VZCZCXRO8478
RR RUEHHM RUEHLN RUEHMA RUEHPB
DE RUEHAM #7831/01 2861129
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 131129Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4868
INFO RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE
RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE
RUEAEPA/HQ EPA WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 AMMAN 007831 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
State for NEA/ELA, NEA/RA, OES 
State Pass USTR/Prescott 
EPA for International/Prather, Medearis 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SENV ETRD PREL EAID KMPI KTIA JO
SUBJECT: FTA Sparks Strengthened Environmental Protection in Jordan 
 
Ref: Amman 7064 
 
¶1.  (U) Summary: During the environment session of the September 17 
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Joint Committee meeting, Jordanian 
Minister of Environment Khaled Irani noted that Jordan has made 
major strides in strengthening environmental protection since the 
U.S.-Jordan FTA was ratified in 2001.  He warmly praised U.S.-Jordan 
environmental cooperation under the FTA as practical and productive. 
 Public diplomacy efforts to highlight USG contributions to Jordan's 
environmental protection efforts should be strengthened.  Future 
areas of environmental cooperation should focus on the Qualifying 
Industrial Zones (QIZs) and on enforcement.  Specific projects could 
include support to Jordan's new "environmental rangers" and its 
Environmental Fund.  End summary. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
Environment Minister Addresses FTA Joint Committee 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶2.  (U) During the environmental session of the September 17 FTA 
Joint Committee meeting, GOJ Minister of Environment Khaled Irani 
spoke in warm terms of the many contributions by the USG to 
protecting Jordan's environment.  USG attendees included AUSTR Shaun 
Donnelly, USTR delegation, Charge, and embassy officers. 
 
---------------------------------------- 
Environment Ministry Developing Fast Now 
---------------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (U) Irani opened by talking about the development of his young 
ministry since the passage of the FTA.  He noted the several 
meetings that had taken place on environmental cooperation under the 
FTA, including most recently a video conference in April 2006 and 
his own series of meetings in Washington in March 2006.  He said 
that the Ministry of Environment had been created only in 2003 after 
languishing for years as an orphan bureau in the Ministry of Health, 
and then as a stand-alone department. 
 
¶4.  (U) Since 2003, the pace has picked up, Irani continued.  In 
2006, the Ministry completed a complete reorganization that will 
strengthen environmental enforcement and outreach.  Parliament 
passed a permanent environmental law only days before the FTA Joint 
Committee meeting.  Irani said that passage institutionalized the 
Ministry's role and gave it new enforcement and compliance tools by 
creating an environmental rangers corps and an environmental fund. 
The role of the ministry as a regulator, not as an implementer, is 
now clear, said Irani.  He added later that environmental protection 
is not a choice any more; "we're not asking (industry) 'please.'" 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
Minister Thanks USG for Assistance on Environment 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶5.  (U) Minister Irani went on to warmly thank the USG for its role 
in strengthening environmental protection in Jordan.  He singled out 
EPA's work, through the Embassy Science Fellows program, on the "hot 
spots" of the Al-Ekeder waste disposal site and the Russeifa 
landfill near Zarqa.  He complimented USAID's work on wastewater 
reuse, and their involvement in the feasibility study and design for 
setting up an industrial wastewater treatment plant for "blue water" 
from the QIZ industrial zones (ref A).  He also noted USG assistance 
(through USAID contractor CDM) with reviewing the manifest system to 
track solid and liquid waste.  The manifest system is an important 
new tool in strengthening environmental enforcement, he said. 
 
------------------------------------------ 
Newest Priorities: Enforcement, Incentives 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶6.  (U) Irani finished his opening remarks by calling attention to 
the new "environmental rangers," and asking for USG support to 
develop an enforcement curriculum for the rangers.  He also noted 
the creation by Parliament of an "Environmental Fund," and the GOJ's 
desire for assistance to develop capacity in economic incentives to 
take full advantage of the fund. 
 
------------------------------------------- 
Jordan Debunks Myth of "Race to the Bottom" 
------------------------------------------- 
 
¶7.  (U) U.S. delegation head AUSTR Shaun Donnelly noted that the 
Free Trade Agreement with Jordan was the first U.S. FTA to include 
references to environmental protection.  He said that the GOJ has 
been strong in environmental protection, which helps to debunk the 
myth that free trade hurts environmental protection.  In fact, 
Donnelly said, Jordan is a clear case where an FTA has led directly 
 
AMMAN 00007831  002 OF 004 
 
 
to stronger environmental protection.  The USG wants to continue to 
strengthen that protection. 
 
