This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

090901Z Feb 06

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 000964 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: JO OTRAO
SUBJECT: QUARTET SPECIAL ENVOY JAMES WOLFENSOHN -- JORDAN 
 
REF: STATE 20977 
 
¶1.  Because of recent terrorist attacks and attempted 
terrorist operations in Jordan (see para 9), the U.S. 
Government has urged all Americans to review the need for 
planned travel to Jordan.  In addition, Embassy Amman 
requires U.S. government agencies and travelers to limit 
their official travel to Jordan to that which is essential. 
 
¶2.  Embassy Amman grants country clearance for the February 
10-11 visit of Quartet Special Envoy for Gaza Disengagement 
James Wolfensohn and his party to Amman, Jordan. 
 
¶3.  Point of contact for this visit is Deborah Hick, 
Political Officer, office: 962-6-590-6598, fax: 
962-6-592-0159, home: 962-6-593-4592 or mobile: 
962-79-599-4914.  The Embassy's after hours telephone number 
is 962-6-590-6500. 
 
¶4.  Hotel reservations have been made at the Marriott Hotel 
Amman, at 962-6-560-7607, fax: 962-6-567-0100 for the 
night(s) requested at a rate within per diem.  Due to 
security concerns in Jordan (para 8) TDY personnel are 
assigned hotels on a rotational basis.  Therefore, Embassy 
Amman will make the final decision on hotel accommodations 
for all visitors. 
 
¶5.  Valid visas are required for entry into Jordan.  Visas 
may be obtained at Queen Alia airport; however, Embassy 
suggests visitors obtain their visas prior to arrival, as 
there can be long queues for visa issuance at the airport. 
Money can be exchanged at Queen Alia airport. 
 
¶6.  Administrative guidelines: 
 
Each visitor, regardless of length of stay, must have fiscal 
data to pay for direct costs of the visit.  Each agency, 
organization, or visiting delegation will be charged for the 
actual costs attributed to the visit.  Direct charge costs 
include, but are not limited to, American and LES overtime 
(for such services as airport expediting, cashier 
accommodation exchange, control room staffing, 
representational event support), travel and per diem costs 
incurred by post personnel in support of visitor's field 
travel, rental of vehicles and other equipment, long distance 
telephone calls, office supplies, gasoline and other vehicle 
maintenance costs, departure tax, and other airport fees. 
 
¶7.  Health: 
 
Although Jordan does not pose any particular health hazards 
for visitors, the quality of health care facilities is not up 
to U.S. or European standards, particularly outside of Amman. 
 As medications on the local economy are often in short 
supply, visitors should bring sufficient medications to post 
for their chronic medical problems.  Immunizations should be 
current for Tetanus and Diphtheria, Hepatitis A and B. 
Visitors should drink bottled water rather than tap water. 
Food in the hotels and most restaurants is safe to eat, but 
some of the smaller local restaurants do not always observe 
proper food handling procedures. 
 
Only those personnel covered under the State Department's 
medical program and who have a valid medical clearance for 
Jordan are eligible for a medical evacuation at USG cost. All 
other visitors are advised to have their own medical 
evacuation insurance to cover evacuation by air ambulance. 
Otherwise it will be necessary to ensure that the respective 
agency will cover any costs related to a medical evacuation. 
All local hospitals take major credit cards. 
 
¶8.  Security clearance and building access: 
 
In compliance with State Department regulations and Embassy 
policies, visitors requesting unescorted access to the 
Embassy compound should inform RSO Amman of their security 
clearance level (if any) and should name the agency that 
granted that clearance.  Telegrams containing this 
information should include the "ASEC" tag to ensure 
distribution to the RSO. 
 
Electronic devices:  RSO approval must be obtained before any 
electronic device is brought into the Embassy.  Privately 
owned laptops and personal computers, peripherals, diskettes, 
and tapes are prohibited in all mission facilities. 
Cellular/mobile phones and palm pilots are prohibited in CAA 
areas. 
 
