EGYPT PROVIDES INFORMATION IN OPPOSITION TO

S E C R E T CAIRO 001428 NOFORN SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ELA, IO/PSC CROWE TREASURY FOR CARLTON GREEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/26/2029 TAGS: EFIN PREL PTER KTFN UNSC EG UK SUBJECT: EGYPT PROVIDES INFORMATION IN OPPOSITION TO DE-LISTING OF HANI AL-SABAI REF: A. CAIRO 1363 ¶B. STATE 69814 Classified By: Economic-Political Minister-Counselor Donald A. Blome for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S/NF) Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Assistant Minister and Co-ordinator for Counterterrorism Ashraf Mohsen, in a July 19 meeting, restated Egypt's opposition to the proposed removal of Egyptian citizen Hani al-Sabai from the UNSCR 1267 consolidated list (refs A and B). Mohsen also thanked the United Sates for giving the GoE the opportunity to respond to the proposed de-listing. ¶2. (S/NF) Mohsen said that al-Sabai, currently living in the United Kingdom, is a leader of Egyptian Islamic Jihad (EIJ),associate of Ayman al-Zawahiri, and recruiter for al-Qaeda. According to Mohsen, in April 1999, after al-Sabai "escaped" from Egypt, an Egyptian military tribunal convicted him in absentia of terrorism-related offenses, including robbing jewelry stores owned by members of Egypt's Coptic Christian minority to finance EIJ activities. Mohsen said he had requested the military tribunal's case records, but it would be "at least a month" before he received a response. ¶3. (S/NF) Mohsen attributes what he described as a U.K.-driven effort to de-list al-Sabai to the British Government responding to legal pressure from al-Sabai. Mohsen also said that British intelligence officials may be trying to "turn" al-Sabai and are using the de-listing effort as an inducement. Mohsen scoffed at the idea that the British would be able to recruit al-Sabai, claiming the GoE had tried to do so and failed. ¶4. (S/NF) Mohsen provided two documents with information on al-Sabai, a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in English, and an Arabic language document, which Mohsen said Egypt's intelligence "services" prepared. The text of the MFA document and the English translation of the "services" document follow. ¶5. (S/NF) Text of document provided by the MFA: With reference to your correspondence dated July 15th 2009, and your request for concrete and actionable information regarding our plea for the continual listing of Hani El Sebai on the Consolidated list of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to Resolution 1267 (1999) concerning 
Al-Qaida and the Taliban and Associated Individuals and Entities; In this regard, I wish to reiterate that El Sebai (QI.A.198.05 Code on Consolidated list) is a paramount leadership figure in Al Qaeda and Islamic Jihad. He is involved in recruiting for membership in these organizations, as well as assisting in the planning, financing and mounting of their activities. The attached information has been communicated to us by the relevant security agencies as the grounds upon which Egypt continues to support the listing of Hani El Sebai on the List, primary among which are the following: -He is one of the leading cadres in the Islamic Jihad Terrorist Organization led by Ayman Mohamed Rabie Al Zawahery; who became an active member of Al Qaeda in early 1990s, and has provided substantial help to Osama Bin Laden ever since; - Hani El Sebai continues to be a fugitive from justice and, still, poses a serious threat to the international community given his membership in variant terrorist organizations seeking to threaten international peace and security, and advocating the use of terrorism to achieve their illegitimate objectives; - He is also notorious for propagating radical extremist thought among Egyptian youth prior to his escape from Egypt, in addition to inciting them to depart to Afghanistan with a view to taking part in the 'Global Jihadist War'; - He was convicted by the Military Court on April 18th 1999 on the grounds of being a member of an illegitimate organization aiming to use terrorism for the achievement of its goals through targeted killing of security personnel and other public figures (case 8/998); - He is currently heading "Al Maqrezei Centre for Historic Studies" in London, which contributes to the incitement and radicalization of youth and the dissemination of radical and extremist ideas via its website on the internet (www.almaqreeze.com). In view of the above, the government of the Arab Republic of Egypt proposed that the name of Hani El Sebai remains on the consolidated list pursuant to our strategy of fighting all terrorist organizations posing serious threat to our government as well as international peace and security. The names on the UN Consolidated list, including that of Hani El Sebai, remain fugitives from justice and continue to pose a threat by virtue of their membership in several terrorist organizations, primary among which is Al Qaeda. Accordingly, and since they continue to assist in the organization, planning and financing of terrorist activities, and the use of violence for the achievement of illegitimate political ends, we have ample room to believe that they are adamant to pursing their illegitimate objectives; posing a serious threat to global peace and security. On these grounds, the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt has requested that the name of Hani El Sebai remains on the Consolidated List of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to Resolution 1267 (1999) concerning Al-Qaeda and the Taliban and Associated Individuals and Entities. Sincerely, Dr. Ashraf Mohsen Deputy Assistant Foreign Minister Coordinator for Counter Terrorism ¶6. (S/NF) English language translation of the "services" document provided by the MFA: Personal Info First name: Hany Second name: El Sayyid Third name: El Sibai Fourth name: Yousif DOB: March 1st, 1961 Place of birth: Qalyoubia -------------- Additional Information: He is one of Islamic Jihad cadre, led by the terrorist Ayman Mohamed Rabei, Al Zawahry (whose name is on the consolidated list under decision no. 1267/99) and is a confirmed member of the Jihad from the early 1990s. His involvement and assistance to the terrorist Usama Bin Laden is also confirmed. The named person is still outside the country and his threat to the international community is in his association with terrorist organizations whose main aim is to destroy and damage unity, social peace and security on the international level by using terrorism to achieve its goals. There were several reports that he traveled to other countries using forged documents to obtain military training. He joined groups responsible for terrorist operations using force, violence, intimidation and threats, and also destroyed public properties to disrupt the authorities, functions. The named person promoted extremist ideas among youth before he escaped from the country. He encouraged youth to travel to Afghanistan to participate in the Afghan Jihad. He has been accused of terrorist activities in the country since 1981, and the country has also taken some precautionary measures against him to limit his terrorist activities. He received a life sentence in criminal case number 8/98 issued by a military court on April 14, 1999 for belonging to an illegal group that aimed to disrupt the constitution, uses terrorism as a means to achieve its goals, assassinate public and security figures, commit murder and acquiring weapons. He was detained in September 1998 in London for being a suspect for planning and implementing terrorist operations targeting the US embassy in Albania. He was released in July ¶1999. Currently, he runs Al Maqreze Center for historical studies in London that is active on the internet (www.almaqreze.com). This website promotes extremist ideas and supports terrorist operations committed by Al Qaeda. Through his website, he also contacts terrorists worldwide. It is clear that since he resides outside his country and does not integrate naturally into the community, he has bad intentions and has ongoing criminal activities through terrorist groups in other countries. This further threatens the stability of the international community. He is enlisted on the Interpol list under number 2004-10/1449 A (red notice attached). ¶7. (S/NF) Post would appreciate Department feed-back on the information provided by the GoE. As discussed in ref B, we advised the GoE that the proposed de-listing of al-Sabai would be placed on hold until August 4 to give it the opportunity to present information in opposition to the de-listing. Tueller