VZCZCXRO4663
OO RUEHROV
DE RUEHEG #2175 2871419
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 131419Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0625
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY

UNCLAS CAIRO 002175 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PARM PREL PTER MASS MARR KPAL IS EG
SUBJECT: UPDATE: EGYPT INCREASES COUNTER-SMUGGLING EFFORTS 
ON GAZA BORDER 
 
¶1.  Sensitive but unclassified.  Please handle accordingly. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Summary:  Egyptian security forces continue to 
improve counter-smuggling efforts along the Gaza border 
following the June Egyptian-brokered "tahdiya" ("calming") 
between Israel and Palestinian groups.  During an August 
visit, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak publicly praised 
Egypt's increased efforts to destroy tunnels. As of 
mid-September, GOE officials claimed to have identified and 
sealed hundreds of tunnels over the last two years, with new 
discoveries occurring daily.  Recently arrived U.S.- supplied 
counter-smuggling equipment - once installed and fully 
operational - could help improve GOE's ability to fully 
exploit the tunnels and break up smuggling rings.  Long-term 
success, however, depends on removing the economic incentives 
driving smuggling on both sides of the border.  Post will 
continue to engage with GOE officials on all levels to build 
upon recent progress.  End Summary. 
 
----------------------------------- 
Tunnel Openings Detected and Closed 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (SBU) In October 2005, the Egyptian military assumed 
responsibility for border security. Since that time, security 
officials claim to have identified and sealed hundreds of 
tunnel openings, with new discoveries occurring daily.  GOE 
officials regularly share updates with Embassy officials on 
counter-tunneling efforts, including hosting border tours to 
highlight new tunnel discoveries.  Following the January 
HAMAS breach of the Gaza border, the GOE completed a 
three-meter high stone wall along the length of the 
14-kilometer border and has devoted more personnel to 
searching for tunnel openings. During his August visit, 
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak publicly praised Egypt's 
efforts to shut down tunnels.  Public criticism by HAMAS of 
Egypt's handling of the Gaza border has increased in recent 
months, which may indicate that counter-smuggling efforts 
have struck a nerve within Gaza. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) Beginning in mid-October, the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers will install the first phase of a $23 million 
FMF-funded counter-smuggling system along 3.6 kilometers of 
the central portion of the Egypt-Gaza border.  The 
seismic-acoustic counter-tunneling system, which can detect 
sounds of tunnel digging and movement through tunnels, should 
improve GOE interdiction efforts.  The first phase is 
expected to be operational by April 2009.  To be successful, 
the GOE must use their new knowledge of the tunnel routes to 
destroy tunnels and break up smuggling rings. 
 
----------------------------------------- 
Long-term: Reducing Incentives to Smuggle 
----------------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  (SBU)  Egypt also views an improvement in the political 
and economic situation in Gaza as crucial to long-term border 
security.  On the political front, GOE efforts on Palestinian 
reconciliation continue at full steam.  On the economic 
front, increasing humanitarian flows into Gaza is crucial to 
undermining the commercial smuggling networks that arms 
smugglers have exploited, especially if increased GOE 
counter-smuggling efforts succeed.  Economic deprivation in 
the Sinai also fosters cross-border smuggling rings.  USAID 
is supporting a number of economic development projects, 
including a micro-finance program in Northern Sinai and a $10 
million project in central Sinai to develop infrastructure, 
community centers, schools, and eco-tourism. 
SCOBEY