Travelers with USG-owned unclassified laptops or notebook 
computers, peripherals, diskettes, and tapes must receive 
RSO/IMO authorization before being granted access to U.S. 
Mission buildings.  USG-owned classified computers must be 
sent to post via classified diplomatic pouch.  Classified 
equipment must bear external USG bar-code inventory numbers 
and classification markings commensurate with the highest 
level of information processed on the system.  Questions 
concerning other types of electronic devices and magnetic 
media may be directed to the RSO and IMO. 
 
Mandatory personal security training:  Per 04 STATE 66580, 
all employees traveling to post for 30 days or more (whether 
PCS or TDY) must have completed the mandatory personal 
security training (State Department Security Overseas Seminar 
or equivalent) before arriving at post.  Agencies must 
provide the Chief of Mission with certification that this 
training will be completed prior to the employee's travel. 
Failure to do so will result in denial of country clearance. 
 
¶9.  Threat assessment: 
In light of the November 9, 2005 terrorist attacks at three 
hotels in Amman, where 60 were killed and over 100 injured, 
the U.S. Government urges Americans to review the need for 
planned travel to Jordan.  Americans in Jordan are urged to 
increase their vigilance when in public areas.  The nature of 
these attacks demonstrates that terrorists may pursue softer 
targets such as public transportation, residential areas, and 
public areas where people congregate including major tourist 
sites, places of worship, restaurants, hotels, clubs, and 
shopping areas.   Terrorist will often not distinguish 
between U.S. government personnel or private citizens. 
 
There has been a series of serious, confirmed terrorist 
threats and disrupted terrorist plots targeting U.S. 
interests in Jordan.  Transnational terrorist groups, as well 
as less sophisticated local elements, have demonstrated the 
capability to pose threats here.  The Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi 
(AMZ) network in particular continues to focus its terrorist 
activities against U.S and Government of Jordan (GOJ) targets 
in Jordan.  AMZ network appears to be responsible for the 
November 2005 hotel bombings, the August 2005 Aqaba rocket 
attacks, the April 2004 vehicle bomb plot to attack the U.S. 
Embassy and GOJ sites, and the assassination of American 
diplomat Larry Foley outside his Amman residence in October 
¶2002. 
 
In Jordan, anti-western sentiment is evident on occasion due 
to developments in the region, particularly those related to 
Israeli/Palestinian issues and to Iraq. 
 
Crime is generally not a serious problem for travelers in 
Jordan, although pick pocketing and other petty theft is 
common in the downtown Amman Hashimiyah Square area and near 
the Roman amphitheater.  In central and west Amman, thieves 
in motor vehicles have on occasion snatched purses from 
pedestrians.  Several people have been injured when they were 
briefly dragged along the road.  When carrying a purse, it 
would be wise to conceal it if possible, to avoid walking 
near the road within reach of passing vehicles, and to walk 
towards the flow of traffic. 
 
¶10.  Travel guidelines: 
 
American citizens and official visitors traveling in Jordan 
should exercise caution, be alert, and stay informed of 
regional and local events that could quickly impact the 
security environment in the country.  Travelers should avoid 
large crowds and demonstrations and take measures to avoid 
areas where they are most likely to occur (city centers, 
universities, refugee camps, and outside of mosques after 
Friday morning prayers), particularly during periods of 
increased tension.  It is also recommended to maintain a low 
profile and not establish predictable patterns of movement, 
even if only visiting for a short period.  Taxis are the only 
form of public transportation that is recommended. 
 
As Jordan is a Muslim country, cultural sensitivities should 
be observed.  Female travelers should dress conservatively 
and not travel alone, particularly in areas unaccustomed to 
western visitors.  Incidents of sexual harassment, assault, 
and unwelcome advances of a sexual nature against western 
visitors and residents, although not frequent, have been 
reported.  These incidents, while troubling, are not common. 
 
For further information, see the State Department's Consular 
Information Sheet for Jordan at 
http://travel.state.gov/jordan.html and link from that site 
to the most recent Public Announcement on Travel in the 
Middle East and South Asia and the most recent Worldwide 
Caution. 
Rubinstein