COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR USDEL TO THE CONFERENCE OF

UNCLAS AMMAN 008690

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

INL/C/CP AND INL/PC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC KCRM SNAR OTRA JO
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR USDEL TO THE CONFERENCE OF
STATE PARTIES TO THE UN CONVENTION AGAINST CORRUPTION

REF: STATE 192661


1. (SBU) Embassy Amman welcomes and grants country clearance
for the following officials to visit Jordan to represent the
U.S. at the Conference of State Parties to the UN Convention
Against Corruption: Elizabeth Verville, Peter Ainsworth, John
Brandolino, Christine Cline, Elizabeth Hart, Benjamin
Longlet, Virginia Prugh, Guinnevere Roberts and Howard
Solomon, as requested reftel. All visitors should carefully
review this message, especially the threat assessment at para

8.


2. (SBU) Control officer for this visit is Political Officer
Jack Doutrich. Contact numbers are as follows: office:
962-6-590-6596, mobile: 962-79-5588990. The Embassy's
after-hours telephone number is 962-6-590-6500. Embassy will
provide airport expeditor services and transportation to and
from the hotel as requested reftel (i.e., for Verville,
Brandolino, Cline, Prugh and Solomon).


3. (SBU) Hotel reservations have been made at the Movenpick
Resort, Dead Sea for the nights requested. Confirmation
numbers will be forwarded separately by email. Cost is at a
rate within per diem.


4. (U) Valid visas are required for entry into Jordan. Visas
may be obtained at Queen Alia airport though not at all land
border crossings; however, Embassy Amman suggests visitors
obtain their visas prior to arrival, as there can be long
queues for visa issuance at the airport. Money can be
exchanged at Queen Alia airport.


5. (U) ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES: 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) HEALTH: Although Jordan does not pose any unusual
health hazards for visitors, the quality of health care
facilities is not up to the U.S. or European standards,
particularly outside of Amman. As medications on the local
economy are often in short supply, visitors should bring
sufficient medications to post for their chronic medical
problems. Immunizations should be current for Tetanus and
Diphtheria, Hepatitis A and B. Visitors should drink bottled
water rather than tap water. Food in the hotels and most
restaurants is safe to eat, but some of the smaller local
restaurants do not always observe proper food handling
procedures.

Only those personnel covered under the State Department's
medical program and who have a valid medical clearance for
Jordan are eligible for a medical evacuation at USG cost.
All other visitors are advised to have their own medical
evacuation insurance to cover evacuation by air ambulance.
Otherwise it will be necessary to ensure that the respective
agency will cover any costs related to a medical evacuation.
All local hospitals take major credit cards.


7. (U) SECURITY CLEARANCE AND BUILDING ACCESS: In compliance
with State Department regulations and Embassy policies,
visitors requesting unescorted access to the Embassy compound
should inform RSO Amman of their security clearance level (if
any) and should name the agency that granted that clearance.
Telegrams containing this information should include the
"ASEC" tag to ensure distribution to the RSO.

Electronic devices: RSO approval must be obtained before any
electronic device is brought into the Embassy. Privately
owned laptops and personal computers, peripherals, diskettes,
and tapes are prohibited in all mission facilities.
Cellular/mobile phones and palm pilots are prohibited in
controlled access areas.

Travelers with USG-owned unclassified laptops or notebook
computers, peripherals, diskettes, and tapes must receive
RSO/IMO authorization before being granted access to U.S.
Mission buildings. USG-owned classified computers must be
sent to post via classified diplomatic pouch. Classified
equipment must bear external USG bar-code inventory numbers
and classification markings commensurate with the highest
level of information processed on the system. Questions

concerning other types of electronic devices and magnetic
media may be directed to the RSO and IMO.

Mandatory personal security training: Per 04 STATE 66580,
all employees traveling to post for 30 days or more (whether
PCS or TDY) must have completed the mandatory personal
security training (State Department Security Overseas Seminar
or equivalent) before arriving at post. Agencies must
provide the Chief of Mission with certification that this
training will be completed prior to the employee's travel.
Failure to do so will result in denial of country clearance.


