

Currently released so far... 12648 / 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
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
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
AORC
AF
AU
ASEC
AMGT
AS
APER
AR
AG
ARF
AJ
AA
AINF
APECO
AODE
ABLD
AMG
ATPDEA
AE
AEMR
AMED
AGAO
AFIN
AL
ASUP
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AID
ASCH
AM
AORL
ASEAN
APEC
ADM
AFSI
AFSN
ADCO
ABUD
AN
AY
AIT
AGR
ACOA
ANET
ASIG
AMCHAMS
AGMT
AADP
ADPM
ATRN
ALOW
ACS
APCS
AFFAIRS
ADANA
AECL
ACAO
AORG
AROC
AO
ACABQ
AX
AMEX
AFGHANISTAN
AZ
AND
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
ACBAQ
AC
AUC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
AFU
BR
BTIO
BY
BO
BA
BU
BL
BN
BM
BF
BEXP
BK
BG
BB
BTIU
BBSR
BRUSSELS
BD
BIDEN
BE
BH
BILAT
BC
BX
BT
BP
BMGT
BWC
CS
CA
CH
CD
CO
CE
CU
CVIS
CASC
CJAN
CI
CPAS
CMGT
CDG
CIC
CAC
CBW
CWC
COUNTER
CW
CT
CY
CNARC
CACM
CG
CB
CM
CV
CIDA
CLINTON
CHR
COE
CR
CIS
CDC
CONS
CF
CODEL
COPUOS
CIA
CFED
CARSON
CL
CROS
CAPC
CTR
CACS
CN
CBSA
CEUDA
COM
CONDOLEEZZA
CICTE
COUNTRY
CBE
CKGR
CVR
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CLEARANCE
CARICOM
CSW
CITT
CDB
CJUS
CTM
CAN
CLMT
CBC
EAID
ECON
EFIS
ETRD
EC
ENRG
EINV
EFIN
EAGR
ETTC
ECPS
EINT
ES
EIND
EAIR
EU
EUN
EG
EPET
ELAB
EWWT
EMIN
ECIN
ESA
ER
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
EAIG
ET
ETRO
ELTN
EI
EN
EUR
EK
EUMEM
EPA
ENGR
EXTERNAL
EUREM
ELN
EUC
ENERG
ENIV
EZ
ERD
EFTA
ETRC
ETRN
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ESENV
ENNP
ENVI
ETRDECONWTOCS
ECINECONCS
EFINECONCS
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EXIM
ERNG
ECA
EINVEFIN
ETC
EAP
ECONOMY
EINN
ECONOMIC
EXBS
ECUN
ENGY
ECONOMICS
EIAR
EINDETRD
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
EFIM
EAIDS
EREL
EINVETC
ECONCS
ETRA
IC
IV
IAEA
IR
IO
IT
IN
IS
IZ
IMO
IPR
IWC
ICAO
ILO
ID
ICTY
ICJ
INMARSAT
INDO
IL
IMF
IRS
IQ
IA
ICRC
IDA
IAHRC
IBRD
ISLAMISTS
IGAD
ILC
ITU
ITF
INRA
INRO
IDP
ICTR
IEFIN
IRC
ITRA
ITALY
INRB
INTELSAT
IBET
IRAQI
ISRAELI
IIP
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
INTERNAL
INTERPOL
IEA
INR
IZPREL
IRAJ
IF
ITPHUM
ISRAEL
IACI
KBTR
KPAO
KOMC
KCRM
KDEM
KHIV
KBIO
KTIA
KMDR
KNNP
KSCA
KTIP
KWMN
KIPR
KCOR
KRVC
KFRD
KPAL
KWBG
KE
KTDB
KUNR
KSPR
KJUS
KGHG
KAWC
KCFE
KGCC
KOLY
KSUM
KACT
KISL
KTFN
KFLU
KSTH
KMPI
KHDP
KS
KHLS
KMRS
KID
KN
KU
KAWK
KSAC
KCOM
KAID
KIRC
KWMNCS
KMCA
KNEI
KCRS
KPKO
KICC
KPOA
KV
KDRG
KIRF
KSEO
KVPR
KSEP
KTER
KBCT
KFIN
KGIC
KCIP
KZ
KG
KWAC
KRAD
KPRP
KTEX
KNAR
KPLS
KPAK
KSTC
KFLO
KSCI
KIDE
KOMS
KHSA
KSAF
KPWR
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFSC
KRIM
KVRP
KENV
KNSD
KCGC
KDDG
KPRV
KTBT
KWMM
KMFO
KMOC
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KPAI
KO
KVIR
KREC
KX
KR
KCRCM
KBTS
KOCI
KGIT
KNUP
KPAONZ
KNUC
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KTLA
KCSY
KTRD
KNPP
KJUST
KCMR
KRCM
KCFC
KCHG
KREL
KFTFN
KLIG
KDEMAF
KICA
KHUM
KSEC
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KWWMN
KOM
KWNM
KRFD
KMIG
KRGY
KIFR
MARR
MOPS
MASS
