EGYPT SHARES USG GOALS ON LA/SW MARKING AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 004119

SIPDIS

FOR PM/WRA/STEPHANIE PICO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2015
TAGS: PARM PREL EG
SUBJECT: EGYPT SHARES USG GOALS ON LA/SW MARKING AND
TRACING NEGOTIATIONS

REF: STATE 99866

Classified by Economic-Political Counselor John Desrocher for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Drawing from reftel points in a June 1 meeting with
Adel Ibrahim, Director of the MFA Office of Arms Control and
Disarmament, Poloff reiterated USG redlines regarding the
marking and tracing of ammunition and our inability to agree
to a legally binding document at the Open Ended Working Group
(OEWG). Ibrahim said he was very familiar with U.S.
positions on SA/LW negotiations, which he said matched
Egypt's goals. He said the GOE had pointed out the "legally
binding language" in a draft document as unacceptable when
Ambassador Thalmann visited Cairo. The GOE had included the
Ministries of Defense and Interior in meetings with Thalmann
to reinforce the fact that Egypt's positions were well
coordinated and would not change.


2. (C) Ibrahim said the GOE would be firm in negotiating at
the OEWG meetings at the UN later this month. He hoped the
U.S. would also make a "high profile" effort to ensure that
our mutual goals were met; he asked specifically that the USG
join in the negotiations aggressively and not "leave Egypt
isolated." He also commented that a number of other
countries shared similar views, pointing to "producer"
nations in particular. As for the end game, Ibrahim said he
thought a consensus could be reached if U.S. positions were
clearly articulated and forcefully argued.


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GRAY