PROPOSED COUNTRY TEAM SCENARIO FOR CONCLUDING THE

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 001034 SIPDIS FROM THE AMBASSADOR FOR A/S WELCH, VADM COSGRIFF AND DASD LONG E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2018 TAGS: PARM PREL MOPS EG SUBJECT: PROPOSED COUNTRY TEAM SCENARIO FOR CONCLUDING THE GLOBAL PATRIOT INCIDENT REF: A. CAIRO 581 B. CAIRO 602 C. CAIRO 609 D. CAIRO 623 E. CAIRO 737 Classified By: Ambassador Margaret Scobey for reason 1.4 (b). ¶1. (C) Summary: As the USG moves forward to conclude the unresolved issues stemming from the unfortunate Global Patriot incident -- delivery of the investigative report's executive summary to the GOE, compensation and condolences to the victim's family and a U.S. apology -- we want to ensure close inter-agency coordination. Post proposes the timeline scenario below to resolve these outstanding issues, coupled with a public diplomacy strategy to respond to the expected media interest once this issue resurfaces in the public domain. Although criticism from the press and from some members of parliament is unavoidable, our public diplomacy goal is to maximize the public's acceptance of our statement of apology and compensation to the family. ¶2. (C) Summary continued: Vice-Admiral Cosgriff will visit Cairo as soon as possible to deliver the investigative report's executive summary to the MOD and discuss its findings and conclusions. We understand that the compensation package is under review and request an expedited decision. After the USG decides on the compensation amount to the victim's family, we plan to send a local embassy employee to engage the victim's family on an understanding for transferring funds to the widow. The Ambassador will then send a letter of apology to the Egyptian Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense. At that point, we would envision issuing an Embassy public statement, coordinated with NAVCENT, to express our apology for the incident, note our actions regarding compensation and condolences to the family, and enumerate the steps we are taking to prevent the recurrence of such an incident. End summary. -------------- Vice-Admiral Cosgriff's Visit -------------- ¶3. (C) We would propose that when he visits Cairo, Vice-Admiral Cosgriff present a cover letter transmitting the investigative report's executive summary to Egyptian Armed Forces Chief of Staff LTG Sami Enan. We told Assistant Minister of Defense for Policy MG Al-Assar on May 20 that Vice-Admiral Cosgriff will brief the GOE on the report's main findings: 1) the U.S. failed to properly notify the Global Patriot regarding canal transit procedures; 2) the evidence shows that one of the warning shots from the Global Patriot killed Mr. Affifi; and 3) the U.S. wants to review Suez Canal transit procedures with the GOE to prevent such an incident from recurring. We also said that Vice-Admiral Cosgriff has committed to lead a discussion reviewing these procedures. -------------- Outreach to the Victim's Family -------------- ¶4. (C) We understand that the Navy is now considering a compensation package for the victim's family. Embassy Cairo recommends a figure of $250,000 and respectfully requests urgent action on this matter in order to keep this process as abbreviated in time as possible. We believe Vice-Admiral Cosgriff should not visit Cairo before this matter is resolved. Once the USG determines the amount of compensation to offer the family, post will notify the MOD and send a local Egyptian staff member to meet with the victim's widow and male relatives, consistent with Egyptian customs. Our staff member would inform the family of the amount we are prepared to offer and discuss the optimal means of transferring the money into an account established for the widow. The Ambassador will also send a letter of apology to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense. We should assume the letter to the MFA may be given to the press. -------------- Public Diplomacy Strategy -------------- ¶5. (C) After Vice-Admiral Cosgriff has delivered the investigative report's executive summary to the MOD, the Embassy has reached an understanding with the victim's family regarding transferring the compensation funds, and the Ambassador has expressed our apology to the Foreign and Defense Ministers, we will immediately make a public statement. Again, it is essential that the compensation issue be fully resolved in order to avoid drawn-out press attention. We envision a public statement issued by the Embassy, which would acknowledge U.S. responsibility, express regret for the incident, enumerate the steps we have taken to provide compensation to the family and express our condolences, note the history of safe U.S. naval passage through the Suez Canal, and state that we will meet with the MOD to review procedures for U.S. ships transiting the canal to prevent a recurrence of this kind of incident. This message will, of course, be coordinated with NAVCENT. Before releasing this statement, we would "background" key journalists to ensure more accurate coverage with the national press. We will also consult with key political leaders to seek their support for this approach. The Embassy will also seek NAVCENT's assistance in preparing question and answer guidance that would reiterate the sequence of events for the March 24 incident. SCOBEY