MX
MNUC
MCAP
MO
MR
MEPP
MTCRE
MAPP
MEPN
MZ
MT
ML
MA
MY
MIL
MD
MASSMNUC
MU
MK
MTCR
MUCN
MAS
MEDIA
MAR
MC
MI
MQADHAFI
MPOS
MTRE
MASC
MG
MARAD
MRCRE
MW
MP
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MEPI
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MCC
MIK
MAPS
MV
MILITARY
MDC
NATO
NZ
NL
NO
NK
NU
NPT
NI
NG
NEW
NSF
NA
NPG
NSG
NE
NSSP
NS
NDP
NSC
NAFTA
NH
NV
NP
NPA
NSFO
NT
NW
NASA
NORAD
NATIONAL
NGO
NR
NIPP
NZUS
NC
NRR
NAR
NATOPREL
OEXC
OTRA
OPRC
OVIP
OAS
OIIP
OSCE
OREP
OPIC
OFDP
OMIG
ODIP
OVP
OSCI
OIC
OECD
OIE
OPDC
ON
OCII
OPAD
OBSP
OFFICIALS
OPCW
OHUM
OES
OCS
OTR
OSAC
OFDA
PGOV
PREL
PM
PHUM
PTER
PINR
PINS
PREF
PARM
PL
PK
PU
PBTS
PBIO
PHSA
PE
PO
PROP
PA
PNAT
POL
PLN
POLITICAL
PARTIES
PCUL
PAK
PGGV
PAO
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PAS
PGIV
PHUMPREL
PCI
PG
POGOV
PHUMPGOV
PEL
POLITICS
POLICY
PINL
PP
PREO
PAHO
PBT
PMIL
POV
PRL
PDOV
PTBS
PRAM
PREFA
PSI
PAIGH
POSTS
PALESTINIAN
PARMS
PROG
PTERE
PRGOV
PORG
PS
PGOF
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PINF
PNG
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PSEPC
PNR
POLINT
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PGOC
PY
PHUH
PF
PHUS
RU
RS
RO
RW
RP
RFE
REGION
REACTION
REPORT
ROOD
RCMP
RM
RSO
ROBERT
RICE
RSP
RF
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
RUPREL
RELATIONS
SENV
SU
SCUL
SOCI
SNAR
SL
SW
SMIG
SP
SY
SA
SHUM
SZ
SYRIA
SF
SR
SO
SARS
SN
SC
SIPRS
SI
SYR
SEVN
SG
SPCE
SK
STEINBERG
SH
SNARCS
SAARC
SCRS
SENVKGHG
SAN
ST
SIPDIS
SNARIZ
SNARN
SSA
SPCVIS
SOFA
SEN
SANC
SWE
SHI
TW
TU
TBIO
TSPL
TPHY
TRGY
TC
TT
TSPA
TINT
TERRORISM
TX
TR
TS
TN
TD
TH
TIP
TNGD
TI
TZ
THPY
TP
TBID
TF
TL
TV
TK
TO
TRSY
TURKEY
TFIN
TAGS
UN
UK
UNSC
UNGA
US
UNESCO
UP
UNHRC
UNAUS
USTR
UNDP
UNEP
UY
UNCHR
UG
UZ
UNPUOS
USEU
UNMIK
UNDC
UNICEF
UV
UNHCR
UNCHC
UNCSD
USOAS
UNFCYP
USUN
USNC
UNIDROIT
UNO
UNCND
USPS
USAID
UE
UNVIE
UAE
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNDESCO
UNC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 10CAIRO249, Development and Peace Key to Resolving North Sinai Problems
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. #10CAIRO249.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
10CAIRO249 | 2010-02-25 15:03 | 2011-02-16 21:00 | SECRET//NOFORN | Embassy Cairo |
VZCZCXRO3344
RR RUEHROV
DE RUEHEG #0249/01 0561504
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
R 251503Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0421
INFO ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE
RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 0007
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 0009
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 05 CAIRO 000249
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ELA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/02/25
TAGS: PGOV PREL KPAL KWBG IS EG
SUBJECT: Development and Peace Key to Resolving North Sinai Problems
REF: 10 CAIRO 177
CLASSIFIED BY: Margaret Scobey, Ambassador; REASON: 1.4(B), (D)
