IMPROVING ANTI-TERRORISM SCREENING FOR CAIRO VISA

S E C R E T CAIRO 002357

SIPDIS

CA/FPP FOR SIMONE BAER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/23/2013
TAGS: PTER KFRD EG
SUBJECT: IMPROVING ANTI-TERRORISM SCREENING FOR CAIRO VISA
OPERATIONS

Classified By: Consul General Peter Kaestner, for reasons 1.4(c) and (g
).


1. (S) Summary: On March 23, 2005, Cairo consular officers
met with local ORA and LEGATT staff as part of an ongoing
effort to train officers to enhance their ability to prevent
terrorists from entering the United States through valid
visas. End summary.


2. (S) ORA began his briefing by discussing the importance
of the consular officer in preventing terrorists from
entering the United States. He said that terrorist groups,
such as Hizbollah and Al Qaeda, have attempted to enter the
United States by obtaining visas, and consular officers are
in an ideal position to stop them. While section 214b, the
section of U.S. immigration law which requires that all
applicants for a tourist visa must have significant ties to a
residence abroad, was intended to deter illegal immigration,
the questions and criteria it forces a consular officer to
consider also have relevance when considering whether
someone's application is suspicious. Unexplained wealth or
income, travel to a country sponsoring terrorism, a lost
passport, and inappropriate answers to questions can all be
indicators of a potential terrorist operative. He reminded
the consular officers to always ask themselves if the
applicant's answers are congruent with other indicators.


3. (SBU/NOFORN) LEGATT began his discussion by cautioning
consular officers not to fixate on patterns or profiles,
including gender, because terrorist groups are constantly
shifting tactics as a way to stay one step ahead of security
services. In the absence of such rules, there are a number
of non-verbal cues, especially the inappropriate intensity of
the eyes, which can be important signals. He also reviewed a
number of common traits from the September 11, 2001
terrorists and other Al Qaeda operatives. Additionally, the
LEGATT advised consular officers to consider the terrorist
threat while working in all aspects of overseas consular
work, including American citizen services and immigration
visas. He reminded them that terrorists have long coveted
genuine residence documents and passports, and there is no
reason to think that they haven't already obtained such
benefits. He concluded his remarks by saying that consular
officers should trust their instincts, and ask follow up
questions if an initial response does not seem right. He
also underscored the utility of complete applications for
visas, which can be used by a variety of agencies for further
tracking of suspicious individuals in the United States.


4. (SBU/NOFORN) Comment: This training session enabled
post's consular officers to combine their knowledge of local
conditions and customs with the perspective and expertise of
two agencies with relevant background countering the
terrorist threat. Follow-up training will occur if
situations change. End comment.


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GRAY