

Currently released so far... 12900 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
2011/05/18
2011/05/19
2011/05/20
2011/05/21
2011/05/22
2011/05/23
2011/05/24
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Consulate Karachi
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AE
ASEC
AS
AR
AMGT
AFIN
AORC
AU
AG
AF
APER
ABLD
ADCO
ABUD
AM
AID
AJ
AEMR
AMED
AL
ASUP
AN
AIT
ACOA
ANET
ASIG
AA
AGMT
AINF
AFFAIRS
ADANA
AY
AADP
ARF
ACS
AGR
AMCHAMS
AECL
AUC
APEC
APECO
AFGHANISTAN
ACAO
ASEAN
ADM
AGAO
AND
ADPM
ATRN
ALOW
AROC
APCS
AORG
AO
AODE
ACABQ
AX
AMEX
AZ
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
ACBAQ
AFSI
AFSN
AC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
ASCH
AFU
AMG
ATPDEA
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORL
BR
BO
BA
BM
BL
BH
BK
BEXP
BILAT
BTIO
BF
BU
BD
BY
BE
BG
BB
BBSR
BT
BRUSSELS
BP
BX
BC
BIDEN
BMGT
BWC
BN
BTIU
CA
CS
CO
CD
CR
CPAS
CDG
CI
CDC
CBW
CU
CVIS
CE
CONS
CH
CMGT
CASC
CY
CW
CG
CJAN
CIDA
CODEL
CWC
CIA
CBSA
CEUDA
CFED
CLINTON
CAC
CL
CACS
CIC
CHR
CAPC
CM
CT
CTR
COM
CROS
CN
COPUOS
CV
CF
CARSON
CONDOLEEZZA
CICTE
CYPRUS
COUNTER
COUNTRY
CBE
CKGR
CVR
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CLEARANCE
COE
CARICOM
CB
CSW
CITT
CACM
CDB
CJUS
CTM
CAN
CLMT
CBC
CNARC
CIS
EFIN
ECON
ETRD
EAID
EC
EU
EUN
EINV
EG
ETTC
EIND
ELAB
EAGR
ECIN
EINT
ENRG
EFIS
ELTN
EAIR
EPET
EZ
ET
ENERG
ECPS
EWWT
EI
ETRN
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ER
ES
EN
EMIN
ESENV
ENNP
ENGR
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENVI
ECINECONCS
ELN
EFTA
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EXTERNAL
ENIV
ESA
EPA
ETRO
ETRDECONWTOCS
EUR
ECUN
EXIM
EK
EUREM
ECONOMY
EUMEM
ERNG
EFINECONCS
EAIDS
ECA
ETRC
EINVEFIN
ETC
EAP
EINN
ECONOMIC
EXBS
ENGY
ECONOMICS
EIAR
EINDETRD
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
EFIM
EREL
EINVETC
ECONCS
ETRA
EAIG
EUC
ERD
IQ
IR
IS
IN
IA
IC
IZ
ICRC
ID
IDA
IT
IO
IAEA
ICJ
ICAO
IV
IBRD
IMF
IAHRC
IWC
ILO
ISLAMISTS
IGAD
ILC
ITU
ITF
INRA
INRO
ICTY
INRB
ITALY
IBET
IL
INTELSAT
ISRAELI
IMO
IDP
ICTR
ITRA
IRC
IRAQI
IEFIN
IPR
IIP
INMARSAT
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
INTERNAL
IRS
INTERPOL
IEA
INR
ISRAEL
IZPREL
IRAJ
IF
ITPHUM
IACI
INDO
KPAO
KMDR
KCOR
KNNP
KJUS
KCRM
KDEM
KVPR
KTFN
KPRP
KTIP
KSCA
KSUM
KTEX
KIDE
KIRF
KV
KTIA
KN
KG
KFRD
KWMN
KUNR
KISL
KU
KGHG
KPKO
KOMS
KPAL
KIPR
KMCA
KOMC
KRVC
KSEP
KAWC
KOLY
KWBG
KACT
KFLO
KHIV
KZ
KGIC
KBCT
KDRG
KBTR
KCFE
KE
KHLS
KMPI
KAWK
KPWR
KIRC
KRAD
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFLU
KPLS
KRIM
KSTH
KDDG
KPRV
KICC
KS
KSAF
KBIO
KREC
KCGC
KCIP
KTDB
KWAC
KPAI
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFSC
KSTC
KMFO
KID
KNAR
KMIG
KVRP
KNEI
KGIT
KNSD
KHDP
KSAC
KWMM
KR
KCOM
KAID
KENV
KVIR
KHSA
