EGYPT: ABU MAZEN'S VISIT TO EGYPT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 006653

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/29/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS PTER KPAL EG IS MEPN
SUBJECT: EGYPT: ABU MAZEN'S VISIT TO EGYPT


Classified by ECPO Counselor John Desrocher for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).

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Summary
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1. (C) Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas's (Abu Mazen)
August 24-25 visit to Egypt via the Rafah border crossing in
Gaza was marked by both symbolism and substance. Having
Abbas enter Egypt via the Rafah crossing signaled Egyptian
determination to keep the crossing open and to maintain close
working relations with the Palestinian Authority (PA)
following Gaza withdrawal. During his visit to Egypt, Abbas
met with the senior GOE leadership, including President
Mubarak. According to local sources, Abbas sought Egypt's
assistance in maintaining pressure on Israel to open Gaza to
the outside world via sea and air ports, border crossings,
and connections to the West Bank. The Palestinian President
also reportedly discussed with the GOE coordination of
diplomatic strategy ahead of the September 8-9 Arab League
Ministerial meeting in Cairo and at UN General Assembly
meetings in New York. Abbas sought Egypt's help to maintain
momentum on key bilateral issues such as Egypt's security
training, GOE border guard deployment, and upcoming visits to
Gaza and Israel by EGIS Chief Soliman (and possibly Mubarak
to Israel after the September 7 election in Egypt). At the
Arab League, Abbas pressed Amre Moussa to help get Arab
member states to fulfil financial pledges to the PA, and to
pressure Israel on further Roadmap implementation. Echoing
Palestinian and regional concerns, most Egyptians believe
that with Gaza (and four West Bank) settlements evacuated,
Israel now intends to tighten its grip on its remaining West
Bank settlements and Jerusalem, while continuing to build its
security barrier. End summary.

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A Symbolic Rafah Crossing for Abbas
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2. (SBU) Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas crossed from
Gaza into Egypt via the Rafah crossing August 24 en route to
Cairo for meetings with President Mubarak and senior GOE
officials. His passage through the contentious crossing
point was seen by local contacts as a symbolic gesture
emphasizing Egyptian and Palestinian determination to keep
the Rafah passage open for business, under purely Palestinian
and Egyptian control. One of Abbas' core themes in his
public statements and private meetings in Cairo was the
Palestinian Authority (PA's) desire to prevent Gaza from
being turned into a "giant prison" following Israel's
departure. Abbas reportedly sought Egyptian and Arab League
assistance to continue pressing Israel, Washington, and
others to follow through on promises to open Gaza's sea and
air ports, passage to the West Bank, and other development
projects.

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Abbas: We Need Egyptian, Arab Support
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3. (SBU) During his short stay in Egypt, Abbas met with
Prime Minister Nazif (two times),Foreign Minister Aboul
Gheit, Information Minister al-Fiki, Intelligence Chief
Soliman, and Arab League Secretary General Moussa. Speaking
to reporters after his meeting with Mubarak, Abbas said that
all Israeli troops would be gone from Gaza by October 4.
Abbas cited the need to coordinate closely with Mubarak to
prevent Gaza from becoming "a large prison." Abbas
acknowledged that a deal had been reached on a seaport for
Gaza, but stated that an airport agreement "remained to be
negotiated." Abbas called public attention to the "Sharm
understandings" with respect to fulfilment of Israel's pledge
to release prisoners and withdraw from West Bank cities.
Repeatedly, Abbas highlighted the importance of obtaining
critical financial support from the Arab and international
community for reconstruction and development.

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Soliman to Gaza; Mubarak to Israel?
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4. (SBU) Abbas told reporters that Egyptian Intelligence
Chief Omar Soliman would travel to Gaza August 29. In
addition to witnessing the status of Egyptian security
training to the Palestinian Authority in Gaza, Soliman is
expected to continue the ongoing dialogue between he and
various Palestinian factions to ensure a continued ceasefire
and press for their loyalty to both the PA and Abbas. The
announcement of the Soliman visit came amid persistent rumors
that President Mubarak may be considering a visit to Israel
following completion of the Gaza withdrawal and after Egypt's
September 7 presidential election. (Note: Rumors aside,
post has not picked up any official indication that Mubarak
will make such a trip. End note.)

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Abbas to Arab League: Keep up the Pressure and Funding
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5. (C) Arab League Secretariat Chief of Staff, Hesham
Youssef, told poloff August 25 that Abbas' meeting with
Secretary General Moussa the evening before had touched upon

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six areas where Abbas wanted Arab League support: getting
formal negotiations with Israel on track; finalizing and
implementing agreements on Gaza (i.e., sea/air ports,
crossings, etc); reconstruction finance from the Arab region
for the PA; ensuring unity of Palestinian factions; support
for the PA during coming AL meetings, including a possible
summit; and, PA concerns over Israeli actions in the West
Bank regarding its settlements, security barrier, and
Jerusalem. Abbas was "extremely worried" over recent Israeli
actions with respect to Jerusalem, Youssef said. How Israel
and, more importantly, Washington address the issue of
Israeli efforts to expand its West Bank settlements, Youssef
continued, is of tremendous concern among Arabs, and will be
at the top of the Arab agenda during upcoming meetings in New
York on the margin of the UN General Assembly.

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Majority of Egyptians Remain Suspicious of Sharon
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6. (SBU) The rapid and efficient removal of all Israeli
settlements from Gaza and four settlements from the northern
West Bank is recognized by Egyptians as a bold move marking
the beginning of a new, yet volatile phase of the Middle East
peace process. Nevertheless, most Egyptian commentators
continue to echo Palestinian leaders' doubts over Israeli
intentions on the West Bank and regarding final status
issues. PM Sharon's reported remarks on expanding West Bank
settlements, the recent killing of Palestinian militants in
Tulkarm, and ongoing construction of Israel's security
barrier are fueling fears that Gaza withdrawal will be
followed by a tightened Israeli grip over the West Bank.
Nevertheless, President Mubarak continues to stake out
forthright and helpful public positions on both the Israeli
withdrawal and Egypt's relations with Israel. Mubarak's
recent interview in an Israeli newspaper (published widely in
Egyptian papers) is significant given his repeated praise for
Sharon. Trade Minister Rachid's continued engagement with
Israel and the U.S. on expanding QIZ's and Soliman's very
public engagement on security issues are clear indications of
Egyptian leadership both at home and in the region. In
perhaps another indication of warming relations with Tel
Aviv, al Ahram newspaper published last week an op-ed article
written by Israeli Ambassador to Cairo, Shalom Cohen, in
which the Israeli envoy lauds Israel's withdrawal and calls
upon Arab leaders to normalize relations with Tel Aviv.


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