FOLLOWING UP WITH EGYPT ON SUSPECTED IRANIAN ARMS

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