICAN BUSINESS COMMUNITY FORMS OSAC COUNTRY COUNCIL ¶1. (U) At a February 18 meeting convened by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Jordan (the Jordanian American Business Association--JABA),approximately 30 representatives of the Jordanian-American business community took the first step towards the establishment of an Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) Country Council. The meeting was the culmination of a series of informal meetings among Emboffs, business reps, and JABA officials, requested by businesspeople with U.S. links looking for a mechanism to exchange-security related information and concerns. The meeting was open to JABA members and non-members alike. ¶2. (U) Addressing this initial organizational meeting, Azzam Shweihat, JABA Vice Chair, stressed that the meeting was the result of ongoing discussions rather than in response to any specific threat or anticipated event. Emboffs from RSO, FCS, and Econ described the role, functions, and constitution of OSAC and a Country Council, and suggested possible forms a local Council could take. In the discussion that followed, attendees expressed security concerns regarding their visibility and vulnerability as U.S. or U.S.-affiliated institutions in times of conflict and instability. Possible solutions ranged from increased security to a temporary removal of signage that suggested an American link. ¶3. (U) The group was nearly unanimous in its conclusion that formalizing an information-sharing process via an OSAC Country Council would go a long way towards addressing and allaying their concerns. As a result, and in accordance with Department guidance, six reps formed an Interim Executive Working Group (IEWG) to meet February 23 to discuss next steps in forming a Country Council, including working with post on logistics, drafting a proposed charter, and setting a time for a general meeting. Emboffs agreed to attend and to provide any needed support and assistance. GNEHM