SAVE THE DATE REQUEST FOR CENTCOM GULF REGION

UNCLAS STATE 122229 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECIN ECPS EINT MARR MCAP PREL XF SUBJECT: SAVE THE DATE REQUEST FOR CENTCOM GULF REGION COMMUNICATIONS CONFERENCE 2010 ¶1. This is an action request. See paragraph 8. ¶2. SUMMARY. A Gulf Region Communications Conference (GRCC) will be held in Amman, Jordan, 21-23 February 2010, co-sponsored by Commander, United States Central Command (CDRUSCENTCOM) and the Government of Jordan (GoJ),and coordinated with Embassy Amman. The Jordanian Armed Forces are leading the effort for the GoJ and have a planning committee that includes representation from the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (MoICT) and Jordan's Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC). Conference invitees include senior military communicators (invitations will come from CENTCOM),Ministers of Communications and Information Technology, and IT/telecommunications regulatory officials from partner nations (Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen). The conference theme is Synchronizing Commercial, Government and Military Communications Priorities. The conference's purpose is to foster relationships and encourage international exchange and dialogue on regional telecommunications issues of common interest. Embassies are requested to extend save-the-date notifications to appropriate civilian representatives identified in paragraph 8. END SUMMARY ¶3. This cable provides timely conference notification pending planned release of formal invitations in December 2009. ¶4. GRCC 2010 aims to build on the momentum gained from GRCC 2009 held in Manama, Bahrain by assembling communications leaders throughout the Gulf Region. GRCC 2010 will provide a forum to continue multilateral engagement on regional telecommunications and information sharing capabilities. The intent is to improve regional security, stability, economic development and global commerce. GRCC 2010 will help shape the CENTCOM area of responsibility to meet requirements for full-spectrum operations and overcome challenges associated with crisis response or disaster relief missions. During GRCC 2009, the Jordanian delegation, represented by Bassem Rousan, Minister of Information and Communications Technology; Dr. Ahmad Hiasat, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Jordanian Telecommunications Regulatory Commission; and Brigadier General Ahmed Shurafat Jordan's senior military communicator; expressed interest in continuing this valuable multilateral dialogue. ¶5. CENTCOM and the GoJ are preparing joint formal invitations to follow this cable, with expected release mid-December ¶2009. Details regarding RSVPs and registration will be provided with the formal invitations. This cable requests Embassy staff ensure invitee awareness of the conference and formal invitations to follow, and asks invitees to hold the dates (21-23 February) on their calendars. Draft notification language is also provided in paragraph 8. Embassies can contact the CENTCOM POC (paragraph 9) for additional information. ¶6. CENTCOM and the GoJ plan to issue joint invitations (in English and Arabic) on the same date, no later than December ¶15. For reference, the following is the proposed text for Central Command's half of the proposed two-nation invitations: "Dear Mr. XXXX: On behalf of United States Central Command, I am pleased to invite you to attend the 2010 Gulf Region Communications Conference, co-sponsored by the (insert Jordanian patron here) in Amman, Jordan during 21-23 February 2010. The conference follows last year's inaugural conference in Manama, Bahrain. Again, our intent is to gather regional communications representatives to collaborate on topics of mutual interest in a regional forum. Ministers of communications, communications regulatory executives, and senior military communicators from each of eleven Gulf region states are invited to participate. Also, senior U.S. communications representatives from the federal, military, and private sectors are invited. Regional private sector representatives will also be invited. Conference participants will be able to address regional communications capabilities and concerns and discuss opportunities to support regional stability and security efforts. The enclosed conference agenda is provided for your information. We would be honored to have you join us. Mr. John Simpson, the Central Command point of contact (813-827-3931, simpsoja@centcom.mil),will accept replies; The Embassy XXXX local point of contact, xxxxxxxxxxx, (xxxxxxxxxxxxx) is also available to assist. A detailed conference information packet will be sent separately. With warm regards, DAVID H. PETRAEUS General, U.S. Army Commander, United States Central Command" ¶7. For reference, the following is draft text provided to the GoJ for their half of the invitation. The GoJ will determine the final language and signatory (ies). "Dear Honorable Minister, On behalf of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, I am pleased to invite you to attend the 2010 Gulf Region Communications Conference (GRCC),co-sponsored by United States