Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05CAIRO5925
2005-08-02 05:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:  

ARAB SUMMIT: EGYPT CLEAR ON USG DESIRE FOR CLEAR

Tags:  PREL PGOV KPAL PTER ASEC EG IS IR SY 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 005925 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAL PTER ASEC EG IS IR SY
SUBJECT: ARAB SUMMIT: EGYPT CLEAR ON USG DESIRE FOR CLEAR
AND SIMPLE DEFINITION OF TERRORISM

REF: STATE 141247 (NOTAL)

Classified by Charge Stuart Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 005925

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAL PTER ASEC EG IS IR SY
SUBJECT: ARAB SUMMIT: EGYPT CLEAR ON USG DESIRE FOR CLEAR
AND SIMPLE DEFINITION OF TERRORISM

REF: STATE 141247 (NOTAL)

Classified by Charge Stuart Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

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


1. (C) Ministry of Foreign Affairs Chef du Cabinet Sameh
Shukry (the MFA's number two) told the Charge July 31 that
Egypt understood the U.S. call for a simple and clear
definition of terrorism and would factor this view into
preparations for the planned August 3 extraordinary Arab
Summit expected to take place in Sharm El Sheikh. Shukry
said the GOE shared U.S. concerns with regard to Syrian
actions on Lebanon and Syrian failure to take action against
supporters of the Iraq insurgency using its territory. The
Charge also raised the subject of an Egyptian invitation to
the Government of Iraq, noting that the August 3 summit would
serve as an opportunity for a bilateral meeting between
Presidents Mubarak and Talabani. Shukry said he would make
sure this suggestion was considered by the President, but he
noted Egyptian public opinion was still "not sympathetic" to
Iraq because of official statements in the wake of the Ihab
Sherif murder. (Note: Arab Summit was subsequently
postponed due to King Fahd's funeral) Arab League Secretariat
Chief of Staff Hesham Youssef, said the Arab summit's formal
agenda consisted of discussion of Palestine (post Gaza
withdrawal),the situation in Iraq, and terrorism. Youssef
committed to sharing the USG message with Moussa. End
Summary.

-------------- --------------
GOE to Press Arab Leaders on Clear, Simple Terrorism
Definition
-------------- --------------


2. (C) The Charge delivered an oral message from the
Secretary (reftel) July 31 to MFA Chef du Cabinet Ambassador

SIPDIS
Sameh Shukry, as the Foreign Minister was preparing to depart
for Sharm El Sheikh. The Charge noted the importance of the
summit and the necessity of achieving a satisfactory outcome.
Focusing on support for a simple and clear definition of
terrorism, the Charge called for Egypt's support in

encouraging Arab leaders to accept such a definition during
their meeting in Sharm. Shukry noted that the U.S. position
was clear and that the GOE had instructed its mission in New
York to be as cooperative as possible on this issue. Shukry,
clearly not up to speed on discussions in New York, promised
to ensure that our concerns on this topic were factored into
summit planning.


3. (C) On Syria, Shukry said the Egyptian position to press
Syria was consistent and that he had no doubt that President
Mubarak would use the summit as another opportunity to
deliver a firm message to Syrian President Asad. He assured
the Charge that on both Syria's actions against Lebanon and
its failure to act against those assisting the insurgency in
Iraq, Egypt was doing a great deal. "We are advocating the
same line," he said, while noting that the only difference
between the GOE and the U.S. was our respective analyses on
the extent to which Syria was attempting to take some actions.

--------------
Invitations for Iraqi Leadership
--------------


4. (C) The Charge, following up on a message from the Deputy
Secretary asking the Egyptians to host Iraqi leaders, asked

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if the Egyptians were considering hosting a bilateral meeting
between President Mubarak and visiting President Talabani on
the margins of the August 3 summit. Such a meeting was
important to Iraq, the Charge noted, and would send a strong
signal of support to the Iraqi government. Shukry promised
to pass the message on to the Presidency but noted that there
was still considerable "public heat" in Egypt over the
abduction and murder of Egyptian Ambassador to Iraq Ihab
Sherif. He said the public was not "prone to be sympathetic"
to Iraq because of anger over Iraqi statements but noted that
Egypt was taking into account the fact that this was a new
Iraqi government "under enormous pressure."

--------------
Arab League Response to Summit Demarche
--------------


5. (C) In the absence of Secretary General Amre Moussa, en
route to Sharm El Sheikh, poloff delivered reftel demarche
July 31 to Arab League Secretariat Chief of Staff Hesham
Youssef. Youssef confirmed that the summit agenda would
consist of discussion of the Gaza withdrawal aftermath, the
"deteriorating" situation in Iraq, and terrorism. There was
no agreement to discuss Syria/Lebanon or regional reform on
the formal agenda, he said. Poloff stressed the importance
of reaching a clear and simple definition of terrorism, as
proposed by UN Secretary General Annan. Moussa's recent
public comments in New York on the subject were positive and
had indicated that agreement might be possible on UN
Secretary General's Annan's proposed simplified language for

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an International Convention on Terrorism. Youssef avoided
discussion of inner Arab politics on the topic, stating that
"we have no differences with you on defining terrorism."


6. (C) Responding to other points of the U.S. demarche,
Youssef said that Arab leaders would look to take a common
position on next steps following Israel's disengagement from
Gaza and part of the northern West Bank. The key, he said,
is encouraging both sides to get back to the negotiating
table and ensuring full implementation of the Roadmap. We
are not looking to "reward" Israel for taking steps it should
have taken long ago, he added, noting that movement on the
MDA issue and encouragement of Arab ties with Israel were
premature absent further progress with the Palestinians on
key issues. These included a "full withdrawal" from Gaza
(i.e., free passage to the West Bank, Palestinian control of
Gaza ports) as well as addressing key issues such as the
separation barrier, settlements, and Jerusalem. On Iraq,
Youssef said "we basically agree," with the exception of a
timeline for U.S. withdrawal. Our key concern, he added, is
to address national reconciliation in Iraq, by which the
terrorists will be isolated and eliminated. Continuation of
present policies, he said, would create "a hundred more Bin
Ladens." Poloff pushed back, arguing that Iraq's security
needs were critical and that Arab support was needed to end
the insurgency.


7. (SBU) Although the Arab Summit has now been postponed due
to King Fahd's funeral, contacts at MFA are working toward
new dates next week, but alligning leaders' schedules may
pose a challenge. Post will use the addtional time to
reinforce these messages.


8. (U) Tripoli minimize considered.


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