KO
KCRS
KPOA
KTER
KFIN
KSPR
KTBT
KX
KCMR
KMOC
KCRCM
KBTS
KSEO
KOCI
KNUP
KPAONZ
KNUC
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KSCI
KTLA
KCSY
KTRD
KMRS
KNPP
KJUST
KRCM
KCFC
KCHG
KREL
KFTFN
KLIG
KDEMAF
KGCC
KICA
KHUM
KSEC
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KPIR
KWWMN
KOM
KWNM
KRFD
KRGY
KIFR
KWMNCS
KPAK
MARR
MOPS
MUCN
MCAP
MNUC
MEPP
MTCRE
MASS
MO
MIL
MX
MAS
MEDIA
MAR
MI
MQADHAFI
MPOS
MTCR
MK
MG
MA
MY
MU
ML
MPS
MW
MD
MARAD
MC
MR
MT
MTRE
MASC
MRCRE
MAPP
MZ
MP
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MEPN
MEPI
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MCC
MIK
MAPS
MV
MILITARY
MDC
MASSMNUC
NI
NZ
NL
NO
NPT
NATO
NS
NU
NP
NPA
NSFO
NDP
NT
NW
NASA
NSG
NE
NORAD
NAFTA
NG
NATIONAL
NSSP
NV
NSF
NK
NA
NEW
NPG
NR
NGO
NIPP
NZUS
NH
NC
NRR
NAR
NATOPREL
NSC
OIIP
OPRC
OTRA
OEXC
OREP
OSCE
OVIP
OPAD
OBSP
OECD
OFFICIALS
OAS
OPDC
ODIP
OPCW
OES
OFDP
OPIC
OCS
OIC
OHUM
OSCI
OVP
ODC
OIE
OTR
OMIG
OSAC
OFDA
ON
OCII
PREL
PINR
PGOV
PARM
PE
PTER
PHUM
PO
PINS
PREF
PK
PM
POL
PBTS
PNAT
PHSA
PAS
PA
PL
PGIV
PHUMPREL
POGOV
PAK
PEL
PROP
PP
PINL
PBT
PTBS
PG
PINF
PRL
PALESTINIAN
PSEPC
POSTS
PAHO
PHUMPGOV
PGOC
PNR
PREFA
PMIL
POLITICS
POLICY
PROV
PBIO
PREO
PAO
PDOV
PGOF
POV
PCI
PRAM
PSI
POLITICAL
PAIGH
PJUS
PARMS
PROG
PTERE
PRGOV
PORG
PS
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PNG
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
POLINT
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PY
PLN
PHUH
PF
PHUS
PU
PARTIES
PCUL
PGGV
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
RU
RS
REGION
REACTION
REPORT
RO
RW
RCMP
RSO
RP
RM
ROOD
RFE
RICE
ROBERT
RSP
RF
RELATIONS
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
RUPREL
SENV
SY
SNAR
SCUL
SP
SF
SW
SOCI
SU
SMIG
SO
SA
SR
SZ
SI
SC
SEVN
SN
STEINBERG
SK
SH
SNARCS
SPCE
SARS
SNARN
SG
SL
SYRIA
SIPRS
SAARC
SNARIZ
SWE
SYR
SEN
SCRS
SAN
ST
SIPDIS
SSA
SPCVIS
SOFA
SENVKGHG
SANC
SHI
SHUM
TU
TSPA
TBIO
TS
TRGY
TINT
TPHY
TN
TW
TH
TZ
TSPL
TP
TBID
TI
TF
TD
TT
TNGD
TL
TC
THPY
TIP
TX
TV
TK
TERRORISM
TO
TRSY
TURKEY
TFIN
TAGS
TR
UK
UNSC
UNGA
UNESCO
UNHRC
UP
UN
USTR
US
UNDC
UY
UNICEF
UNDP
UNMIK
UNAUS
UNCHC
UNCSD
USOAS
UNFCYP
UG
UNIDROIT
UNO
UV
UNHCR
UNEP
USEU
UZ
UNCND
USUN
UNCHR
USNC
USPS
USAID
UE
UNVIE
UAE
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNDESCO
UNC
UNPUOS
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 09CAIRO2249, SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT IN NORTHERN AND CENTRAL
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #09CAIRO2249.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
09CAIRO2249 | 2009-12-07 08:16 | 2011-02-16 21:00 | SECRET//NOFORN | Embassy Cairo |
VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHEG #2249/01 3410816
