GUANTANAMO ALLEGATIONS OF KORAN DESECRATION NOT ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 003647 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/12/2015 TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAO KISL EG SUBJECT: GUANTANAMO ALLEGATIONS OF KORAN DESECRATION NOT ON GOE AGENDA REF: STATE 88240 Classified by ECPO Counselor John Desrocher for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) During a May 12 meeting with Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif (septel),the Charge drew from reftel talking points to address allegations of desecration of the Koran at U.S. detention facilities in Guantanamo that sparked violent protests May 11 in Afghanistan. Nazif was unaware of the events in Afghanistan, but expressed appreciation to the Charge for sharing the information, as well as for the USG taking quick action to address concerns and investigate the allegations. ¶2. (SBU) There has been limited press attention so far to the allegations and ensuing violence in Afghanistan and no formal GOE statements or reaction to date. While the Foreign Minister has been out of the country for the past week, it is possible the local press will seek comment upon his return May 14. The embassy also contacted Arab League Spokesman Hossam Zaki to convey reftel talking points. Zaki said that he had read the Department Spokesman's public remarks and was seriously concerned by the nature of the allegations, but had so-far refrained from making any public comments on the topic. ¶3. (SBU) Post has placed A/S Boucher's remarks on this topic prominently on the Embassy's public website in both Engligh and Arabic (cairo.usembassy.gov). Embassy Public Affairs section has also text-messaged Embassy contacts to refer them to the site. Poloff also delivered reftel demarche points to MFA Cabinet staff member responsible for Arab affairs Alaa Hadidi May 12. Hadidi had no substantive response other than to commit to conveying our demarche to the Minister upon his return to Cairo. 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