PDAS CHENEY DISCUSSES REFORM, GAZA WITHDRAWAL,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 005035 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/30/2015 TAGS: PREL PGOV KWBG KPAL KDEM IS EG SUBJECT: PDAS CHENEY DISCUSSES REFORM, GAZA WITHDRAWAL, IRAQ, AND SYRIA WITH FM AHMED ABOUL GHEIT Classified by Charge Michael Corbin for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) In a June 30 meeting with Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit, NEA PDAS Elizabeth Cheney emphasized the importance of reform. Although the FM agreed in principle on the need to "modernize," he asked the U.S. to be patient and emphasized the GOE's need to preserve stability. On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the FM candidly expressed his concern that violence may disrupt Gaza withdrawal and stressed that the discussions must move beyond Gaza. FM Aboul Gheit also claimed that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a central cause of the war on terrorism. PDAS Cheney rejected the idea that the conflict is the primary motive for terrorism, but recognized the centrality of ending the conflict for all the people in the region. She also stressed the need to continue with a multi-faceted approach to combating terror. Finally, PDAS Cheney urged Aboul Gheit to pressure Syria on Iraq, Lebanon, and support for Palestinian extremists. Aboul Gheit asserted that President Mubarak, Omar Soliman, and he were all pressing the Syrians. End summary. -------------- Reform/Modernization -------------- ¶2. (C) PDAS Cheney, accompanied by Senior Advisor Gamal Helal, Charge, and poloff (notetaker),met with FM Aboul Gheit on June 30. Aboul Gheit opened the discussion by affirming the GOE's interest in engaging with the U.S., but asked the U.S. to "be patient." He argued that, because of problems such as illiteracy, poverty, and unemployment, development in Egypt must proceed in a way that does not result in chaos. Lamenting the trend toward increasing conservatism of Egyptian society as evidenced by the growing use of the head scarf ("hijab"),Aboul Gheit said that Egypt must find a way to cope with the Islamists and "defend" Egyptian women from their influence so that they may use the opportunities of political participation that are available to them. According to Aboul Gheit, the increase in the number of women wearing the head scarf is the result of societal pressure, not personal religious conviction. The "recipe for progress", the FM opined, is "modernization, development, and stability, stability, stability." ¶3. (C) The PDAS welcomed the FM's emphasis on the centrality of the role of women in reform, and noted the link between this issue and the war on terror. Observing that women have the most to lose from Islamist influence, the PDAS stressed that the U.S. will "stand with women as they work for empowerment." -------------- Israeli/Palestinian Conflict -------------- ¶4. (C) Directing the discussion to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, PDAS Cheney expressed USG appreciation for GOE support on the Gaza withdrawal. Aboul Gheit bluntly responded "I am worried." The first cause of concern, he explained, is the ongoing Israeli/Palestinian "haggling" over the terms of the withdrawal, the role of the Palestinian Authority and Israeli Army, and the potential for violence during the withdrawal. He expressed his fear that a withdrawal under fire will leave permanent scars and stressed that there "must be control." Second, Aboul Gheit said Gaza cannot be seen to be a solution to the overall problem. He stressed that Israel's refusal to withdraw from West Bank areas would almost surely lead to tension there. This tension could easily spill into Gaza, with Palestinians engaging Israeli soldiers across the fence. ¶5. (C) Aboul Gheit then pressed his belief that the Palestinian issue is a key driving factor in encouraging terrorism and extremism. He said there is a "deep, deep anger" in the region as a result of the "injustice inflicted on the Palestinians" and said that the extremists are feeding this anger to foment anti-western sentiment. Aboul Gheit asked the USG to consider that the conflict in Iraq is spurred by both the Baathist element and jihadist groups motivated by the unresolved Palestinian issue. He then cited Egypt's own struggle with Islamists and the Muslim Brotherhood, and characterized the GOE as the U.S.'s partner against the Islamists. ¶6. (C) The PDAS acknowledged the tension generated by the Palestinian issue, but strongly rejected the claim that it is the root of terrorism in the region. She noted that the U.S. is committed to working with all parties to resolve the issue. She cautioned against blaming the West for terrorism. Combating terrorism, she explained, requires a multi-faceted approach to include support for the new Iraqi government, ensuring that Iraq can function as a democracy and control jihadist infiltration, continued military/intelligence engagement, ending the support for terror by governments like Syria and Iran, and addressing the multiple and complex causes of terror. Because recruitment by extremist groups is easiest when young people have no hope, the PDAS said it is particularly important that societies in the region continue to reform. -------------- Syria -------------- ¶7. (C) The PDAS expressed USG concern over Syria's failure to prevent violent extremists from using its territory to enter Iraq, its failure to withdraw its intelligence forces--and the continuation of its support for Hezbollah--in Lebanon, and its support for the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Aboul Gheit confirmed that President Mubarak, Omar Soliman, and he were all pressing Syria on these issues. However, he added, the Syrians complain that they need material and financial support to improve their border monitoring. PDAS Cheney rejected this suggestion and reiterated that Syria could do more immediately, without external support, to bolster border security. -------------- Iraq -------------- ¶8. (C) Turning to Iraq, PDAS Cheney asked Aboul Gheit whether the GOE Ambassador had presented his credentials in Iraq. He replied that the GOE mission is headed by an ambassador, with the title "Head of Mission," and had given a letter stating his status to the Iraqi Foreign Minister. Aboul Gheit then said that the Iraqi Ambassador to Egypt has repeatedly delayed her arrival in Cairo and thus, her presentation of credentials to President Mubarak and establishment of full diplomatic ties. When the PDAS pressed as to why the GOE needed to wait for the Iraqi Ambassador to arrive here before the Egyptian Ambassador could present his credentials to Talibani, Aboul Gheit did not answer directly, but promised to speak to President Mubarak about the matter. ¶9. (U) PDAS Cheney cleared this cable. 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. CORBIN