RAFAH CROSSING STILL OPEN; EGYPTIAN ANGER CONTINUES

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 000124 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/24/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER IS EG SUBJECT: RAFAH CROSSING STILL OPEN; EGYPTIAN ANGER CONTINUES REF: CAIRO 103 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Stuart Jones Reasons: 1.4 (B) and (D) ¶1. (C) Summary. People continue to cross the Gaza-Egypt border line without GOE customs or immigration formalities as of 1600 local, January 24. The GOE has established a heavy security presence in the area. Presidential Advisor Soliman Awad told the Ambassador January 23 that the current crisis is casting "dark clouds" over the Egyptian-Israeli bilateral relationship. A protest in Tahrir Square (near to the Embassy) was forcibly dispersed by Egyptian police, with media and contacts estimating 500 arrests. End summary. ¶2. (C) Following the destruction of the bulk of the barrier between Egypt and Gaza and as of 1600 local on January 24, people continue to cross the border line without GOE customs or immigration formalities. There is, however, a heavy security presence of Border Guard Forces (BGF) and well over a thousand Central Security Forces (CSF) in the area. CSF, using non-lethal methods such as road blocks and batons, are attempting to prevent visiting Gazans from moving beyond Al Arish city either towards Cairo or into the rest of the Sinai. Security focus seized one-half ton of TNT early on January 24 and arrested two unarmed Palestinians attempting to cross the border into Israel. At least 16 security forces have been injured thus far. Supplies in shops in Al Arish city and neighboring villages where Gazans are shopping are adequate at present, security contacts said, but meeting demand could become more complex if the border remains open. ¶3. (SBU) The Ambassador spoke with Presidential advisor Soliman Awad January 23. Awad, said that Mubarak is "seriously concerned for relations with Israel." He opined that the Israeli blockade of Gaza casts "dark clouds" over the GOE-GOI bilateral relationship. Awad said that the GOE-GOI bilateral relationship should not consist of "lobbying against Egypt in the U.S. Congress, and then embarrassing the Egyptian leadership in front of our people." He opined that the timing in relation to USG peace efforts could not be worse. ¶4. (SBU) Awad contended that Israeli PM Olmert and Defense Minister Barak had publicly broken their promise to Mubarak, by re-imposing the blockade on relief supplies. Instead of imposing a siege, Awad said that Israel should target the Qassam launchers, and expressed his belief that the IDF had that capacity. He said that Israel is "legally and religiously" responsible as the "occupying power" to allow humanitarian assistance into Gaza, but that it appears the new GOI strategy is to "cast the dirt of Hamas into Egypt." He opined that the serial explosions of the Rafah wall, and placing women at the front of the crowd, was organized by Hamas. ¶5. (C) Awad also noted that the GOE had information that Hamas would infiltrate members into the crowds moving into Rafah for the purpose of kidnapping Egyptian police. These kidnapped police would then be ransomed for Hamas terrorists being held by the GOE. So far, we have heard of no reports of kidnapping or violence at the border. ¶6. (SBU) Ministry of Interior security quickly dispersed the protesters gathered to support the January 23 Muslim Brotherhood-led demonstration in Cairo's Tahrir square. It is unclear how many protesters were arrested; media reports and contacts estimated the number at 500. Embassy observers and contacts saw police making arrests, as well as bloody would-be protesters in side-alleys of the protest area. Ricciardone