DOD PARTICIPATION IN JORDAN,S SOFEX 2010

UNCLAS AMMAN 000286 SENSITIVE SIPDIS SECDEF FOR DSCA AND USD(P),HQ DA FOR USASAC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MASS BTIO MCAP PREL JO SUBJECT: DOD PARTICIPATION IN JORDAN,S SOFEX 2010 ¶1. (U) In anticipation of Jordan's Special Operations Forces Exhibition (SOFEX 2010),Embassy Amman strongly supports and encourages direct participation by the Department of Defense in general, and specifically to encourage participation by the Association of the United States Army (AUSA). This would be the first time that AUSA would participate in SOFEX. Participation by U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) leadership will send the message that we support Jordanian and regional SOF cooperation in the War on Terror. In addition, we encourage DoD participation as coordinated and approved by CENTCOM, SOCCENT and USSOCOM. ¶2. (SBU) Jordan is a key partner in combating terrorism and is fast becoming a leader in regional SOF activities. The opening of the King Abdullah Special Operations Training Center (KASOTC) in May 2009 will provide a regional center for training SOF forces in tactical skills, as well as a regional forum for the intellectual aspects of counterterrorism (CT). The USG provided $99 million from Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to help construct KASOTC to bring to fruition King Abdullah's vision of a world class SOF training facility to enhance the interoperability of Jordanian, U.S., and regional SOF in CT operations. SOFEX is the international and regional venue that Jordan uses to highlight SOF solutions for CT. It is important to highlight U.S. military technology and American commercial solutions to ensure that foreign technologies do not dominate what is arguably a U.S.-led effort to thwart terrorism. SOFEX is a Certified Trade Show by the Department of Commerce and provides an opportunity to advocate American technology. FCS Jordan works with the local organizer and the organizer of the U.S. Pavilion to support U.S. exhibitors. ¶3. (SBU) Participation is anticipated to enhance the building of Coalition CT partnerships and to encourage Jordan's role as a regional leader in CT and in SOF excellence. The Embassy recommends Department of Defense approval for full and direct participation in SOFEX 2010. The Embassy, through MAP/DAO, stands ready to coordinate and assist with the required support activities. Visit Amman's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman Beecroft