CODELS PELOSI/KILPATRICK/SMITH/DREIER IN CAIRO

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 002517 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/30/2015 TAGS: OREP PREL MOPS MASS IR IS IZ SU EG SUBJECT: CODELS PELOSI/KILPATRICK/SMITH/DREIER IN CAIRO MARCH 20-24: MINISTER OF DEFENSE STRESSES EGYPT'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON INTERESTS IN THE REGION Classified by Charge Gordon Gray for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) During the week of March 20-24, Egyptian Minister of Defense Tantawi met with 20 members of Congress and staff from CODEL Pelosi (March 20, eight representatives),CODEL Kilpatrick (March 23, five representatives),CODEL Smith (March 23, one senator),and CODEL Dreier (March 24, six representatives). Tantawi used each opportunity to emphasize Egypt's contributions to our common interests in the Middle East, with emphasis on Egypt's facilitation of U.S. transits through the Suez Canal, numerous military overflights of Egyptian airspace, training of Iraqi security personnel, deployment of a field hospital to Afghanistan, donations of humanitarian goods to Afghanistan and Sudan, and extensive engagement with both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian dispute. Tantawi also highlighted Egypt's efforts to curb smuggling into Gaza and said Egypt and Israel were close to an agreement on the deployment of military border guards on the Egyptian side of the border with Gaza. ¶2. (C) Tantawi affirmed Egypt's appreciation for U.S. security assistance and appealed to his guests to counter any attempt to reduce military aid to Egypt. The presentation in each meeting was clearly designed to provide Congress with a different view of the Egyptian military than the MoD anticipates will be suggested by Congressman Lantos if he reintroduces legislation to redirect a portion of our military aid to economic assistance (an amendment which gained 131 votes in the House last July). Citing the uncertainty of future developments in the Middle East, Tantawi emphasized the importance of a strong and stable Egypt -- complete with a credible defensive and deterrent capability -- to U.S. interests in the region. He said changes in U.S. assistance "would not serve stability" in the region. ¶3. (C) Each CODEL received a briefing on Egypt's allocation of Foreign Military Funding (FMF) from the United States, which has been declining in purchasing power over the years and is increasingly obligated to maintenance and upgrading of U.S. equipment. The MoD emphasized its goal of maximizing efficiency in planning how to allocate FMF dollars. With Senator Smith, Tantawi looked forward to the day when Egypt might no longer require this assistance, but emphasized the need to sustain current levels of funding over the near term. Congressional participants in these meetings acknowledged Egypt's important role and listened carefully to Egypt's appeal for sustained levels of FMF. ¶4. (C) The CODELs discussed the situation in Iraq, Smith having visited recently and others (Pelosi and Dreier) having plans to visit within a few days. The conversations were positive, with hopes for establishment of a stable new government soon in Baghdad. On Sudan, Tantawi told his visitors that tribal conflicts and limited rainfall highlighted a humanitarian situation that "was not a new issue," but which needed to be addressed carefully. He noted Egypt's contribution of humanitarian goods and military monitors, as well as Egypt's promise to send peacekeeping troops to southern Sudan at an appropriate juncture. Asked about Iran, Tantawi reaffirmed the GOE desire for a WMD-free region. ¶5. (U) The CODELs did not have an opportunity to clear this message before departing Egypt. Visit Embassy Cairo's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/cairo You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website. GRAY