- WASHINGTON [MENL] -- Egypt
has rejected a U.S. request for special security measures in the Suez Canal.
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- U.S. officials said the regime of President Hosni Mubarak
failed to respond to a U.S. appeal for Egyptian troops to protect the banks
of the Suez Canal during passage by U.S. warships through the canal. They
said the U.S. Defense Department asked for this and other measures in an
effort to prevent an Al Qaida attack on U.S. warships that have been transporting
soldiers and weapons to the Persian Gulf.
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- The U.S. request also included the closure of areas along
the canal during the passage of U.S. warships. Such vessels could require
up to three days to move through the canal.
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- Officials said Egypt said it could not provide the manpower
being requested by the Pentagon. But they said Egypt has allowed the U.S.
Navy and Marines to take special measures to bolster security along the
canal. They said the measures include flights over and near the canal.
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- http://www.menewsline.com/stories/2002/october/10_47_2.html
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