MEETING OF THE EMBASSY'S HOMELAND SECURITY WORKING

UNCLAS CAIRO 004171 SIPDIS SENSITIVE NEA FOR DAS DIBBLE AND FOR NEA/ELA; DS FOR JOE MORTON AND FOR DSS AND IP/NEA; S/ES FOR AMBASSADOR HOFMANN; S/CT FOR MARGARET HAWTHORNE; CA FOR AMBASSADOR HARTY. E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER ASEC PGOV KVPR EG SUBJECT: MEETING OF THE EMBASSY'S HOMELAND SECURITY WORKING GROUP (MAY 30, 2005) REF: A. STATE 99938 ¶B. CAIRO 3806 Sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly. Not for Internet distribution. ¶1. (SBU) The Charge chaired on May 30 a meeting of the Embassy's Homeland Security Working Group (HSWG). RSO, LEGAT, ORA, DEA, CONS, and ECPO attended. ¶2. (SBU) HSWG members welcomed visiting Homeland Security Advisor Frances Townsend and accompanying staff to the meeting and outlined the structure and functions of the group. HSA Townsend briefed the HSWG on her objectives in visiting Egypt - to shore up counterterrorism and security ties with a key ally and to learn more about the issues and problems facing Egypt that could affect U.S. homeland security. HSA Townsend expressed interest in the Embassy's activities and engagement of both the GOE and private Egyptians, noting in particular the importance of consular operations and the need to strike a balance between keeping an open door to foreign visitors and at the same time protecting the U.S. from those who would do it harm. (HSA Townsend subsequently toured the consular section, meeting with visa officers "on the front line" and observing live interviews with applicants.) ¶3. (SBU) ECPO briefed the HSWG on a Department cable instructing the Embassy to seek from the GOE more information on a list of terrorist suspects it recently provided to the UN 1267 committee (ref A). While the USG welcomes the GOE's initiative in this regard, ECPO noted, Washington has determined that the submission will not make a significant contribution unless the GOE provides more complete information. ¶4. (SBU) The Consul General provided HSA Townsend and staff with an overview of Embassy Cairo's implementation of the Visas Viper program. The Embassy has been consistently active in providing submissions for consideration by Washington agencies. The Consul General reminded the group to remain alert for information that might be used in preparing new Viper entries. Visit Embassy Cairo's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/cairo You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website. GRAY #4171