EGYPTIAN MEDIA LEGEND IBRAHIM NAFEI SHOWN THE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 005185

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KPAO EG
SUBJECT: EGYPTIAN MEDIA LEGEND IBRAHIM NAFEI SHOWN THE
DOOR, REPLACED BY LOYAL PROTEGE


Sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly.

REF: A. CAIRO 5057

B. CAIRO 4127


1. (SBU) Summary: Of all the changes to the pro-
government press leadership announced by the Shura Council
on July 3 (ref A),most significant is the replacement of
media giant Ibrahim Nafei, former Editor-in-chief and Board
Chairman of Al-Ahram. Nafei, who was appointed Editor-in-
chief by Anwar Sadat, leaves behind a weakened newspaper,
allegations of corruption, and a loyal replacement, Osama
Saraya. His replacement was part of the Egyptian
Government's attempt to put a 'new face' on government
institutions and encourage an impression of reform and
progress in anticipation of the year's presidential and
parliamentary elections. End summary.


2. (SBU) The replacement of media giant Ibrahim Nafei,
former Editor-in-chief and Board Chairman of Al Ahram, is
the end of an era in the Egyptian pro-government press.
Nafei, who was appointed Editor-in-chief in 1979 by Anwar
Sadat after working his way through the ranks of Al-Ahram as
an economic reporter and editor, was considered the most
prominent 'mouthpiece' (some would say, 'apologist') for the
Mubarak government for the past 25 years. Nafei was also
head of the Egyptian Press Syndicate, serving from 1985 to

1994. On the one hand, Nafei was known for 'taking care of
the troops' at Al-Ahram and the syndicate - giving Al-Ahram
journalists large annual bonuses; building new office spaces
at Al-Ahram; and, as head of the Press Syndicate, appealing
to the government whenever a journalist was arrested or
imprisoned, no matter the journalist's politics. On the
other hand, Nafei leaves behind management problems and
allegations of corruption.


3. (SBU) Rumors of Nafei's replacement heated up this year
after Al-Ahram published an unprecedented "correction" on
May 15 for having 'misprinted' an interview President
Mubarak granted to Kuwaiti daily Al-Siyassa (reftel B). NDP
Secretary General and Shura Council Head Safwat El Sherif

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reportedly was angered with Nafei over the interview and
began to murmur darkly about "big changes" in the pro-
government press. Sherif also reportedly mistrusted Nafei's
influence with the presidency, which he felt was "out of
bounds" of his position, according to PA contacts. As
rumors of changes in the media continued the past two
months, PA contacts at Al-Ahram reported that Nafei believed
his position was safe, given his relationship and long
history with the presidency.


4. (SBU) Nafei leaves behind a loyal replacement, Osama
Saraya, as Editor-in-chief. (The Al-Ahram Board Chairman
position went to Salah Al-Ghamri, the former head of Al-
Ahram's distribution.) Saraya was previously Editor-in-
chief of the weekly magazine Al-Ahram Al-Arabi and is pro-
reform. Nafei 'discovered' Osama Saraya through Saraya's
uncle, a former managing editor with Al-Ahram. Saraya began
as a trainee in Al-Ahram's economic section, where he gained
Nafei's trust. (Note: Embassy Cairo helped Saraya
extensively in the early years of his career, providing him
with many exclusive stories and contacts. Saraya has always
had an open door policy with Embassy officers and visiting
USG officials. End note.) A senior Al-Ahram journalist
told PA LES on July 5, "Osama is like Nafei's son. He sees
Ibrahim as his idol and role model." The journalist
commented - as have other Al-Ahram contacts - that Nafei,
who will continue to write a column for the newspaper, will
exercise behind-the-scenes influence at Al-Ahram through his
relationship with Saraya.


5. (SBU) Comment: Nafei's legacy is a weakened newspaper,
Al-Ahram having seen its influence wane with the rise of pan-
Arab satellite TV channels and pan-Arab newspapers such as
Lebanon's Al-Hayat and the Saudi-owned Al-Sharq Al-Awsat.
Nafei has also been dogged by persistent allegations of
corruption, with PA contacts alleging that Nafei used his
position to enrich himself through questionable property and
publishing deals. Additionally, overemployment and
mismanagement plague Al-Ahram. PA contacts report that too
many Al-Ahram editors spend too little time at their desks,
writing an occasional column rather than actively managing
their oversized staffs.


6. (SBU) Despite the bad blood between Sherif and Nafei,
the latter's replacement was likely part of the Egyptian
Government's attempt to put a 'new face' on government
institutions. The word on the Egyptian street is that pro-
government newspapers like Al-Ahram are too pro-Mubarak and
cannot be trusted. By putting newer faces in leadership
positions, the government may be attempting to encourage in
the public a sense of reform and progress in anticipation of
the year's presidential and parliamentary elections.
However, Saraya, who is known for his pro-reform arguments
on pan-Arab satellite TV, will likely continue Nafei's
legacy of Mubarak-friendly coverage and commentary. It
remains to be seen if Saraya has the skills to successfully
shake-up Al-Ahram and reposition it as the region's leading
Arabic newspaper. End comment.

CORBIN