Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05AMMAN1959
2005-03-08 15:56:00
SECRET
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

SCENESETTER FOR GENERAL RICHARD MYERS

Tags:  PREL MARR PARM MASS JO 
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S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 AMMAN 001959 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR PM AND NEA

SECRET NOFORN

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/01/15
TAGS: PREL MARR PARM MASS JO
SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR GENERAL RICHARD MYERS

CLASSIFIED BY CHARG D'AFFAIRES DAVID HALE FOR REASONS 1.4 (B
AND D).

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 AMMAN 001959

SIPDIS

STATE FOR PM AND NEA

SECRET NOFORN

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/01/15
TAGS: PREL MARR PARM MASS JO
SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR GENERAL RICHARD MYERS

CLASSIFIED BY CHARG D'AFFAIRES DAVID HALE FOR REASONS 1.4 (B
AND D).


1. (S//NF) GENERAL KHALID SARAIREH, CHAIRMAN, JORDAN ARMED
FORCES IS LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR VISIT TO JORDAN. IT WILL
PROVIDE AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THE JAF LEADERSHIP
FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT TO OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM AND
OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, AND WILL HELP ENSURE JORDAN'S
CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR FURTHERING U.S. SECURITY OBJECTIVES IN
AND AROUND THE REGION.


2. (C) YOU WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH GENERAL
KHALID AL-SARAIREH, CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF,
LIEUTENANT GENERAL PRINCE FAISAL BIN AL-HUSSEIN, SPECIAL
ASSISTANT TO THE CHAIRMAN, WHO WILL BE THE REGENT IN THE
ABSENCE OF HIS BROTHER, THE KING, AND BRIGADIER GENERAL AHMED
SIRHAN, COMMANDING GENERAL OF JORDANIAN SPECIAL OPERATIONS
COMMAND. KING ABDULLAH WILL BE IN THE U.S. FOR MEETINGS WITH
PRESIDENT BUSH AND OTHER SENIOR OFFICIALS.


3. (C) KING ABDULLAH MET DECEMBER 6 WITH PRESIDENT BUSH. THE
KING RENEWED HIS ASSURANCES THAT HE WILL CONTINUE TO "STICK HIS
NECK OUT" TO HELP ADVANCE U.S. AND JORDANIAN JOINT INTERESTS IN
THE REGION, BUT NEEDS CONTINUED AND EXPANDED U.S. SUPPORT. HE IS
GRATEFUL FOR THE ADMINISTRATION'S REQUEST FOR NEARLY $300
MILLION IN SUPPLEMENTARY ASSISTANCE, ALTHOUGH THE FIGURE
FALLS SHORT OF HIS AMBITIOUS REQUEST FOR $800 MILLION. JORDAN'S
SUPPORT ON CRITICAL FOREIGN POLICY GOALS HAS INCLUDED:

--POLITICAL, DIPLOMATIC, AND SECURITY SUPPORT FOR THE EMERGING
INSTITUTIONS IN IRAQ;

--STRONG SUPPORT FOR ABU MAZEN AND ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN
REENGAGEMENT, DEMONSTRATED BY PARTICIPATION IN THE SHARM
SUMMIT, THE RETURN OF A JORDANIAN AMBASSADOR TO ISRAEL, THE
FOREIGN MINISTER'S RECENT VISIT TO ISRAEL (THE FIRST SINCE 2001),
AND OFFERS TO PROVIDE SECURITY TRAINING TO PALESTINIAN FORCES,
AS WELL AS READINESS TO RETURN TO THE WEST BANK A JORDANIAN-
RECRUITED AND -TRAINED BRIGADE OF PALESTINIAN SECURITY
PERSONNEL;

--SUSTAINED COUNTER-TERRORISM COOPERATION OF GLOBAL REACH

AND SIGNIFICANCE;

--OUTSPOKEN PUBLIC CONDEMNATION OF OBJECTIONABLE SYRIAN
BEHAVIOR AND PRIVATE REINFORCEMENT OF OUR MESSAGE TO SYRIAN
OFFICIALS TO ALTER THAT BEHAVIOR OR FACE THE CONSEQUENCES; THIS
HAS INCLUDED CONSPICUOUS SUPPORT FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF UNSCR
1559 AND FULL WITHDRAWAL FROM LEBANON;

--COMMITMENT TO A SHARED VISION OF DOMESTIC AND REGIONAL
REFORM, AND A RECOGNITION THAT JORDAN NEEDS TO ACCELERATE ITS
POLITICAL REFORM PROCESS IF IT IS TO REMAIN IN THE VANGUARD OF
ARAB ADVOCATES OF CHANGE.


