Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CAIRO691
2008-04-06 15:44:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:
EGYPTIANS IN GAZA CROSS BACK INTO EGYPT
how-toVZCZCXRO4575 OO RUEHROV DE RUEHEG #0691 0971544 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 061544Z APR 08 FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8816 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
S E C R E T CAIRO 000691
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/06/2028
TAGS: PARM PREL IS EG
SUBJECT: EGYPTIANS IN GAZA CROSS BACK INTO EGYPT
REF: JONES-DANIN E-MAIL APRIL 3
Classified By: DCM Stuart Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
S E C R E T CAIRO 000691
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/06/2028
TAGS: PARM PREL IS EG
SUBJECT: EGYPTIANS IN GAZA CROSS BACK INTO EGYPT
REF: JONES-DANIN E-MAIL APRIL 3
Classified By: DCM Stuart Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S/NF) MFA Palestinian Affairs Director Badr Abdelatty
told us April 6 that 150-200 Egyptians crossed Rafah from
Gaza into Egypt April 1-2, as a "one time event." Badr said
that these Egyptians, many of whom reside in Al-Arish and
have relatives in Gaza, were in Gaza since the January border
breach. Abdelatty said that EGIS worked with the Israelis to
return these Egyptians through Rafah, "on an exceptional
basis." Pro-Government newspaper Al-Ahram reported April 2
that 300 Egyptians were preparing to cross Rafah back into
Egypt that day, and that 20 had already done so. The
Egyptian media has not reported on this issue since April 2.
2. (S/NF) Abdelatty told us April 1 and 2 that EGIS had been
vetting citizenship credentials, as many Gazans have Egyptian
travel documents, but the GOE only allows the return of
Egyptian passport holders. He said EGIS had been working to
identify the Egyptian passport holders.
3. (S/NF) DMI LAWIO Chief Major General Nagy told us April 6
that he did not discuss the issue with his Israeli
counterpart during liaison meetings in Israel the week of
March 30. He described his liaison meetings with Israel as
"unproductive," saying that the Israelis yet again refused
his request to increase the number of Egypt Border Guard
Forces above 750.
RICCIARDONE
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/06/2028
TAGS: PARM PREL IS EG
SUBJECT: EGYPTIANS IN GAZA CROSS BACK INTO EGYPT
REF: JONES-DANIN E-MAIL APRIL 3
Classified By: DCM Stuart Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S/NF) MFA Palestinian Affairs Director Badr Abdelatty
told us April 6 that 150-200 Egyptians crossed Rafah from
Gaza into Egypt April 1-2, as a "one time event." Badr said
that these Egyptians, many of whom reside in Al-Arish and
have relatives in Gaza, were in Gaza since the January border
breach. Abdelatty said that EGIS worked with the Israelis to
return these Egyptians through Rafah, "on an exceptional
basis." Pro-Government newspaper Al-Ahram reported April 2
that 300 Egyptians were preparing to cross Rafah back into
Egypt that day, and that 20 had already done so. The
Egyptian media has not reported on this issue since April 2.
2. (S/NF) Abdelatty told us April 1 and 2 that EGIS had been
vetting citizenship credentials, as many Gazans have Egyptian
travel documents, but the GOE only allows the return of
Egyptian passport holders. He said EGIS had been working to
identify the Egyptian passport holders.
3. (S/NF) DMI LAWIO Chief Major General Nagy told us April 6
that he did not discuss the issue with his Israeli
counterpart during liaison meetings in Israel the week of
March 30. He described his liaison meetings with Israel as
"unproductive," saying that the Israelis yet again refused
his request to increase the number of Egypt Border Guard
Forces above 750.
RICCIARDONE