MEETING OF THE EMBASSY'S HOMELAND SECURITY WORKING

UNCLAS CAIRO 005055 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 HSWG SUBJECT: MEETING OF THE EMBASSY'S HOMELAND SECURITY WORKING GROUP (JUNE 29, 2005) REF: CAIRO 4171 Sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly. Not for Internet distribution. ¶1. (SBU) The Charge chaired on June 29 a meeting of the Embassy's Homeland Security Working Group (HSWG). RSO, LEGAT, ORA, DEA, CONS, and ECPO attended. ¶2. (SBU) ECPO and HSWG members discussed security developments in the Sinai in reference to regional terrorist threats and in light of reports of several skirmishes between armed bedouins and Egyptian police in mid-June. The skirmishes reportedly led to the deaths of 2-3 police and an approximately equal number of armed bedouins. GOE officials were quoted in media reports linking the incidents to the pursuit of fugitives wanted in connection with the October bombings in Taba and Nuweiba, particularly Mohammed Ahmed Salah Feleifal, whose brother Soliman reportedly died while carrying out the October 7 attack. HSWG members agreed that they would seek from contacts an updated GOE assessment of the security situation in the Sinai, and take any appropriate steps under the auspices of the EAC committee. ¶3. (SBU) The Consul General thanked Legat for a recent contribution that will be submitted for consideration as a Visas Vipers entry. The Consul General reminded the full HSWG 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. CORBIN