GLOBAL PATRIOT: AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CONDOLENCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 001922 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR P STAFF RANGASWAMY, NEA FO AND NEA/ELA OSD FOR ASD LONG AND PDASD COULTER MANAMA FOR VADM GORTNEY E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/2018 TAGS: PARM PREL MOPS EG SUBJECT: GLOBAL PATRIOT: AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CONDOLENCE PAYMENT; FAMILY SIGNS RELEASE REF: A. SECDEF DTG 052128Z AUG 08 ¶B. CAIRO 1517 ¶C. CAIRO 1403 ¶D. CAIRO 1277 ¶E. CAIRO 1259 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Ambassador Margaret Scobey per 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) The Ambassador, accompanied by OMC Chief, presented condolence payment checks totaling 750,000 Egyptian pounds ($141,000) August 28 to the widow, mother, 6 year-old daughter and 1 year-old son of Mohammed Affifi who was killed in the March 24 Global Patriot incident. In a meeting at the Suez governorate, presided over by the Suez Governor and MOD Prosecutor General MG Medhut, the Ambassador expressed condolences to the family members on behalf of the USG, and told them that the U.S. is working with the GOE to take steps to ensure that such an incident does not recur. ¶2. (C) The Ambassador conveyed deep regret on behalf of the USG and U.S. Navy for the loss of Mr. Affifi. The Ambassador said she hopes the funds will help with the family's needs. Mr. Affifi's widow, Sedah Abu Al-Ela, and mother, Omm Abduh Mohammed Nassar, accepted the checks, and thanked the Ambassador for her sentiments. Other relatives attending the meeting were the widow's brother, Hussein Abd El-Eyl, Mr. Affifi's brother Fouad, and a relative of the widow's mother, Mohammed Fathi Mohammed. The Ambassador thanked the Governor for GOE protection of U.S. ships transiting the Suez Canal. ¶3. (C) During the August 3 meeting, the deceased's widow and his mother signed ref A release language. Post is in possession of the original signed release form, and the MOD and Governor's office retained copies for themselves. ¶4. (U) The Embassy released a statement in English and Arabic August 28 on the Global Patriot incident and the payment to the deceased's family. The statement is on post's unclassified website. ¶5. (U) Begin statement text: The investigation into the Suez Canal incident involving the vessel "Global Patriot" has been completed. This was a cooperative effort and its findings have been shared with the Government of Egypt. On behalf of the U.S. Government, we would like to express our sincere apology and profound sorrow for this tragic accident, and extend our sympathy to the family of Mr. Mohammed Fouad Affifi, who died as a result. We have offered financial assistance to the family of Mr. Fouad Affifi, realizing of course, that no amount of money could ever compensate his family for the loss of his life. In over one hundred years of maritime traffic in the Suez Canal, this was the first fatal accident involving a US ship. We are profoundly saddened by this tragedy, and are reviewing our operating procedures as we cooperate closely with the Government of Egypt to ensure that such an event is not repeated. The Suez Canal remains a safe, secure and desirable transit route for shipping due to Egyptian management and superb protection. SCOBEY