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 070816Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4389
INFO RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 1979
RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 1230
S E C R E T CAIRO 002249
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ELA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/22/2019
TAGS: PGOV PTER EAID SOCI SNAR SCUL KPAL KCRM IS EG
SUBJECT: SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT IN NORTHERN AND CENTRAL
SINAI
REF: A. CAIRO 1458 B. CAIRO 763 C. CAIRO 726 D. CAIRO 657 E. CAIRO 163 F. CAIRO 107 G. CAIRO 1889 Classified By: Minister Counselor for Economic and Political Affairs Donald A. Blome for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1.(S) Key Points: -- In a recent four-day visit to northern Sinai, emboffs observed increased Egyptian security presence at entry points into Sinai and in central Sinai. However, residents in El Arish complain that security in northern Sinai is lax and ineffective. -- Despite increased Egyptian efforts to contain it, smuggling continues into Rafah, through tunnels and across the Egypt-Israel border. Sinai contacts tell us this is partly because the area is difficult to patrol and partly because smugglers bribe border officials. -- Prolonged drought and lack of development is forcing nomadic Bedouin in central Sinai to depart the area leaving mostly smugglers and radicalizing the population. -- There is a pronounced cultural divide between the Bedouin population in Sinai and Egyptian officials, and this leads to a lack of understanding and significant communication problems. -- Sinai contacts agreed that local NGOs need to be involved in development activities to build local capacity and ensure success.
2.(S) Comment: The lack of development in central Sinai continues to affect northern Sinai. Numerous Bedouin encampments have sprung up along the main road between Cairo and El Arish. This is the first time we have seen nomadic Bedouin in this area. We also witnessed Bedouin children herding goats to forage in trash dumpsters on the southern outskirts of El Arish city. Development in central Sinai has many challenges not the least of which is that foreigners are prohibited to travel there and access by Egyptians is restricted. Sinai Bedouin refer to themselves as "Arabs" to reinforce their cultural and ancestral roots in the Levant and Arabian Peninsula and to distinguish themselves from "Egyptians" who come from the Nile Valley. The influx of Egyptian workers who fill the best jobs, and the appointment of officials from the Nile Valley in top North Sinai Governorate (NSG) positions is a point of tension. End Comment.
