EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ON UN REFORM ISSUES,

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 006957 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/08/2015 TAGS: PREL PGOV KUNR EG UNGA UNSC SUBJECT: EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ON UN REFORM ISSUES, HIGH LEVEL EVENT REF: A. STATE 163224 ¶B. STATE 163223 Classified by Ambassador Francis Ricciardone for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) During a September 4 introductory meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Aboul Gheit to present credentials, the Ambassador drew from reftel demarches to urge improved Egyptian cooperation on UN reform and the UN High Level Event Outcome Document. Aboul Gheit stated that overall at the United Nations, Egypt and the U.S. "share the same goals, but sometimes have different ideas on how to achieve them." Nonetheless, Aboul Gheit "promised" to work together on UN issues. ¶2. (C) On Security Council expansion, the Minister said Egypt was "in complete agreement" with Washington, but had to play its hand carefully to avoid exposing its position. On a Human Rights Council, Aboul Gheit promised that Egypt "would work with you," but did not want to prejudice some members of the UN. It is still unclear how members of the commission would be chosen, he said. Regardless, we agree on the need for a Council that is made up of "the right members." On management reforms, Aboul Gheit acknowledged that the UN Secretariat was weak and needed reform to strengthen it. SIPDIS ¶3. (C) Regarding a Peace-building Commission, Aboul Gheit said that Cairo and Washington "have no quarrel" over creation of such a body, but need to reach agreement on a proper formula on sharing oversight and supervision. Egypt does not want to cede too much power to the states in the Security Council. At the same time, he continued, the General Assembly has been rendered too weak. The Assembly needs a constructive role at the UN besides just venting anger ("which it does too well"),he added. Concluding, Aboul Gheit promised emphatically that Egypt would work with U.S. delegation in New York. ¶4. (C) Comment. Assurances of good will notwithstanding, Aboul Gheit offered no promises of new cooperation at the UN. On his own he is unlikely to use whatever influence he has over the Egyptian UN delegation to move them significantly in our direction. We are also working, therefore, with other Cabinet ministries that share stakes in the U.S. relationship -- as we will do with Mubarak -- to motivate Aboul Gheit and his MFA to work with us for better at the UN. 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. RICCIARDONE