GOJ OFFICIALS CONFIRM TO ISN PDAS JORDAN,S

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 STATE 116629

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/31/2018
TAGS: ENRG PARM TRGY PREL JO
SUBJECT: GOJ OFFICIALS CONFIRM TO ISN PDAS JORDAN,S
COMMITMENT TO NONPROLIFERATION MEASURES

REF: AMMAN 2770

Classified By: Acting Assistant Secretary for ISN Patricia
McNerney for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (S/NF) Summary: International Security and
Nonproliferation PDAS Patricia McNerney, during her October
13-14 visit to Jordan, discussed Iran, the full range of
nonproliferation issues, and bilateral cooperation with
Government of Jordan (GOJ) officials including Foreign
Minister Salah Al-Bashir, Minister of Industry and Trade Amer
Hadidi, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Khaldoun
Qteishat, and Chairman of the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission
Dr. Khaled Toukan. GOJ counterparts shared U.S. views on the
threats posed by Iran, including its nuclear aspirations, and
expressed concern about a lack of Arab consensus on dealing
with the Persian Gulf neighbor. They confirmed their
commitment to counterproliferation, agreed that a strategic
trade and export control law could serve as a barrier to Iran
and others illicitly obtaining material and equipment for
their nuclear programs. They confirmed such a law had been
drafted, but commented that parliamentary passage required
careful coordination. The officials further encouraged
expedited interagency review of the 123 Agreement, asserting
Jordan would abide by all international nuclear agreements
and only seek partners from responsible countries. Bashir
welcomed the idea for a bilateral Counterproliferation Task
Force (CTF) dialog and promised to comment on the U.S.
proposal. The GOJ officials also reported the cabinet had
approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) needed to
launch the Megaports initiative and looked forward to a
November signing ceremony. End Summary.

Jordan Committed to Countering Iranian Threat
--------------


2. (S/NF) Across meetings, McNerney and GOJ officials
discussed the threats posed by Iran,s continued nuclear
aspirations and the importance of compliance with United
Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) and
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) engagement in light
of a recent IAEA assessment that Iran could produce
sufficient enriched uranium for a nuclear explosive by 2010.
With oil prices dropping, McNerney reported Iran is more
likely to attempt to circumvent UNSCRs and abuse the
international financial community to meet its needs. Strong
domestic export controls, border security, and cooperation
through the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) and
Global Initiative (GI) are essential. Foreign Minister
Bashir agreed that Iran is a shared threat, and particularly
dangerous for the Gulf countries. He cited as challenges to
maintaining pressure on Iran the lack of an Arab consensus
(blaming Qatar and Oman),and a weak European position with
regard to Iran,s nuclear energy program and gas pipelines.
He voiced concern that an exclusive focus on Iran,s nuclear
program undervalued other Iranian threats in the Middle East.
He called for a peaceful solution to the Iranian problem and
further said more pressure needed to be placed on Israel
which he accused of contributing to the arms race. McNerney
countered the greatest threat was not Israel, but rather the
resulting proliferation of nuclear weapons if Iran were not
thwarted.

Export Controls Key to Jordanian and Regional Security
-------------- --------------


3. (C) McNerney advised Minister of Industry and Trade
Hadidi that a strong strategic trade control law could be an
effective barrier to Iran obtaining material for its nuclear
program. Such a law, she explained, is the basis of
nonproliferation activities and with the U.S.-Jordan Free
Trade Agreement set to come into full force in 2010,
continuing discussions on the 123 Agreement, and Jordan
poised to begin uranium mining, it is essential that the
necessary controls be in place to safeguard the transfer of
nuclear and dual-use material and equipment. She added that

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U.S. companies and investors looked for strong export
controls and counseled that Jordan,s law should be broad and
flexible and include strong criminal penalties for export
control violations, robust control lists, and allow for the
implementation of the letter and spirit of the UNSCRs.
Hadidi responded that Jordan is very proactive with these
issues and that an export control law had been drafted, but
cautioned that parliament could be obstructionist so great
care was needed both in when and how the law was presented.
Nevertheless, he asserted the law would &soon8 be submitted
to parliament and that the GOJ would share the draft with the
U.S. He welcomed McNerney,s offer of expert advice and
technical training for adopting and drafting regulations and
training prosecutors and judges on handling export violation
cases. McNerney also opined that Jordan needed a &border
control team8 to better manage issues related to WMD
proliferation and the import and transshipment of dual-use
items.