¶1. (S) Key Points:
-- New North Sinai Governor Mowafi told poloff his top priority was
to increase economic opportunities. He plans to increase the size
of the El Arish port to facilitate an export economy, expand
agricultural production in the coastal areas, and build heavy
industries in central Sinai and the industrial zone in El Arish to
keep a higher percentage of the value chain in Sinai.
-- Sinai MPs told us that comprehensive economic development is the
solution to resolving Sinai's problems including providing
security, eliminating smuggling and controlling terrorism. They
stressed that the provision of water was needed to facilitate
development.
-- Local Sinai leaders questioned the Government of Egypt's (GoE)
commitment to Sinai's economic development because Cairo's approach
is oriented toward military control not attracting investment.
They said Cairo's policies discourage local and foreign involvement
in favor of "Nile Valley" investors.
-- Egyptian and Bedouin leaders agreed that problems in Sinai are
closely linked to problems in Gaza and Israel. The Governor and
MPs said that Egypt is unlikely to exercise control over the
smuggling problem until it has a "partner" on the other side of the
border.
-- Islamic NGOs responded quickly to provide assistance to those
whose homes and property were damaged by recent heavy rains. The
GoE has promised compensation, but government assistance was
"taking time."
-- MPs and local leaders expressed frustration USAID's Life Sinai
project had been ineffective. Some leaders believe that the delay
is damaging the reputation of the USG in Sinai.
¶2. (S/NF) Comment: Mowafi was cerebral about Sinai's problems and
appears willing to listen to and engage with Bedouin leaders. He
is focused on creating sustainable economic opportunities for the
people in North Sinai. However, mutual distrust between Sinai
Bedouin and GoE officials will make cooperation difficult and
Mowafi will have to deal with various GoE agencies and historical
cooperation and commercial problems. The GoE remains anxious about
our Sinai contacts; we learned halfway through our meeting with
local council members that the discussion was being recorded by
Egyptian State Security (SSIS). Our contacts from central Sinai
were met by SSIS prior to our meeting. However, unlike past
meetings, SSIS gave them permission to meet with us, but they were
instructed "not talk about any of their problems." During our
February 9-11 trip El Arish residents were excited that President
Mubarak would visit the city for the first time in his 28-year
presidency during the week of February 13. However, Mubarak did
not make the visit and we have heard of no plans to reschedule.
New Governor Respected, Represents Hope for Change
¶3. (C) New North Sinai Governor Mourad Mohamed Ahmed Mowafi told
poloff during a recent three-day trip to northern Sinai that his
top priority for North Sinai is to increase economic opportunities.
