EGYPTIAN RESPONSE TO PROPOSED UNSCR 1267

S E C R E T CAIRO 001363 NOFORN SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/ELA DEPT FOR IO/PSC ERIN CROWE TREASURY FOR CARLTON GREENE E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/14/2019 TAGS: EFIN KTFN PREL PTER UNSC EG UK SUBJECT: EGYPTIAN RESPONSE TO PROPOSED UNSCR 1267 DE-LISTINGS REF: A. STATE 69814 ¶B. E-MAILS J.SPEAKS-CARLTON GREENE (ET.AL.) Classified By: ECPO Minister-Counselor Donald A. Blome for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S/NF) Key Points - Econoff delivered reftel points and list of people and entities that may be de-listed from the UNSCR 1267 consolidated list. - Ashraf Mohsen, the MFA Coordinator for Counter Terrorism, told us the GOE had issues with only three proposed de-listings. - Mohsen expressed strong opposition to the de-listing of Hani al-Sabai. Post is seeking further information from the GOE on el-Sebai. ¶2. (U) Econoff delivered reftel points and list of persons and entities that the USG may seek or support de-listing from the UNSCR 1267 consolidated list to Ashraf Mohsen, Deputy Assistant Foreign Minister and Coordinator for Counter Terrorism. ¶3. (C) Mohsen briefly reviewed the list and expressed suprise that Bank al Taqwa was included on the list for de-listing. Mohsen said that they had no objections to the de-listings with the exception of the Youssef Mustapha NADA Ebada and Ali Shaleb HIMMAT listings. He reiterated that both Nada and Himmat had been convicted in absentia of money laundering and terrorist finance. Mohsen admitted that the military court had dropped the terrorist finance charges, but said that is was merely the result of a "technicality." Econoff explained the necessity for additional information to support maintaining the listings. Mohsen said that he would seek additional information from within the GOE. ¶4. (C) Mohsen then brought up the issue of de-listing Hani el-Sebai. Mohsen say that the British are "playing games" in his case. He suggested that though the British government may have some sort of legal responsibility in the U.K to seek the de-listing of el-Sebai, there could be no doubt that he is a terrorist. He added that seeking the de-listing was separate from securing de-listing, and suggested that the British could accomplish their goal without actually de-listing el-Sebai. ¶5. (S/NF) Mohsen pointed out that el-Sebai was convicted, in absentia, in Egypt for terrorism. He claimed that el-Sebai was still active in the Al-Jihad organization and is still associated with Ayman al-Zawahiri. He also said that the Maqrizi Center, which el-Sebai directs, supports terrorism through its website and is actively working to undermine the Arab-Israeli peace process. Mohsen said the the GOE feels strongly about maintaining the el-Sebai listing and he asked that the U.S. work to prevent his de-listing. Mohsen suggested that U.S. security agencies should follow up directly with their Egyptian counterparts for more information. ¶6. (S/NF) Based on e-mail conversations and discussions between State and Treasury, we understand that the de-listing request will be placed on hold for three weeks in order to obtain additional information. Post is reaching out once more to the GOE through both MFA and EGIS (Egypt General Intelligence Service) channels informing them of this deadline and requesting additional detailed information supporting their opposition to de-listing of el-Sebai. Post will forward any information received. SCOBEY