LETTER FROM KING ABDULLAH II TO SECRETARY OF

UNCLAS AMMAN 005418

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/LEA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MASS JO KTER
SUBJECT: LETTER FROM KING ABDULLAH II TO SECRETARY OF
DEFENSE RUMSFELD

Embassy Amman received July 1 via messenger a letter from
King Abdullah II to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld
dated June 30. The letter will be pouched to NEA/LEA for
delivery to Secretary Rumsfeld. The text of the letter is as
follows:

Dear Friend:

Following our constructive discussions on June 14, 2004,
I would like to assure you Mr. Secretary, that Jordan stands
steadfast with the United States in its war on terrorism. We
fully support the call for a broad and sustained campaign
against the terrorist organizations, and believe in the same
values of freedom and democracy that the United States stands
for.

Winning the war on terrorism will require Jordan to work
hand in hand with the United States to continue its efforts
to defend all its borders. Jordan has detected increased
attempts by terrorists to infiltrate our northern borders,
demonstrated most recently by the foiled chemical attack
targeting Jordan and US interests in my country. We are also
monitoring closely our eastern borders to prevent any
terrorist to infiltrate into our territory to destabilize
Jordan, or use Jordan as a launching pad to target our
neighbors. On our eastern border we have also been
monitoring increased activity of attempts to smuggle serious
weapons, rather than the light firearms that had been the
norm in the past. Thus, our focus today is primarily on
border security and C4ISR.

As you are well aware, Mr. Secretary, Jordan's border
security contributes to the region's overall security and
stability. As open borders become more secure, evildoers
will resort to smuggling through border points - which
require upgrading our screening equipment and capabilities.
This holistic approach will require an advanced C4ISR system
that will provide the communication requirements between the
various forces, with a focus on integration as well as
sharing of intelligence.

It is important to understand that Jordan has always
relied on its human resources to deter any threat at our
borders and to a lesser extent on technological means to
secure its borders. This has stretched thin our
capabilities. To address such a difficulty, it is required
to provide our security forces with much needed equipment.
These technological devices along the borders will surely
take some pressure off the Armed Forces, thus enabling them
to spend the necessary time on matters requiring more
attention, and focusing these human assets to fight the roots
of the problem.

The needed equipment consist of light equipment, light
vehicles, night operation capability and communication that
would allow us to deploy a more efficient, yet smaller rapid
deployment force. Also, the Javelins, as you well know, will
provide our special forces that are working in unison with
the United States forces, an effective edge over the
well-equipped forces of evil. Another item in our request
was the anti missile equipment that will be placed on the
State Aircraft. This is of utmost importance now, as we
shuttle between our neighbors and friends, rallying support
for the principles we hold so dear - obviously something
those terrorists not only fear, but also are willing to fight
at any cost.

I would like to thank you, Mr. Secretary, for your
continued profound support to Jordan.

Yours,

//Abdullah II of Jordan//
GNEHM