EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ON BILATERAL RELATIONS,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 003952

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/26/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV EG KDEM KPAL IS IR SU
SUBJECT: EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ON BILATERAL RELATIONS,
BORDER DEPLOYMENT, SUDAN, REFORM

REF: UNDERRINER/MARTIN-HEGADORN MAY 24 E-MAIL EXCHANGES

Classified by Charge Gordon Gray for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

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Summary
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1. (C) During a May 25 meeting with the Charge, Egyptian
Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit expressed satisfaction
with the respective visits of Prime Minister Nazif and First
Lady Laura Bush. The visits had, in his view, improved the
atmosphere in the relationship. Aboul Gheit warned against
any USG flirtation with "moderate" Islamist elements, citing
Iran's Islamic revolution as an example of the dangers
inherent in a rise to power by Islamic fundamentalists. On a
potential Egyptian border guard deployment to the Gaza and
Israeli borders, Aboul Gheit said that an agreement with
Israel had not been reached, asserting that the ball was in
Tel Aviv's court. On Sudan, Aboul Gheit listed Egypt's
contributions to the African Union's (AU) mission in Darfur,
and complained that the AU was slow in taking up GOE offers.
Egypt agreed that it was important to bring northern Sudanese
opposition groups into the constitution-drafting process and
would encourage them to reach agreement with Khartoum. End
summary.


2. (U) During the 40-minute meeting, the Foreign Minister
was joined by Chief of Cabinet Sameh Shukry, Cabinet staff
member responsible for American affairs Mohamed Aboulkheir,
Deputy Assistant Minister for North American Affairs Atef
Salem, and North American Affairs Office Director Ashraf
Swelam. Poloff (notetaker) accompanied the Charge.

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Bilateral Relations Strong; Nazif, FLOTUS Visits Helpful
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3. (C) The Foreign Minister characterized the recent visit
of Prime Minister Nazif to the United States as "excellent."
The visit served to remove much of the "soiled air" and bad
feelings that the Foreign Minister felt had clouded his own
visit to Washington in February - a visit he said had
resulted in much "heated debate" in Cairo. The Prime
Minister's visit, he continued, contained a fair amount of
"harsh debate," yet appeared to have put us "back on the same
wave length." Again referring to the acrimony he had felt
during and after his own visit to the United States, Aboul
Gheit said that he had delivered the same basic message to
the USG regarding coming domestic reforms but had not been
heard. "Thank God," he added, that we are beyond this stage
and can focus on our "truly strategic relationship."
Similarly, the public comments made by First Lady Laura Bush
during her recent visit, he said, were "very balanced" and
"will be helpful."


4. (C) Referring to media speculation that Washington is
considering opening or expanding ties to moderate Islamic
forces in the Middle East, Aboul Gheit warned against
policies that could lead to destabilization in Egypt. A
moderate, stable Egypt is in the interest of the United
States, he stated. Noting upcoming elections in Iran, Aboul
Gheit added that Islamic fundamentalists once in power are
nearly impossible to remove. It is imperative, he added,
that there be a separation between government and religion.
Listing Islamist-inspired violent attacks on past and present
Egyptian leaders, Aboul Gheit implored the U.S. and Europe to
listen to and understand the Islamists, but not to encourage
them in any way, or be perceived as encouraging them. He
agreed with the Charge's observation that we followed a
careful policy in Egypt.

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Egypt-Israel Border Guard Deployment Issue Drags On
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5. (C) Asked about his recent public statements on
discussions with Israel over a prospective border guard
deployment, Aboul Gheit clarified that he had confirmed to a
reporter that Egypt was considering a total deployment of up
to 2,250 troops along the entire Rafah-to-Taba border with
Israel, including 750 specifically located along the Gaza
border. The talks with Israel, he explained, had not
concluded and remained the purview of security officials from
both sides. The sticking point, he stated, remained the
permanence of the Egyptian deployment and disagreement over
an Israeli demand that the deployment be reviewed annually
and potentially vetoed by Israel. Once that deployment is
made, he insisted, Egypt alone would be responsible for the
decision to remove those troops. Israeli Foreign Minister
Shalom had raised the subject with him in their recent
meeting on the margins of the World Economic Forum in Jordan,
he said, but Aboul Gheit said he had replied that the ball
was in Israel's court since Egypt's last written
communication had not yet been answered. For the time being,
Aboul Gheit added, the issue is "not moving."

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Sudan Issues
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6. (C) The Charge raised Sudan, noting Washington's
continued interest in developments there and expressing
appreciation for Egypt's efforts to assist with relief
efforts in Darfur. Responding, Aboul Gheit noted the May 24
visit to Cairo of African Union President Konare and listed
Egypt's specific contributions. Furthermore, he said that
those contributions were less than had been offered to the
AU, which was sluggish in responding to the Egyptian offers.
In addition to the one thousand Egyptian troops being
prepared for final deployment to the UN's North-South
monitoring mission, Egypt had offered 50 officers, Aboul
Gheit noted, from which the AU had taken only 23. Egypt had
also offered 150 police officers, of which the AU had only
taken 31; 100 military observers; and three staff officers to
assist with troop movements and logistics, two of whom had
been accepted by the AU. Aboul Gheit complained that the AU
was not responding, and was "slow to take up Egyptian
offers." Still, he added, Egypt stands prepared to assist in
whatever way is requested in Sudan. (Note: Aboul Gheit
instructed his staff in Arabic at this point to put together
a paper listing Egyptian contributions and offers of
assistance to the African Union to share with Members of
Congress in Washington. End note.)


7. (C) The Charge asked Egypt to encourage prominent
Sudanese northern opposition figures Mohamed Mirghani and
Sadiq al Mahdi and their respective organizations to
participate in ongoing debate over the drafting of a new
Sudanese constitution, as planned for in the Comprehensive
Peace Agreement (ref e-mail exchange). Aboul Gheit said that
during a meeting the previous week with Mirghani, the
Sudanese opposition figure said that he was eager to meet
with GOS negotiators to complete a deal between the National
Democratic Alliance (NDA, also headed by Mirghani) and the
government. The Foreign Minister said that the delay in
reaching a deal had to do with difficulties between Mirhgani
and Dr. Garang as well as pressure from Eritrea on the NDA,
but that the two sides might meet in Cairo May 29 to reach an
agreement. In any case, Aboul Gheit said, he had passed the
information to Egyptian Intelligence Chief Soliman, who had
the lead on the Sudan file.


8. (U) Khartoum minimize considered.


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GRAY