He plans to increase the size of the El Arish port to facilitate an
export economy, expand agricultural production in the coastal
areas, build heavy (sand glass, marble and limestone) industries in
central Sinai and the industrial zone in El Arish to process the
raw materials and keep a higher percentage of the value chain in
CAIRO 00000249 002 OF 005
Sinai. El Arish MP XXXXXXXXXXXX (protect) and XXXXXXXXXXXX (protect), of the Bedouin Desert Association, said Governor Mowafi is educated on the Sinai Bedouin and wants to engage with them unlike the previous Governor, whom they described as fixated on military control.
Local Leaders Question Cairo's Commitment
¶4. (S/NF) MP El Kassas and Dr. Reda Abu Hatab, sociological advisor
to the past six North Sinai Governors, told us Cairo is "ignorant
of Bedouin culture" and its use of the Egyptian police and military
to "control the population" rather than engaging in dialogue with
the Bedouin sheikhs is counterproductive. MP Abu Harb said the
extreme security measures used to control Sinai makes people feel
like they are "under siege." He said the people in Sinai want
security, but the tactics of Egyptian security only make them angry
and dissatisfied.
Economic Development to Resolve Sinai's Problems
¶5. (C) Bedouin MPs XXXXXXXXXXXX (protect), XXXXXXXXXXXX (protect) and XXXXXXXXXXXX (protect) told us that comprehensive economic
development is the solution to resolving Sinai's problems including
providing security, eliminating smuggling and controlling
terrorism. XXXXXXXXXXXX and XXXXXXXXXXXX said the inability to attract capital to the Sinai/Gaza/Israel border area limits growth in
Sheikh Zoweid and Rafah. (Note: Sheikh Zoweid and Rafah have
predominately Bedouin and Palestinian populations and are the
location for many of the tunnels that supply Gaza. End Note). MP XXXXXXXXXXXX and El Arish local councilman XXXXXXXXXXXX (protect) said economic development efforts should target the youth because they are the most affected by unemployment and the most prone to anger and violence. XXXXXXXXXXXX believes "economic investment will bring
security."
¶6. (C) XXXXXXXXXXXX and XXXXXXXXXXXX told us the northern coastal areas of Bir El Abd, El Arish, Shaykh Zoweid and Rafah produce olives,
tomatoes and fruits, but need processing plants to convert these
products into higher end oils, sauces and juices for export.
Abdallah Qandil, a local councilman from Bir Hasana in central
Sinai supports the idea of an industrial zone and expanded seaport
because central Sinai's mineral resources are currently either sent
to Cairo for processing or exported as raw materials so much of
their potential value to Sinai is lost.
Water Needed to Sustain Agriculture Development
¶7. (C) MP Al Roqei told us that that sustainable development should
focus on a "community and family approach" to agriculture and
animal husbandry since most Sinai Bedouin are either farmers or
herders. He said water is needed for both industries to succeed. Al
Roqei also encouraged the development of the handicraft industry as
a way for Sinai Bedouin women to contribute to the family income.
Hamid and Hassan Al Qardouh, a local councilman from Nekhl in
central Sinai said projects in animal husbandry such as raising
rabbits to sell in Egyptian markets could create livelihoods for
central Sinai Bedouin women and youth.
¶8. (C) Rafah local councilman XXXXXXXXXXXX (protect) said the
youth in Rafah know how to farm, and we confirmed that he presented
a plan to USAID's Life Sinai program for the digging and pumping of
wells to create livelihoods. (Note: Life Sinai is a USD 9 million
project to help develop Central Sinai. El Alayan's proposed wells
are in the northern coastal area and are of medium depth (between
60-90 meters) unlike wells in central Sinai, which are around 1,000
meters deep. End Note). XXXXXXXXXXXX suggested the creation of a
"youth villages" where 1,000 young, poor families would be given a
CAIRO 00000249 003 OF 005
house and 6 feddans to farm. The three Bedouin MPs also support the
extension of the Salam canal from Bir El Abd because it could
provide 300,000 more feddans for farming, but Wael Salim, a local
councilman for El Arish said Egypt and its development partners
should consider the desalination of Mediterranean Sea water coupled
with drip irrigation as an alternative to extending the Salam
Canal. (Note: USAID believes that extending the canal would
actually cost a multiple of USD 50 million and yield questionable
economic value. End Note).
