ARAB DIPLOMATS WEIGH BRAZIL'S READINESS TO HOST

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BRASILIA 000760

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/15/2015
TAGS: PREL PTER KSUM ETRD XF XM IS BR
SUBJECT: ARAB DIPLOMATS WEIGH BRAZIL'S READINESS TO HOST
SUMMIT

REF: A. BRASILIA 564

B. BRASILIA 574

C. BRASILIA 658

D. BRASILIA 718

Classified By: DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION PHILLIP CHICOLA. REASONS:
1.4 (B
AND D)


1. (SBU) During March 17 Tunisia National Day reception,
numerous Arab diplomats expressed concerns to Poloff about
the lethargic pace of administrative and substantive
preparations for the May Arab-South America Summit in
Brasilia. According to the diplomats, numerous logistical
issues, in particular hotel accommodations, have not yet been
settled. While it is unclear whether these problems will
dampen high level attendance at the Summit, Arab embassies in
Brasilia appear to be unhappy with Ministry of External
Relations' (MRE) arrangements. On the substantive side, one
diplomat noted that negotiations over the Summit declaration
are driving the Summit agenda -- not the other way around --
to the detriment of the Summit's ostensive raison d'etre:
improving Arab-South American economic-commercial and
cultural ties.


2. (C) Even at this late date, attendance by Arab heads of
state is up in the air. (Note: Most, if not all, South
American Presidents are expected to be in Brasilia.) Most
Arab League foreign ministers will likely participate -- even
Libya, which objected to having a Summit with the South
Americans at this time, will reportedly send a delegation.
However, based on comments by Arab diplomats, no more than
four or five Arab heads of state will come to Brasilia.
Regarding the possible attendance of President Mubarak,
perceived as the key to robust participation by other Arab
leaders, the Egyptian DCM explained that the political timing
of the May Summit is terrible for the Egyptian President. He
did not see any possibility Mubarak would come to Brasilia.
Moroccan and Algerian diplomats confirmed that King Mohamed
and President Bouteflika would participate. Both countries
are playing host to important pre-Summit meetings, and both
heads of state will likely sign a number of accords with
Brazil and Mercosul during their visits.


3. (C) On March 17 several Brazilian newspapers reported
that MRE would turn down an expected USG request for observer
status at the Summit, arguing that "the Summit should not be
open to third-party observers because it is aimed solely at
tightening commercial and cultural ties among the
participants." The quoted MRE source added that
"international observers are allowed in Mercosul summit
meetings because the bloc is a forum for political
negotiations."


4. (C) Diplomats recognized clearly that the story had been
planted, but could not comprehend what was behind it.
According to the Ecuadorian DCM, the South Americans believe
that allowing Summit observers added undue "complications",
although she did not say whether this was a consensus
decision by the South Americans or a unilateral one by
Brazil. Nor could she explain why Mercosul meetings were
"political" and this Summit not. Arab diplomats expressed
surprise. After receiving a more accurate portrayal from
poloff about the informal USG request to be an observer, and
that we understood other countries such as Mexico had made
the same request, the Egyptian DCM was struck by MRE's
apparent anti-U.S. twist to the issue. Poloff tried to
obtain an explanation from the likely MRE source behind the
story, but was told the official was just then departing for
Algeria.


5. (C) Comment: In their preparations for the Summit, the
Brazilians are clearly behind the eight-ball. We have had
similar frustrations with the GOB over preparations for
Global Forum IV on Anti-Corruption, slated for June in
Brasilia, and can empathize with the Arab diplomats who just
shake their heads. While the MRE leak to the press about
possible USG observer status was an unnecessary pinch, it
does suggest the Brazilians are feeling pressured by us on
the more important issue of the Summit declaration. The
press story may be a small message to us, but it is perhaps a
larger reflection of the level of concern being felt by MRE
leadership about the Summit itself. It is also reflective of
a growing propensity on the part of the MRE to score
political points at our expense.

Danilovich