EGYPT: ARCENT COMMANDER HEARS BRIGHT STAR

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 004535

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2015
TAGS: PREL MOPS MASS SU SY CH IZ AF EG
SUBJECT: EGYPT: ARCENT COMMANDER HEARS BRIGHT STAR
EXERCISE PLANNING ON TRACK

Classified by Acting DCM Michael Corbin for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).


1. (C) Summary: During June 15 meetings with Ministry of
Defense (MoD) officials in Cairo, ARCENT Commander LTG
Whitcomb was told that BRIGHT STAR planning was progressing
well and that MoD saw no outstanding problems (such as
invitations to the three observer countries which were of
concern to the U.S.). Egyptian Chief of Staff Weheba
reiterated his hope that some U.S. Congressmen would visit
Egypt during BRIGHT STAR. On Iraq, Weheba stressed that
Egypt's offer to train Iraqi troops was still valid and that
cost was not an issue. Egypt was willing to meet Iraq's
training and cost requirements. He added that eastern bloc
equipment in Egypt's inventory allowed Egypt to train Iraqi
soldiers on the type of equipment they were most likely to
use. Weheba said Egypt was also open to further U.S. advice
on how the MoD might contribute to Afghan stability. He
cited recent security enhancements in the approaches to the
Suez Canal (made at our request) as focused on supporting
U.S. transits. End summary.


2. (C) Egyptian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Weheba told
visiting ARCENT Commander LTG Whitcomb in Cairo June 15 that
he was pleased with BRIGHT STAR planning. Whitcomb had just
come from a meeting with Training Authority Chief MG Mokhtar,
at which Mokhtar confirmed that invitees of concern to the
U.S. (Syria, China, and Sudan) would not be invited as
observers. Weheba stated that he "did not believe there were
any problems or issues" which had not been sorted out.
Weheba was anxious "to see the best BRIGHT STAR" ever
conducted. Whitcomb noted that some participant nations
would be evaluating certain military capabilities "in
unfamiliar terrain," which gave the exercise added relevance
to various participants. Weheba reiterated MoD's interest in
encouraging U.S. Congressional visitors to observe BRIGHT
STAR 2005, noting the importance of pre-briefing participants
to highlight the magnitude of "14 countries training
together."


3. (C) Whitcomb reviewed Iraq issues briefly for Weheba,
noting the importance of continuity in the Iraqi Ministry of
Defense. Weheba said Iraq was clearly serious about
maintaining security and reiterated Egypt's offer to train
more soldiers. Weheba said that during an April visit to
Washington by the MoD White Paper team, MoD had been told
that Iraq preferred to train its troops in Iraq partially due
to cost implications. Field Marshal Tantawi had instructed
his generals at that point to commit to training at a cost
which "met the expectations" of Iraq. He said the GOE wanted
to show its support for Iraq and was still offering training;
it was "not a matter of cost," he asserted. He emphasized
that the MoD was increasingly flexible in offering training
that met Iraq's needs and cost requirements. Weheba said
that Egypt, which maintains eastern bloc equipment in its
inventory, could train Iraqi troops on the type of equipment
that was being donated by eastern European countries.


4. (C) Finally, on Iraq, Weheba questioned the political
meaning of a ceremony the previous day naming a "Kurdish
president." He asked rhetorically if southern Iraq would be
getting a Shia leader, which would have negative consequences
for national unity. He wondered aloud "who is advising the
Iraqi government?" He added, "I do not believe this is the
right move or the right time."


5. (C) Thanking the MoD for donating arms and ammunition to
the Afghan National Army (ANA),and for transporting a
portion of that donation in Egyptian C-130 aircraft, Whitcomb
reminded Weheba that Afghanistan continued to need external
security assistance. Weheba said the Egyptian MoD had taken
U.S. advice regarding the donation to the ANA and would
continue to do so in support of stability in Afghanistan. He
hoped such efforts would have a positive impact on
Congressional perceptions of Egypt's regional role.


6. (C) The Chief of Staff pointed out that Egypt had
increased security for U.S. ships in the external anchorage
areas approaching the Suez Canal. In response to a U.S.
request for tightened security in those approaches, Weheba
highlighted that the MoD had taken this "resource-intensive"
action "only for U.S. ships."


7. (SBU) Weheba said he and ASD Rodman had agreed to hold
the next Military Coordination Committee (MCC) in Cairo
during the second week of November, 2005.


8. (U) LTG Whitcomb's party did not have an opportunity to
clear this message before leaving Cairo.

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GRAY