EGYPT CONVOKES CHARGE ON IRAQ PREPCOM PARTICIPATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 004125

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV ASEC IZ RS EG EUN
SUBJECT: EGYPT CONVOKES CHARGE ON IRAQ PREPCOM PARTICIPATION


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


1. (C) The Charge was convoked late in the afternoon of
June 1 by MFA Chief of Cabinet Sameh Shukry (acting for the
Foreign Minister, who is overseas). Shukry said he was
"disturbed" to have just heard from the Russian ambassador
that the U.S. had invited the Russian Federation to
participate in Iraq PrepCom meetings the following day in
Cairo. Shukry said that the U.S. and Egypt had agreed to
maintain "a high degree of transparency" to ensure smooth
coordination of the PrepCom and facilitate a successful
conference in Brussels; a sudden PrepCom invitation to Russia
violated that agreement, in his view.


2. (C) Aware of discussion at the UNSC the previous day
regarding Russia's strong interest in joining the June 2
Cairo meetings, Ambassador Shukry said he assumed that
nothing had been agreed to without Egypt's consent. Hearing
the contrary from the Russian ambassador in Cairo led him to
convoke the Charge for clarification.


3. (C) The Charge reiterated that Egypt, as the host, had
the lead role in determining participation. He added that
Russia's approach in New York the day before had reportedly
been forceful, but that his understanding -- based on his
morning meeting with U.S. delegation leader Ambassador Jones
-- was that Iraq would request Egypt to allow Russian
participation. Shukry said he had met earlier in the day
with the Iraqi delegate, who had not raised the issue of
Russian participation beyond a somewhat half-hearted question
about the participation of 25 observers, including Russia,
from "the original list." The Iraqi "did not imply a request
to invite Russia" in particular. The Russian Ambassador had
nonetheless subsequently called, according to Shukry, to say
that he had "an invitation from the U.S."


4. (C) Shukry asked the USG to sort out the question of
Russian participation, floating the option of 25 observers
joining the June 2 meetings as one solution if Russia had to
be included. The Charge noted the inadvisability of such an
option.


5. (C) Comment: Shukry was particularly upset that the
issue of participation appeared uncertain in spite of that
topic having been discussed in numerous teleconferences among
coordinators. He was displeased with the awkward nature of
Russia's claim to an invitation, an issue which will
hopefully not sour further coordination of the PrepCom. End
comment.


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GRAY