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EMBASSY/CONSULATE ADDRESSES

Diplomatic Representation in US:
Ambassador: Alia Bouran
Embassy: 3504 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: [1] (202) 966-2664
Fax: [1] (202) 966-3110

US Diplomatic Representation:
Ambassador: R. Stephen Beecroft
Embassy: Jabel Amman, Amman
Mailing Address: P. O. Box 354, Amman 11118 Jordan; APO AE 09892-0200
Telephone:962-6-590-6000
Fax: [962] (6) 592-0121


Embassy and Consulate Web Sites for Jordan
Embassy of Jordan in Washington DC, U.S.A.
Embassy of the United States of America in Jordan


FOREIGN RELATIONS

Jordan has consistently followed a pro-Western foreign policy and traditionally has had close relations with the United States. These relations were damaged by support in Jordan for Iraq during the first Gulf war (1990-91). Although the Government of Jordan stated its opposition to the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait, popular support for Iraq was driven by Jordan's Palestinian community, which favored Saddam as a champion against Western supporters of Israel.

Following the first Gulf war, Jordan largely restored its relations with Western countries through its participation in the Middle East peace process and enforcement of UN sanctions against Iraq. Relations between Jordan and the Gulf countries improved substantially after King Hussein's death. Since the 2003 fall of the Iraqi regime, Jordan has played a pivotal role in supporting the restoration of stability and security to Iraq. The Government of Jordan has facilitated the training of over 50,000 Iraqi police cadets and corrections officers at a Jordanian facility near Amman. Jordan also plays host to a significant Iraqi population and has worked closely with donor agencies and the international community to address their humanitarian needs. In 2008, Jordan appointed and sent an ambassador to Iraq in an effort to strengthen bilateral ties.

Jordan signed a nonbelligerency agreement with Israel (the Washington Declaration) in Washington, DC, on July 25, 1994. Jordan and Israel signed a historic peace treaty on October 26, 1994, witnessed by President Bill Clinton. The U.S. has participated with Jordan and Israel in trilateral development discussions in which key issues have been water-sharing and security; cooperation on Jordan Rift Valley development; infrastructure projects; and trade, finance, and banking issues. Jordan also participates in multilateral peace talks. Jordan belongs to the UN and several of its specialized and related agencies, including the World Trade Organization (WTO), the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and World Health Organization (WHO). Jordan also is a member of the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Nonaligned Movement, and Arab League.

Since the outbreak of the second Intifada in September 2000, Jordan has worked to maintain lines of communication between the Israelis and the Palestinians to counsel moderation and to return the parties to negotiations of outstanding permanent status issues. These efforts bore fruit with the resumption of Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations at the November 2007 Annapolis conference. Jordan has played an important role in facilitating the peace process through the training of several thousand Palestinian security force personnel.

U.S.-JORDANIAN RELATIONS
Relations between the United States and Jordan have been close for 6 decades, with 2009 marking the 60th anniversary of U.S.-Jordanian ties. A primary objective of U.S. policy has been the achievement of a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in the Middle East.

U.S. policy seeks to reinforce Jordan's commitment to peace, stability, and moderation. The peace process and Jordan's opposition to terrorism parallel and indirectly assist wider U.S. interests. Accordingly, through economic and military assistance and through close political cooperation, the United States has helped Jordan maintain its stability and prosperity.

Since 1952 the United States has worked closely with Jordan to improve the lives of Jordanian citizens. Development assistance totaling nearly $6 billion has resulted in dramatically improved health indicators, road and water networks, hundreds of schools built, thousands of Jordanians in critical fields educated and trained in the U.S., and grants and loans for U.S. agricultural commodities. Current focus areas include education, access to water, resource management and conservation, energy, youth and poverty alleviation programs, maternal/child health, energy, governance, macroeconomic policy, workforce development, and competitiveness. These programs are an essential contributor to a strong bilateral relationship centered on a stable, reform-oriented Jordan. Jordan signed a Threshold Agreement with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) in October 2006, and was subsequently deemed by the MCC to be eligible for a Compact Agreement in recognition of the country's progress on economic, social, and political reform indicators. A strong U.S. military assistance program is designed to meet Jordan's legitimate defense needs, including preservation of border integrity and regional stability through the provision of materiel and training. In 2008, the U.S. and Jordan signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) to provide assistance to Jordan over a 5-year period, subject to the appropriation and availability of funds for this purpose. The MOU also reinforces the commitment to broaden cooperation and dialogue in a variety of areas.

Principal U.S. Officials
Ambassador--R. Stephen Beecroft
Deputy Chief of Mission--Lawrence C. Mandel
Political Affairs--Natalie E. Brown (Acting)
Economic Affairs--Natalie E. Brown
Consular Affairs--Rena Bitter
Management Affairs--Sandra R. Smith
Public Affairs--Philip Frayne
Commercial Counselor--Sheryl Maas

The U.S. Embassy in Jordan is located in Abdoun, Amman (tel. 962-6-590-6000) and is closed on all U.S. federal holidays and some Jordanian holidays. Embassy office hours are Sunday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.


TRAVEL ADVISORIES

To obtain the latest Travel Advisory Information for Andorra check the U.S. State Department Consular Information Sheet.


TRAVEL TIPS

Driving U.S Driving Permit accepted
Currency (JOD) Jordanian Dollar
Electrical 230 Volts
Telephones Country Code 962, City Code Al-Sareeh 2, Amman 6, Jerash 4, Zargu 9



Jordan is at the top end of the Middle Eastern range - cheaper than Israel, but more expensive than Egypt. Although you could conceivably get by on $15 a day, you'll be living on felafel and slumming it in some pretty dodgy dives. If you want the odd beer, soft drink or restaurant meal, and if you'd like a hot shower occasionally, plan for about $20 a day. If you want a little more luxury - a couple of restaurant meals a day, a room with its own bathroom, a fair bit of travel and entry to at least one sight a day - budget around $50.

You shouldn't have a problem changing any hard currency in Jordan. Most banks will change travellers' cheques, and the British Bank of the Middle East takes Eurocheques. Everywhere will charge you about JD5 to change cheques. Amex are the most widely accepted. If you find you can get a good rate outside the country, buy up, as you can import as much Jordanian currency as you want.

Higher end restaurants will expect a tip of 10%, but most other places don't go in for tipping. Bargaining, particularly for souvenirs, is essential, but you are unlikely to get shopkeepers to stray far from their original price.


CUSTOMS/DUTIES

Tobacco......................200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 200 grams of tobacco

Liquor.........................1 bottle of wine or 1 bottle of spirits

Perfume......................reasonable for personal use

Cameras.....................no restrictions

Film...........................reasonable for personal use

Gifts...........................up to a value of jd50 or the equivalent to us$150

Currency....................import up to 100 jordanian dinars

Prohibited items..........narcotics



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