

Currently released so far... 6230 / 251,287
Articles
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
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Amsterdam
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 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
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lagos
Mission USNATO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
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 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 Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
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 Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Browse by tag
ASEC
AF
AE
AR
AORC
AJ
AU
AM
ABLD
AL
AMGT
ASUP
AFIN
APER
ABUD
AVERY
APCS
AEMR
ADCO
APECO
ASIG
AG
AA
AS
AFFAIRS
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AMED
AO
ACOA
AX
AROC
ATFN
ASEAN
AFGHANISTAN
AFU
AER
ALOW
AODE
ATRN
AID
AC
AGMT
CH
CO
CS
CE
CU
CLINTON
CG
CVIS
CMGT
CI
CJAN
CF
COM
CASC
CA
CBW
CM
CDG
CR
COUNTER
CD
CWC
CKGR
CN
CPAS
CJUS
CV
CONS
CT
CY
COUNTERTERRORISM
CIA
CACM
CDB
CAN
COE
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CACS
CONDOLEEZZA
CARSON
CL
CIS
CODEL
CTM
CB
ECON
EFIN
EAIR
EUN
EINV
ENRG
EG
ETRD
EPET
ETTC
ELAB
EU
ER
ET
EAGR
ECPS
ECIN
ELTN
EAID
EMIN
EWWT
EFIS
EIND
EC
ES
EN
EI
ENVR
ENGR
ENIV
EUNCH
ENVI
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ELN
EZ
EXTERNAL
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EINT
EUR
ECINECONCS
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EK
ELECTIONS
ECUN
EINVEFIN
ECIP
EINDETRD
EUC
EREL
ECA
ENERG
ENGY
ETRO
EFTA
ECONCS
ECONOMICS
ECONEFIN
EINVETC
EINN
ESA
ETC
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ESENV
ETRDECONWTOCS
IN
IC
IR
IZ
IS
IAEA
IT
ICTY
IO
IA
IWC
ID
ICRC
ILC
INTELSAT
IMO
ISRAELI
IACI
ILO
ITRA
IBRD
IMF
ICJ
ICAO
ITALY
ITALIAN
IRAQI
INTERPOL
IV
IQ
IPR
INRB
ITPHUM
IIP
IL
INR
ITPGOV
IZPREL
IRC
INRA
INRO
IRAJ
IEFIN
IF
KDEM
KCRM
KJUS
KTIA
KWBG
KPAL
KIPR
KTIP
KE
KNNP
KGHG
KICC
KV
KTFN
KU
KCFE
KDRG
KWMN
KSCA
KGIC
KCOR
KFRD
KPKO
KSUM
KPRP
KPAO
KBCT
KIRF
KCFC
KISL
KREC
KSPR
KHIV
KBIO
KMCA
KMPI
KFLU
KSTH
KBTR
KS
KOMC
KOMS
KSEP
KPRV
KFLO
KHLS
KN
KWWMN
KUNR
KLIG
KSTC
KZ
KG
KRAD
KOLY
KTBT
KTDB
KOCI
KAWK
KCIP
KNPP
KWAC
KMDR
KAWC
KIDE
KSAF
KX
KWMNCS
KNEI
KCRS
KVPR
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KACT
KO
KFSC
KR
KPWR
KMIG
KSEC
KIFR
KDEMAF
KFIN
KGCC
KPIN
KPLS
KIRC
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KGIT
KBTS
KERG
KWMM
KRVC
KNSD
KVIR
KNUP
KTER
KDDG
KHSA
KMRS
KHDP
KTLA
KPAK
KNAR
KREL
KPAI
KTEX
KCOM
KNNPMNUC
KPOA
KRFD
KHUM
KDEV
KNUC
MOPS
MARR
MASS
MNUC
MO
MX
MCAP
ML
MTCRE
MR
MP
MY
MU
MIL
MAR
MC
MRCRE
MTRE
MA
MEPI
MV
MPOS
MD
MZ
MEPP
MOPPS
MAPP
MASC
MT
MERCOSUR
MK
MDC
MI
MAPS
MCC
MASSMNUC
MQADHAFI
MUCN
MTCR
MG
OREP
OVIP
OFDP
ODIP
OPDC
OAS
OTRA
OSCE
OECD
OIIP
OEXC
OPCW
OPIC
OPRC
OVP
OSCI
OTR
OSAC
OIC
OFFICIALS
OIE
PHUM
PREL
PGOV
PREF
PTER
PARM
PBTS
PINR
PINS
PHSA
PK
POL
PM
PINT
PE
PINF
PEL
PA
PARMS
PO
PLN
PROP
PALESTINIAN
PAO
PL
POV
PG
POLITICS
PEPR
PSI
PSOE
PU
POLITICAL
PARTIES
PBIO
PECON
PAK
POGOV
PINL
PKFK
PMIL
PY
PFOR
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PRAM
PMAR
PGOVLO
PUNE
PORG
PHUMPREL
PF
POLINT
PHUS
PGOC
PNR
PGGV
PNAT
PGOVE
PRGOV
PRL
PROV
PTERE
PGOF
PHUMBA
SENV
SY
SZ
SOCI
SO
SR
SNAR
SA
SP
SW
SMIG
SU
SCUL
SC
SAN
SN
SL
SG
SYR
SEVN
SF
SI
STEINBERG
SIPRS
SH
SNARCS
SOFA
SANC
SHUM
SK
ST
TRGY
TU
TBIO
TH
TS
TSPL
TT
TPHY
TSPA
TI
TK
TIP
TERRORISM
TZ
TX
TW
TD
TP
TC
TO
TNGD
TINT
TRSY
TR
TFIN
TURKEY
UK
UNGA
UN
UNHRC
UNMIK
UNO
UZ
UNSC
UP
UG
UNHCR
UNDC
US
UNAUS
USTR
UV
UNEP
UY
UNESCO
USUN
UAE
USEU
UNDP
UNCHS
UNVIE
UNCHC
UE
UNDESCO
USAID
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 08:08 | 2011-02-16 21:09 | 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