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