Cablegate: Al Manar Next Steps
VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHEG #5270 2341621
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 221621Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0811
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
S E C R E T CAIRO 005270
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NSC FOR RICK WATERS, NEA/RA FOR DANIELLE MONOSSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2016
TAGS: ECPS ETTC KPAO PREL PTER XF EG
SUBJECT: AL MANAR NEXT STEPS
REF: A. STATE 136056
B. CAIRO 4200
Classified By: Ambassador Francis J. Ricciardone for reasons 1.4 (b) an
d (d).
1. (S) Ref B and previous messages report our campaign
against Al Manar on NileSat over the past year. When
circumstances permit, we will resume our advocacy with every
influential top official. Further discussion with the GOE at
this time regarding removing Al Manar broadcasts from NileSat
would not get the result we want. DCM discussed the issue on
August 20 with Assistant Foreign Minister for American
Affairs Salama Shaker, who stressed that "now is a
particularly bad time to raise Al Manar." In the
post-Lebanon political context, the Egyptians believe any
move against Al Manar will backfire and strengthen the
nascent appeal of Hassan Nasrallah and Hezbollah.
RICCIARDONE