MOD CONTINUES TO RESIST PERMITTING COAST GUARD

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 000542 SIPDIS SIPDIS EB/TRA/OTP FOR HAYWOOD NEA/ELA FOR NAFZIGER OSD FOR AGUIRRE E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/18/2028 TAGS: EG EWWT PARM PGOV PREL PTER SUBJECT: MOD CONTINUES TO RESIST PERMITTING COAST GUARD ISPS INSPECTIONS Classified By: DCM Stuart Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). (C) In a March 17 meeting with Assistant Minister of Defense for Policy Mohamed Al-Assar and Assistant Minister of Defense for U.S. Relations MG Ahmed Motaz, OMC Chief MG Collings raised the issue of U.S. Coast Guard specialists observing International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code implementation in Egypt to certify GOE compliance with U.S. legislation. MG Collings urged the GOE to permit the Coast Guard inspectors' visit as soon as possible to avoid Egypt's placement on a Congressional non-compliance list. MG Al-Assar replied that U.S. inspections infringed on Egyptian sovereignty, and would therefore be "impossible." Acknowledging that Egypt was a signatory to the relevant UN agreement, he suggested a resolution through UN channels instead, and said that Egypt would provide the U.S. with a "final opinion" on the issue. Post will continue to approach MOD and other Ministries to urge a positive response. RICCIARDONE