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 AMMAN 00003361 002 OF 003 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 AMMAN 00003361 003 OF 003 BEECROFT