AMBASSADOR CRUMPTON'S VISIT TO JORDAN'S 71ST

S E C R E T AMMAN 001511 SIPDIS FOR NEA, INL, PM, AND S/CT E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/01/2015 TAGS: PREL PTER MARR MCAP IZ JO SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR CRUMPTON'S VISIT TO JORDAN'S 71ST COUNTERTERRORISM BATTALION Classified By: AMBASSADOR DAVID HALE FOR REASONS 1.4 (b and d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador Henry Crumpton, U.S. Coordinator for Counterterrorism (CT),discussed Jordanian CT capabilities - and CT training for foreign special operations forces - with the commander of the 71st Jordanian Counterterrorism Battalion during a February 28 visit to Jordan. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (S) Asked by Ambassador Crumpton if Jordanian CT assets were prepared for out-of-country deployments, the 71st's Commander, Lt. Colonel Adnan, enthusiastically replied that he could have CT forces ready to deploy to Iraq or Syria in six to twelve hours. He said his battalion understands and supports U.S. policy, and that his men's language and cultural skills make them uniquely qualified for deployments abroad. ¶3. (C) Regarding regional cooperation, Adnan told Ambassador Crumpton that he was trying to develop relationships with CT forces in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. He described Kuwaiti CT forces as the most capable in the Gulf region, and added that Saudi CT forces "needed training" due to the challenging security situation and numerous terrorist incidents they faced. Adnan added that it was essential to develop relations and train with regional CT players so that similarly trained CT forces could coordinate and respond to terrorist actions. He said this should include Lebanon, noting that Jordan had not had relations with Lebanese CT forces for at least four years. ¶4. (S) DATT COMMENT: Lt. Colonel Adnan is the unit Battalion Commander, and is justifiably proud of the capabilities of his men. His comments do not, however, represent the position of the Jordanian SOCOM commander or of Jordan's national leadership, nor do they accurately reflect the actual capabilities of the battalion. DATT assesses Jordanian SOCOM and the 71st CT Battalion as incapable of extended external operations without significant U.S. logistical support and augmentation. END DATT COMMENT. HALE