Jordan: Post Supports Start of S&T Agreement Negotiations

UNCLAS AMMAN 004527 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE PASS TO National Science Foundation STATE ALSO PASS TO USTR Interior for International/Senhadji Commerce for NOAA/International/Ware-Harris, Child EPA for International/Medearis WHITE HOUSE for OSTP/Rolf E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TSPL SENV KTIA TBIO TPHY ETRD JO SUBJECT: Jordan: Post Supports Start of S&T Agreement Negotiations ¶1. Summary: Embassy Amman supports beginning negotiations on a Science and Technology Agreement between the United States and Jordan. It is Post's view that successful conclusion of this agreement will promote U.S. social, political and economic interests in Jordan. End summary. -------------- GOJ Produces Draft Agreement from USG Model -------------- ¶2. Beginning with the September 2005 visit of Minister of Industry and Trade Sharif Zu'bi to Washington, the GOJ has consistently expressed a strong interest in signing a Science and Technology Agreement with the USG. Jordan's Ministry of Industry and Trade, in collaboration with the Higher Council for Science and Technology, produced a draft S&T Agreement based on the U.S. S&T Agreement with Algeria. ¶3. Leading up to and during the June 8-13 visit of NEA Senior S&T Advisor Dr. Chuck Lawson, Post engaged in a round of discussions with the Department and with GOJ actors on the costs and benefits of a U.S.-Jordan S&T Agreement, and the suitability of the Jordanian draft. Department offices contacted by Post view the draft agreement as an acceptable basis upon which to begin negotiations, and feel that a U.S.-Jordan S&T Agreement would promote USG interests. Post concurs. -------------- Minister to Deputy: Please Expedite -------------- ¶4. Consultations culminated in a June 8 meeting in Amman between Lawson, DCM, Econ Counselor, ESTH Officer and GOJ Minister of Industry and Trade Sharif Zu'bi. Zu'bi has been the GOJ's main advocate for an S&T Agreement since he sees the agreement as an important tool for raising the level of technology and value-added in Jordan's economy. ¶5. Zu'bi's questions for Lawson were specific and concrete. How long will negotiations take? Can we discuss specific projects while the framework S&T Agreement is being negotiated? What are the specific benefits that Jordan can expect? As Zu'bi left the meeting after an unexpected urgent call, his instructions (in Arabic) to his deputy were a crisp, "Expedite the signature" on the agreement. -------------- S&T Council Also On Board -------------- ¶6. Secretary General of the Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST) Dr. Khaled El-Shuraydeh also supported the concept of an S&T Agreement in his June 12 meeting with Lawson. Noting that Minister Zubi is on the HCST's Governing Council, Shuraydeh took a strategic view of the proposed S&T Agreement. He said that Jordan needs to enhance innovation, and to use high technology as a development tool by bringing ideas to the marketplace. He emphasized Jordan's need to promote R&D, especially in its universities. ¶7. Comment: Based on consultations with the GOJ and with relevant offices in the Department, Post supports starting negotiations on a Science and Technology Agreement with Jordan. ¶8. This message was cleared by NEA Senior S&T Advisor Lawson. RUBINSTEIN