NATO SYG VISIT TO JORDAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 000340

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/13/2010
TAGS: PREL MASS JO IZ NATO
SUBJECT: NATO SYG VISIT TO JORDAN


Classified By: Charge David Hale, Reasons 1.4 (B) & (D)


1. (C) NATO Secretary General Scheffer briefed NATO Chiefs
of Mission on January 13 on his visit to Jordan, part of his
effort to pursue contacts with Mediterranean Partner
countries. In meetings with King Abdullah, the Jordan Armed
Forces Chief of Staff (JAF COS),and Deputy Prime Minister
Muasher, he heard a readiness by Jordan to find practical
areas of cooperation and to build military-to-military ties.
Scheffer said the Jordanians mildly complained that the
dialogue had produced more talk than action; Scheffer said
this view may have stemmed from false expectations. He
emphasized to the Jordanians that if asked, NATO could
provide advice, especially on the current effort to enhance
Jordanian border controls. What it would not provide was the
sort of equipment that Jordan has been receiving from member
states. The Jordanians agreed to pursue discussions, and
send the JAF COS or another senior officer to Brussels to do
so. In addition to border issues, the King suggested to
Scheffer that he would welcome NATO advice on ways to enhance
Jordan's strategic airlift capacity, as it looks to expand
its peacekeeping and regional special operations capacities.


2. (C) Discussion also ranged over Iraqi elections, the
King's views on the long-term threat posed by Iran, and
emerging opportunities to advance Israeli-Palestinian
dialogue and roadmap implementation.
HALE