SUCESSFUL JORDAN BIOMETRIC PARTNERSHIP CONFERENCE

S E C R E T AMMAN 001779 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/16/2019 TAGS: PTER ASEC PREL KINR JO SUBJECT: SUCESSFUL JORDAN BIOMETRIC PARTNERSHIP CONFERENCE DRAWS SUPPORT FOR REGIONAL CT DATA EXCHANGE (PART 1 OF 2) Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Lawrence Mandel for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) Jordan's Ministry of Interior and General Intelligence Directorate held a conference on the Regional Biometric Partnership Initiative on 4-5 August in Amman. The conference successfully brought together counter-terrorism and forensics experts from twelve countries in the region, including Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. At the conference, Jordan presented a tailor-made software and database system that it proposes to use to allow efficient exchange of biometric data on suspected terrorists between countries in the region. ¶2. (C) The conference concluded successfully with a commitment in principle by delegates from Iraq to participate in the data exchange partnership and to initially contribute 2,000-5,000 case files from Iraq's national database of known and suspected terrorists. Delegates from Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates also indicated that, pending final approval of their governments, they expected to participate fully in the partnership. Delegates of other countries reacted positively and indicated they would provide feedback to Jordan following discussions in their capitals. ¶3. (C) In a draft data sharing agreement discussed at the conference, Jordan proposes to host the database, maintain the software and data, and provide technical support to partner countries. Jordan will revise the draft agreement based on suggestions provided at the conference and in bilateral discussions in the coming months with countries which did not attend (i.e. Algeria, Kuwait, Libya, and Yemen). Jordan plans to conclude signing of the agreement with initial partners and begin exchanging data by the end of the year. ¶4. (S) The Regional Biometric Partnership Initiative was conceived in 2006 by the Eastern Mediterranean and Iraq and Neighbors Regional Strategic Initiatives (RSI). Funds to support the Initiative were provided through the Coordinator for Counter Terrorism (S/CT). The Federal Bureau of Intelligence (FBI) has provided technical assistance to the GOJ and some initial case data. ¶5. (C) A forthcoming cable will provide additional information about the discussion at the conference and Jordan's next steps towards commencing the data exchange. Mandel