Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07CAIRO3333
2007-11-26 15:36:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:
MOD INDICATES WILLINGESS TO SIGN LOR FOR
how-toVZCZCXYZ0005 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHEG #3333 3301536 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 261536Z NOV 07 FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7542 INFO RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 003333
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA, AND PM
NSC FOR WATERS
SECDEF FOR OSD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/26/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER MASS MARR MOPS EG
SUBJECT: MOD INDICATES WILLINGESS TO SIGN LOR FOR
COUNTER-TUNNELING EQUIPMENT
REF: CAIRO 3308
Classified By: DCM Stuart E. Jones for reasons 1.4 (a),(b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 003333
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA, AND PM
NSC FOR WATERS
SECDEF FOR OSD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/26/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER MASS MARR MOPS EG
SUBJECT: MOD INDICATES WILLINGESS TO SIGN LOR FOR
COUNTER-TUNNELING EQUIPMENT
REF: CAIRO 3308
Classified By: DCM Stuart E. Jones for reasons 1.4 (a),(b) and (d)
1. (C) As a result of the recent visit and recommendations of
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers counter-tunneling experts
(reftel),MoD Assistant Minister of Defense for Armament MG
Fouad told OMC MG Collings on November 25 that Minister of
Defense Field Marshal Tantawi had agreed to sign a proposed
Letter of Request (LOR) for $23 million worth of FMF-funded
counter-tunneling equipment recommended by the USACE
tunneling team. MG Fouad relayed that FM Tantawi had told
him to approve the $23 million "and more if they need it."
2. (C) Comment: The Egyptians had initially indicated they
would make a decision on the LOR by December 15. This
apparently very quick turnaround is welcome. Tanatawi had
agreed in principle to similar but less specific
recommendations a year ago and ended up not signing an LOR.
The USACE report gave us the technical arguments needed, and
the Egyptians are conscious of their standing in Congress if
they take no action. While Tantawi still needs to actually
sign the letter, we are optimistic the MoD will sign the LOR
this time.
RICCIARDONE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA, AND PM
NSC FOR WATERS
SECDEF FOR OSD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/26/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER MASS MARR MOPS EG
SUBJECT: MOD INDICATES WILLINGESS TO SIGN LOR FOR
COUNTER-TUNNELING EQUIPMENT
REF: CAIRO 3308
Classified By: DCM Stuart E. Jones for reasons 1.4 (a),(b) and (d)
1. (C) As a result of the recent visit and recommendations of
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers counter-tunneling experts
(reftel),MoD Assistant Minister of Defense for Armament MG
Fouad told OMC MG Collings on November 25 that Minister of
Defense Field Marshal Tantawi had agreed to sign a proposed
Letter of Request (LOR) for $23 million worth of FMF-funded
counter-tunneling equipment recommended by the USACE
tunneling team. MG Fouad relayed that FM Tantawi had told
him to approve the $23 million "and more if they need it."
2. (C) Comment: The Egyptians had initially indicated they
would make a decision on the LOR by December 15. This
apparently very quick turnaround is welcome. Tanatawi had
agreed in principle to similar but less specific
recommendations a year ago and ended up not signing an LOR.
The USACE report gave us the technical arguments needed, and
the Egyptians are conscious of their standing in Congress if
they take no action. While Tantawi still needs to actually
sign the letter, we are optimistic the MoD will sign the LOR
this time.
RICCIARDONE