3.(C) Poloff and LES during the recent four-day visit to the Sinai and based on seven visits over the past 12 months observed that the Government of Egypt (GoE) takes a much harsher approach to central Sinai than the Rafah border area (reftels A-F). Military activity has increased in central Sinai in an attempt to gain control over the area. There was a noticeable increase in security at the Mubarak Al Salaam Bridge crossing the Suez Canal into Sinai. Goods were being offloaded from trucks and were checked by security officials. ------------------------------ Security Implementation Uneven ------------------------------
4.(S/NF) XXXXXXXXXXXX told us that food, electrical appliances and other goods from Cairo were no longer reaching El Arish due to increased security at the bridges and tunnels coming from "mainland" Egypt into Sinai because GoE officials were concerned with Gaza smuggling. He said that the amount of goods in the local market had decreased and what was available was either locally produced or were coming from warehouse storage in the peninsula.
5.(S/NF) XXXXXXXXXXXX stated that all families in El Arish have firearms to protect them from the central Sinai Bedouin because Egyptian police and security forces are ineffective. According to the XXXXXXXXXXXX Bedouin from central Sinai routinely steal cars from El Arish to use in smuggling operations. However, he said no cases have been filed because police are afraid to go to the Bedouin areas in central Sinai.
6.(S/NF) XXXXXXXXXXXX said Bedouin control central Sinai because they are better armed than the Egyptian military. He described these Bedouin as "raiders" who are harder, stronger and more independent than the Bedouin in northern Sinai, and said the GoE's security posture is elevated because they represent a legitimate risk. XXXXXXXXXXXX a member of the local council in central Sinai and President of the Bedouin Desert Association, which includes leaders from all nine central Sinai Bedouin tribes, told us that Egyptian security measures in central Sinai were "oppressive" and the policy of random arrests is creating criminals rather than citizens who respect the law. --------------------------------------------- ----------- Goods Moving Through Tunnels, Across Egypt-Israel Border --------------------------------------------- -----------
7.(S/NF) XXXXXXXXXXXX stated that despite increased GoE efforts, goods are moving through tunnels into Gaza as well as across the Egypt-Israel border. He said the tunnels were the easier, less expensive, and less dangerous way to move goods, but using them is becoming more difficult. XXXXXXXXXXXX informed us that some Bedouin have started moving their goods across the Israel border and subsequently into Gaza. He explained that different goods going to Gaza and Israel have different routes. Food and medical supplies go through the tunnels in Rafah into Gaza, arms destined for Gaza move through central Sinai, Drugs, women, and refugees also move through central Sinai, but cross the Egypt-Israel border and into major Israeli cities.
8.(S/NF) XXXXXXXXXXXX said smuggling will be very difficult to stop because there are no other employment options in central Sinai and the Bedouin no longer consider the occupational risk because it has become a fact of life. Additionally, he said corruption among police officials was high because smugglers are offering up to 50,000 Egyptian pounds (USD 9,100) to let a shipment across the border. Atta believes that GoE support for the local Bedouin leaders and sheikhs is the only way to change the perspective of the local population.
9.(S/NF) XXXXXXXXXXXX said the trafficking of contraband through the tunnels and over the Egypt-Israel border originates with Bedouin in central Sinai. He said most Bedouin engage in these activities because they lack other economic opportunities. He encouraged investment in deep (1000 meters) and shallow (20 meters) wells to help support animal husbandry and farming because existing wells have dried up or become too saline. Hamad said that the provision of water to farm one extra feddan (1.03 acres) could provide a living for 40 people. --------------------------------------------- ----------- Bedouin Migrating Due to Drought and Lack of Development --------------------------------------------- -----------
10.(SBU) An American contractor, resident in Sinai said a prolonged drought in central Sinai is forcing nomadic Bedouin from central Sinai to move to El Arish in search of food and water for their families and livestock. He estimated that the Bedouin population in El Arish city has doubled in the past year while the population in central Sinai over the last three years has reduced from approximately 45,000 to 35,000. He said most Bedouin in El Arish work as day laborers.
