CODEL KING MEETINGS WITH JORDANIAN SECURITY

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 006568

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/16/2015
TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV KPAL OREP IZ JO
SUBJECT: CODEL KING MEETINGS WITH JORDANIAN SECURITY
OFFICIALS

REF: AMMAN 6238

Classified By: CDA David Hale for reasons 1.4 (b),(d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: Codel King met with Saad Khayr, the King's
National Security Advisor, General Mohammed Al-Eitan,
Director of the Public Security Directorate (PSD),and Major
General Samih Asfura, Director of the General Intelligence
Directorate (GID) during their visit to Amman on August 2.
Discussions focused on border security and counterterrorism
efforts, as well as Jordan's relations with Saudi Arabia and
Iraq. END SUMMARY.

=======================
MEETING WITH SAAD KHAYR
=======================


2. (C) A congressional delegation led by Rep. Peter King
visited Amman on August 2. The Codel included Rep. Charlie
Dent, Rep. Michael McCaul, Rep. Donna Christensen, Rep.
Carolyn McCarthy, and U.S. House of Representatives staff
member Steven DeVine. Charge accompanied the group on its
appointments. Jordanian National Security Advisor Saad
Khayr briefed the Codel on the previous day's visit by
Palestinian Authority President, Abu Mazen. Khayr said Abu
Mazen was committed to achieving a smooth Gaza withdrawal, as
evidenced by his meetings with Israeli officials on this
subject (ref A). Turning to Jordan,s own national security,
Khayr stated "we are battling ideology and not just
terrorism." Referring to the bombings in Sharm al Sheikh and
London, Khayr highlighted the need for all Muslims to
denounce terrorism, and suggested that the West hold a summit
in which political and Muslim leaders in the West agree to a
statement condemning terror. Khayr also shared his idea to
use the 2006 summit of the Organization of Islamic Conference
(OIC),to follow up on the international Islamic conference
held in Amman in July (ref B),to produce further
denunciation of terrorism by the Islamic world. Khayr hoped
that high-profile efforts like these would spur serious
discussions between the West and the Arab world on issues
related to terrorist violence. In response to Rep. King,s
questions on conversations from Saudi Arabia and Morocco in
countering terrorism, Khayr replied that while conversation
is "not exactly strong," Jordan hopes to deepen intelligence
exchanges, and in the case of Saudi Arabia, training.


3. (C) Khayr focused on Jordan's immediate neighbors and the
challenges facing them. He stated his belief that the
Syrians are still turning a blind eye to the flow of weapons
from Syria into both Iraq and Jordan. Consequently,
relations with Syria remain rocky. Security relations with
Israel, on the other hand, remain good as both sides continue
to share information on cross border infiltration attempts
and methods to prevent terrorist violence. Khayr pointed out
that the GOJ is closely monitoring the Gaza withdrawal as the
King is concerned about the implications for Jordan, with its
majority Palestinian population, should it not be successful.
Khayr's final comments revolved around Iran's sustained
efforts to influence Iraqi Shi'as. Based on his talks with
Ayatollah SISTANI, Khayr reported that he had candidly told
Rep. King that "most Shi'a are not oriented towards Iran."
According to Khayr, Iraqi Shi'a are more concerned about
their future power and status within the Iraqi government
than aligning themselves with Iran.

===========================
A WARM RECEPTION AT THE PSD
===========================


4. (S) Codel King was warmly welcomed by the Public Security
Director, General Eitan (until recently head of military
intelligence in the Jordan Armed Forces). He discussed the
need for continued vigilance along Jordan's borders. In
response to questions, he noted that the border with Saudi
Arabia was the least secure due to a lack of cooperation and
information exchange with the Saudis. Eitan continued,
however, that the Saudis had improved information sharing
with Jordan in recent months. Rep. King agreed on the
importance of sharing intelligence on border security and
asked what the USG could do to help strengthen communications
between Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Eitan was extremely
receptive to the idea of USG intervention in this matter,
saying that it would "be best if the Saudis hear this from
the U.S. rather than from Jordan, so long as the Saudis
believe that Jordan did not put the U.S. up to it." The main
problem Eitan observed with Saudi security forces is that
"they have many heads and not one single agency." He
remarked that, "The Saudis are not unified since Prince X, Y,
and Z are all heading their own agencies and do not want to
share any information. They are better at sharing border
information, but terrorist information is difficult to get."

