Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CAIRO611
2009-04-09 12:22:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:
FOLLOWING UP WITH EGYPT ON SUSPECTED IRANIAN ARMS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0003 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHEG #0611 0991222 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 091222Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2143 INFO RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 2035 RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM 1281 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 1893 RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 1156 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
S E C R E T CAIRO 000611
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR ISN/CPI ZARZECKI
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/09/2029
TAGS: ETTC PARM PREL EG SU IR
SUBJECT: FOLLOWING UP WITH EGYPT ON SUSPECTED IRANIAN ARMS
OVERFLIGHTS
REF: A. SECSTATE 34041
B. CAIRO 56
C. CAIRO 483
Classified By: Minister-Counselor for Economic and Political Affairs
William R. Stewart for Reason 1.4(b),(c),and (d).
S E C R E T CAIRO 000611
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR ISN/CPI ZARZECKI
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/09/2029
TAGS: ETTC PARM PREL EG SU IR
SUBJECT: FOLLOWING UP WITH EGYPT ON SUSPECTED IRANIAN ARMS
OVERFLIGHTS
REF: A. SECSTATE 34041
B. CAIRO 56
C. CAIRO 483
Classified By: Minister-Counselor for Economic and Political Affairs
William R. Stewart for Reason 1.4(b),(c),and (d).
1.(S/NF) On April 8, we delivered reftel points to Deputy
Assistant Foreign Minister and Coordinator for Counter
Terrorism Ashraf Mohsen. Mohsen said that the Egyptian MFA
had conveyed to "appropriate defense and intelligence
agencies" the two recent requests to deny overflight
permission (refs B and C). Mohsen said he did not know what,
if any, action the GoE took in response to the demarches, nor
did he know if the GoE received the identified overflight
requests. He added that once the MFA sends information of
this nature to GoE defense and intelligence agencies, it does
not generally receive a response and considers the matter to
be "out of its hands." Mohsen said that based on our
request, he would attempt in this instance to follow-up with
relevant GoE agencies. We also conveyed the information
regarding possible overflights to other GoE ministries and
agencies and will follow-up with them directly.
2.(S/NF) Mohsen said he is unaware of any Egyptian law or
practice that prevents compliance with requests to deny
overflight permission. He said that in such cases the GoE
looks to its obligations under International Civil Aviation
Organization agreements.
3.(S/NF) Mohsen suggested that when making future requests
to deny overflight permission, the U.S. provide a "fuller
picture." While acknowledging that the previous requests
contained important details, he said that if the U.S.
provided more "narrative" information, the MFA would be
better positioned to make a compelling case for action to
other GoE agencies. Mohsen said the GoE viewed blocking the
flow of weapons to Gaza and containing Iranian influence as
national security priorities.
SCOBEY
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR ISN/CPI ZARZECKI
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/09/2029
TAGS: ETTC PARM PREL EG SU IR
SUBJECT: FOLLOWING UP WITH EGYPT ON SUSPECTED IRANIAN ARMS
OVERFLIGHTS
REF: A. SECSTATE 34041
B. CAIRO 56
C. CAIRO 483
Classified By: Minister-Counselor for Economic and Political Affairs
William R. Stewart for Reason 1.4(b),(c),and (d).
1.(S/NF) On April 8, we delivered reftel points to Deputy
Assistant Foreign Minister and Coordinator for Counter
Terrorism Ashraf Mohsen. Mohsen said that the Egyptian MFA
had conveyed to "appropriate defense and intelligence
agencies" the two recent requests to deny overflight
permission (refs B and C). Mohsen said he did not know what,
if any, action the GoE took in response to the demarches, nor
did he know if the GoE received the identified overflight
requests. He added that once the MFA sends information of
this nature to GoE defense and intelligence agencies, it does
not generally receive a response and considers the matter to
be "out of its hands." Mohsen said that based on our
request, he would attempt in this instance to follow-up with
relevant GoE agencies. We also conveyed the information
regarding possible overflights to other GoE ministries and
agencies and will follow-up with them directly.
2.(S/NF) Mohsen said he is unaware of any Egyptian law or
practice that prevents compliance with requests to deny
overflight permission. He said that in such cases the GoE
looks to its obligations under International Civil Aviation
Organization agreements.
3.(S/NF) Mohsen suggested that when making future requests
to deny overflight permission, the U.S. provide a "fuller
picture." While acknowledging that the previous requests
contained important details, he said that if the U.S.
provided more "narrative" information, the MFA would be
better positioned to make a compelling case for action to
other GoE agencies. Mohsen said the GoE viewed blocking the
flow of weapons to Gaza and containing Iranian influence as
national security priorities.
SCOBEY