11.(S/NF) XXXXXXXXXXXX maintained that the lack development in central Sinai is causing people to migrate from central Sinai to cities in northern and southern Sinai. He said that this phenomenon is emptying central Sinai of its law-abiding citizens leading to a more radicalized population. ------------------------------------------- Cultural Divide Between Arabs and Egyptians -------------------------------------------
12.(C) XXXXXXXXXXXX told us "social engineering" was needed to resolve problems between the Bedouin population and Egyptian officials. He said the NSG had instituted a training program for Bedouin to teach them how to use channels including NDP representatives, local and city council members, and tribal sheikhs to help them obtain their "legal rights." XXXXXXXXXXXX both stated that Egyptian officials need to be trained in how to deal with the native Bedouin. XXXXXXXXXXXX has suggested a formal training program for police, military, and government officials on how to deal with the Bedouin, but no program had yet been established.
13.(S/NF) XXXXXXXXXXXX told us that government officials in the Sinai misuse their ability to detain. He said police and military routinely arrest mothers and sisters in order to facilitate the apprehension of Bedouin men. While this practice is acceptable in Cairo, it is viewed as an insult to the honor of a Bedouin for which retribution must be extracted.
14.(S/NF) XXXXXXXXXXXX agreed Bedouin feelings of neglect and marginalization in central Sinai have led to recent protests and conflict (reftel G). Hamad added that the situation will not be resolved until the Bedouin are treated equally, and have job opportunities, security, justice, and legitimate channels to air their grievances. ----------------------------------- Development Must Involve Local NGOs -----------------------------------
15.(SBU) The contacts we talked with see the potential for the USG to help in the development of livelihoods in the Sinai and most were excited about the transportation portion of USAID's Life Sinai program. Dr. Abu Hatab told us that there needs to be a comprehensive program for development in North Sinai that addresses the different needs of the central, coastal, and border regions. However, he asserted that the needs in central Sinai far overshadowed anything needed in the coastal and border areas.
16.(S/NF)XXXXXXXXXXXX encouraged the USG to involve local NGOs, a step critical in creating a sense of ownership, developing local capacity, and ensuring the success of the development projects. They expressed concern that the current use of the Governor's office as a "one-stop shop" could lead to resentment and undermine the effectiveness of the development projects. XXXXXXXXXXXX said local involvement will ensure that development projects benefit the people and will help avoid the perception that development is being "imposed." 17. (C) XXXXXXXXXXXX also encouraged promoting the U.S. role in development assistance because it "instills confidence in the people" and "educates the people that the U.S. cares about them." He said that NSBA followed this model in allocating USAID-funded SME and microcredit loans in the border areas of Rafah and Sheikh Zoweid. He said that 50 percent of his customers now have a favorable impression and local mosques have been promoting the loan program. However, he noted that due to the inability of the GoE and USG to agree on a mechanism for continued funding the loan program in these two border cities was losing steam. 18. (SBU) The contacts we talked with suggested programs that they felt would have the most impact on the Bedouin population. XXXXXXXXXXXX agreed that technical education in computers, English language, and handicrafts is needed to provide livelihoods for Bedouin youth and women. XXXXXXXXXXXX said mobile education and water distribution centers were essential to provide the nomadic Bedouin in central Sinai with needed services. XXXXXXXXXXXX agreed that mobile schools for girls are important because many are forced to drop out due to family restrictions on unaccompanied travel. 19. (S/NF) XXXXXXXXXXXX encouraged developing the medicinal herb and animal products industries for export to create livelihoods that can sustain Bedouin families. (Note: Both mentioned the European market for medicinal herbs and the Arabian Gulf market for camel meat and milk. End Note).XXXXXXXXXXXX asked if the USG could provide a model of development in desert regions. He specifically mentioned Israeli development in the Negev as a potential model. Abu Hatab said that vast mineral resources in central Sinai including cement and marble created opportunities for investment and export. However, XXXXXXXXXXXX told us that the GoE rejected his and other Bedouin leaders' proposal to open a new cement factory in central Sinai. Tueller