Cable Viewer

Currently released so far... 12530 / 251,287

### Browse latest releases

2010/11 2010/12 2011/01 2011/02 2011/03 2011/04 2011/05
2010/11/28 2010/11/29 2010/11/30
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

### Browse by creation date

66 72 73 75 79 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 96 97 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10
1966/12
1972/02 1972/08
1973/04
1975/03
1979/08
1985/03 1985/06
1986/05
1987/06
1988/01
1989/12
1990/01 1990/07 1990/08 1990/10
1991/05
1992/01 1992/06 1992/12
1993/10
1996/11
1997/12
2000/05 2000/06 2000/09 2000/11
2001/02 2001/03 2001/06 2001/07 2001/09 2001/10 2001/11
2002/01 2002/02 2002/03 2002/04 2002/07 2002/08 2002/09 2002/11
2003/01 2003/02 2003/03 2003/04 2003/05 2003/06 2003/07 2003/08 2003/09 2003/10 2003/11 2003/12
2004/01 2004/02 2004/03 2004/04 2004/05 2004/06 2004/07 2004/08 2004/09 2004/10 2004/11 2004/12
2005/01 2005/02 2005/03 2005/04 2005/05 2005/06 2005/07 2005/08 2005/09 2005/10 2005/11 2005/12
2006/01 2006/02 2006/03 2006/04 2006/05 2006/06 2006/07 2006/08 2006/09 2006/10 2006/11 2006/12
2007/01 2007/02 2007/03 2007/04 2007/05 2007/06 2007/07 2007/08 2007/09 2007/10 2007/11 2007/12
2008/01 2008/02 2008/03 2008/04 2008/05 2008/06 2008/07 2008/08 2008/09 2008/10 2008/11 2008/12
2009/01 2009/02 2009/03 2009/04 2009/05 2009/06 2009/07 2009/08 2009/09 2009/10 2009/11 2009/12
2010/01 2010/02

### Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
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 Freetown Consulate Fukuoka
Embassy Guatemala Embassy Gaborone Consulate Guayaquil Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki Embassy Harare Embassy Hanoi Consulate Ho Chi Minh City Consulate Hermosillo Consulate Hamilton Consulate Hamburg Consulate Halifax
Iran RPO Dubai Embassy Islamabad Consulate Istanbul
Embassy Jakarta Consulate Jerusalem Consulate Jeddah
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 Ouagadougou Embassy Ottawa Embassy Oslo
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
Embassy Quito Consulate Quebec
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
Embassy Windhoek Embassy Wellington Embassy Warsaw
Embassy Yerevan Embassy Yaounde
Embassy Zagreb

### Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
AORC ASEC AF AR AM AS AEMR ASEAN AJ AFFAIRS AFIN AMGT AODE APEC AE ABLD ACBAQ APECO AFSI AFSN AY AO AU ABUD ADPM AG ACOA ANET AINF AC APER AMED ATRN ADCO ARF AL ASIG ASCH AID ASUP AADP AMCHAMS AGAO AIT AMBASSADOR AUC AA ASEX AER AVERY AGRICULTURE AMG AFU AN ALOW ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG ACS APCS ADANA AECL ACAO AORG AGR AROC ACABQ AGMT AORL AX AMEX ADM AFGHANISTAN AZ AND ARM AQ ATFN
BR BK BL BA BO BRUSSELS BM BEXP BU BD BG BP BB BF BTIO BBSR BY BH BIDEN BX BE BTIU BT BWC BMGT BC BN BILAT
CA CVIS CO CS CJAN CU CARICOM CI CB CASC CE CH CN CONDOLEEZZA CMGT CW CODEL CWC CT CBW CPAS CFED CG CACS CY CAN CSW CIDA CIC CITT CONS CM CD CLINTON CDG COM CDC CROS CLMT CAPC COPUOS CTR CF CJUS CL CR CARSON CHR CACM CDB COE CV CBC COUNTERTERRORISM CIA CNARC COUNTER CICTE COUNTRY CBSA CEUDA CAC CBE CTM CIS CKGR CVR CITEL CLEARANCE
DR DISENGAGEMENT DE DJ DA DOMESTIC DEA DOD DTRA DOE DS DEFENSE DO DHS DAO DCM DEAX DK DPRK DEPT
ETTC ECON EWWT EC EMIN ETRD EINV EAID EG EFIN EAGR ENRG EIND EPET EUN ECPS ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS ENIV ENGR ECIN ELTN EAIR EI EFIS ECUN EU ELAB EN EFTA ENGY ECONOMICS ET ES ETRDEINVTINTCS EFINECONCS ELECTIONS EIAR EZ EINDETRD EINT EUR EREL EUC ER ESENV ELN ECONEFIN EK EPA EURN EAIG ECONCS EEPET ESA ENNP EDU EUREM ENVR ECA ENVI EXIM ECIP ENERG EFIM EAIDS ETRDECONWTOCS EUNCH EINVETC ECONOMIC EINVECONSENVCSJA EUMEM ETRA EXTERNAL ERNG ETRC ETRO ETRN EINVEFIN ECINECONCS ERD ETC EAP ECONOMY EINN EXBS
FI FR FTAA FAC FOI FJ FM FREEDOM FMLN FAO FTA FDA FARC FBI FO FISO FOR FOREIGN FAS FINR FINANCE
GG GM GZ GAZA GH GR GOI GANGS GV GCC GY GT GAERC GERARD GA GE GOV GTIP GLOBAL GTMO GL GF
HK HR HA HURI HO HUMAN HU HSTC HILLARY HYMPSK HUMOR HEBRON HI
IN IAEA IR IS IT IMF IBRD IZ IC IWC ISRAELI INTERPOL ICAO IO ITRA ILO ISLAMISTS ITALY ITALIAN IRAQI IPR IQ IV IRS IAHRC IACI ID INRB ICTY IL ICRC IMO ICJ ITU ILC IIP IRC IDP IDA IZPREL IRAJ IA ITF IF INMARSAT ISRAEL ICTR IGAD INRA INRO IEFIN INTELSAT INTERNAL INDO ITPHUM ITPGOV IBET INR IEA
JA JP JM JO JAMES JOSEPH JOHN JOHNNIE JUS
KPAO KMDR KISL KNNP KRVC KDEM KCRM KPAL KTIA KV KCOR KJUS KOMC KTFN KWBG KTIP KSCA KMPI KSUM KIRF KIRC KE KZ KIPR KWMN KFRD KSEP KN KAWC KOLY KCFE KPKO KIDE KMRS KFLU KSAF KS KGIC KRAD KU KHLS KCIP KOCI KSTH KG KGHG KUNR KR KVPR KBTR KRIM KREC KTDB KDRG KSPR KICC KAWK KMCA KPLS KCOM KAID KGCC KPRP KSTC KNSD KBIO KGIT KSEO KFLO KPAONZ KFSC KOM KRGY KPOA KACT KHIV KTEX KLIG KBCT KWMM KPAI KICA KNAR KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KHDP KHUM KBTS KCRS KHSA KO KVIR KX KVRP KMOC KNUC KSEC KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KCMR KPWR KPIN KESS KDEV KCGC KWWMN KPRV KPAK KWNM KWMNCS KRFD KSCI KDDG KIFR KMFO KFIN KNEI KTER KWAC KOMS KCRCM KNUP KMIG KNNPMNUC KNPP KERG KTLA KCSY KTRD KID KSAC KJUST KRCM KTBT KCFC KCHG KREL KFTFN KDEMAF
LY LTTE LE LH LU LO LI LG LA LT LABOR LAB LOG
MARR MOPS MG MASS MW MIL MX MNUC MTCRE MCAP MAS MO MTCR MU MRCRE MY MD MK MP MAPP MR MT MCC MZ MIK MTRE ML MDC MAR MA MQADHAFI MASC MV MAPS MARAD MEETINGS MEDIA MEPP MPOS MILITARY MASSMNUC MEPN MI MC MUCN MERCOSUR MOPPS MTS MLS MILI MEPI
NZ NL NI NU NATO NO NPT NE NRR NA NR NATIONAL NIPP NDP NPA NG NAFTA NT NS NK NGO NP NASA NAR NSF NV NORAD NSSP NH NATOPREL NSG NW NPG NSFO NEW NZUS NSC NC
OTRA OPRC OIIP OAS OPDC OVIP OEXC OPIC OECD OSCE OPCW OREP OFFICIALS ODIP OES OSCI OHUM OMIG OFDP OVP OCII OPAD OIC OIE OCS OBSP OTR OSAC ON OFDA
PHUM PREL PINR PARM PGOV PM PTER PREF PA PHSA PK POL PINS PBTS PL PE PFOR PALESTINIAN PUNE PDOV PGOVLO PAO POLITICS PO PHUMBA PSEPC PAK PTBS PCUL PLN PROP PRL PBIO PGOC PNAT PREO PAHO PINL POGOV PU PF PY POV PNR PGOVE PG PROG PCI PREFA PP PMIL POLINT PGGV PHALANAGE PARTY PHUS PDEM PECON PROV PSOE PAS PHUMPREL PMAR PGIV PRAM PHUH PSA PHUMPGOV PEL PSI PAIGH POLITICAL PARTIES POSTS PARMS POLICY PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PBT PTERE PRGOV PORG PS PGOF PKFK PEPR PPA PINT PRELP PINF PNG
QA
RS RU RICE RW RM RCMP RO RIGHTS RUPREL RFE RF ROOD RP REACTION RIGHTSPOLMIL ROBERT RELATIONS RSO REPORT REGION RSP
SCUL SOCI SNAR SENV SY SR SU SO SP SA SZ SF SMIG SPCE SW SIPDIS SYR SHI STEINBERG SN SL SNARIZ SG SNARN SEVN SARS SSA SC SIPRS SYRIA SNARCS SAARC SHUM SK SI SPCVIS SOFA SANC SEN SH SCRS SENVKGHG SWE SAN ST
TPHY TW TU TBIO TRGY TSPA TX TN TSPL TL TV TC TZ TS TF TNGD TI TIP TH TINT TT TFIN TD TP TAGS TK TR TERRORISM THPY TO TRSY TURKEY TBID
UK UP US UNSC UNHCR USEU UNGA UG UNESCO UY UN UNMIK USTR USOAS UNHRC UZ USUN UV UNEP UNODC UNCHS UNDP UNCHR UNFICYP UNAUS UNO UNPUOS UNC UNIDROIT UNDESCO UNCHC UNCND UNICEF UNCSD UNDC USNC USPS USAID UE UNVIE UAE
VT VM VE VZ VN VTPREL VTIZ VAT VC VTEG VI
WI WMD WHO WTRO WIPO WHA WTO WFP WS WTRQ WWARD WBG WITH WMO WEU WZ WHTI WA WB
XM XR XZ XF XA XB XV XL XG XC XTAG XK XY XH XT XE XU XX XD XW XI XQ XS
YM YI YE YMCS
ZB ZI ZA ZK ZF ZU ZR ZP ZANU ZO ZOELLICK ZL ZJ ZEALAND ZN

