RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIJACKING EGYPT AIR 648

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 05672988
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: March 16, 2022
• Document Release Date: September 8, 2016
• Case Number: F-2016-00651
• Publication Date: November 26, 1985

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charles E. Allen, NIO/CT
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The Director of Central Intelligence
Washington. D.C. 20505
National Intelligence Council
MEMORANDUM FOR: Captain Jim Stark
National Security Council
FROM:
NIC 05866-85
26 November 1985
Charles E. Allen
National Intelligence Officer for Counterterrorism
and Narcotics
SUBJECT: Responsibility for Hijacking Egypt Air 648
Attached is our preliminary analysis of who was responsible for the
hijacking which was prepared with the assistance of CIA's Directorate of
Intelligence and the Directorate of Operations. The judgments reached are
based on our assessment of the limited available evidence and are therefore
tentative.
Attachment
cc: Ambassador Oakley
(alarms t. Allen
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Who Hijacked Egypt Air Flight 648?
Summary
The true identity of the hijackers remains unclear. They identified
themselves as "Egyptian Revolutionaries." We do not yet know in fact if they
were members of the so-called "Egyptian Revolution" or if they represented
other groups or state sponsors who could have been motivated to carry out the
hijacking. Radical Egyptian dissidents, Libya, and various Palestinian groups
all had reason to conduct such an act. Based on the available evidence, we
believe it is likely that more than one was involved. we know that Mubarak is
predisposed to blame Libya and the Abu Nidal group for the hijacking and he
has accused them publicly. Although the evidence does not conclusively point
to Libya,
the subsequent
distribution of "Egyptian Revolution" leaflets in Kuwait by Libyan Bureau
there suggests at least some Libyan involvement. At a minimum, Qadhafi moved
quickly to exploit the hijacking in an effort to destabilize Mubarak's
regime.
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Discussion
The Egyptian Revolution
A self-de-scribed nationalist
movement violently opposed to the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty, the group has
claimed credit for at least two attacks against Israeli officials in Cairo.
(On 4 June 1984 an attache was shot and wounded. On 20 August 1985 an Israeli
dinlomat was killed.)
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The
Egyptian Foreign Minister claims no knowledge of the so-called "Egyptian
Revolution".
--We believe it is probably a cover name for radicals who could have
hijacked the aircraft to embarrass the Mubarak regime and to thwart any
Improvement in Egyptian-Israeli relations. Moreover, the timing could have
been keyed to take advantage of Mubarak's political unsteadiness in the wake
of the Achille Lauro affair and to discourage a resumption of talks with
Israel--scheduled for early December--over the disputed Taba enclave.
Evidence of Libyan Involvement
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the hijackers wanted to be flown to Tunisia or (b)(1)
Tripoli. However, once on the ground, the hijackers at one point requested to
be flown to Sigonella. The plane apparently was forced to land at Malta
because of damage to the aircraft from the shootout between the hijackers and
Egyptian sky marshals.
--Early in the hijacking the Libyan Ambassador arrived at the tower and he
asked to speak with the hijackers who requested that the plane must first be
refueled. He talked with the Maltese Foreign Minister and met at one point
with the Maltese Cabinet.
--The hijackers requested communication with the Algerian and Libyan
Ambassadors. Two hours later the tower informed the hijackers that the Libyan
Ambassador contacted other Libyan officials who reportedly condemned the
hijacking and said the plane would not be allowed to land in Tripoli.
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Possible Libyan Motives
--The timing of the hijacking may have been designed to exact revenge on
Mubarak for several successful Egyptian "sting operations" against Libyan hit
squads in Egypt this year, and for Egypt's growing support for Libyan
dissidents.
--Qadhafi is also committed to increasing pressure on Egypt to abrogate
the Camp David accords and adopt a more militant posture toward Israel.
--Last week Mubarak also publicly embarrassed Qadhafi by mentioning
Qadhafi's attempts to meet with him secretly in an apparent reconciliation
gesture.
--Individual assassinations of Libyan dissidents have not garnered Qadhafi
the international spotlight he craves
If he can present the nijackin
as an event that demonstrates anti-Mubarak sentiment--without taking public
credit for it--it would be consistent with his tactic of using surrogates to
accomplish a mission he himself will not risk for fear of US retaliation.
--The hijacking would also help satisfy Qadhafi's anti-US sentiments. He
may have felt he can strike out at Mubarak at this time, capitalizing on
pro-Palestinian and anti-American sentiments. Qadhafi has stepped up his
anti-American rhetoric in the past weeks, and may be frustrated by his
abortive plans to show up in Geneva last week to lead a "peace march". He has
always found it easier to punish US friends rather than direct terrorist
operations against US personnel.
Evidence of Palestinian Involvement
--In an interview in September with a Kuwaiti correspondent in Libya, a
man claiming to be Sabri al-Banna (Abu Nidal) stated that his group supported
the Organization of Egypt's Revolution and implied that the support included
material assistance.
--On Monday, the Arab Revolutionary Brigades, a nom de guerre for Abu
Nidal, claimed joint responsibility with the "Egyptian Revolution for the
hijacking.
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Palestinian Motives
--The Abu Nidal group may have wanted to assist Egyptian dissidents trying
to dismantle the Camp David accords.
--Palestinians loyal to Front for the Liberation of Palestine chief Abu
Abbas could have conducted the hijacking to exact retribution for the
interception of the Achille Lauro hijackers and to find some means to obtain
the release of the hijackers from prison in Italy. Three hours after the
plane landed in Malta, the hijackers demanded that it be flown to Sigonella.
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I U1' StUltt I
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SUBJECT: Responsibility for Hijacking Egypt Air 648
DCl/NIO/CT)
(26 November 1985) [1596A]
Distribution
Copy 1 - Jim Stark
Copy 2 - Ambassador Oakley
Copy 3 - DCI
Copy 4 - DDCI
Copy 5 - C/NIC
Copy 6 - VC/NIC
Copy 7 - C/EUR
Copy 8 - C/NE
Copy 9 - D/OGI
Copy 10-11 - NIO/CT
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