Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07AMMAN3767
2007-09-11 07:51:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR

Tags:  AMGT ASEC ASIG OTRA JO 
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VZCZCXRO3601
PP RUEHDE
DE RUEHAM #3767/01 2540751
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 110751Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0274
INFO RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 5474
RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI PRIORITY 0373
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 AMMAN 003767 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ELA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMGT ASEC ASIG OTRA JO
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR
INSPECTOR GENERAL HOWARD J. KRONGARD

REF: STATE 123237

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 AMMAN 003767

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ELA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMGT ASEC ASIG OTRA JO
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR
INSPECTOR GENERAL HOWARD J. KRONGARD

REF: STATE 123237


1. (SBU) Embassy Amman warmly welcomes the visit of
Inspector General Howard J. Krongard to Jordan from
September 17 - 19, 2007, as requested reftel. Travelers
should carefully review this message, especially the threat
assessment at paragraph 8.


2. (SBU) Control officer for this visit is Management
Counselor Sandra R. Smith. Contact information is as
follows: 962-6-590-6710 (office); 962-6-592-0163 (fax);
962-6-590-3888 (home); 962-79-560-9882 (mobile); and
SmithSR@state.gov. The Embassy's after-hours telephone
number is +962-6-590-6500.


3. (SBU) Hotel reservations have been made at Amman Hotel
Sheraton, phone 962-6-593-4111 and fax 962-6-593-4222.
Cost is at a rate within per diem; breakfast is not included
in the room rate. 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. The Embassy will
provide expeditor assistance upon arrival and departure.


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 or in the delegationQs
control room.


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 QASECQ 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

AMMAN 00003767 002 OF 003


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 employeeQs 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

AMMAN 00003767 003 OF 003


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 pedestriansQ 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 AmmanQs Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.gov.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman/

HALE