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