Unfavorable Investment Climate
¶9. (S/NF) El Kassas told us that three local Bedouin investors,
some of whom are MPs, recently had their proposal to construct a
cement factory denied by Cairo because "there was no supporting
infrastructure for the plant." However, according to El Kassas,
the two existing cement plants, owned by Nile Valley businessman
Hasan Rateb, are allowed to bring in 2000 cubic meters of water a
day from a desalination facility in Rafah to aid in operations, and
the Egyptian military was granted permission to build a similar
cement factory. XXXXXXXXXXXX (protect), a local councilman from El
Arish told us he believed that the Bedouin cement factory proposal
was rejected after pressure from Rateb who is a friend of President
Mubarak. He said this decision had a "discouraging effect" on the
local population because even MPs are not allowed to "participate"
in economic growth areas. MP Kharafeen added that Cairo always has
good words on economic development, but there are never any
commensurate actions. As an example, MP El Kassas told us that
the Ministry of Tourism has a long-standing plan to establish
tourist resorts along the 200 kilometers of shoreline in North
Sinai, but has yet to open an official tourism promotion office in
the Governorate.
¶10. (C) El Kassas and Atta said Egyptian laws prohibiting foreign
ownership of land and requiring foreigners to have an Egyptian
partner are a deterrent to investors. Atta stated that the
inability to own land is a significant factor dissuading foreign
investment because investors fear the land can be expropriated at
any time as a result of the GoE's imminent domain. (Note: Foreign
ownership of agricultural land is prohibited, but Egyptian law does
allow 100 percent ownership of investment projects, with limited
exceptions. Given Sinai's status as a military zone, the the
foreign ownership law may not apply. End Note).
¶11. (C) MP El Kassas stated that investors are afraid to put money
into North Sinai because of its close proximity to Gaza. He stated
that internal Palestinian issues need to be solved before North
Sinai can "begin to grow its economy and provide real security for
the people." El Kassas believes that if there were a solution to
Gaza and borders were opened for trade that the area would
experience an "economic renaissance."
Gaza Solution Vital to North Sinai's Security and Development
¶12. (S) Atta and El Kassas were happy about Egypt's construction of
the underground steel barrier along the border because it is needed
to "protect the Egyptian homeland." Despite Atta's support, he told
us that the North Sinai local council believes it will increase
tensions on both sides of the border and could lead to violence in
North Sinai as displaced smugglers look for other ways to make
money. He said the international community needs to consider
opening the borders to allow for the legal supply of food and
medicine into Gaza and help with security in North Sinai.
¶13. (C) Governor Mowafi said smuggling in Sinai is a "national
security issue" because weapons from Israel are making their way
into North Sinai. He stated that smuggling will not stop until
Egypt "has a partner on the other side of the border in Gaza."
Mowafi said HAMAS has "an anti-Egypt agenda", which has put
regional and local pressure on the GoE and exacerbated problems
CAIRO 00000249 004 OF 005
with the North Sinai population and the Muslim Brotherhood. He
believes that Israel should either support the reconciliation of
HAMAS and the Palestinian Authority, or return to the Philadelphi
corridor to help control smuggling. He noted that Sinai tribes
such as the Suwarka, Tayaha and Tarabeen have members living in
Gaza and Israel and this renders Egypt's unilateral attempts to
control illegal activities nearly impossible.
¶14. (S/NF) MPs Al Roqei and El Kassas agree that the smugglers are
filling a void created by Israel's policy of denying basic
shipments to Gaza. Al Roqei said Bedouin do not think in terms of
nationalist identity, but are only focused on making money. El
Kassas stated that Israel should act responsibly and allow food and
medical supplies in to Gaza, which would greatly reduce the demand
for smuggling, but noted that Egyptian soldiers aid smugglers in
exchange for cash payments. Additionally, Egyptian subsidies make
smuggling of oil products profitable. El Kassas told us that low
octane fuels and diesel can be purchased in Egypt for around 2 New
Israeli Shekels (NIS)/liter (USD 0.53) and sold in Gaza for 7.5
NIS/liter (USD 2).
