JORDAN ARMED FORCES SEES OPPORTUNITY IN ISF

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 002628

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/08/2018
TAGS: IZ JO MARR MASS MCAP MOPS PINS
SUBJECT: JORDAN ARMED FORCES SEES OPPORTUNITY IN ISF
TRANSITION

REF: SECSTATE 91327

Classified By: Classified By: Ambassador R. Stephen Beecroft for reason
s 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Jordan Armed Forces (JAF) Director of Strategic
Planning Brigadier General Mohammad Farghal welcomed news of
the USG plan to strengthen the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF;
reftel). After being briefed September 3 by DATT and Poloff,
Farghal offered assistance in the form of third-party
transfers, refurbishing equipment, and technical advice. He
stated that Jordan has been a partner to the United States
concerning Iraq "from the beginning, and we're not going to
change our minds." He stressed that "Iraqi security is our
security" and encouraged the sale of U.S. military equipment
to Iraq in order to increase interoperability between U.S.,
Iraqi, and Jordanian weapons systems.


2. (C) Farghal suggested that Jordan could send some of its
personnel to Baghdad to help the Iraqis navigate the U.S.
Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Foreign Military Financing
(FMF) processes. He also implied that Jordan could benefit
financially by selling U.S. equipment otherwise scheduled for
decommissioning, and by refurbishing Iraq's older U.S.
equipment in Jordan. Farghal said he would report the ISF
transition plan to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,
General Khaled Sarayreh.


3. (C) Comment: Farghal's enthusiasm is surely at least in
part a reflection of his sense that there is money to be made
in Jordanian arms sales/contracts with the ISF. Iraq policy
in Jordan is made and managed at higher levels, however.
Post will follow up with the Palace to advocate.

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