THE SECURE FREIGHT INITIATIVE: DEPARTMENT

UNCLAS STATE 061210 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KHLS EWWT ETTC PARM PREL JO SUBJECT: THE SECURE FREIGHT INITIATIVE: DEPARTMENT GUIDANCE FOR EMBASSY AMMAN REF: CBP-AMMAN CABLE 050747Z JUN 09 ¶1. Sensitive but unclassified. This is an action request. See para 2. ¶2. (SBU) Action request: Post is instructed to withhold action on U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) cable (reftel) directing post to engage with the Government of Jordan (GOJ) on the Secure Freight Initiative (SFI). Post is instructed to await further front channel instructions with regard to approaching the GOJ on this program. Lastly, post is instructed to deny country clearance requests from CBP officials seeking to engage with the GOJ on this issue until a comprehensive, interagency cleared cable on SFI in Jordan is disseminated. End action request. ¶3. (SBU) Background: CBP instructed post (reftel) to approach GOJ officials and coordinate meetings for an assessment team. Reftel notified post the Department of Homeland Security would like to begin initial discussions to implement SFI at Jordan's Aqaba Port. CBP's cable was not cleared with the interagency, including SFI partner agencies the Departments of Energy and State. The Department has requested CBP rescind its action request and draft a comprehensive cable/ action request to propose SFI in Jordan. This comprehensive action request should be cleared with key interagency stakeholders, including the Departments of Homeland Security, Energy, and State. The Department of State stands ready to assist with this program provided there is full interagency support and funding for proposed program. The Department stands ready to support enhancing maritime and supply chain security around the world. The Department will work with the other agencies to ensure that the U.S. approach takes into account the circumstances particular to Jordan and other partners, as well as U.S. foreign relations priorities. ¶4. (SBU) We believe CBP is interested in approaching Embassies Kuwait and Riyadh with similar requests and would ask both posts to alert the Department should they receive instructions directly from CBP. CLINTON