Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03AMMAN1082
2003-02-20 05:40:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Amman
Cable title:
JORDAN-AMERICAN BUSINESS COMMUNITY FORMS OSAC
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
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
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
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