Wikileaks - MCCCXXXI

203280 4/21/2009 8:14 09BUCHAREST265 Embassy Bucharest SECRET 09BUCHAREST238 VZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHBM #0265 1110814 ZNY SSSSS ZZH R 210814Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9439 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC//CTC// RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC//INTD/CTD/CTWATCH// RHMFISS/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/US CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION WASHINGTON DC RUEILB/NCTC WASHINGTON DC//TIG// RUETIAA/DIRNSA FT GEORGE G MEADE MD RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC S E C R E T BUCHAREST 000265

SIPDIS

VISAS VIPER

DEPARTMENT FOR CA/VO/L/C ADN INR/TIPOFF

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/21/2019 TAGS: KVPR, CVIS, CMGT, PINR, PTER, ASEC, RO SUBJECT: VISAS VIPER SUBJECT: ABU ELBA, HUSSAM

REF: BUCHAREST 238

Classified By: ACTING CHARGE D'AFFAIRES JENNIFER BONNER reason 1.4(c)

(S) Summary: Post has received information that Hussam Abu Elba (Aliases Hussam Abuelba, Hussam Abu Olba, Hussam Abuolba) recently applied for a visa and has direct connections to individuals actively being investigated for involvement with Sunni terrorists. Consular records show that Mr. Abu Elba's most recent visa application was refused in June of 2005. However, his wife, Costela Gianina Abuelba, was issued a visa on March 19, 2009. End Summary.

1. (S) The Romanian Internal Intelligence Service (SRI) notified post that Hussam Abu Elba (DOB: 27-Jun-1975, POB: Jabalia, the West Bank (Israel), Passport number 1194591, email addresses ABUELBA@yahoo.com, DR HUSAM75@yahoo.com) recently applied for a visa and has direct connections to individuals actively being investigated for involvement with Sunni terrorists. Post research on Abu Elba indicates he is also associated with individuals with active TIDE records. At this time, we have no information that Abu Elba himself is actively engaged in terrorist activities.

2. (S) Neither Hussam Abu Elba nor any of his aliases currently possess a valid US visa. Mr. Abu Elba has made two visa applications, both of which were refused under Section 214 (b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended. The first application was made in 2003. At that time, Mr. Abu Elba intended to visit Sharon Chiorazzo. In 2005, Mr. Abu Elba wished to visit Mohammad H.M. Abuolba and Caitlyn Abuolba. The notes from that refusal indicate that Mr. Abu Elba was a doctor with a recently opened restaurant business.

3. (S) On March 20, 2009, Mr. Abu Elba's wife, Costela Gianina Abuelba (DOB: 10-Apr-1981), applied for and was issued a U.S. tourist (B1/B2) visa valid until 12 March 2019. At the time of the interview she stated that she worked for her husband's business, which ran a chain of nine "Summer Time" fast food restaurants. She stated that she planned to visit her husband's cousin, Caitlyn Abuolba, (125 Stone Ridge Drive, Rochester, New York, 14615, U.S. contact cell phone: 585-719-5016), beginning on May 15 2009 for a period of one month.

4. (S) Comment. CONS has created a local consular systems lookout for Mr. Abu Elba in case he applies in the near future. End Comment.

GUTHRIE-CORN