### Browse by classification

CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN SECRET SECRET//NOFORN UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

### Community resources

Follow us on Twitter Check our Reddit Twitter this Digg this page Contact us on IRC

courage is contagious

### Viewing cable 09CAIRO975, UNDER SECRETARY LEVEY DISCUSSES IRAN

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.

To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.
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. #09CAIRO975.

Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
09CAIRO975 | 2009-05-28 12:49 | 2011-02-16 21:00 | SECRET | Embassy Cairo

`

    VZCZCXRO4820
    PP RUEHDE
    DE RUEHEG #0975/01 1481249
    ZNY SSSSS ZZH
    P 281249Z MAY 09
    FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
    TO RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
    RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2745
    RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC PRIORITY
    RUEHAD/AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI 0600
    RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS 1072
    RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 1922
    RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI 0256
    RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 1180

` `

    S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 CAIRO 000975

    SIPDIS

    TREASURY FOR STACK, CLARK, MOGER
    STATE FOR NEA/ELA

    E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/28/2019
    TAGS: EFIN EG IR IS KDEM KPAL NP PGOV PREL PTER
    SUBJECT: UNDER SECRETARY LEVEY DISCUSSES IRAN

    Classified By: Ambassador Margaret Scobey for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

    ¶1. Key Points  -- (S) Egyptian interlocutors confirmed to U/S Levey their concern about Iran and their desire to keep financial pressure on Iran.  -- (S) Central Bank Deputy Governor suggested that it would not be difficult to issue a formal policy directive prohibiting Egyptian banks from opening or maintaining correspondent accounts with Iranian banks, and promised to discuss the proposed action with the Governor and others.  -- (S) The Central Bank and EGIS assured U/S Levey that they are watching the Misr-Iran Development Bank very closely.  -- (S) In response to U/S Levey's question about whether additional designations of Hezbollah leaders would help further Egyptian national security interests, EGIS Chief General Suleiman recommended that the U.S. focus its efforts on isolating Iran since Hezbollah is only a "tool" of Iran. Foreign Minster Aboul Gheit said that anything that "dirtied the name of Hezbollah was welcomed."  ---------------------------------- Central Bank Governor Hisham Ramez ----------------------------------