5. (S) When asked about Jordan's own experiences with
terrorism, Eitan provided a brief history of Jordan's
security problems dating to the assassination of King
Abdullah I. He summed up his views by saying "terrorism is
an international threat and ...we must unite together to
fight and contain the terrorists." Rep. King asked about
Jordan's human intelligence capabilities, not only within
Jordan, but also in Syria regarding Iraqi infiltrations.
Lamenting the lack of information being shared by both Syria
and Saudi Arabia, Eitan explained that both countries seem
intent on keeping their information internally, and are only
willing to share if they believe they themselves are in
danger and could benefit form Jordanian intelligence. Eitan
stressed that security along Jordan's border with Iraq is
"good," but that the GOJ needed assistance along its frontier
with Syria. He was confident that completion of the C4ISR
program in 2006 would make the Jordan-Syria border more
secure. When asked how much confidence he had in Jordanian
intelligence on Al-Qaeda activities and capabilities in
Jordan, Eitan remarked that Jordanian security tries to
follow Al-Qaeda operations closely, but is concerned about
possible "sleeper cells" and other as yet undetected
terrorist groups.


6. (C) Eitan used the remainder of the meeting to discuss
Iraq and the need for a change in the mentality of the Iraqi
people to mend divides and allow the creation of a stable
government. Eitan stressed that Jordan is "very close" to
Iraq and eager to see violence end there. He said he "hoped"
that progress was being made in Iraq. Focusing on the Jordan
International Police Training Center (JIPTC),Eitan expressed
concern over the selection process for Iraqi police trainees.
He described reports that some JIPTC cadets had already
received training or had been policemen under the old regime,
which raised doubts on the vetting of incoming JIPTC
recruits. From an internal security standpoint, Eitan was
worried that an insurgent intent on causing problems in
Jordan could pose as a police recruit. The fear that Jordan
could be the next target of terrorists or insurgents in Iraq
is very real, according to Eitan, especially in the wake of
the Sharm al Shiekh bombings: "We have to expect (an attack)
at any time." To improve the JIPTC selection process, Eitan
recommended that recruits be chosen more carefully, with
their identities accurately confirmed, by one central
committee rather than the current practice of using several
different selection groups. One committee would also ensure
that consistent vetting measures are applied.

=======================
CLOSE TIES WITH THE GID
=======================


7. (S/NF) The final meeting was with Major General Samih
Asfura, Director of the General Intelligence Directorate
(GID) and Colonel Basil Bayuk, head of the GID's
counterterrorism unit. The first half of the meeting focused
on the high degree of cooperation between the Jordanian and
American intelligence agencies. Asfura said "Jordan is
committed to fighting terrorism and continued information
exchanges with the USG as a way to strengthen our
relationship." The focus of the meeting shifted to Jordan's
working relationship with Saudi Arabia. The Saudis were late
in addressing terrorism, but Asfura added that Jordan was
helping to teach the Saudis how to handle the problem.
Asfura told Rep. King that the GID has been training the
Saudis in human intelligence gathering methods,
counterterrorism information exchanges and in general
building a working relationship between the GOJ and the
government of Saudi Arabia.


8. (C) Regarding Iraq and JIPTC security measures, Asfura
echoed Eitan,s comments in urging an improved recruiting and
vetting process for Iraqi police cadets. Such a change was
needed, according to Asfura, to lessen the threat of
insurgents entering Jordan using JIPTC for cover, although he
added that Jordan is keeping a watchful eye on JIPTC
recruits. Asfura stated that Jordan is being targeted by
terrorist groups, but noted that the GID has managed to foil
all recent terrorist plots in the country.


9. (U) Codel King did not have the opportunity to clear this
cable.
HALE