AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES LOCAL ECONOMY, SECURITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 001518 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ELA AND INR/B E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/17/2018 TAGS: ECON EAID PINR PGOV IS EG SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES LOCAL ECONOMY, SECURITY ISSUES WITH NORTH SINAI GOVERNOR AND SMALL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION REF: A. CAIRO 1436 ¶B. CAIRO 1433 ¶C. CAIRO 1402 Classified By: Ambassador Margaret Scobey per 1.4 (b) and (d).. ¶1. (C) Summary: During the Ambassador's visit to North Sinai July 13, she discussed local economic and political issues with the governor, governorate officials, MPs and businesspeople. Governor Mohammed Abdel Fadeel Shousha said that unemployment in Gaza and in North Sinai fuels smuggling through the tunnels under the Gaza border. He expressed optimism that U.S.-supplied counter-tunneling equipment would be effective in decreasing smuggling. The governor speculated that an electrified fence could deter human trafficking from the Sinai into Israel. In an expanded meeting, North Sinai MPs, governorate officials and businesspeople suggested that the U.S. could assist the region develop its agricultural sector, dig wells for drinking water, and support the construction of additional schools for girls. A female member of the Shura Council described how women in the area contribute to economic and political life while maintaining their cultural traditions. North Sinai Business Association (NSBA) members described their USAID-supported micro-finance loan project which aims to support small businesses and alleviate poverty in the region. End summary. -------------- North Sinai Governor -------------- ¶2. (C) North Sinai Governor Mohammed Abdel Fadeel Shousha told the Ambassador July 13 that local unemployment has fueled the proliferation of smuggling tunnels between Egyptian Rafah and Gaza. He said that digging tunnels has become "like a job" for many unemployed young men on both sides of the Gaza border. He claimed that it is difficult for Egyptian Border Guard Forces (BGFs) to locate the tunnels, as they sometimes lead into houses. The governor noted that the BGF soldiers cannot explode tunnels that are located close to residential areas because of the risk to housing. He expressed optimism over the GOE's procurement of U.S. counter-tunneling equipment (ref A),and opined that permanently re-opening the Rafah crossing would decrease smuggling activity. The Ambassador noted that there is a significant international, USG and Congressional focus on the Rafah area because of the smuggling and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. ¶3. (C) The governor described the North Sinai region, saying that its population of 500,000 is split roughly evenly between Bedouin and those from the Nile Valley. There are 450 small communities in the North Sinai, apart from the substantial cities. Regarding health conditions in North Sinai, the governor noted that the area does not have enough wells for drinking water, and many citizens suffer kidney ailments from drinking salty water. Concerning the problem of human trafficking through the Sinai, the governor said that building electrified fences might deter smugglers. "No country in the world can completely secure its borders," the governor asserted. ¶4. (C) Bio note: The governor's family is originally from the Delta city of Munifiya, and he grew up in Alexandria. As commander of the Rangers, he spent five years at the Inshaas paratroop base, and then was promoted to be Chief of the Border Guard Forces, his last assignment before retiring from the military. During his military career, he received Special Operations Forces training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He retired from the military as a General, joined the National Democratic Party, and became North Sinai Governor in April 2008. End bio note. -------------- -------------- Expanded Meeting with North Sinai MPs and Business People -------------- -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The Ambassador told this expanded group that the U.S. is interested in continuing its cooperation with North Sinai residents on development issues, and she noted USAID's support for the North Sinai Business Association. She asked the group for their ideas on how the U.S. can expand its cooperation with the North Sinai region. Local Council head Salem Al-Eksh thanked the Ambassador for USAID's work, and suggested that the U.S. could help the Sinai develop its agricultural sector and dig more wells for drinking water. Chairman of the Sama Group, Hassan Rateb, described the "National Project for Sinai Development," which envisions relocating 3 million Cairo residents to the North Sinai. He noted that North Sinai has built a competitive private university, and wants to attract top students. The university is offering 140 scholarships to Bedouin students, and North Sinai also wants to raise the standards of its secondary schools. ¶6. (SBU) The governorate's Cultural Sector head, Mohammed Abdel Azim, described the North Sinai Museum in Al-Arish, which displays exhibits on the customs and traditions of the region. He noted that the governorate is interested in cooperating with USAID to establish a library within the museum that would catalogue cultural history and artifacts. NDP People's Assembly Representative from the North Sinai, Fayez Abu Harb, encouraged the U.S. to continue its efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying that peace would encourage increased development in the North Sinai. ¶7. (SBU) Shura Council Member Ateya Abu Gardoud told the Ambassador that women in the North Sinai have contributed to the economic and political life of the area, while maintaining their customs and traditions. She said that women participate in local political councils, and engage in small industries and enterprises. Education Sector head Al Sayed Al Sawy encouraged USAID to support the construction of more schools for girls. The Ambassador congratulated the group on its achievements, and said that the U.S. will study the question of additional projects in the region. -------------- North Sinai Business Association (NSBA) -------------- ¶8. (SBU) NSBA Executive Manager Osama El-Kassas briefed the Ambassador on NSBA's history and current projects. He said that since its founding in 1998, the NSBA has worked to alleviate poverty in the region and build community ties. El-Kassas noted that the NSBA began working with USAID on micro-finance loans in 2004, and recorded over 18,000 group and individual loans in 2007. According to El-Kassas, the NSBA aims to attract 19,000 active clients by 2010. He described NSBA's small business center which trains women to operate their own businesses and market their products. NSBA Board Member Abd El Fatah Semry asked about expanding AID's micro-finance program in order to increase development. The Ambassador said that AID is exploring options for the future. The Ambassador toured a women's crafts site at the NSBA and spoke with female artisans who have received micro-finance loans. SCOBEY