4. (S) DURING YOUR MEETINGS WITH JORDANIAN MILITARY LEADERSHIP,
YOU MAY WISH TO DRAW FROM THESE POINTS:

- (C) THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE
GOVERNMENT OF JORDAN REMAINS A CLOSE AND COOPERATIVE ONE ON
POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, AND INTELLIGENCE ISSUES. THE JORDANIAN
MILITARY CONTINUES TO PROVIDE OUR DEFENSE ATTACH OFFICE,
SECURITY ASSISTANCE PERSONNEL AND DISTINGUISHED VISITORS WITH
EXCELLENT ACCESS. HOWEVER, THERE ARE SUBTLE INDICATIONS OF
INCREASING FRUSTRATIONS RESULTING FROM SOME JORDANIAN
MILITARY OFFICIALS' PERCEPTION THAT THE U.S. HAS FAILED TO
DELIVER ON PROMISES MADE IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO OIF. WHILE THE
JAF REMAINS PLEASED WITH BASELINE FUNDING LEVELS, THERE HAVE
BEEN SIGNIFICANT DELAYS IN REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENDITURES FOR
BORDER SECURITY ENHANCEMENTS AND TF HASHEM. THE WORK OF A
DOD TEAM, LED BY THE COMPTROLLER, THIS WEEK IN RESOLVING
OUTSTANDING CLAIMS HAS GONE FAR TO PUT THIS PROBLEM BEHIND US,
AND THE KING HAS INDICATED HIS SATISFACTION.

- (C) SENIOR JORDANIAN OFFICIALS EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR THE ONGOING
POLITICAL PROCESS IN IRAQ. HOWEVER, THEY REMAIN CONCERNED
THAT EFFORTS BE MADE TO DRAW ACCEPTABLE SUNNI ELEMENTS INTO
THAT PROCESS. THE JORDANIAN PUBLIC AND PARLIAMENT ARE HIGHLY
CRITICAL OF U.S. POLICY ON IRAQ, AS THEY ARE ON THE ISRAELI-
PALESTINIAN FRONT. THERE ARE SOME SIGNS OF WARY OPTIMISM
ABOUT DEVELOPMENTS ON BOTH ISSUES, BUT THE PUBLIC REMAINS
SKEPTICAL OF U.S. MOTIVES.

- (C) JORDAN REMAINS AN IMPORTANT PARTNER IN THE WAR ON
TERRORISM AND IN REBUILDING IRAQ. AS YOU ARE AWARE, JORDAN
HOSTS CUSTOMS, BORDER, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING, AIR
FORCE CREW AND SUPPORT TRAINING, AND COUNTER-TERRORISM FORCE
TRAINING FOR IRAQIS. THE JAF HAS DONATED AND WE HAVE
TRANSFERRED A TOTAL OF 50 UKRAINIAN MADE BTRS AND 26 BELGIQUE
SPARTANS. UP TO 100 US-ORIGIN M113S, WHICH THE JAF HAS SCHEDULED
TO GIVE IRAQ WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, WILL BE THE THIRD OF
SEVERAL TRANSFERS THAT WILL ULTIMATELY AMOUNT TO 230 ARMORED
VEHICLES.

- (S) BORDER SECURITY REMAINS A PRIMARY CONCERN FOR THE GOJ.
JORDANIAN INTELLIGENCE COOPERATION WITH THE U.S. IS ROBUST AND
A BORDER SECURITY PROGRAM IS BEING IMPLEMENTED WITH USG
ASSISTANCE. WHILE THE SECURITY SITUATION HAS IMPROVED
SIGNIFICANTLY ON THE IRAQI AND ISRAELI/WEST BANK BORDERS,
JORDANIAN AUTHORITIES CONTINUE TO EXPRESS CONCERN OVER THE
POROUSNESS OF THEIR BORDERS WITH SYRIA AND SAUDI ARABIA. UNTIL
A SENSOR AND COMMUNICATIONS PACKAGE IS FULLY FUNDED AND
DEPLOYED, THE GOJ WILL NEED TO MAINTAIN SIGNIFICANT GROUND
FORCES ALONG ITS FRONTIERS.

- (S) KING ABDULLAH HAS DEFINED HIS SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES AS
THE MILITARY CENTERPIECE TO COUNTER THE TERRORIST THREAT, WITH
CONTINUED EMPHASIS ON BUILDING THE SPECIAL OPS TRAINING CENTER.
THE PROPOSED FY2005 SUPPLEMENTAL INCLUDES USD 99 MILLION TO
ASSIST WITH ESTABLISHING THIS TRAINING CENTER TO TRAIN REGIONAL
MILITARY, SECURITY FORCES AND CIVILIAN OFFICIALS. HE IS ALSO
MOVING FORWARD WITH CREATING A NEW SPECIAL OPERATIONS
AVIATION HELICOPTER UNIT, CONTRACTING BLACKWATER AVIATION TO
DEVELOP SPECIAL OPERATIONS TACTICS, TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES
AS WELL AS TO TRAIN PILOTS IN ADVANCED TACTICAL EMPLOYMENT
METHODS. THE UNIT WILL BE BUILT AROUND 8 UH-60 BLACKHAWK
HELICOPTERS JORDAN HAS PURCHASED USING FMF. THE HELICOPTERS
WILL BE DELIVERED STARTING IN FALL 2006. PRIOR TO DELIVERY OF THE
HELICOPTERS, THE KING ENVISIONS A RIGOROUS SCREENING AND
SELECTION PROCESS FOR PILOTS, CREW CHIEFS AND MAINTENANCE
PERSONNEL, WHO WILL THEN BE SCHEDULED FOR TRAINING COURSES IN
THE U.S.

