DEPUTY SECRETARY ZOELLICK'S JULY 14, 2005 MEETING

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 CAIRO 005521

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/19/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAL OVIP EG IS IZ LE SU
SUBJECT: DEPUTY SECRETARY ZOELLICK'S JULY 14, 2005 MEETING
WITH EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT MUBARAK


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


1. (U) Date, time and place: July 14, 2005, 11:45 a.m.,
Alexandria, Egypt.


2. (U) Participants:

U.S.:
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The Deputy Secretary
Charge Michael Corbin
NEA PDAS Elizabeth Cheney
Deputy Spokesman Adam Ereli
D Executive Assistant Ross Wilson
Embassy notetaker

Egypt:
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President Hosni Mubarak
Spokesman Soliman Awad

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Summary
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3. (C) President Mubarak said that Egypt is pushing Iraq's
Sunnis to not be an obstacle to stability in Iraq. He
welcomed a visit from Iraqi Prime Minister Ja'fari, but only
after the situation "calms down." He pressed the U.S. to
open a back channel of communication to Syrian President Asad
rather than back him into a corner. Mubarak also outlined
his efforts to promote peace in Sudan and press the
Palestinian Islamic Jihad to stop violent attacks against
Israel. Mubarak described himself as "afraid for the
stability" of Lebanon. On domestic reform, Mubarak expressed
confidence in the GOE's economic leadership and vowed to
press on with political reforms. End summary.

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Iraq
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4. (C) The Deputy Secretary opened the meeting by expressing
condolences for the murder in Iraq of Egyptian chief of
mission Ambassador Ihab el Sherif. He noted that Iraqi Prime
Minister Ja'fari, whom the Deputy Secretary had just seen in
Baghdad, asked that his condolences be passed to Mubarak as
well. The Deputy Secretary explained that Ja'fari would like
to visit Egypt soon. Mubarak replied that such a visit was
"not a problem," but should wait until the situation "calms
down," pointing specifically to Egypt's upcoming elections
and the media backlash in Egypt following the murder of
Sherif.


5. (C) Mubarak said that stability in Iraq is important not
just for Iraqis, but for the entire region. Egypt is trying
to help, he added. Specifically, Egypt, via EGIS Director
Soliman, is trying to persuade the Sunnis not to be
obstinate. Mubarak went on to say that Iraq is a difficult
country. Iraq's neighbors make it difficult, he elaborated,
as do Iraq's own domestic divisions. Also, he noted,
terrorists are coming to Iraq "from everywhere." He urged
the U.S. to put Iraq's cities and towns under Iraqi security
control as quickly as possible and withdraw U.S. forces to
rural areas.

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Syria
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6. (C) Mubarak repeatedly urged the Deputy Secretary to open
"a back channel" to Syrian President Bashar Asad. "I think
Syria will make a tremendous effort" to improve relations
with the U.S., Mubarak said, but not if Asad "is put in a
corner." Asad "needs reassurance," Mubarak said. Regarding
the infiltration of insurgents from Syria to Iraq, Mubarak
argued that borders are always hard to police, pointing to
Egypt's problems in Sinai and the difficulty of securing U.S.
borders.


7. (C) The Deputy Secretary argued that Syria could better
control its borders if it chose to do so. While expressing a
readiness to reflect on Mubarak's advice, the Deputy
Secretary stressed that Asad tends to only throw a few crumbs

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to the U.S., just enough "to send us away." The Deputy
Secretary added that if Syria is genuinely ready to work with

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us on issues like Iraq, Lebanon, and the Middle East Peace
Process, there is a possibility for cooperation.


8. (C) Asad, Mubarak said, is in a weak position. He has
tried to make some changes, but those around him are
resistant, and coming from the minority Alawite sect is a
disadvantage for Asad, Mubarak asserted. Mubarak expressed
concern about what the return of Syrian troops from Lebanon
meant for Syria's internal stability. If there is a coup in
Syria, Mubarak said, the military will take over and it will
be like the 1950s again. Disorder in Syria, he warned, would
affect Iraq and others in the region.

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Sudan
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9. (C) The Deputy Secretary expressed appreciation for
Egypt's efforts in Sudan, noting its role in supporting the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement, work with the National
Democratic Alliance (NDA),and Egypt's dispatch of
peacekeeping troops and humanitarian assistance to Darfur.
Mubarak explained how he had defused a crisis at the African
Union summit in Libya which Sudanese President Bashir was
threatening to boycott because of the presence of his
Eritrean counterpart. After a number of other African
leaders failed to change Bashir's mind, Mubarak said, he
stepped in and convinced Bashir to attend. Mubarak said that
his own discussions with President Isais had gone very well
and that Eritrea accepted the GOE's efforts.

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Middle East Peace Process
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10. (C) Mubarak noted that the GOE is already providing
training in Egypt for Palestinian security personnel and will
send some advisors to Gaza to provide further assistance. He
added that Egypt is also working hard with the Palestinian
factions, and brought the head of Palestinian Islamic Jihad
(PIJ) to Cairo to direct him to halt violence against
Israelis. Mubarak said the PIJ leader agreed to do so, but
Mubarak cautioned that different elements of the PIJ work in
different directions.


11. (C) Mubarak explained that he has pressed the
Palestinian Authority to crack down harder on extremists but
is simultaneously urging Sharon to support Abu Mazen.
Mubarak warned that if Abu Mazen goes, there will be
disorder.


12. (C) Regarding the deployment of Egyptian border guards
to the Egypt-Gaza frontier, Mubarak said that the GOE is
ready to move, but some in the Knesset are making trouble.
Mubarak scoffed at the notion that such a deployment could be
any threat to Israel. Mubarak said that he told Israeli
Infrastructure Minister Ben-Eliezer, recently in Cairo to
sign a natural gas agreement, that the GOE will do its part
to stop cross-border smuggling but that the GOI must do the
same.

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Lebanon
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13. (C) Mubarak compared the situation in Lebanon today to
that of 1975-76, describing himself as afraid for the
stability of the country. He said that he had been urging
Syria not to interfere, and Asad claimed to have no
intelligence or security forces still in the country.
However, Mubarak added, "Bashar listens, but does not know"
what some elements of his security forces are up to. Echoing
his earlier theme, Mubarak said that a U.S. back channel to
Asad would help improve Syria's attitude towards Lebanon.

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Reform in Egypt
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14. (C) In response to the Deputy Secretary's praise of
Prime Minister Nazif's economic team, Mubarak said that
"Nazif selected very good people." Mubarak insisted that he
had left the selection of the new cabinet ("except for the
defense minister and foreign minister") up to Nazif.
Regarding political reform, Mubarak said that Egypt has "not
ever seen anything" like the recently-mandated direct
presidential elections and "people are confused."
Nonetheless, Mubarak claimed to be determined to push
forward. In recalling an incident of political campaign
violence some years ago, Mubarak said he is trying to
persuade political parties to campaign peacefully. Mubarak
added that the key this year is the parliamentary elections,
and that he hopes the new political parties law will help
parties "reenergize." The political changes "will be
difficult for people," Mubarak concluded, but stressed that
he would move the process forward nonetheless.

15. (U) This cable was cleared by D.


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