Egyptian tourism minister astonished by US warning on terrorism in Cairo
Egypt-USA, Politics, 4/6/1998

The US embassy in Cairo warned US citizens in Egypt on Friday to take extra care when visiting Cairo or face exposure to terrorist attacks.

A travel warning was issued to US citizens in Egypt that said, "The U.S. Government has received information of undetermined reliability that extremist groups may be planning terrorist attacks against U.S. interests in Cairo, Egypt in the near future. U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Cairo are advised to exercise greater than usual caution."

Dr. Mamdouh El-Beltagi, the Egyptian minister of tourism, on Saturday said in an exlusive statement to ArabicNews.com, "I have heard this warning, and I am extremely astonished by this general warning, which refers to terrorist groups that threatened American interests, but which did not specify these extremist groups."

Minister El-Beltagi said that it is being said that the group is Hamas, due to the death of Mouhidin al-Sharif, one of Hamas' leaders, and he said that not clarifying that will lead to disturbances and give ideas to existing members of these groups in Egypt.

The Egyptian minister added that he tried to phone the American ambassador yet he could not reach him because of the Sabbath , which Egypt respects. He said he would try once more to phone the ambassador this evening.

Maria Rudensky, State department spokesperson for council affairs, would not clarify if the reason for the public announcement is due to the death of Mouhidin al-Sharif or any other reason. Rudensky said that the "warden message" as it is referred to, was sent April 2, and was meant to be disseminated on April 3 to US citizens in Cairo only.

Rudensky said that there were no other announcements made in other countries in the region such as Palestine or Israel.

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search