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