¶8.  (U) DAUSTR for Environment and Natural Resources Jennifer 
Prescott then presented a list of environmental accomplishments and 
progress in Jordan since the FTA was signed.  She said Jordan's case 
is "exactly what we had hoped for," and that Jordan's situation 
proves that FTA critics are wrong.  Jordan has passed new, tougher 
environmental laws, and enforcement is improving.  Environmental 
protection and trade are linked and are mutually supportive, 
Prescott said, and FTAs do not trigger a "race to the bottom."  In 
conclusion, Prescott noted mutual interest in continuing cooperative 
activities to strengthen environmental enforcement in Jordan. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
EPA Expects Launch of Regional Enforcement Network 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶9.  (U) Tiffany Prather from EPA's Office of Trade and Environment 
noted EPA's continuing support of the USG's free trade partners. 
Prather called attention to the need for economic incentives for 
environmental protection.  With respect to enforcement, she said 
that EPA will present a regional training course in Amman in 
February 2007 that will focus on environmental inspections.  The 
International Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement 
(INECE) will use this opportunity, she added, to launch a Middle 
East network of environmental enforcement officials.  Note: INECE 
receives MEPI support. End note.  She concluded by noting that EPA 
sees Jordan as a regional leader in environmental enforcement. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
US and Jordan See Eye to Eye on Importance of QIZs 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶10.  (U) In concluding remarks, Minister Irani noted his interest in 
making the QIZs models of environmental compliance and in partnering 
with the USG and NGOs to make that happen.  AUSTR Donnelly said the 
USG shares Irani's sense of the importance of environmental 
protection in the QIZs, and that the USG wants the GOJ to be active 
on environment issues in the QIZs.  Minister of Industry and Trade 
Sharif Zu'bi wrapped up the session by saying that the GOJ was aware 
of environmental issues in the QIZs and welcomed any assistance in 
upgrading treatment of "blue water" from the QIZs. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
Donnelly to Amcham: Jordan is a Model on Environment 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
¶11.  (U) AUSTR Donnelly raised environmental protection during his 
September 18 speech to the American Chamber of Commerce.  Donnelly 
reviewed the linkage of environmental protection to the Free Trade 
Agreement, and summarized the positive discussions that had taken 
place on environment the previous day at the FTA Joint Committee 
meeting.  He said there is no inconsistency between trade and 
environmental protection, and that Jordan has earned a place as a 
model on environmental protection. 
 
---------- 
Milestones 
---------- 
 
¶12.  (U) Following is a list of recent and upcoming trade-related 
activities in environmental protection and enforcement in Jordan. 
The list covers both USG-assisted activities and activities done 
without USG assistance.  These milestones are presented as a 
backdrop to the environmental discussions that took place at the FTA 
Joint Committee meeting. 
 
------------------------- 
Major Upcoming Milestones 
------------------------- 
 
¶13.  (U) Major upcoming milestones that will directly and 
significantly strengthen environmental protection in Jordan, 
especially in the QIZs: 
 
-- (ongoing) September 2006 - GOJ begins trial of pilot program of 
waste manifest systems based on recommendations from USAID 
contractor and from EPA. (Note: USAID has received an official 
letter from the Ministry of Environment requesting assistance to 
establish a manifest system in 2007.  USAID is planning full 
implementation over two years.); 
 
-- December 2006 - GOJ and donors to reach agreement on course of 
action for funding the upgrading of Al-Ekeder industrial wastewater 
disposal site; 
 
AMMAN 00007831  003 OF 004 
 
 
 
-- February 2007 - EPA to deliver regional training course on 
environmental inspections in Amman including a "train the trainers" 
segment, perhaps including a QIZ-related case study on industrial 
wastewater, among others, and engaging the NGO the Royal Society for 
the Conservation of Nature as a partner; 
 
-- February 2007 - MEPI-supported NGO International Network for 
Environment Compliance and Enforcement (INECE) to launch Middle East 
regional network for environmental enforcement officials 
 
-- March-May 2007 - USAID contractor to complete bid documents of 
Al-Hassan QIZ feasibility study and design documents to open bidding 
for industrial wastewater treatment plant. 
 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
Other Upcoming Activities in Environmental Protection 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
 
¶14.  (U) Other upcoming activities that will promote environmental 
protection in Jordan: 
 
-- (ongoing) - USAID promoting Environmental Management Systems 
among selected industries in Jordan; 
 
-- (ongoing) September 2006 - draft Investment Law provides tax 
breaks for environmental protection (has not yet passed 
Parliament); 
 
