GERMANY CONCERNED HOW ALLEGED SUDAN CONVOY ATTACK

C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 000365 DEPARTMENT PASS TO NEA/IPA TOM GOLDBERGER, NEA/RA ROBERT ADLER; T FOR CONSTANTINOS NICOLAIDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/27/2019 TAGS: EUN MOPS NATO PREL GM IS SU SUBJECT: GERMANY CONCERNED HOW ALLEGED SUDAN CONVOY ATTACK COULD AFFECT GAZA SMUGGLING INTERDICTION EFFORTS REF: STATE 25578 Classified By: Deputy Political Counselor Stan Otto for reasons 1.4 (b, d). ¶1. (C) Poloff met with MFA Deputy Director for Near East Division Robert Doelger March 27 to discuss views on the Gaza smuggling interdiction Program of Action (PoA) (reftel) and the status of German efforts at assisting Egypt with land border interdiction. Doelger asked Poloff for any further information on a March 26 Jerusalem Post report of an alleged Israeli bombing in January of a convoy of trucks in Sudan suspected of attempting to smuggle arms to Gaza. The Jerusalem Post report also mentioned the Copenhagen/London meetings on Gaza smuggling interdiction and named the countries participating. Doelger expressed concern that confirmation of the alleged Israeli attack on this convoy could be problematic for countries participating in the Copenhagen/London interdiction meetings as this would indicate that Israel, which participates as an observer in the interdiction group, had carried out unilateral actions against smuggling. Doelger noted that the group has focused on "rules of engagement" and transparency in the context of interdiction efforts. He said that Germany is waiting for more facts on the alleged attack before making any statements or comments or drawing any conclusions. Important to know, he said -- if the attack actually did occur -- is whether the attack took place in the midst of the Gaza conflict or after the United States signed the MOU with Israel in mid-January. ¶2. (C) Regarding the PoA, Doelger noted that the document is still being discussed by the relevant government ministries. He reiterated Germany's interest in Egyptian buy-in, including to participate as an observer in the interdiction meetings. He said that the MFA has discussed this issue with Egyptian counterparts and that the Egyptians are less negative about participating as observers than they had been, particularly after seeing the PoA. Doelger stressed the need for continuing to respect Egyptian sensitivities. Doelger also repeated that Germany would likely limit its participation in the PoA to intelligence sharing and diplomatic support. ¶3. (C) Poloff asked about the status of Germany's efforts to assist Egypt with land border interdiction. Doelger said that Egypt has accepted a German offer of sniffer dogs and communications equipment, but that other aspects of the program are pending due to Egyptian focus on U.S. tunnel detection assistance. Doelger said that coordination on assistance efforts is taking place between the U.S. and German Embassies in Cairo. Koenig