Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05CAIRO5467
2005-07-18 09:01:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:  

VISIT OF NEA ASSISTANT SECRETARY WELCH TO EGYPT

Tags:  PREL KPAL EG IS MASS OVIP MFO UNGA 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 CAIRO 005467 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/18/2015
TAGS: PREL KPAL EG IS MASS OVIP MFO UNGA
SUBJECT: VISIT OF NEA ASSISTANT SECRETARY WELCH TO EGYPT
JULY 15-16, 2005: MEETING WITH FM ABOUL GHEIT

REF: A. STATE 129634


B. STATE 124820

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

-------
Summary
-------

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 CAIRO 005467

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/18/2015
TAGS: PREL KPAL EG IS MASS OVIP MFO UNGA
SUBJECT: VISIT OF NEA ASSISTANT SECRETARY WELCH TO EGYPT
JULY 15-16, 2005: MEETING WITH FM ABOUL GHEIT

REF: A. STATE 129634


B. STATE 124820

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

--------------
Summary
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1. (C) NEA Assistant Secretary David Welch discussed Gaza
disengagement, Palestinian security reform, and the
Palestinian internal political situation with Foreign
Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit on July 16. A/S Welch also asked
the GOE to support the U.S. position on both the Magen David
Adom (MDA) matter and the Palestinian proposal to convene a
Special Session of the UNGA to discuss the Israeli barrier.
On Lebanon, A/S Welch asked that Egypt use its influence to
press for a speedy formation of the new government in
Lebanon. Aboul Gheit expressed his concern that the
Secretary has not yet sent a letter to Congress supporting

SIPDIS
the continuation, without change, of Egypt's Foreign Military
Funding (FMF),which he characterized as inappropriately
under threat. Discussion of Radio Sawa reported septel. End
summary.

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Participation
--------------


2. NEA A/S David Welch met with Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul
Gheit on July 16, 2005. Charge d'Affaires Michael Corbin,
NSC Director Herro Mustafa, and Embassy notetaker accompanied
the A/S. Other GOE officials joining the meeting included
Assistant to the Minister for the Americas Shadia Farrag,
First Secretary Mohammed Abulkheir, Counselor for Press Ahmed
Ezzat, Counselor for Arab Affairs Alaa al Hadidi, Counselor
for the Peace Process Ali Erfan, Desk Officer for North
America Walid al Fiqqi, and the Desk Officer for Palestinian
Affairs Randa Labib.

--------------
Gaza disengagement
--------------


3. (C) Palestinian-Israeli coordination on Gaza
disengagement is strong, A/S Welch said, noting that although
the two governments have not made even basic decisions, they
have narrowed the range of options under consideration. Of
the priority agenda items, the issues of housing and general

assets will be the easiest to resolve, A/S Welch predicted.
Israel wants to destroy settler housing and plans to do so
quickly, but removing the debris presents a challenge because
it would require the Israelis to stay in Gaza longer than
they would like. However, having the Palestinians remove the
debris also creates problems, A/S Welch noted, because any
material that cannot be used would have to be trucked into
Israel. A/S Welch confirmed that Israel does not want
30-60,000 Palestinian trucks entering its territory. As for
productive assets, such as greenhouses, A/S Welch speculated
that either settlers will remove and destroy them or people
will realize their use and jobs will be saved by use of a
third party.


4. (C) Aboul Gheit asked whether it is possible to use the
housing debris to expand coastline development into the sea,
as several Gulf countries have done. According to A/S Welch,
the Palestinians are considering using the rubble for a
harbor, but environmental and material quality concerns are
potential obstacles. Aboul Gheit mentioned, but did not
elaborate on, the possibility that disposal could be handled
by a private contractor. Although he commended the USG for
engaging in the peace process after a long period of showing
little interest, Aboul Gheit stressed the importance of
looking beyond disengagement so that the process does not
stagnate. "We cannot give Palestinians in Gaza fruit while
offering salt to those in the West Bank," he cautioned.
Aboul Gheit further warned that the West Bank may erupt, and
when the Israelis react, sympathizers in Gaza could spur
violence there as well. The U.S. must, Aboul Gheit
suggested, consider how it will respond in such a situation.



5. (C) The extent to which Gaza will be open will be the
most difficult issue to resolve, A/S Welch said. Passages
and ports (sea and air) are still under debate. On border
crossings, the Foreign Ministry's desk officer for
Palestinian Affairs, Randa Labib, noted that Israel's
position - wanting three of the five crossings on the
barrier - conflicts with the Word Bank's position. A/S
Welch stressed that the USG supports the World Bank view with
respect to the crossings. As for connections to the West
Bank, A/S Welch said the USG is prepared to help, but there
needs to be an immediate fix. Making crossings more
efficient for both people and cargo will be key, A/S Welch
and Aboul Gheit agreed.