- (S) LIEUTENANT GENERAL PRINCE FEISAL BIN HUSSEIN IS SEEKING A
GREATER REGIONAL ROLE FOR JORDANIAN AIRPOWER. FOR EXAMPLE,
THE RJAF PLANS TO HOST AN INTERNATIONAL F-16 COMPETITION IN
MARCH 2006, EXTENDING INVITATIONS TO SEVERAL PARTNER COUNTRIES
AS WELL AS THE U.S. THE COMUSCENTAF HAS COMMITTED HIS FORCES
TO PARTICIPATE IN "FALCON MEET" BY COMBINING THE FLY-IN WITH
THEIR "EAGER TIGER" EXERCISE. PRINCE FEISAL ALSO ENVISIONS AN
ENHANCED CAPABILITY FOR JORDAN'S ROTARY WING AIRCRAFT TO
SUPPORT SPECIAL OPERATIONS, BORDER SECURITY MISSIONS, AND A
FUTURE COMBAT SEARCH AND RESCUE CAPABILITY. HE IS LOOKING FOR
OPPORTUNITIES, IN HIS NEW CAPACITY AS ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF
FOR AIR OPERATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY, TO IMPROVE JOINT
INTEROPERABILITY AND COOPERATION, ESPECIALLY FOR RJAF SUPPORT
TO THE JAF AND SOCOM.

- (C) THE COMMANDER OF THE ROYAL JORDANIAN NAVY (RJN),BG AL-
ZABEN, AND THE KING REMAIN COMMITTED TO UPGRADING THE NAVAL
BASE AT AQABA. IMPROVING THE SECURITY OF JORDAN'S ONLY PORT IS
A KEY ELEMENT IN THE FUTURE OF THE AQABA SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE
AUTHORITY (ASEZA). THE INTENT OF THE AQABA NAVAL BASE
ENHANCEMENT IS TO ESTABLISH A BASE CAPABLE OF HANDLING TWO
U.S. CRUISER-CLASS WARSHIPS OR ONE U.S. JFK CLASS AIRCRAFT
CARRIER. THE KING HAS ALLOCATED MORE THAN USD 50 MILLION TO
THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT. THE BASE'S PORT EXPANSION WILL BE
ABLE TO BERTH THE ENTIRE RJN FLEET IN ONE LOCATION.

- (S) JORDAN VIEWS UNRESTRICTED GROUND ACCESS FROM AQABA TO
BAGHDAD TO BE OF CRITICAL INTEREST TO BOTH JORDAN AND IRAQ.
ABOUT FORTY PERCENT OF IRAQ'S IMPORTS ARE FLOWING THROUGH
JORDAN. THE KIDNAPPING OF JORDANIAN DRIVERS, SOME OF WHICH
APPEARS TO BE FINANCIALLY MOTIVATED, HAS CAUSED CONCERN--AND
JORDANIAN TOLERANCE FOR UNDER-THE-TABLE NEGOTIATIONS WITH
HOSTAGE TAKERS HAS ONLY GIVEN KIDNAPPERS ENCOURAGEMENT.
IMPROVED SECURITY FOR THE ROAD INTO IRAQ IS A JORDANIAN
PRIORITY. KING ABDULLAH HAS OFFERED JORDANIAN ASSISTANCE IN
ESTABLISHING A SECURITY FORCE TO SECURE THE HIGHWAY TO
GENERALS ABIZAID AND CASEY, BUT AWAITS A FORMAL REQUEST FROM
THE IIG PRIOR TO MOVING FORWARD.

- (S) IN ADDITION TO SUPPORTING OPERATIONS IN IRAQ, A JORDANIAN
MILITARY HOSPITAL CONTINUES TO OPERATE IN AFGHANISTAN.


5. (S) THE FOLLOWING ITEMS MAY COME UP DURING YOUR DISCUSSIONS
WITH THE JORDAN OFFICIALS.

- (C) SECURITY ASSISTANCE. SENIOR JAF LEADERSHIP ARGUE THAT
JORDAN NEEDS FUNDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION THAT THEY REGARD
AS NECESSARY TO ADDRESS OUR REQUESTS FOR THEIR SUPPORT IN THE
REGION IN THE FUTURE.