Strengthening Bilateral Dialogs on Nuclear Issues
-------------- --------------


4. (S/NF) GOJ Officials expressed hope for "expedited
progress" on the 123 Agreement currently under interagency
review. Atomic Energy Commissioner Toukan explained Jordan
was preparing to offer tenders for site selection for a
future nuclear reactor and having the agreement in place was
important to the process, especially in obtaining U.S.
technology. McNerney said the U.S. was sympathetic to
Jordan's energy needs, but that nonproliferation concerns
required thoughtful consideration before the Agreement could
be sent forward for presidential certification. She
emphasized the need for movement on adopting an export
control law to protect nuclear and dual use material,
equipment and technology and written assurances that Jordan
would only engage in cooperation with parties to the Nuclear
Nonproliferation Treaty. She further urged caution in
Jordan's development of uranium mining, citing Iranian
interest in seeking new sources for yellow cake. Toukan
asserted Jordan will abide by all international and
multilateral agreements on nuclear energy; is interested in
building strategic relationships with P-5 powers and has no
desire to consider bilateral cooperation with countries that
are not party to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty; and
"will not jeopardize our long-term interests for short term
gain."

GOJ,s International Approach to Address Energy Needs
-------------- --------------


5. (C) Toukan said part of Jordan,s nuclear energy approach
included consulting widely ) U.S., France, Canada, Korea,
and others ) so as not to be held hostage by one country.
He explained the recently signed agreement with the French
company Areva included long-range projects and the September
MOU on uranium mining with China was in exchange for
development projects (reftel). Toukan added that Jordan,s
first two reactors would be for domestic needs, but that
excess power could be sold to neighboring countries,
including Israel. Toukan also explained that in Jordan,s
uranium deal with Areva, it included the requirement that
Areva guarantee supply of nuclear fuel (through an option to
be exercised at Jordan,s discretion) to Jordan,s nuclear
power program for as long as the uranium deal remains in
effect. In a separate meeting, Energy Minister Qteishat said
that a regional project might be necessary because the
nuclear reactors they would be reviewing are large relative
to Jordan,s needs.


6. (SBU) Commenting on the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership
(GNEP),Toukan welcomed engagement, but looked for more
traction on uranium banks and waste management. He expressed
concern that GNEP has yet to devise a mechanism for ensuring
adequate fuel supplies for non-nuclear states at a fair price
in a regulated and transparent manner.

Counterproliferation Initiatives
--------------

7. (C) Stressing the importance of international cooperation
to nonproliferation efforts, McNerney praised Jordanian
participation in PSI and GI. McNerney suggested that Jordan

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initiate a plan of work program in the Global Initiative and
they agreed to try to work on this issue regionally with
other interested countries, such as the UAE, Bahrain, and
Saudi Arabia. She cited a successful bilateral CTF dialogue
with the United Arab Emirates on counterproliferation and
proposed to Bashir that the U.S. and Jordan establish a
similar dialogue. She noted that a CTF would provide a more
focused forum to discuss legal and policy elements of
counterproliferation and passed a proposal to Bashir. Bashir
responded the GOJ appreciated the existing bilateral dialogue
and would review the proposal for more focused discussions,
but inquired whether the establishment of a CTF was part of
the 123 Agreement process. McNerney clarified that while it
was not a requirement for the 123 Agreement, it would
certainly demonstrate that Jordan takes its nonproliferation
commitments seriously, which will be important when Congress
considers the 123 Agreement.

Progress on Megaports
--------------


8. (C) NNSA Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear
Nonproliferation Will Tobey informed all GOJ representatives
of USG interest in concluding the agreement necessary to
launch the Megaports initiative to enhance radiation
monitoring and detection at Jordanian ports of entry. Hadidi
reported the cabinet had approved the MOU and the GOJ
welcomed both U.S. technical and financial assistance. NOTE.
In a separate discussion, Jordan Nuclear Regulatory
Commissioner Dr. Jamal Sharaf confirmed to EconCouns that the
cabinet had approved the MOU, although he had not yet
received written notification. He said the GOJ hoped to sign
the bilateral agreement in early November. End Note. Tobey
also offered radiological response training which Hadidi
generally welcomed, noting it was premature for Jordan to
identify specific training needs.

Cooperative Monitoring Center
--------------


9. (SBU) On October 14, McNerney visited the Cooperative
Monitoring Center (CMC),a joint venture between Sandia
National Laboratories and the Jordanian Royal Scientific
Society (RSS). The CMC staff briefed her on the variety of
export control and border security related training that the
CMC supports, including a successful recent United Nations
Security Council Resolution 1540 workshop. Additionally,
they noted that the CMC hosts Iraqi scientific scholars
participating in the Iraqi Scientist Engagement Program
(ISEP). McNerney inquired whether the CMC could support
additional Iraqi scientists. The CMC staff agreed to work to
expand the numbers of scientists at the CMC and noted that
physical space should not be an issue, as the scientists
could use the broader facilities of the RSS. McNerney
responded positively. CMC staff noted that getting Jordanian
visas for visiting Iraqis is still an issue, although it is
less of an issue that it had been. Tobey noted that the CMC
had hosted a lot of USG export control and border security
training programs.
RICE