-- September 2006 - Support for environment-focused Park Rangers 
initiated through USAID and U.S. Forest Service collaboration to 
conduct a watershed management course and study tour in the United 
States; 
 
-- October 2006 - USAID contractor to complete survey of wastewater 
quality and quantities at Al-Hassan QIZ; 
 
-- October 2006 - Al-Hassan QIZ to open bidding for expansion of 
domestic wastewater treatment plant; 
 
-- November 2006 - USAID to convene expert panel on valuation of 
water; 
 
-- 2007 - State OES Initiative grant to support development of 
environmental economics programs in Jordanian universities that 
focus on engagement with industry; 
 
--------------------------------------- 
Completed Activities that Have Promoted 
Environmental Protection 
---------------------------------------- 
 
¶15.  (U) Completed activities: 
 
-- September 2004 - First U.S.-Jordan Joint Forum on the Environment 
organized under the FTA; 
 
-- May 2005 - Jordan hosts and participates in MEPI-sponsored course 
from EPA on principles of environmental law and enforcement; 
 
-- December 2005 - Jordan participates in MEPI-sponsored course from 
EPA in Muscat on Pollution Prevention and Cleaner Production; 
 
-- March 2006 - Minister of Environment Irani meets State, EPA, and 
Interior officials in Washington DC; 
 
-- April 24, 2006 - U.S.-Jordan digital video conference on 
environmental cooperation under the FTA; 
 
-- Summer 2006 - Ministry of Environment completes reorganization to 
strengthen inspections and enforcement, and to institutionalize 
personnel system; 
 
-- August 2006 - Senior Environment Ministry enforcement officials 
take USAID-funded study tour to New York and Massachusetts on 
environmental enforcement, and one official visits EPA's Denver 
Regional Office for enforcement-focused meetings; 
 
-- September 2006 - EPA delivers course (funded by State/OES 
Initiative grant) on economic incentives in environmental 
decision-making; 
 
-- September 2006 - Parliament passes new Environment Law; 
 
-- September 2006 - EPA provides two boxes of detailed manuals, 
papers, regulations, and CDs on environmental enforcement to 
 
AMMAN 00007831  004.3 OF 004 
 
 
Ministry of Environment; 
 
-- September 2006 - EPA Science Fellow presents Ministry of 
Environment with suggestions on manifest (tracking) systems for 
liquid and solid waste; 
 
-- September 2006 - EPA Science Fellow presents Ministry of 
Environment with report and recommendations on improving industrial 
wastewater processing and on upgrading Al-Ekeder wastewater site; 
 
-- September 2006 - Jordan participates in MEPI-sponsored course 
from EPA in Muscat on principles of Environmental Impact 
Assessments; 
 
--------------------------------------------- - 
Desired Outcomes From FTA Environment Meetings 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
¶16.  (SBU) The following is a notional list of actions that could be 
taken to support trade-related environmental protection in Jordan. 
These ideas were developed through the FTA Joint Committee 
discussions and related meetings. 
 
-- Support for environmental rangers, perhaps through USAID and 
involving EPA's National Enforcement Training Institute (NETI); 
 
-- Support for environmental fund, perhaps through USAID; 
 
-- USAID to develop a one-page "fact sheet" on its support for 
industrial wastewater treatment; 
 
-- USAID to strengthen environmental capacity in a selected QIZ that 
could serve as a platform for public diplomacy events; 
 
-- Strengthened public diplomacy on USG support in Jordan for 
environmental protection through public events, press outreach, a 
"Washington File" article, and web postings; 
 
-- Environmental law training for Jordanian judges through 
specialized courses or International Visitor programs; 
 
-- USG support for regional partnerships (e.g. Morocco-Jordan) on 
sector-specific (e.g. garments) environmental enforcement; 
 
-- USTR to provide suggestions and feedback on Jordan's draft list 
of environmental goods and services. 
 
¶17.  (SBU) Comment: Environmentally, Jordan is on the right path. 
Environmental enforcement is definitely on the GOJ's agenda.  The 
GOJ has logged major progress in its laws and regulations, and in 
engaging a diverse group of stakeholders.  Industry is relatively 
plugged in, and there are no complaints about a lack of transparency 
of which Post is aware.  QIZ environmental compliance should be at 
the top of our list of priorities.  The USG can contribute through 
supporting the environmental rangers and the environmental fund, and 
we can help ourselves by doing more public diplomacy to promote the 
good work and results we are supporting. 
 
¶18.  (U) USTR and EPA cleared this message. 
 
RUBINSTEIN