American Language Center, Message of Thanks from

UNCLAS AMMAN 002525 SIPDIS STATE FOR OBO GENERAL WILLIAMS NEA FOR LAROCCO; BURNS; STEPHANIE WILLIAMS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL SCUL KPAO XF JO SUBJECT: American Language Center, Message of Thanks from Ambassador Ref: State 63120 ¶1. I would like to extend my personal thanks to OBO Director Williams for his recent visit to Amman and especially for the OBO decision to approve up to 60,000 USD per year in leasehold funding for the American Language Center, which per reftel we will need to move from its present location for security reasons. ¶2. The American Language Center is one of our most important means of supporting key Mission goals, from MEPI to our outreach to young opinion leaders. The ALC trains parliamentarians, judges, lawyers, journalists and other individuals involved in strengthening good governance and rule of law in Jordan. With an enrollment of about 600 young professionals and university students it also improves our ability to communicate with a wide spectrum of young Jordanians and conveys a deeper understanding of American society. ¶3. Thanks to OBO support, we have good prospects for locating an alternate site for the ALC, which will meet our security requirements as urged by a recent OIG report, while accommodating our English teaching program. ¶4. We deeply appreciate OBO's understanding and support. #GNEHM