Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05CAIRO6957
2005-09-08 11:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:  

EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ON UN REFORM ISSUES,

Tags:  PREL PGOV KUNR EG UNGA UNSC 
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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 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).

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
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RICCIARDONE