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 SIPDIS 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.: -------------- The Deputy Secretary Charge Michael Corbin NEA PDAS Elizabeth Cheney Deputy Spokesman Adam Ereli D Executive Assistant Ross Wilson Embassy notetaker Egypt: -------------- President Hosni Mubarak Spokesman Soliman Awad -------------- Summary -------------- ¶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. -------------- Iraq -------------- ¶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. -------------- Syria -------------- ¶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 SIPDIS to the U.S., just enough "to send us away." The Deputy Secretary added that if Syria is genuinely ready to work with SIPDIS 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. -------------- Sudan -------------- ¶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. -------------- Middle East Peace Process -------------- ¶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. -------------- Lebanon -------------- ¶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. -------------- Reform in Egypt -------------- ¶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. 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