- (S//NF) GIFTED AIRCRAFT. PRIOR TO HIS DEPARTURE FROM IRAQ,
AMBASSADOR BREMER ACCEPTED THE TRANSFER FROM JORDAN OF TWO
C-130B AND SIXTEEN UH-1 AIRCRAFT ON BEHALF OF THE NEW IRAQI
ARMY AND AIR FORCE. JORDAN GIFTED THESE AIRCRAFT WITH THE
ASSUMPTION THAT REFURBISHMENT WOULD BE ACCOMPLISHED IN
JORDAN. TO DATE, FOUR OF SIXTEEN UH-1 HELICOPTERS HAVE BEEN
TRANSFERRED TO THE IIG AND THE GOJ HAS PAID THE SUBCONTRACTOR
CONDUCTING THE REFURBISHMENT FOR THE FIRST TWO AIRCRAFT. THE
C-130 AIRCRAFT ARE CURRENTLY BEING EVALUATED TO DETERMINE
WHAT LEVEL OF REFURBISHMENT THEY NEED.

- (U) PEACE OPERATIONS TRAINING CENTER (POTC). ARMY CENTRAL
COMMAND (ARCENT) HAS BEEN THE KEY U.S. SUPPORT AGENCY FOR THE
POTC IN THE CITY OF ZARQA. ARCENT FUNDED THE CONSTRUCTION OF
THE POTC MAIN BUILDING AND PROVIDED SOME OF ITS CONTENTS. THE
CULTURAL AWARENESS TRAINING OF U.S. FORCES AT THE POTC HAVE
BETTERED THE REPUTATION OF THE JORDANIAN FACILITY AND OTHER
NATIONS, AS WELL AS THE U.N. WHICH HAVE BEGUN USING THE POTC TO
TRAIN THEIR TROOPS ROTATING TO A PEACE-KEEPING/ENFORCEMENT
ENVIRONMENT. US TROOPS ARE CURRENTLY UNDERGOING TRAINING AT
THIS SITE, FOR WHICH THE USG IS GRATEFUL.

- (U) BATTLE SIMULATION CENTER (BSC). ARCENT HAS FUNDED MOST OF
THE BSC EQUIPMENT AND MUCH OF THE ACCOMPANIED TRAINING. THE
MAJOR BI-LATERAL ACTIVITY OCCURRING AT THE BSC IS THE EAGER
LIGHT EXERCISE. JAF IS STRIVING TO PROFESSIONALIZE ITS BATTLE
STAFFS AND THIS EXERCISE IS CRUCIAL TO THE ATTAINMENT OF THIS
OBJECTIVE. THE JAF MILITARY TRAINING DIRECTORATE HAS BEEN
PUSHING MORE BATTLE STAFFS THROUGH THE JORDANIAN BSC WITH
SOME DEGREE OF SUCCESS. ARCENT HAS BEEN USING TRADITIONAL CINC
ACTIVITIES (TCA) FUNDS TO SEND JORDANIAN BATTLE STAFFS ASSIGNED
TO PARTICIPATE IN EAGER LIGHT TO THE U.S. FOR MILITARY DECISION
MAKING PROCESS (MDMP) SEMINARS. THIS ACTIVITY (ON ITS SECOND
YEAR) HAS IMPROVED THE JORDANIAN UNDERSTANDING OF THE
MILITARY DECISION MAKING PROCESS AND GIVEN THEM FORWARD
MOMENTUM IN ESTABLISHING PROFESSIONALIZED BATTLE STAFFS. JAF
MAY ASK FOR CONTINUED AND/OR INCREASED FUNDING FOR
ADDITIONAL BSC TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT.


6. (S) MILITARY COOPERATION. OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, SEVERAL
BILATERAL EXERCISES WERE CANCELLED FOR OPERATIONAL REASONS.
THE MOST RECENT CANCELLATION WAS THE INFINITE ACCLAIM NAVAL
AIR EXERCISE. WE REQUEST THAT YOU GIVE ASSURANCES TO THE JAF
THAT THESE CANCELLATIONS DO NOT SIGNAL A CHANGE TO OUR BI-
LATERAL RELATIONSHIP. IN ADDITION, INFINITE MOONLIGHT, THE
SINGLE LARGEST EXERCISE HELD IN JORDAN IS AT RISK OF BEING
CANCELLED FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR. INFINITE MOONLIGHT IS
THE ONLY OPPORTUNITY FOR A MEU TO EXCHANGE TTPS WITH JORDAN
AND IS THE ONLY REGULAR GROUND FORCE FTX CONDUCTED BETWEEN
JORDAN AND US FORCES. WE ARE CONCERNED THAT A THIRD
CANCELLATION IS AS MANY YEARS WILL SEND THE WRONG MESSAGE.

HALE