8. (U) THREAT ASSESSMENT: The threat of terrorism remains
high in Jordan. Transnational terrorist groups, as well as
less sophisticated local elements, have demonstrated the
capability to pose threats in Jordan. The Al-Qaida in Iraq
network (AQIZ) in particular continues to focus its terrorist
activities against U.S. and Government of Jordan (GOJ)
targets in Jordan. AQIZ claimed responsibility for the
November 9, 2005 bombings of three international hotels in
Amman, which killed 60 people and injured over 100.
Pedestrian suicide bombers wearing explosive vests carried
the bombs into the hotels. AQIZ also claimed responsibility
for the Aqaba rocket attacks on August 19, 2005, which killed
on Jordanian soldier and wounded another. The assassination
of American diplomat Larry Foley outside his west Amman
residence on October 28, 2002 was also attributed to AQIZ
leader Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, who was killed in Iraq in June

2006.

In addition, there has been a series of serious, confirmed
terrorist threats and disrupted terrorist plots targeting
U.S. or Jordanian interests in Jordan. In February 2006, the
Government of Jordan (GOJ) disrupted a terrorist cell
plotting to attack Queen Alia International Airport. In
November 2005, the GOJ indicted six men for planning to carry
out attacks against Americans at hotels and bars in Amman and
Aqaba. In August-September 2005, four militants were
arrested for plotting assassinations of Americans in Jordan.
In July 2005, GOJ authorities arrested 17 men linked to AQIZ
who had planned to assassinate GOJ officials and Americans in
Jordan. In February 2005, four men were arrested for
plotting attacks against GOJ officials, tourists and
five-star hotels. In the same month, another four-man group
was disrupted while plotting to attack liquor stores in Amman
and foreign tourists in Aqaba.

Terrorists often do not distinguish between U.S. government
personnel and private citizens. Terrorists may target areas
frequented by Westerners, such as tourist sites, hotels,
restaurants, bars, nightclubs, liquor stores, transportation
hubs, places of worship, expatriate residential areas, and
schools. In light of these security concerns, Americans are
urged to maintain a high level of vigilance, to be aware of
their surroundings, and to take appropriate steps to increase
their security awareness. It is especially important for
travelers to be unpredictable by varying their times and
routes and to maintain a low profile. Moreover, Americans
are urged to avoid contact with any suspicious or unfamiliar
objects and to immediately report the presence of such
objects to the authorities.

Anti-American and anti-Western sentiment exists in Jordan and
has been sparked on occasion by incidents in the region,
particularly those related to Israeli/Palestinian issues and,
to a lesser extent, Iraq. This may lead to random acts of
violence against Westerners. On September 4, 2006, a gunman
fired on foreigners at a popular tourist site in central
Amman, killing one and injuring six.

Travelers are advised to avoid any demonstrations or large
gatherings of people, especially during times of increased
tension. Many demonstrations occur near mosques after Friday
prayers. Consequently, special sensitivity and caution
should be exercised at or near mosques and religious sites
during holy days and the Friday Muslim Sabbath.
Demonstrations also often take place at universities and
refugee camps.

Crime is generally not a serious problem for travelers in
Jordan, but petty crime is prevalent in the downtown Amman
Hashimiyah Square area and near the Roman amphitheater. In
the narrow streets of the older parts of the city center,
crowded conditions invite pickpockets and other petty
criminals. Travelers are urged to be more guarded in these
areas so that they do not present easy opportunities for
criminals.

In central and west Amman, there have been reports of thieves
snatching pedestrians' purses from moving vehicles and then
driving 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 against the flow of traffic.

Jordanian police have warned the public to exercise vigilance
when leaving banks or ATM machines, as thieves have
reportedly preyed upon persons soon after using these
services.

Western women both visiting and residing in Jordan report
sexual harassment and unwelcome advances of a sexual nature.
There have been isolated reports of assault. Women are
advised to take reasonable precautions including dressing
conservatively and not traveling alone. Modest attire should
be worn in deference to local custom.


9. (U) TRAVEL GUIDELINES: American citizens and official
visitors 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.
It is also recommended to maintain a low profile and not
establish predictable patterns of movement, even if only
visiting for a short period. Taxis are the only form of
public transportation that is recommended.

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.

Visit Amman's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.gov.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman
HALE