DEFMIN TANTAWI ON BORDER SECURITY, BRIGHT STAR,

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 003309 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/18/2012 TAGS: PREL PTER EAID MASS MARR MOPS KPAL EG IS SUBJECT: DEFMIN TANTAWI ON BORDER SECURITY, BRIGHT STAR, WEAPONS RELEASE Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Stuart Jones for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) U.S Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Admiral William J. Fallon discussed security assistance, border security, and EXERCISE BRIGHT STAR with Minister of Defense Field Marshal Tantawi on November 18. Tantawi and the senior MoD officials joining him: (1) confirmed Egypt's interest in holding trilateral border security discussions with U.S. and Israeli officials; (2) expressed fear that Palestinians in Gaza may "break through" the border to enter Egypt; (3) requested the release of TOW2B missile systems; and (4) asked that the next BRIGHT STAR exercise include more troops. End summary. BRIGHT STAR -------------- ¶2. (C) In a November 18 meeting at the Ministry of Defense, Minister of Defense Field Marshal Tantawi, who was joined by Chief of Staff LTG Samy Enan, Assistant Minister of Defense for Policy MG Al Assar, Assistant Minister of Defense for Armament MG Fouad Abdel Halim, and Director of Military Intelligence MG Murad Mowafy, told CENTCOM Commander Admiral William J. Fallon that he would like to begin planning for the next BRIGHT STAR exercise as soon as possible and that he wants it to include more troops. Admiral Fallon said that BRIGHT STAR should include the latest training to address relevant security challenges and allow for discussion among senior leaders. Border Security -------------- ¶3. (C) Directorate of Military Intelligence Chief MG Mowafy told Admiral Fallon that Egypt is increasingly concerned that Palestinians are making holes in the wall on along Egypt's border with Gaza and may "break through" the border because the Israelis will not permit them to exit Gaza. Egypt had tried to coordinate with Israel for the movement of Hajj pilgrims and students out of Gaza and into Egypt, but Israel had not agreed, Mowafy said. Describing the situation as "critical," Mowafy expressed concern that Palestinian women and children would be placed at the front of any group that tried to enter Egypt. Tantawi added "We are not going to kill them because they are innocent." Mowafy also expressed concern that any Hamas members that would break through the border would shoot Egypt's Border Guard Forces (BGF). He urged that EU Border Assistance Mission monitors return to the border to allow the opening of the Rafah border crossing as soon as possible. ¶4. (C) Assistant Minister of Defense for Policy MG Al Assar expressed concern about rumors that Egypt is "refusing Israeli proposals" that Egypt add more BGF to the unit at the Gaza border. Al Assar said that proposals to move more troops to the border are "unacceptable," and reiterated that Egypt seeks Israeli consent to dedicate another regiment to securing the border. Tantawi also confirmed Egypt's willingness to participate in trilateral border security discussions with U.S. and Israeli representatives, noting that the presence of U.S. officials will be helpful. Assistant Minister of Defense MG Fouad Abdel Halim told Admiral Fallon that beginning in FY08, Egypt would procure USD 165 million in border security equipment and that this procurement is Eygpt's highest priority. MG Fouad also said he looks forward to receiving the recommendations of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) tunnel experts, who visited Rafah on November 15, on how best to counter cross-border tunneling. Conditioning FMF -------------- ¶5. (C) MG Fouad asked Admiral Fallon whether the optimal time for the next white paper delegation to the U.S. would be in December or January. Admiral Fallon explained the current state of the budget debates and advised MG Fouad not to schedule the white paper trip until the budget discussions progressed. Release of Weapons Systems -------------- ¶6. (C) MG Al Assar asked Admiral Fallon to help gain political release of the TOW2B missiles systems, noting that Egypt's request has been pending for ten years. Admiral Fallon suggested discussing this issue at the Military Cooperation Committee meetings in Cairo on November 27-28. ¶7. (U) Admiral Fallon reviewed this message. RICCIARDONE