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PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #2229 3312243
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 272237Z NOV 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHAD/AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI PRIORITY 0000
RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN PRIORITY 0000
RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 0000
RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY 0000
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO PRIORITY 0000
RUEHDO/AMEMBASSY DOHA PRIORITY 0000
RUEHKU/AMEMBASSY KUWAIT PRIORITY 0000
RUEHMK/AMEMBASSY MANAMA PRIORITY 0000
RUEHMS/AMEMBASSY MUSCAT PRIORITY 0000
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH PRIORITY 0000
RUEHYN/AMEMBASSY SANAA PRIORITY 0000
INFO RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAFCC/FCC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY

UNCLAS STATE 122229 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECIN ECPS EINT MARR MCAP PREL XF
SUBJECT: SAVE THE DATE REQUEST FOR CENTCOM GULF REGION 
COMMUNICATIONS CONFERENCE 2010 
 
¶1. This is an action request.  See paragraph 8. 
 
¶2. SUMMARY.  A Gulf Region Communications Conference (GRCC) 
will be held in Amman, Jordan, 21-23 February 2010, 
co-sponsored by Commander, United States Central Command 
(CDRUSCENTCOM) and the Government of Jordan (GoJ), and 
coordinated with Embassy Amman.  The Jordanian Armed Forces 
are leading the effort for the GoJ and have a planning 
committee that includes representation from the Ministry of 
Information and Communications Technology (MoICT) and 
Jordan's Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC). 
Conference invitees include senior military communicators 
(invitations will come from CENTCOM), Ministers of 
Communications and Information Technology, and 
IT/telecommunications regulatory officials from partner 
nations (Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, 
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen).  The 
conference theme is Synchronizing Commercial, Government and 
Military Communications Priorities. The conference's purpose 
is to foster relationships and encourage international 
exchange and dialogue on regional telecommunications issues 
of common interest.  Embassies are requested to extend 
save-the-date notifications to appropriate civilian 
representatives identified in paragraph 8. END SUMMARY 
 
¶3. This cable provides timely conference notification pending 
planned release of formal invitations in December 2009. 
 
¶4. GRCC 2010 aims to build on the momentum gained from GRCC 
2009 held in Manama, Bahrain by assembling communications 
leaders throughout the Gulf Region.  GRCC 2010 will provide a 
forum to continue multilateral engagement on regional 
telecommunications and information 
sharing capabilities.  The intent is to improve regional 
security, stability, economic development and global 
commerce.  GRCC 2010 will help shape the CENTCOM area of 
responsibility to meet requirements for full-spectrum 
operations and overcome challenges associated with crisis 
response or disaster relief missions.  During GRCC 2009, the 
Jordanian delegation, represented by Bassem Rousan, Minister 
of Information and Communications Technology; Dr. Ahmad 
Hiasat, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the 
Jordanian Telecommunications Regulatory Commission; and 
Brigadier General Ahmed Shurafat Jordan's senior military 
communicator; expressed interest in continuing this valuable 
multilateral dialogue. 
 
¶5. CENTCOM and the GoJ are preparing joint formal invitations 
to follow this cable, with expected release mid-December 
¶2009.  Details regarding RSVPs and registration will be 
provided with the formal invitations.  This cable requests 
Embassy staff ensure invitee awareness of the conference and 
formal invitations to follow, and asks invitees to hold the 
dates (21-23 February) on their calendars.  Draft 
notification language is also provided in paragraph 8. 
Embassies can contact the CENTCOM POC (paragraph 9) for 
additional information. 
 
¶6. CENTCOM and the GoJ plan to issue joint invitations (in 
English and Arabic) on the same date, no later than December 
¶15.  For reference, the following is the proposed text for 
Central Command's half of the proposed two-nation invitations: 
 
"Dear Mr. XXXX: 
On behalf of United States Central Command, I am pleased to 
invite you to attend the 2010 Gulf Region Communications 
Conference, co-sponsored by the (insert Jordanian patron 
here) in Amman, Jordan during 21-23 February 2010. 
 
The conference follows last year's inaugural conference in 
Manama, Bahrain.  Again, our intent is to gather regional 
communications representatives to collaborate on topics of 
mutual interest in a regional forum.  Ministers of 
communications, communications regulatory executives, and 
senior military communicators from each of eleven Gulf region 
states are invited to participate.  Also, senior U.S. 
communications representatives from the federal, military, 
and private sectors are invited.  Regional private sector 
representatives will also be invited. 
 
Conference participants will be able to address regional 
communications capabilities and concerns and discuss 
opportunities to support regional stability and security 
efforts.  The enclosed conference agenda is provided for your 
information. 
 
We would be honored to have you join us.  Mr. John Simpson, 
the Central Command point of contact (813-827-3931, 
simpsoja@centcom.mil), will accept replies; The Embassy 
XXXX local point of contact, xxxxxxxxxxx, (xxxxxxxxxxxxx) is 
also available to assist.  A detailed conference information 
packet will be sent separately. 
 
With warm regards, 
DAVID H. PETRAEUS 
General, U.S. Army 
Commander, 
United States Central Command" 
 
¶7. For reference, the following is draft text provided to the 
GoJ for their half of the invitation.  The GoJ will determine 
the final language and signatory (ies). 
 
"Dear Honorable Minister, 
 
On behalf of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, I am pleased to 
invite you to attend the 2010 Gulf Region Communications 
Conference (GRCC), co-sponsored by United States Central 
Command, in Amman, Jordan during 21-23 February 2010. 
 
