Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CAIRO1194
2009-06-25 14:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:
MFA ON HIZBALLAH CELL, SMUGGLING, CT COOPERATION
how-toVZCZCXRO8941 PP RUEHROV DE RUEHEG #1194 1761456 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 251456Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2975 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0302 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 001194
SIPDIS
FOR S/CT AND NEA/ELA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/25/2029
TAGS: PREL PTER CT UN IR LE EG
SUBJECT: MFA ON HIZBALLAH CELL, SMUGGLING, CT COOPERATION
REF: A. CAIRO 451
B. CAIRO 336
Classified By: Economic-Political Minister-Counselor
William R. Stewart for reason 1.4 (b).
C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 001194
SIPDIS
FOR S/CT AND NEA/ELA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/25/2029
TAGS: PREL PTER CT UN IR LE EG
SUBJECT: MFA ON HIZBALLAH CELL, SMUGGLING, CT COOPERATION
REF: A. CAIRO 451
B. CAIRO 336
Classified By: Economic-Political Minister-Counselor
William R. Stewart for reason 1.4 (b).
1. (C) On June 23, MFA Coordinator for Counterterrorism and
Deputy Assistant Minister Ashraf Mohsin told visiting S/CT
officer Patrick Worman that the MFA believes Hizballah should
be part of the political process in Lebanon. Mohsin said the
GOE views Hizballah's terrorist operation in Egypt as
"unacceptable." He noted that it has been "very easy" for
Hizballah to recruit in Egypt since the Gaza war, especially
among Egyptian men under 30 and the socially and economically
disaffected. According to Mohsin, Hizballah recruited tribal
Bedouin in the Sinai with cash payments. He asserted there
is no difference between the agendas of Hizballah and Iran.
Regarding the February Khan Al-Khalili bombing in February
2009 (refs A and B),Mohsin said the group responsible used a
crude explosive device. He also noted that group recruited a
number of Europeans. The GOE has eliminated the threat from
this group for now, he stated.
2. (C) Regarding smuggling from Sudan into Egypt, Mohsin
noted the difficulty of patrolling the 1000 kilometer-long
border. He said tribes use a smuggling route from Sudan into
Egypt over the Libyan border, and that Egypt tolerates a
measure of goods smuggling from Sudan so as "not to upset the
tribes." Mohsin suggested bilateral "small group
discussions" on specific counterterrorism issues, as opposed
to larger formal meetings. He criticized UN sanctions
regimes as "not useful" for Egypt because the GOE often
cannot marshal the legal evidence to enforce sanctions
resolutions. He called for improved bilateral cooperation at
the UN in order to strengthen these regimes.
3. (U) S/CT officer Patrick Worman cleared this message.
SCOBEY
SIPDIS
FOR S/CT AND NEA/ELA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/25/2029
TAGS: PREL PTER CT UN IR LE EG
SUBJECT: MFA ON HIZBALLAH CELL, SMUGGLING, CT COOPERATION
REF: A. CAIRO 451
B. CAIRO 336
Classified By: Economic-Political Minister-Counselor
William R. Stewart for reason 1.4 (b).
1. (C) On June 23, MFA Coordinator for Counterterrorism and
Deputy Assistant Minister Ashraf Mohsin told visiting S/CT
officer Patrick Worman that the MFA believes Hizballah should
be part of the political process in Lebanon. Mohsin said the
GOE views Hizballah's terrorist operation in Egypt as
"unacceptable." He noted that it has been "very easy" for
Hizballah to recruit in Egypt since the Gaza war, especially
among Egyptian men under 30 and the socially and economically
disaffected. According to Mohsin, Hizballah recruited tribal
Bedouin in the Sinai with cash payments. He asserted there
is no difference between the agendas of Hizballah and Iran.
Regarding the February Khan Al-Khalili bombing in February
2009 (refs A and B),Mohsin said the group responsible used a
crude explosive device. He also noted that group recruited a
number of Europeans. The GOE has eliminated the threat from
this group for now, he stated.
2. (C) Regarding smuggling from Sudan into Egypt, Mohsin
noted the difficulty of patrolling the 1000 kilometer-long
border. He said tribes use a smuggling route from Sudan into
Egypt over the Libyan border, and that Egypt tolerates a
measure of goods smuggling from Sudan so as "not to upset the
tribes." Mohsin suggested bilateral "small group
discussions" on specific counterterrorism issues, as opposed
to larger formal meetings. He criticized UN sanctions
regimes as "not useful" for Egypt because the GOE often
cannot marshal the legal evidence to enforce sanctions
resolutions. He called for improved bilateral cooperation at
the UN in order to strengthen these regimes.
3. (U) S/CT officer Patrick Worman cleared this message.
SCOBEY