VISIT OF INSPECTOR GENERAL KRONGARD TO JORDAN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 008268

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OVIP ASIG JO
SUBJECT: VISIT OF INSPECTOR GENERAL KRONGARD TO JORDAN

REFS: A) STATE 187266 B) STATE 187184


1. (U) Embassy Amman grants country clearance and warmly
welcomes the visit of Inspector General Howard J. Krongard
from November 1-2 and November 9-12, 2005 for the purpose of
observing post facilities and operations, including ISU and
JIPTC.


2. (U) The embassy point of contact is Management
Counselor Perry M. Adair. Contact numbers for Mr. Adair are
as follows: office: 962-6-590-6710; home: 962-6-593-8742;
cell: 962-6-79-560-8992; fax 962-6-592-0163. The Embassy's
after-hours telephone number is: 962-6-590-6500. The contact
for ISU is Richard Boohaker: office 962-6-590-6841; cell:
962-6-79-663-0623.


3. (SBU) Hotel reservations, airport meet/assist and all
ground transportation have been arranged. Hotel reservations
are confirmed for the nights of 11/1/05 and 11/9-11/05 at
the Sheraton Amman Al Nabil Hotel & Towers, located at 5th
Circle, Amman 11184. Telephone:962-6-593-4111; FAX: 962-6-
593-4222.


4. (U) Valid visas are required for entry into Jordan.
Visas may be obtained at Queen Alia airport; however,
Embassy suggests visitors obtain their visas prior to
arrival, as there can be long lines for visa issuance at
the airport. Money can be exchanged at Queen Alia
airport, at the hotel, or at the Embassy.

5. (U) Each visitor, regardless of length of stay, must
have fiscal data to pay for direct costs of the visit. Each
agency, organization or visiting delegation will be charged
for the actual costs attributed to the visit. Direct charge
costs include, but are not limited to: American and LES
overtime (for such services as airport expediting, cashier
accommodation exchange, control room staffing,
representational event support),travel and per diem costs
incurred by post personnel in support of visitor's field
travel, rental of vehicles and other equipment, long
distance telephone calls, office supplies, gasoline and
other vehicle maintenance costs, departure tax and other
airport fees.


6. (U) The month of Ramadan (which began on October 4
and lasts until approximately November 3) is the
holiest period in the Muslim year. During Ramadan most
local restaurants will be closed daily between dawn and
sunset except those establishments catering exclusively
to tourists. Some restaurants may be open for take-out
only during the fasting hours. All establishments
serving alcohol, including bars in hotels, will remain
closed throughout Ramadan. Foreign tourists may be
served alcohol in their hotel rooms. Eating and smoking
in public, especially in the streets and in taxis, cars,
or buses, are strongly discouraged. Dressing in a
manner inconsistent with Islamic norms is strongly
discouraged. Conservative dress is recommended.
Official working hours for Jordanian government offices
and ministries are 0900-1400 hours, Sunday through
Thursday. Foreign Service National employees of Embassy
Amman are on reduced six-hour workdays. Traveling by
vehicle between the hours of 1500 and 1800 can sometimes
be problematic due to traffic congestion and accidents.


7. (U) Threat assessment: Since late 1999, there has been
a series of serious, confirmed terrorist threats and
disrupted terrorist plots targeting U.S. interests in
Jordan. Transnational terrorist groups, as well as less
sophisticated local elements, have demonstrated the
capability to pose threats here. Anti-western
sentiment, though less pronounced since the end of
Operation Iraqi Freedom, has been sparked on occasion by
regional events, particularly those related to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict and, to a lesser extent,
Iraq.

In May 2004, two men were arrested for plotting to
assassinate diplomats in Amman, including an American
Embassy employee. In April 2004, Jordanian authorities
disrupted a plan to attack the American Embassy and
Jordanian government buildings with explosive-laden
vehicles.
In September 2003, 13 were arrested for plotting attacks
against U.S. and Jordanian targets, including the
American Embassy in Amman. In May 2003, three persons
connected to the Zarqawi network were arrested for
planning attacks against foreigners and tourist sites.
The October 28, 2002 assassination of a U.S. diplomat in
Amman outside his residence was ultimately linked to the
Zarqawi network. Jordanian authorities arrested the
assassins in December 2002.
The most recently published U.S. government security
alerts state that extremist groups continue to plan
terrorist attacks against U.S. interests worldwide.
Crime is generally not a serious problem for travelers
in Jordan, although petty theft is common in the
downtown Amman Hashimiyah Square area and near the Roman
amphitheater. In the narrow streets of the old city and
at some of the more popular tourist sites, crowded
conditions invite pickpockets and other petty criminals.
We urge travelers to be more guarded in these areas so
that they do not present easy opportunities to
criminals. Purse-snatchings in central and western
Amman are reportedly on the increase. In several cases,
thieves in moving vehicles snatched pedestrians' purses
and drove off. In some instances, victims were injured
when they were unable to free themselves from their
purses. When carrying a purse, it would be wise to
conceal it if possible, to avoid walking near the road
within reach of passing vehicles, and to walk towards
the flow of traffic.

8. (U) Travel guidelines:

American citizens traveling in Jordan should exercise
caution, be alert and stay informed of regional and
local events that could quickly impact the security
environment in the country. Travelers should avoid
large crowds and demonstrations and take measures to
avoid areas where they are most likely to occur (city
centers, universities, refugee camps),particularly
during periods of increased tension. It is also
recommended to maintain a low profile and not establish
predictable patterns of movement, even if only visiting
for a short period. Recent worldwide USG security
announcements continue to alert American travelers that
terrorists do not distinguish between official and
civilian targets. Therefore, facilities where Americans
or foreigners are likely to congregate such as hotels,
nightspots, restaurants, and places of worship should be
considered as potential targets. Travelers should stay
alert when attendance at such locations is necessary.
Taxis are the only form of public transportation that is
recommended.
As Jordan is a predominantly Muslim country, cultural
sensitivities should be observed. Female travelers
should dress conservatively and not travel alone,
particularly in areas where western visitors are
uncommon. Western visitors and residents have reported
incidents of sexual harassment, assault and unwelcome
advances of a sexual nature. Such incidents, while
troubling, are not common.


9. (U) Other:

For further information, see the State Department's
Consular Information Sheet for Jordan at
http://travel.state.gov/jordan.html and link from that
site to the most recent Public Announcement on Travel in
the Middle East and South Asia and the most recent
Worldwide Caution.

RUBINSTEIN