U.S. AND JORDAN SIGN MEGAPORTS AGREEMENT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 AMMAN 003361

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ELA AND ISN
ENERGY FOR DOE/NNSA/NA256 (BEDKE) AND DOE/NNSA/NA21 (ROBINSON)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC PARM PREL KSTC JO

SUBJECT: U.S. AND JORDAN SIGN MEGAPORTS AGREEMENT

REF: A) AMMAN 2994
B) 07 STATE 148399

Sensitive but unclassified. Not for internet distribution.


1. (U) Following more than two years of negotiation, the
Ambassador and Jordan Nuclear Regulatory Commission (JNRC) Director
General Dr. Jamal Sharaf signed on December 16 the Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) to launch the Megaports Initiative designed to
reduce the risk of nuclear proliferation and illicit trafficking of
nuclear and radiological materials through Jordanian ports of entry.
The Ambassador welcomed Jordan as a Megaports partner, commenting
that strengthening Jordan's ability to prevent terrorists from
acquiring, smuggling, or using nuclear materials was not only good
for the country and the region, but also for the rest of the world.
Sharaf expressed appreciation for the U.S. capacity-building
investment in Jordan, saying the assistance and training would
contribute greatly to JNRC efforts and long-term plans to grow from
its current staff of 30 to eventually 300 employees.


2. (SBU) Commenting on Jordan's need to enhance border security,
Sharaf recommended the National Nuclear Safety Administration make
the Jaber border crossing with Syria a priority. Sharaf added the
JNRC was "eager to benefit from the U.S. experience" and was
particularly interested in environmental monitoring and better
managing radiological devises used in medicine, explaining that in
contrast to the U.S., the use of radiation dominated the medical
field and was barely used in industry. He also said he planned to
visit the Nuclear Regulatory Commission soon. Continuing the
discussion on training, JNRC Board Member and Jordan Atomic Energy
Commissioner for Nuclear Sciences and Applications, Professor
Abdul-Halim Wriekat, encouraged regional and international workshops
and seminars for all Megaports Initiative countries and asked the
U.S. to arrange for more visits by American scientists for training
and consultations.


3. (U) In addition to Wriekat, the following JNRC board members
and staff attended the MOU signing:

-- Dr. Sa'ed Dababneh, JNRC Vice-Chairman of the Board;
-- Eng. Faris Al-Junaidi, JNRC Board Member and Secretary General
of the Ministry of Environment;
-- Dr. Mohammad Zuboon, JNRC Board Member and representative of the
Ministry of Health;
-- Mr. Abdallah Obaidat, JNRC Assistant Director, JNRC; and
-- Ms. Yumn Habjouqa, JNRC Head of International Cooperation


4. (U) Post also coordinated with NNSA the simultaneous release in
Washington and Amman of a statement announcing the MOU signing (para
5). All major Arabic newspapers and the government news agency
covered the December 16 signing ceremony. The following day, these
outlets published lengthy, inside-page stories, with photos, on the
event. The contents drew heavily on the NNSA-drafted press release

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and statements made by the Ambassador.


5. (U) Begin text of press release:

U.S. and Jordan Sign Agreement to Prevent Smuggling of Nuclear and
Radioactive Material

AMMAN - The United States and Jordan signed an agreement today to
begin a cooperative effort to detect, deter, and interdict illicit
smuggling of nuclear and other radioactive material. In a ceremony
at the headquarters of the Jordan Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
JNRC Director General Dr. Jamal Sharaf signed the agreement together
with American Ambassador Stephen Beecroft.

The agreement provides a foundation for the U.S. Department of
Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to
cooperate with the Jordan Nuclear Regulatory Commission (JNRC) and
other government agencies, in order to install radiation detection
equipment and associated infrastructure at the Port of Aqaba and at
selected land border crossings. In addition, NNSA will train
Jordanian officials on the use of such equipment and provide
maintenance services for a specified period.

"The United States and Jordan have signed an agreement today that
will enhance Jordan's ability to prevent the smuggling of nuclear
and radiological material by expanding its detection systems to
include airports, seaports, and land border crossings," said Deputy
Administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation William Tobey.
"We are pleased to count Jordan among our partners in the global
effort to prevent nuclear terrorism and proliferation."

The work will be performed by NNSA's Second Line of Defense (SLD)
Program, which works collaboratively with foreign governments at
border crossings, airports, seaports and other points of entry to
install specialized radiation detection equipment and associated
communications equipment. The SLD Program also provides training to
host government border guard officials and other personnel to detect
smuggled nuclear and other radioactive materials. NNSA has
installed similar equipment at over 230 sites around the world.

Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency
within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for enhancing
national security through the military application of nuclear
science. NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security,
reliability and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile
without nuclear testing; works to reduce global danger from weapons
of mass destruction; provides the U.S. Navy with safe and effective
nuclear propulsion; and responds to nuclear and radiological
emergencies in the U.S. and abroad. Visit www.nnsa.energy.gov for
more information.

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

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