Central Command, in Amman, Jordan during 21-23 February 2010. We believe last year's conference in Manama, Bahrain was a great success, and we are looking forward to hosting you within the Kingdom of Jordan. This next GRCC will enable us, as partners, to continue our examination and discussion of the region's most significant communications concerns. We are hopeful that this forum and its actions will lead to improved capabilities, stability, and security within the Gulf nations and across the region. Communications ministers and regulatory executives, and senior military communicators from each of eleven Gulf region states, are invited to participate. Also, senior U.S. communications representatives from the federal, military, and private sectors are invited. Representatives of the Gulf region's private sector will also be invited. The enclosed conference agenda is provided for your information. We would be honored to have you join us in the Kingdom. Colonel Xxxx, our host nation representative (xxx-xxx-xxx-xxxx, xxx@xxx.xxx),will accept replies. A detailed conference information packet will be sent separately. With utmost respect, JORDANIAN SIGNATORY (IES) Xxxxxxxx Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan" ¶8. Action Request: Washington agencies request post deliver the following hold the date request to civilian and/or government representatives for GRCC 2010 by December 6, 2009. Please notify the CENTCOM and State POCs in paragraph 9 on completion of action by December 9, 2009. Email replies are acceptable. Dear (Embassies, please address invitations to appropriate individuals listed), (ABU DHABI) -- His Excellency Muhammad bin Ahmad Alqamzi, Chairman Telecommunications Regulatory Authority -- His Excellency Mohamed Nassar Al Ghanim, Director General and Board Member Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (AMMAN) -- His Excellency Bassem Rousan, Minister of Information and Communications Technology -- His Excellency Ahmad Hiasat, Board Chairman & Chief Executive Officer (BAGHDAD) -- His Excellency Farooq Abdulqadir Abdulrahman, Minister of Communications -- His Excellency Mazin Hashim Al - Haboubi, CEO Deputy for Administrative Affairs (BEIRUT) -- His Excellency Mr. Gebrane Bassil, Minister of Telecommunications -- Dr. Kamal S. Shehadi, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (CAIRO) -- His Excellency Dr. Tarek Kamel, Minister of Communications and IT -- Dr. Amr Badawy, Executive President of National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (DOHA) -- His Excellency Dr. Hessa Al-Jaber, Secretary General Supreme Council of Information & Communications Technology -- Mister William Fagan, Ict Qatar Director (KUWAIT) -- His Excellency Nabeel Khalaf Saeed Bin Salama, Minister of Electricity & Water & Communications (MANAMA) -- Mister Mohammed Al Amer, Chairman, Board of Directors, Telecommunications Regulatory Authority -- Acting Director General-Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (MUSCAT) -- His Excellency Dr. Khamis bin Mubarak al Alawi, Minister of Transportation and Communications -- His Excellency Mohammed Nasser Al-Khusaibi, Chairman, Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (RIYADH) -- Mister Mohammed Jameel bin Ahmed Mulla, Minister of Communications and IT -- Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Jafari, Governor Communications and Information Technology Commission (SANAA) -- His Excellency Kamal Al-Jabri, Minister of Telecommunications & IT United States Central Command and the Government of Jordan will co-host a Gulf Region Communications Conference (GRCC) 2010 in Amman, Jordan on 21-23 February 2010. GRCC 2010 will build upon momentum from GRCC 2009 held in Manama, Bahrain. Attendance at the conference is by invitation only. Formal invitations will follow this message and will include the agenda and details regarding RSVPs and registration. The purpose of this conference is to continue GRCC 2009 multilateral engagement on regional telecommunications and information sharing capabilities to improve regional security, stability, economic development and global commerce. GRCC 2010 will foster cooperation among our respective entities in order to meet the requirements for full-spectrum operations and overcome challenges associated with crisis response or disaster relief missions. I encourage you to hold the conference dates on your calendar and attend what I believe will be an important and unifying event. Over 100 participants are expected to attend. Sincerely, (DoS originator name) (DoS originator title) U.S. Department of State ¶9. CENTCOM point of contact for the conference: Jim Ramirez DAFC U.S. Central Command Deputy, Strategic C4 Architecture Programs and Policy Division * (813) 827-5816 DSN 651-5816 * ramirejs@centcom.mil * ramirejs@centcom.smil.mil State Department points of contact for the conference: COL Dave Huggins Senior Military Advisor, Near Eastern Affairs Bureau * (202) 647-3945 * HugginsWD@state.sgov.gov Steve Simpson Communications and Information Policy / Middle East Energy, Economic, and Business Affairs * (202) 647-5306 * SimpsonSC@state.gov * SimpsonSC@state.sgov.gov CLINTON