We believe last year's conference in Manama, Bahrain was a 
great success, and we are looking forward to hosting you 
within the Kingdom of Jordan. 
 
This next GRCC will enable us, as partners, to continue our 
examination and discussion of the region's most significant 
communications concerns.  We are hopeful that this forum and 
its actions will lead to improved capabilities, stability, 
and security within the Gulf nations and across the region. 
 
Communications ministers and regulatory executives, and 
senior military communicators from each of eleven Gulf region 
states, are invited to participate.  Also, senior U.S. 
communications representatives from the federal, military, 
and private sectors are invited.  Representatives of the Gulf 
region's private sector will also be invited.  The enclosed 
conference agenda is provided for your information. 
 
We would be honored to have you join us in the Kingdom. 
Colonel Xxxx, our host nation representative 
(xxx-xxx-xxx-xxxx, xxx@xxx.xxx), will accept replies.  A 
detailed conference information packet will be sent 
separately. 
 
With utmost respect, 
JORDANIAN SIGNATORY (IES) 
Xxxxxxxx 
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan" 
 
¶8. Action Request:  Washington agencies request post deliver 
the following hold the date request to civilian and/or 
government representatives for GRCC 2010 by December 6, 2009. 
 Please notify the CENTCOM and State POCs in paragraph 9 on 
completion of action by December 9, 2009.  Email replies are 
acceptable. 
 
Dear (Embassies, please address invitations to appropriate 
individuals listed), 
(ABU DHABI) 
-- His Excellency Muhammad bin Ahmad Alqamzi, Chairman 
Telecommunications Regulatory Authority 
-- His Excellency Mohamed Nassar Al Ghanim, Director 
General and Board Member Telecommunications Regulatory 
Authority 
(AMMAN) 
-- His Excellency Bassem Rousan, Minister of Information 
and Communications Technology 
-- His Excellency Ahmad Hiasat, Board Chairman & Chief 
Executive Officer 
(BAGHDAD) 
-- His Excellency Farooq Abdulqadir Abdulrahman, Minister 
of Communications 
-- His Excellency Mazin Hashim Al - Haboubi, CEO Deputy 
for Administrative Affairs 
(BEIRUT) 
-- His Excellency Mr. Gebrane Bassil, Minister of 
Telecommunications 
-- Dr. Kamal S. Shehadi, Chairman & Chief Executive 
Officer of Telecommunications Regulatory Agency 
(CAIRO) 
-- His Excellency Dr. Tarek Kamel, Minister of 
Communications and IT 
-- Dr. Amr Badawy, Executive President of National 
Telecommunications Regulatory Authority 
(DOHA) 
-- His Excellency Dr. Hessa Al-Jaber, Secretary General 
Supreme Council of Information & Communications Technology 
-- Mister William Fagan, Ict Qatar Director 
(KUWAIT) 
-- His Excellency Nabeel Khalaf Saeed Bin Salama, Minister 
of Electricity & Water & Communications 
(MANAMA) 
-- Mister Mohammed Al Amer, Chairman, Board of Directors, 
Telecommunications Regulatory Authority 
-- Acting Director General-Telecommunication Regulatory 
Authority 
(MUSCAT) 
-- His Excellency Dr. Khamis bin Mubarak al Alawi, 
Minister of Transportation and Communications 
-- His Excellency Mohammed Nasser Al-Khusaibi, Chairman, 
Telecommunications Regulatory Authority 
(RIYADH) 
-- Mister Mohammed Jameel bin Ahmed Mulla, Minister of 
Communications and IT 
-- Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Jafari, Governor Communications and 
Information Technology Commission 
(SANAA) 
-- His Excellency Kamal Al-Jabri, Minister of 
Telecommunications & IT 
 
United States Central Command and the Government of Jordan 
will co-host a Gulf Region Communications Conference (GRCC) 
2010 in Amman, Jordan on 21-23 February 2010.  GRCC 2010 will 
build upon momentum from GRCC 2009 held in Manama, Bahrain. 
Attendance at the conference is by invitation only.  Formal 
invitations will follow this message and will include the 
agenda and details regarding RSVPs and registration. 
 
The purpose of this conference is to continue GRCC 2009 
multilateral engagement on regional telecommunications and 
information sharing capabilities to improve regional 
security, stability, economic development and global 
commerce.  GRCC 2010 will foster cooperation among our 
respective entities in order to meet the requirements for 
full-spectrum operations and overcome challenges associated 
with crisis response or disaster relief missions. 
 
I encourage you to hold the conference dates on your calendar 
and attend what I believe will be an important and unifying 
event.  Over 100 participants are expected to attend. 
 
Sincerely, 
(DoS originator name) 
(DoS originator title) 
U.S. Department of State 
 
¶9.  CENTCOM point of contact for the conference: 
 
Jim Ramirez  DAFC 
U.S. Central Command 
Deputy, Strategic C4 Architecture Programs and Policy 
Division 
* (813) 827-5816 DSN 651-5816 
* ramirejs@centcom.mil 
* ramirejs@centcom.smil.mil 
 
State Department points of contact for the conference: 
 
COL Dave Huggins 
Senior Military Advisor, Near Eastern Affairs Bureau 
* (202) 647-3945 
* HugginsWD@state.sgov.gov 
 
Steve Simpson 
Communications and Information Policy / Middle East 
Energy, Economic, and Business Affairs 
* (202) 647-5306 
* SimpsonSC@state.gov 
* SimpsonSC@state.sgov.gov 
CLINTON