DELIVERY OF LETTER FROM PRESIDENT BUSH TO KING

S E C R E T AMMAN 001688 SIPDIS NOFORN E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2013 TAGS: OPDC PREL MASS JO SUBJECT: DELIVERY OF LETTER FROM PRESIDENT BUSH TO KING ABDULLAH REF: A. SECSTATE 69522 ¶B. AMMAN 1686 Classified By: A/DCM Doug Silliman for reasons 1.5 (B)(D) ¶1. (C) Following the return of King Abdullah from a 5 day trip to the UAE and Qatar late on March 18, the Ambassador on the morning of March 19 hand delivered to the King ref a letter from President Bush regarding Jordan's support in fighting terrorism. ¶2. (S/NF) In a subsequent meeting with the Ambassador later on March 19, the King focused his response on the common threats -- particularly from terrorist groups -- that both the U.S. and Jordan face as the region moves toward war in Iraq. He stated that Jordan had increased its surveillance of Iraqi intelligence agents in Jordan (see ref b),and would take all necessary steps to protect both U.S. and Jordanian interests. GNEHM