EIPC FUNDING FOR JORDAN FOR FY 2005

S E C R E T AMMAN 007110

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/2013
TAGS: KSPR MARR MCAP MOPS PINS JO
SUBJECT: EIPC FUNDING FOR JORDAN FOR FY 2005

Classified By: Amb. Edward W. Gnehm for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d)

--------------
SUMMARY
--------------


1. (S) Jordan, a key supporter of U.S. policies in the Middle
East, has long been an enthusiastic participant in
international peacekeeping operations (PKO),including
service in recent years in Sierra Leone, Ethiopia/Eritrea,
East Timor, Haiti, and the Balkans. In addition, Jordan has
provided valuable assistance to Operation Enduring Freedom in
Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Because of its deep
commitment to PKOs, Jordan has established a Peacekeeping
Operations Training Center (POTC) which trains both Jordanian
and U.S. forces. Embassy Amman proposes to support the
Jordanian POTC with USD 250,000 of EIPC funding for FY 2005.
End Summary.

--------------
POTC: TRAINING FOR U.S. AND JORDANIAN FORCES
--------------


2. (S) The Jordanian Peacekeeping Operations Training Center
has trained Jordanian peacekeepers for several years for
service in Sierra Leone, Ethiopia/Eritrea, Afghanistan, and
East Timor. Funding of the POTC's training programs will
help ensure continued Jordanian participation in
international peace support operations.


3. (S) The POTC is also beginning to play a crucial role in
preparing U.S. military forces for service in Iraq. For
example, during October 2003, the Center trained a total of
172 officers and senior NCOs from III Corps, 1st Cavalry
Division--who will be rotating into Iraq in the next few
months--on cultural awareness and situational sensitivities
for the Middle East. The courses were deemed so successful
that 150 more officers and NCOs are scheduled to rotate
through the same training in January 2004. US Army
commanders from Company to Division level have assessed the
training as invaluable to future success in Iraq. This
training has the full support of the Commander, Central
Command.

--------------
EMBASSY AMMAN'S EIPC FUNDING RECOMMENDATION
--------------


4. (S) To further the success of the Jordanian Peacekeeping
Operations Center, Embassy Amman proposes allocating USD
250,000 in EIPC funding for Jordan during FY 2005 for
train-the-trainer instruction for Peacekeeping Center staff.
The U.S. security assistance (Military Assistance Program -
MAP) office at Embassy Amman and the Jordanian Armed Forces
have identified specific courses that would be of particular
benefit: EIPC Instructors training, Planning Peace
Operations, Peacekeeping for Decision Makers, Logistics for
Peacekeeping and Specialized English Training for
Peacekeeping.


5. (S) The increasing USG interest in utilizing the Jordanian
Peacekeeping Center trainers makes EIPC funding essential to
ensure that this instruction remains available. We
anticipate that U.S. military units will continue to rotate
to Jordan or bring Jordanian trainers to the United States.
It makes sense that we assist in the training of Jordanian
Peacekeeping Center staff who will be training our units to
do their jobs in Iraq.

--------------
COMMENT
--------------


6. (S) Jordan is a close ally providing key support to U.S.
objectives in the Middle East, including assisting in
building a stable and secure Iraq and playing a valuable role
in the Middle East peace process. Jordan's commitment to
democratic values, economic liberalization, human rights,
stable government and civilian control of the military make
it a model for the region.


7. Baghdad minimize considered.

Please visit Embassy Amman's classified web site at
http://www.state.sgov/p/nea/amman/ or access the site through
the Department of State's SIPRNET home page.
GNEHM