Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CAIRO542
2008-03-18 16:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:
MOD CONTINUES TO RESIST PERMITTING COAST GUARD
how-toVZCZCXYZ0015 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHEG #0542 0781625 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 181625Z MAR 08 FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8587 INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
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
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