Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07CAIRO3407
2007-12-05 13:29:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:
"1,000 PLUS" HAJJ PILGRIMS ENTER EGYPT AT RAFAH
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHEG #3407 3391329 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 051329Z DEC 07 FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7641 INFO RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV PRIORITY 1613 RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM PRIORITY 0929 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 003407
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/05/2012
TAGS: PREL PHUM PTER KPAL EG IS
SUBJECT: "1,000 PLUS" HAJJ PILGRIMS ENTER EGYPT AT RAFAH
DECEMBER 4
REF: A. CAIRO 3400
B. CAIRO 3369
C. CAIRO 3262
D. CAIRO 3309
Classified By: DCM Stuart Jones for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 003407
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/05/2012
TAGS: PREL PHUM PTER KPAL EG IS
SUBJECT: "1,000 PLUS" HAJJ PILGRIMS ENTER EGYPT AT RAFAH
DECEMBER 4
REF: A. CAIRO 3400
B. CAIRO 3369
C. CAIRO 3262
D. CAIRO 3309
Classified By: DCM Stuart Jones for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
1. (C) An official at the Directorate of Military
Intelligence (DMI) Liaison Agency with International
Organizations (LAWIO) estimated that over 1,000 Hajj pilgrims
crossed the Egypt-Gaza border at Rafah on December 4.
Although some of pilgrims traveled from Rafah to the Nuweiba
port to board ferries on December 4, the vast majority spent
the night inside the Rafah terminal. The LAWIO official
noted that the terminal is not equipped to have such a large
number of overnight guests and described the situation as "a
real mess." The Red Crescent and other local charitable
organizations have been feeding the travelers.
2. (C) On December 5, approximately 800 of the pilgrims who
had spent the night in the terminal were intending to travel
by buses to the Nuweiba port, the official said. Although
the official said an additional number may be going to Al
Arish to board airplanes, emboffs flying over Al Arish
airport on December 5 did not see either crowds or airplanes
at that airport. The LAWIO official said that as of 1430
local on December 5, no pilgrims had crossed into Egypt at
Rafah, and crowds on the Gaza side of Rafah were "very
small." When asked how the GOE intends to handle the return
of the pilgrims following the Hajj, the official said that
this is still unclear.
3. (C) All local papers covered the crossing of pilgrims
into Egypt at Rafah. Reports were predominantly factual,
sourced to wire services (AP, AFP, Reuters). The overall
tone ranged from neutral to positive on Egypt's role in
opening the border to help pilgrims make the Hajj. Coverage
in Islamonline.com, however, noted that Egypt's perceived
"foot dragging" on opening the border had "touched raw
nerves."
RICCIARDONE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/05/2012
TAGS: PREL PHUM PTER KPAL EG IS
SUBJECT: "1,000 PLUS" HAJJ PILGRIMS ENTER EGYPT AT RAFAH
DECEMBER 4
REF: A. CAIRO 3400
B. CAIRO 3369
C. CAIRO 3262
D. CAIRO 3309
Classified By: DCM Stuart Jones for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
1. (C) An official at the Directorate of Military
Intelligence (DMI) Liaison Agency with International
Organizations (LAWIO) estimated that over 1,000 Hajj pilgrims
crossed the Egypt-Gaza border at Rafah on December 4.
Although some of pilgrims traveled from Rafah to the Nuweiba
port to board ferries on December 4, the vast majority spent
the night inside the Rafah terminal. The LAWIO official
noted that the terminal is not equipped to have such a large
number of overnight guests and described the situation as "a
real mess." The Red Crescent and other local charitable
organizations have been feeding the travelers.
2. (C) On December 5, approximately 800 of the pilgrims who
had spent the night in the terminal were intending to travel
by buses to the Nuweiba port, the official said. Although
the official said an additional number may be going to Al
Arish to board airplanes, emboffs flying over Al Arish
airport on December 5 did not see either crowds or airplanes
at that airport. The LAWIO official said that as of 1430
local on December 5, no pilgrims had crossed into Egypt at
Rafah, and crowds on the Gaza side of Rafah were "very
small." When asked how the GOE intends to handle the return
of the pilgrims following the Hajj, the official said that
this is still unclear.
3. (C) All local papers covered the crossing of pilgrims
into Egypt at Rafah. Reports were predominantly factual,
sourced to wire services (AP, AFP, Reuters). The overall
tone ranged from neutral to positive on Egypt's role in
opening the border to help pilgrims make the Hajj. Coverage
in Islamonline.com, however, noted that Egypt's perceived
"foot dragging" on opening the border had "touched raw
nerves."
RICCIARDONE