Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07AMMAN3880
2007-09-18 14:19:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

Jordan: Planning the S&T Joint Commission Meeting

Tags:  TSPL SENV TBIO TPHY ETRD KTIA JO 
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VZCZCXYZ0013
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAM #3880/01 2611419
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 181419Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0352
INFO RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 3367
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 0767
RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 4613
RUEHDOI/DEPT OF INTERIOR WASHDC
RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC
UNCLAS AMMAN 003880 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ELA, NEA/RA, AND OES
STATE PASS TO NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
STATE ALSO PASS TO NIH/INTERNATIONAL
STATE ALSO PASS TO USAID
INTERIOR FOR INTERNATIONAL/SENHADJI
COMMERCE FOR NOAA/INTERNATIONAL
EPA FOR INTERNATIONAL
WHITE HOUSE FOR OSTP/ROLF

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TSPL SENV TBIO TPHY ETRD KTIA JO
SUBJECT: Jordan: Planning the S&T Joint Commission Meeting

REF: AMMAN 2606

(U) Sensitive but unclassified. Handle accordingly.

UNCLAS AMMAN 003880

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ELA, NEA/RA, AND OES
STATE PASS TO NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
STATE ALSO PASS TO NIH/INTERNATIONAL
STATE ALSO PASS TO USAID
INTERIOR FOR INTERNATIONAL/SENHADJI
COMMERCE FOR NOAA/INTERNATIONAL
EPA FOR INTERNATIONAL
WHITE HOUSE FOR OSTP/ROLF

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TSPL SENV TBIO TPHY ETRD KTIA JO
SUBJECT: Jordan: Planning the S&T Joint Commission Meeting

REF: AMMAN 2606

(U) Sensitive but unclassified. Handle accordingly.


1. (U) This is an action request. Please see para 9.


2. (U) Background and summary: The U.S.-Jordan S&T Agreement
entered into force on June 12, 2007 (reftel). The Government of
Jordan (GOJ) is keen to hold the first Joint Commission Meeting
(JCM). Dr. Walid Al-Turk, Secretary General of the Higher Council
of Science and Technology (HCST - the de facto Science Ministry),
will serve as the Jordanian co-chair for the JCM. Al-Turk will
travel to the U.S. in early November to meet the U.S. co-chair and
other members of the scientific community to plan the JCM. He will
discuss GOJ research priorities related to water, energy,
environment and biotechnology, and have suggestions for JCM-related
working groups as well as a joint U.S.-Jordan Research Fund. End
background and summary.

High Expectations on a No-Frills Budget
--------------


3. (U) Dr. Walid Al-Turk, Secretary General of the Higher Council
of Science and Technology, is eager to initiate programs under the
recently signed S&T Agreement, and has high expectations for a
proposed November trip. His goals include: developing a personal
rapport with the U.S. co-chair; outlining key GOJ priorities in the
S&T arena; developing a framework for the JCM agenda and working
groups; agreeing on tentative dates and location for the JCM; and,
developing a draft plan for the JCM.


4. (U) HCST has developed a concept paper (shared with State
OES/STC and NEA/RA which outlines the key GOJ R&D priorities:
water, energy, environment, and biotechnology. HCST has suggested
the following areas for cooperation under the S&T Agreement which
could align with possible JCM working groups:
-- Renewable Energy Applications
Solar Energy

Wind Energy
Biogas
Bio Fuel
-- Water treatment and Desalination (including nanotechnology)
-- Agriculture (low water consumption plants)
-- Environmentally Sound Technologies (Clean Technologies)


5. (U) Additionally, IBM Almaden Research Center recently proposed a
joint GOJ/IBM nanotechnology hub in Jordan, with an initial focus on
using carbon nanotubes and self-assembled polymer membranes for
desalination. Ten to twelve Jordanian scientists and post-doctoral
students would spend a few years at IBM labs to further develop this
technology before returning to Jordan to establish the hub. The
initial focus of the program would be water desalination, but it
could eventually be expanded for broader nanotechnology
research/applications. HCST would like to advance this concept
under the umbrella of the S&T agreement.


6. (SBU) Al-Turk is aware that no separate USG funding is available
to support the S&T agreement, a fact he often laments.
Nevertheless, he is supportive of the USG approach to create
relevant working groups and collaborative networks, through which
priority projects of mutual interest should "rise" and attract
possible funding. In the HCST concept paper, he also proposes the
creation of a Joint Research Fund (similar to the U.S.-Egypt S&T
Fund) with matching contributions from U.S. and Jordan. HCST is
able to contribute monies to such a fund. Al-Turk is likely to
raise the concept of a Joint Research Fund with Washington
interlocutors.

Proposed Meetings
--------------


7. (U) Proposed meetings for Al-Turk's trip include the U.S.
co-chair, senior Department management (G, OES, NEA),the National
Science Foundation, the National Institute of Health, and OSTP.

Al-Turk could also meet members of the interagency working group on
nanotechnology. He is also keen to meet Representative Brian Baird
(D-WA),Chairman of the House Research and Science Education
Subcommittee, to follow up on their August meeting in Amman where
they discussed regional Red Sea cooperative projects. (Mr. Walid Al
Hadid at the Embassy of Jordan in Washington will be assisting
Al-Turk in planning this trip).


8. (U) Optional add-ons to Al-Turk's trip could include stops in
Colorado at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the
National Wind Technology Center. Another add-on could be Almaden,
California to visit IBM nanotechnology labs (para 5).

Department Assistance
--------------


9. (U) Action Request: Post requests Department's assistance to:

-- Confirm the November 6-7 dates for Al-Turk's meetings in
Washington.
-- Nominate a Department control officer for coordinating and
supporting the meetings in Washington.
-- Identify and communicate the appointment of the U.S. co-chair for
the JCM.
-- Develop a notional schedule for Al-Turk's November trip to
Washington.
-- Develop an initial draft agenda and suggested working groups for
the JCM.


10. (U) Post appreciates Department and interagency assistance in
efforts to plan and hold the JCM.

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

HALE
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