JORDANIAN ARMED FORCES CHIEF OFFERS IRAQ MILITARY

S E C R E T AMMAN 007601

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2015
TAGS: PREL MARR JO IZ
SUBJECT: JORDANIAN ARMED FORCES CHIEF OFFERS IRAQ MILITARY
TRAINING ASSISTANCE


Classified By: DANIEL RUBINSTEIN, CHARGE D'AFFAIRES, REASONS: 1.4 (B &D
)


1. (S) In discussions with visiting U.S. Ambassador to Iraq
Zalmay Khalilzad, Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) Chairman of
the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Khalid
Sarairah thanked the U.S. Ambassador for the generous
assistance to Jordan from the U.S.. Sarairah stated that
only with US assistance is it possible for Jordan to prepare
itself fully
to join the fight against terrorism.


2. (S) Sarairah laid out for Amb. Khalilzad additional
opportunities for Iraqi military training in Jordan,
stressing
that training here not only affords Iraqi forces the
opportunity to
improve weapons and tactical skills, but carries the
potential to improve understanding of democratic values and
the appropriate role of the military within a democratic
society. Specifically, Sarairah offered continued use of the
existing New Iraqi Army training camp in Jordan, intelligence
training, additional training for units of Iraqi border
security and customs agents, and the option to embed an
Iraqi unit isn a similar parent organization of the Jordan
Armed Forces (JAF).
Sarairah also offered additional equipment transfers
from Jordan to Iraq, available within the JAF as a
result of the recently-completed JAF Strategic Defense
Review. Ambassador Khalilzad thanked Sarairah for his offer,
and promised to pass it to the Iraqi government.


3. (S) On border security, Sarairah noted that
despite the stated belief of Iraq's Minister of Defense, the
border between Jordan and Iraq was fully secure, and no
infiltrations of terrorists or weapons was occurring
between Jordan and Iraq.


4. (S) On Syria, Sarairah emphasized the need for the SARG
to
open Syrian society, focus the efforts of its security
apparatus on the presence and
training of terrorists within Syria, and improve border
security to stop the flow of arms
and narcotics into Jordan. Sarairah felt that additional
political pressure was needed to convince the Syrians to
focus on domestic issues
and let the Iraqis address their problems without foreign
interference. Ambassador Khalilzad agreed that pressure on
the Syrian government to cease its assistance to the
insurgency should be stepped-up.


5. (S) In response to Ambassador Khalilzad's query on how
best to stem the insurgency in Iraq, Sarairah said that that
the Iraqis had to be forced to become more self-sufficient or
they would
continue to rely on US forces to provide their security.
To do this, Sarairah felt they needed more military training
in groups,
improved staff officer and leadership training, and
significantly improved intelligence capabilities to counter
the insurgency. Sarairah concluded his remarks by stating
that the JAF
would positively consider any requirements for assistance
requested by the Iraqi military.

Comment
--------------


6. (S) The GOJ has raised previously all of these offers of
training for Iraq's military. Extensive training is under
way in Jordan -- especially for policemen and some military
personnel -- but Jordanian offers of additional training have
often met with cool Iraqi responses due to funding
constraints,the Iraqi preference for conducting new training
inside Iraq, and likely, discomfort on the part of many
Iraqis in seeking and receieving training from Jordanians.


7. (U) This cable was cleared by Ambassador Khalilzad.
HALE