--------------
Palestinian internal politics
--------------


6. (C) On the internal political situation, A/S Welch said
there is a strong sense of rivalry among Palestinian groups,
and while Abu Mazen is well-intentioned, he is not
particularly strong. A/S Welch noted that the Palestinian
Islamic Jihad is reportedly launching attacks to disrupt
negotiations with the GOI. Abu Mazen will not, A/S Welch
explained, back away from the principle that there should be
one Palestinian Authority. He added that most Palestinians
appear to want a stronger central government. Moreover, it
is significant, A/S Welch pointed out, that the Palestinian
Authority responded forcefully when Hamas provoked violence
during Abu Mazen's recent visit to Gaza. A/S Welch
emphasized that the USG is advising Israel not to engage
militarily, and said the Israelis have pledged to restrain
themselves unless they feel under imminent threat or
anticipate an outbreak of violence. Otherwise, A/S Welch
elaborated, Prime Minister Sharon and Israeli Defense
Minister Mofaz have committed not to respond and will press
forward with disengagement.


7. (C) Aboul Gheit said his primary concern arises from the
fluid nature of the Palestinian situation. The danger, he
opined, is that the Israelis will be stressed to the extent
that they then put Abu Mazen in a difficult position. The
most difficult times are coming, according to Aboul Gheit,
because Palestinian internal politics could effect
post-disengagement posturing, as different groups attempt to
take credit for the victory.



8. (C) Reform of the Palestinian security forces is another
key agenda item, A/S Welch said. The USG is gathering the
international community to support this effort, and while the
response has been good, A/S Welch said, a contribution from
Egypt would be appreciated. A/S Welch noted that although
discussions with Israel are continuing regarding the
provision of lethal assistance; the Israelis are facilitating
other forms of assistance. When Aboul Gheit asked what kind
of assistance the international community has pledged, A/S
Welch promised to forward this, observing that the
Palestinians need everything from uniforms to beds.

--------------
The Israeli barrier
--------------


9. (C) A/S Welch explained the USG view (Ref A) that
convening a Special Session of the UNGA to discuss the
Israeli barrier would be counterproductive at this time. The
dialogue is ongoing, A/S Welch stressed, and the Special
Session would add nothing but momentary international
attention. Agreeing with A/S Welch, Aboul Gheit said the
Palestinians are pressing this simply to evoke a reaction.
Without speculating as to the likelihood of success, Aboul
Gheit confirmed that he has been discussing this issue with
the Palestinians and promised to "keep working" on it.

--------------
Magen David Adom
--------------


10. (C) A/S Welch asked for GOE support on the MDA matter
(Ref B),urging Aboul Gheit not to politicize a humanitarian
issue. Disagreeing with A/S Welch, Aboul Gheit stressed that
that the issue is not purely humanitarian and emphasized
"nothing is for free." He then noted that he had offered GOE
support on the condition that the Israelis agree not to use
the MDA symbol in the Palestinian territories or East
Jerusalem. The Israelis refused this condition. Aboul Gheit
underscored that the GOE is locked into the position agreed
upon at the OIC summit in Sanaa and will not take the lead in
proposing a change. If, however, the discussions progress,
Aboul Gheit said the GOE will not obstruct them.

---
MFO
---


11. (C) A/S Welch noted that the GOE still had not responded
to the request to approve an MFO budget contribution of $19
million for FY06. He noted that Israel and the U.S. had
agreed to the increase and Egypt alone had yet to act. Aboul
Gheit asked about progress with securing contributions from
other donors, and A/S Welch advised that while this has been
productive, the moderate increase requested from Egypt,
Israel, and the U.S. is essential to the mission. Aboul
Gheit appeared to appreciate the need to respond.
--------------
Foreign Military Funding
--------------


12. (C) Aboul Gheit expressed displeasure over Secretary
Rice's failure to send a letter to Chairman Hyde supporting
the continuation of Egypt's FMF package. He reminded A/S
Welch that he raised this with the Secretary in Brussels.
Aboul Gheit said he had advised the Secretary to "take it
seriously" because the GOE feels "under fire." The nature of
our commitment on military and intelligence matters and the
fact that Egypt is both an ally and a friend, Aboul Gheit
said, should make us "untouchable."


13. (C) Assistant Secretary Welch has 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