AL MANAR NEXT STEPS

S E C R E T CAIRO 005270 SIPDIS SIPDIS NSC FOR RICK WATERS, NEA/RA FOR DANIELLE MONOSSON E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2016 TAGS: ECPS ETTC KPAO PREL PTER XF EG SUBJECT: AL MANAR NEXT STEPS REF: A. STATE 136056 ¶B. CAIRO 4200 Classified By: Ambassador Francis J. Ricciardone for reasons 1.4 (b) an d (d). ¶1. (S) Ref B and previous messages report our campaign against Al Manar on NileSat over the past year. When circumstances permit, we will resume our advocacy with every influential top official. Further discussion with the GOE at this time regarding removing Al Manar broadcasts from NileSat would not get the result we want. DCM discussed the issue on August 20 with Assistant Foreign Minister for American Affairs Salama Shaker, who stressed that "now is a particularly bad time to raise Al Manar." In the post-Lebanon political context, the Egyptians believe any move against Al Manar will backfire and strengthen the nascent appeal of Hassan Nasrallah and Hezbollah. RICCIARDONE