    ¶2. (S) Under Secretary (U/S) Levey explained that the main purpose of his visit was to discuss Iran and, in particular, to convey the U.S. intention to continue to take actions to pressure Iran and hold it to its international responsibilities.  He noted the risks Iran poses to the international financial system because of its illicit and deceptive conduct and highlighted the recent FATF statement calling on all countries to impose countermeasures on Iran to protect against those risks.  Acknowledging that Egyptian banks do very few transactions with Iranian businesses, U/S Levey suggested that, in support of this FATF call for action, the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) consider formally prohibiting Egyptian banks from opening or maintaining correspondent accounts with Iranian banks.  As no Iranian banks have accounts in Egypt, the policy would be painless for Egypt, but could help other Arab states with larger business relationships with Iran, such as the UAE, feel more comfortable taking similar steps.

    ¶3. (S) Ramez concurred that there is nearly zero transactional activity between Egypt and Iran and that no Iranian banks have accounts in any Egyptian banks.  He underlined that the CBE shares the GOE's general view of Iran, which is one of suspicion.  In response to the suggestion about prohibiting correspondent accounts with Iranian banks, he said he had to check with the Governor and "his team," but that "it should not be a problem."  He assured U/S Levey that the CBE has concerns from a regulatory perspective about Iranian banks and Iranian businesses.  He also noted that the transactional volume in Egypt is low enough that the CBE can watch all transactions for any signs of impropriety.  Ramez also noted that Egypt maintains strict rules regarding bank ownership, and no Iranian bank would be allowed to buy any banks in Egypt.

    ¶4. (S) U/S Levey specifically inquired about the existence of the Misr-Iran Development Bank (MIDB), noting that it does a considerable portion of its transactions with entities which have been designated as proliferators by the United States. Ramez did not reply directly to the point that MIDB does transactions with U.S.-designated entities, but indicated that the CBE is closely watching that bank and knows exactly what it is doing.  He also noted that the Chairman of the MIDB, Ismail Hassan Mohamed, a former Central Bank governor, knows the rules well and knows that the CBE is watching his bank closely.  When asked why the MIDB was allowed to operate, Ramez indicated that it had been in existence for some time, so it would be hard to shut down now.  U/S Levey urged the CBE to look more closely at the MIDB and its transactions with the designated entities, and suggested that as part of Egypt's response to the FATF call for countermeasures, the CBE could consider implementing some specific measures regarding this bank, such as banning transactions with Iranian customers.  CAIRO 00000975  002 OF 003

    ¶5. (C) Regarding money of Hamas members seized when they crossed into Egypt from Gaza, Ramez noted that the Central Bank was not involved, but that the Prosecutor General controlled access to this money until it was determined what should be done with it, at which point he expected the money would go into the government coffers.  As all government accounts reside in the Central Bank, ultimately the money might end up in the CBE but the CBE would not be directly involved in the disposition of this money.

    ¶6. (C) When asked about the recent UN Security Council designations of three North Korean entities, Ramez assured U/S Levey that every UN list is implemented as soon as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs obtains the information, implying that any assets held by these entities within Egypt would be automatically frozen.  ---------------------------------- Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit ----------------------------------

    ¶7. (S) U/S Levey described the pressure that has been put on Iran through governmental targeted financial measures and voluntary decisions by the private sector to cut off Iran business based on the high risk associated with that business.  He explained the kinds of targeted actions that have been taken by the United States, the UN Security Council and others around the world against those involved in Iran's proliferation activities or support for terrorism.  He also described how the U.S. has shared information with the private sector to alert banks around the world to the kinds of illicit and deceptive financial conduct that Iran engages in.  He noted that many banks around the world had cut their ties to Iran, making it harder for Iran to gain access to much needed financial services.

    ¶8. (S) U/S Levey emphasized that the United States intends to continue to take steps to pressure Iran and hold it to its international responsibilities and that it would like to work with its international partners on this front.  In that vein, he noted the FATF's call for all countries to implement countermeasures on Iran based on the terrorist financing and money laundering risks Iran poses to the international financial system.  He explained that he hoped that Egypt would take some formal steps to show its support of this effort, even though Egypt and Iran do very little business together.  U/S Levey said that if Egypt would take some of the countermeasures against Iran which he had described to the CBE, other Arab states might be persuaded to do the same.

