Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05CAIRO6286
2005-08-16 14:31:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:  

UN REFORM: EGYPT NOT YET FOCUSED ON HIGH-LEVEL

Tags:  PREL PGOV KUNR EG UNGA UNSC UN 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 006286 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/16/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV KUNR EG UNGA UNSC UN
SUBJECT: UN REFORM: EGYPT NOT YET FOCUSED ON HIGH-LEVEL
EVENT

REF: A. STATE 149376 (NOTAL)


B. USUN 1717 (NOTAL)

C. AUG 2 CORBIN-MCVERRY E-MAIL

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 006286

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/16/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV KUNR EG UNGA UNSC UN
SUBJECT: UN REFORM: EGYPT NOT YET FOCUSED ON HIGH-LEVEL
EVENT

REF: A. STATE 149376 (NOTAL)


B. USUN 1717 (NOTAL)

C. AUG 2 CORBIN-MCVERRY E-MAIL

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


1. (C) The Charge delivered ref A demarche on August 15 to
MFA Acting Chief of the Minister's Cabinet, Yasser Morad.
Morad accepted the points with limited substantive reply, but
promised to study the U.S. message. He indicated that the
GOE had not yet focused on the High Level Event (HLE). On
the subject of a new Human Rights Council to replace the UN's
current Commission, Morad expressed skepticism that a United
Nations body's membership could be selected without a
rotation in the UN system. But, he promised that Egypt would
keep an open mind to proposals.


2. (C) Morad pushed back on USG insistence over Security
Council oversight of the Peace-building Commission, noting
that Egypt and the U.S. had different views. He was somewhat
mollified by assurances that the USG was willing to negotiate
appropriate and clearly defined roles for ECOSOC and General
Assembly interface with the Commission, so long as the
Security Council maintained oversight, per ref A demarche.


3. (C) Morad stated that the GOE had not yet reached a final
position on the definition of terrorism. He hinted that
there was movement in the direction the USG wished, but that
the final outcome would not fully satisfy USG requirements.
(Note: During an August 14 conversation with Presidential
Advisor Soliman Awad, the Charge was told that Egypt - in the
context of a planned Arab summit - was pushing with its Arab
neighbors a simplified definition of terror with no reference
to freedom fighters; this topic is expected to be on the
agenda at the next Arab summit, postponed until after
September. It is possible that President Mubarak will sweep
away any nuanced position concocted in the MFA, in favor of
the simple and sweeping version favored by the USG. End
note.)

4 (C) Comment. With Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit and his
Chief of Cabinet Sameh Shukry both on vacation, and the
Presidency focused on the September 7 Presidential election,
the GOE has yet to focus on the UN High Level Event. Also,
it remains unclear whether our August 2 (ref C) demarche to
MFA working-level contacts to complain about GOE diplomatic
behavior in New York (ref B) has affected GOE tactics.
British and Japanese colleagues were also scheduled to
deliver similar demarches this week. (Note: It was not
possible to coordinate joint delivery with the Japanese due
to Japanese Ambassador's schedule. End Note.) End comment.


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.

JONES