QUARTET SPECIAL ENVOY JAMES WOLFENSOHN -- JORDAN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 000964

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: JO OTRAO
SUBJECT: QUARTET SPECIAL ENVOY JAMES WOLFENSOHN -- JORDAN

REF: STATE 20977


1. Because of recent terrorist attacks and attempted
terrorist operations in Jordan (see para 9),the U.S.
Government has urged all Americans to review the need for
planned travel to Jordan. In addition, Embassy Amman
requires U.S. government agencies and travelers to limit
their official travel to Jordan to that which is essential.


2. Embassy Amman grants country clearance for the February
10-11 visit of Quartet Special Envoy for Gaza Disengagement
James Wolfensohn and his party to Amman, Jordan.


3. Point of contact for this visit is Deborah Hick,
Political Officer, office: 962-6-590-6598, fax:
962-6-592-0159, home: 962-6-593-4592 or mobile:
962-79-599-4914. The Embassy's after hours telephone number
is 962-6-590-6500.


4. Hotel reservations have been made at the Marriott Hotel
Amman, at 962-6-560-7607, fax: 962-6-567-0100 for the
night(s) requested at a rate within per diem. Due to
security concerns in Jordan (para 8) TDY personnel are
assigned hotels on a rotational basis. Therefore, Embassy
Amman will make the final decision on hotel accommodations
for all visitors.


5. 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 queues for visa issuance at the airport.
Money can be exchanged at Queen Alia airport.


6. 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.


7. Health:

Although Jordan does not pose any particular health hazards
for visitors, the quality of health care facilities is not up
to 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.


8. 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 CAA
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.


9. Threat assessment:
In light of the November 9, 2005 terrorist attacks at three
hotels in Amman, where 60 were killed and over 100 injured,
the U.S. Government urges Americans to review the need for
planned travel to Jordan. Americans in Jordan are urged to
increase their vigilance when in public areas. The nature of
these attacks demonstrates that terrorists may pursue softer
targets such as public transportation, residential areas, and
public areas where people congregate including major tourist
sites, places of worship, restaurants, hotels, clubs, and
shopping areas. Terrorist will often not distinguish
between U.S. government personnel or private citizens.

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. The Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi
(AMZ) network in particular continues to focus its terrorist
activities against U.S and Government of Jordan (GOJ) targets
in Jordan. AMZ network appears to be responsible for the
November 2005 hotel bombings, the August 2005 Aqaba rocket
attacks, the April 2004 vehicle bomb plot to attack the U.S.
Embassy and GOJ sites, and the assassination of American
diplomat Larry Foley outside his Amman residence in October

2002.

In Jordan, anti-western sentiment is evident on occasion due
to developments in the region, particularly those related to
Israeli/Palestinian issues and to Iraq.

Crime is generally not a serious problem for travelers in
Jordan, although pick pocketing and other petty theft is
common in the downtown Amman Hashimiyah Square area and near
the Roman amphitheater. In central and west Amman, thieves
in motor vehicles have on occasion snatched purses from
pedestrians. Several people have been injured when they were
briefly dragged along the road. 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.


10. 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. 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, and outside of mosques after
Friday morning prayers),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. Taxis are the only
form of public transportation that is recommended.

As Jordan is a Muslim country, cultural sensitivities should
be observed. Female travelers should dress conservatively
and not travel alone, particularly in areas unaccustomed to
western visitors. Incidents of sexual harassment, assault,
and unwelcome advances of a sexual nature against western
visitors and residents, although not frequent, have been
reported. These incidents, while troubling, are not common.

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