    ¶9. (S) The foreign minister reaffirmed Egypt's concern about the threat posed by Iran.  He did not comment specifically on the proposal to prohibit Egyptian banks from accepting accounts from Iranian banks, but he did note that, "We support your mission.  Period."  He recalled U/S Levey's prior visit with former Secretary of State Rice to brief on the USG's Iran strategy.  He did not understand that the USG wanted to continue to hold Iran accountable for violations of its international obligations before and during engagement. He had believed that we wanted to wait to see whether the engagement worked.

    ¶10. (S) Aboul Gheit urged U/S Levey to work with the UAE if it wants to stop the flow of money to Iran.  U/S Levey assured the minister he was doing that (his next stop on this trip is to the UAE), but noted that the UAE may want to see Arab states such as Egypt taking similar steps so no one is seen as acting alone.  The foreign minister noted that he hoped the 6 2 1 group states could meet soon to discuss the Iranian threat.  He made it clear that he was angry that the April 24 meeting in Baghdad had been canceled after some attendees refused to participate.  He suggested that it would be better to meet with "those who want to meet," commenting that it would be perhaps even advantageous if Qatar could not attend.  While he held the view that the Omanis are ideologically aligned with Egypt and the U.S. and ultimately more trustworthy than the Qataris on Iran, he believes that the Omanis nonetheless feel vulnerable to Iran and are therefore afraid.

    ¶11. (S) In response to U/S Levey's query about the best way  CAIRO 00000975  003 OF 003   to handle Hezbollah, Aboul Gheit noted that he hoped the UN would issue a statement of sorts about the group, as Egypt would support any way to "dirty the name" of Hezbollah.  12. (S) The foreign minister and his staff raised piracy as a concern and offered various solutions, including a complete military blockade of Somalia, limited military action to save the lives of hostages, and larger scale military operations on land to weaken the pirate's ability to operate.  When pressed about the utility of ransom payments, U/S Levey explained that the U.S. does not support paying ransom to the pirates and cautioned that terrorist groups, including Al Qaeda, may increasingly turn to hostage taking if they see that it can be profitable.  Aboul Gheit replied, "then how am I supposed to get my boys back?"  ---------------------------- EGIS Chief, General Suleiman ----------------------------

    ¶13. (S) General Suleiman described how the GOE has been attacking the terrorist problem by going after terrorist leaders, the money flow, and the terrorist soldiers.  He noted that stopping the money flow was an important part of the strategy, and that they have been successful at strangling several terrorist groups.  However, smuggling operations into Gaza remain a huge problem and he complained that Iran remains the most significant source of funding for Hezbollah and Hamas. He explained how the money was getting to Hamas in various ways, but mostly via Damascus and then smuggled by land or sea to Gaza. He noted that smuggling was a big business, particularly given that Israel keeps the borders closed.  He highlighted the efforts taken by the GOE to make the border more secure, including destroying tunnels and erecting underground metal barricades, but acknowledged that the smuggling could never be fully stopped. He added that Gaza is still suffering and needs the reconstruction money that the world has committed, but all interested parties need to ensure that there is a clear corridor for getting money and materials into Gaza in order to keep the smugglers at bay.

    ¶14. (S) Turning to Iran, U/S Levey summarized the U.S. strategy of keeping pressure on Iran through making the international financial system increasingly inhospitable to Iran.  He explained that the efforts have been largely successful, and that nearly all reputable financial institutions will not do business with Iran. He explained that he had not previously visited Egypt because of the minuscule amount of trade and commerce between the two, but that he now wanted to urge Egypt to take some small, painless steps, as a means to keep the pressure on Iran and to give strength to other Arab states for whom such steps are more difficult.  U/S Levey presented the proposal which he had made to the CBE of enacting a policy which forbids Egyptian banks from opening or maintaining accounts with any Iranian banks.  U/S Levey also explained the concerns about MIDB. General Suleiman did not react to the proposal to forbid accounts with Iranian banks, but regarding MIDB, he said "I am watching every check, every transaction."

    ¶15. (S) In light of EGIS' recent effort to shut down the Hezbollah cell in Egypt, U/S Levey asked General Suleiman if he thought it would be helpful to continue targeting Hezbollah via designations of senior officials.  Suleiman recommended that the U.S. increase pressure on Iran, as Hezbollah is only a tool of Iran and could not survive without Iranian support.  Suleiman agreed that President Obama needs to test the Iranians, but cautioned that ultimately, the President will see that "the Iranians will lie to him and waste his time."  He said that the U.S. had very successfully isolated Cuba and rendered it weak, so the U.S. should apply the same isolation strategy with respect to Iran.

    ¶16. (SBU) U/S Levey cleared this cable. SCOBEY

`