VZCZCXRO3601
PP RUEHDE
DE RUEHAM #3767/01 2540751
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 110751Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0274
INFO RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 5474
RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI PRIORITY 0373

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 AMMAN 003767 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ELA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AMGT ASEC ASIG OTRA JO
SUBJECT:  COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR 
INSPECTOR GENERAL HOWARD J. KRONGARD 
 
REF: STATE 123237 
 
¶1. (SBU) Embassy Amman warmly welcomes the visit of 
Inspector General Howard J. Krongard to Jordan from 
September 17 - 19, 2007, as requested reftel.  Travelers 
should carefully review this message, especially the threat 
assessment at paragraph 8. 
 
¶2. (SBU) Control officer for this visit is Management 
Counselor Sandra R. Smith.  Contact information is as 
follows:  962-6-590-6710 (office); 962-6-592-0163 (fax); 
962-6-590-3888 (home); 962-79-560-9882 (mobile); and 
SmithSR@state.gov.  The Embassy's after-hours telephone 
number is +962-6-590-6500. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Hotel reservations have been made at Amman Hotel 
Sheraton, phone 962-6-593-4111 and fax 962-6-593-4222. 
Cost is at a rate within per diem; breakfast is not included 
in the room rate.  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.  The Embassy will 
provide expeditor assistance upon arrival and departure. 
 
¶4. (U) Valid visas are required for entry into Jordan. 
Visas may be obtained at Queen Alia airport though not at 
all land border crossings; however, Embassy Amman 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 or in the delegationQs 
control room. 
 
¶5. (U) 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. 
 
¶6. (U) HEALTH:  Although Jordan does not pose any unusual 
health hazards for visitors, the quality of health care 
facilities is not up to the 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. 
 
¶7. (U) 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 QASECQ 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 controlled access 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 
 
AMMAN 00003767  002 OF 003 
 
 
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 employeeQs travel.  Failure to do so will result in 
denial of country clearance. 
 
¶8. (U) THREAT ASSESSMENT: The threat of terrorism remains 
high in Jordan.  Transnational terrorist groups, as well as 
less sophisticated local elements, have demonstrated the 
capability to pose threats in Jordan.  The Al-Qaida in Iraq 
network (AQIZ) in particular continues to focus its 
terrorist activities against U.S. and Government of Jordan 
(GOJ) targets in Jordan.  AQIZ claimed responsibility for 
the November 9, 2005 bombings of three international hotels 
in Amman, which killed 60 people and injured over 100. 
Pedestrian suicide bombers wearing explosive vests carried 
the bombs into the hotels.  AQIZ also claimed 
responsibility for the Aqaba rocket attacks on August 19, 
2005, which killed on Jordanian soldier and wounded 
another.  The assassination of American diplomat Larry 
Foley outside his west Amman residence on October 28, 2002 
was also attributed to AQIZ leader Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, 
who was killed in Iraq in June 2006. 
 
In addition, there has been a series of serious, confirmed 
terrorist threats and disrupted terrorist plots targeting 
U.S. or Jordanian interests in Jordan.  In February 2006, 
the Government of Jordan (GOJ) disrupted a terrorist cell 
plotting to attack Queen Alia International Airport.  In 
November 2005, the GOJ indicted six men for planning to 
carry out attacks against Americans at hotels and bars in 
Amman and Aqaba.  In August-September 2005, four militants 
were arrested for plotting assassinations of Americans in 
Jordan.  In July 2005, GOJ authorities arrested 17 men 
linked to AQIZ who had planned to assassinate GOJ officials 
and Americans in Jordan.  In February 2005, four men were 
arrested for plotting attacks against GOJ officials, 
tourists and five-star hotels.  In the same month, another 
four-man group was disrupted while plotting to attack 
liquor stores in Amman and foreign tourists in Aqaba. 
 
Terrorists often do not distinguish between U.S. government 
personnel and private citizens.  Terrorists may target 
areas frequented by Westerners, such as tourist sites, 
hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, liquor stores, 
transportation hubs, places of worship, expatriate 
residential areas, and schools.  In light of these security 
concerns, Americans are urged to maintain a high level of 
vigilance, to be aware of their surroundings, and to take 
appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.  It 
is especially important for travelers to be unpredictable 
by varying their times and routes and to maintain a low 
profile.  Moreover, Americans are urged to avoid contact 
with any suspicious or unfamiliar objects and to 
immediately report the presence of such objects to the 
authorities. 
 
Anti-American and anti-Western sentiment exists in Jordan 
and has been sparked on occasion by incidents in the 
region, particularly those related to Israeli/Palestinian 
issues and, to a lesser extent, Iraq.  This may lead to 
random acts of violence against Westerners.  On September 
4, 2006, a gunman fired on foreigners at a popular tourist 
site in central Amman, killing one and injuring six. 
 
Travelers are advised to avoid any demonstrations or large 
gatherings of people, especially during times of increased 
tension.  Many demonstrations occur near mosques after 
Friday prayers.  Consequently, special sensitivity and 
caution should be exercised at or near mosques and 
religious sites during holy days and the Friday Muslim 
Sabbath.  Demonstrations also often take place at 
universities and refugee camps. 
 
Crime is generally not a serious problem for travelers in 
Jordan, but petty crime is prevalent in the downtown Amman 
Hashimiyah Square area and near the Roman amphitheater. In 
 
AMMAN 00003767  003 OF 003 
 
 
the narrow streets of the older parts of the city center, 
crowded conditions invite pickpockets and other petty 
criminals.  Travelers are urged to be more guarded in these 
areas so that they do not present easy opportunities for 
criminals. 
 
In central and west Amman, there have been reports of 
thieves snatching pedestriansQ purses from moving vehicles 
and then driving off.  In some instances, victims were 
injured when they were unable to free themselves from their 
purses.  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 against the flow of 
traffic. 
 
Jordanian police have warned the public to exercise 
vigilance when leaving banks or ATM machines, as thieves 
have reportedly preyed upon persons soon after using these 
services. 
 
Western women both visiting and residing in Jordan report 
sexual harassment and unwelcome advances of a sexual 
nature.  There have been isolated reports of assault. 
Women are advised to take reasonable precautions including 
dressing conservatively and not traveling alone.  Modest 
attire should be worn in deference to local custom. 
 
¶9. (U) 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.  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. 
 
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. 
 
Visit AmmanQs Classified Web Site at 
http://www.state.gov.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman/ 
 
HALE