Rains Flood El Arish; Benefit Central Sinai
¶15. (SBU) Mowafi told us that North Sinai received four times its
average rainfall during January and the first half of February.
This water coupled with run off from Israel created havoc in El
Arish's wadi (riverbed) and surrounding neighborhoods (reftel). He
said "construction violations" in the wadi were all destroyed by
January floods as were the roads linking West and East El Arish.
(Note: The North Sinai Governorate allowed people to build houses
in the wadi, facilitated the construction of a bus terminal and the
open market in the area, and the Egyptian Ministry of Youth built
its Olympic Village there. All were destroyed during the floods.
End Note). However, Mowafi and central Sinai Bedouin leaders said
the rains had benefitted central Sinai by increasing the
groundwater and creating agricultural opportunities. However, Hamid
said the lack of tractors will mean that 60 percent of the land
will still go uncultivated. (Note: USAID's Life Sinai project is to
provide five tractors for central Sinai agricultural sector
development, but they will not be delivered until sometime between
April-June 2010. End Note).
Islamic Organizations Provide Assistance, GoE Slow to Respond
¶16. (SBU) Atta told us that local NGOs played the biggest role in
helping people in El Arish that were affected by the floods. He
said the Shabbat Muslimat (Young Muslim Women's Association) was
the most organized NGO and the first to respond to flood victims by
providing emergency assistance. Atta told us that the Muslim
Brotherhood also provided immediate medical care for those injured
in the floods. Soheir Gelbana, President of Shabbat Muslimat, told
us the organization organized NGO volunteer efforts to assist those
displaced by the flood. Local volunteers packaged and delivered
emergency kits that included blankets and clothing for men, women
and children as well as basic food kits with oil, sugar, rice,
beans and lentils.
¶17. (SBU) Dr. Abu Hatab praised the efforts of the local NGOs and
Sinai University for providing cash, emergency aid and medical
services for those who were injured or lost their homes in the
floods. He said the GoE promised restitution for lost homes, but
this was "taking time." (Note: President Mubarak promised LE 50,000
(USD 9,090) for families that lost homes during the flood. End
Note). Abu Rateb stated that the GoE-NGO cooperation was needed,
but was not taking place due to government mistrust of the NGOs.
Growing Frustration with U.S. Assistance
CAIRO 00000249 005 OF 005
¶18. (C) All the MPs and local councilmen praised USAID's past
efforts in working with the North Sinai Businessmen's Association
(NSBA) to build a microcredit industry, but they expressed
frustration USAID's current Life Sinai project had "not implemented
any projects in two years." (Note: USAID and its contractor lack
unfettered access to many of the project sites in central Sinai.
End Note). The MPs and central Sinai councilmen asked why buses
purchased to take Sinai children to school have sat in the
Governorate parking lot since September. MP El Kassas said the
locals were keenly aware that the USAID-purchased buses were used
during the recent visits of PM Nazif and First Lady Suzanne
Mubarak, but were not being used to take children to school as
intended. NSBA Chairman Mahmoud Al Refai acknowledged his
organization had great success in working with USAID on the
microcredit project, but said the decision to turn Life Sinai's
implementation over to "an Egyptian liaison" was damaging the
reputation of the USG in Sinai. (Note: NSBA was involved the Life
Sinai bus transportation project for which it spent 35,000 Egyptian
pounds (USD 6,400). However, a dispute between NSBA, the North
Sinai Governorate and USAID's contractor over financing has left
the buses sitting in the Governorate's parking lot for the past 5
months. End Note). (Comment: USAID is working with the North Sinai
Governorate to resolve project implementation and access problems.
End Comment).
SCOBEY