Jordan's King Confirms His Attendance at April Nuclear

UNCLAS AMMAN 000331 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ELA GREGONIS AND ISN/TR AMB JENKINS NSC FOR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ENRG PARM PREL OPDC OVIP JO SUBJECT: Jordan's King Confirms His Attendance at April Nuclear Security Summit Ref: 09 STATE 111951 (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for internet distribution. ¶1. (SBU) In a February 1 letter addressed to the President and delivered to Post, King Abdullah confirmed his participation in the April 12-13 Nuclear Security Summit in Washington. The Government of Jordan has not yet identified which officials will complete the delegation. The original letter was sent February 3 to NEA/ELA by FedEx (tracking number 871363466080) and a copy was also emailed to NEA/ELA (Gregonis) and NSC (Connery). The full text of the letter follows. ¶2. (SBU) Begin text: My Dear Friend, Allow me to begin by expressing my great appreciation for the importance you have attached to putting an end to the threat of nuclear terrorism. Likewise, in Jordan, we share with you this urgent concern and the belief that the most effective approach to countering this threat is collective international work, with a strong and resilient U.S. leadership. As mentioned in the invitation you extended to me to attend the Nuclear Security Summit being held in Washington from 12-13 April, nuclear terrorism is not only a threat to global security; it directly threatens the lives of citizens of every country, and has the potential to jeopardize the future of nuclear power which many countries are depending on to help drive their development, and ultimately improve living standards. Jordan is one such country that has taken a strategic decision to develop a civilian nuclear energy program as a means to meet its development needs. For our people, this project is imperative, and to ensure its success and to ensure that our program is a factor of stability that contributes to broader regional prosperity and development, Jordan is absolutely committed to full transparency and to adhering to its obligations under the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty. Here, I would like to express Jordan's deepest appreciation for the United States' support for this program and for acknowledging its exemplary nature. Because Jordan and the United States share the common goal of a secure world, where citizens of all countries live and thrive free of the threat of nuclear terrorism, it gives me great pleasure to accept your invitation to attend this year's summit. I hope this event will begin to chart an encompassing, coordinated strategy to address this urgent challenge to global security and development. Yours Ever, /s/ Abdullah End text of letter. BEECROFT