EGYPT "NOT OPPOSED" TO UNGA HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 007748 SIPDIS USUN FOR SCOBEY E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/05/2015 TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAL EG IS UNGA SUBJECT: EGYPT "NOT OPPOSED" TO UNGA HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE RESOLUTION REF: SCOBEY-RICCIARDONE E-MAIL Classified by Ambassador Ricciardone for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). (C) During an October 5 meeting with Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Ambassador asked that Egypt support the draft UNGA-60 Holocaust Remembrance resolution currently under discussion in New York. Aboul Gheit stated plainly that Egypt would "not stand in the way" of the resolution's passage. He instructed his Chief of Staff to send a message to the Egyptian Premrep in New York not to oppose passage of the resolution. Aboul Gheit further suggested that the GOE Permrep's expressed views (ref email) may reflect views of the Arab Group in New York - presently led by Egypt - but not the position of the GOE. Nevertheless, Aboul Gheit said Egypt would use the opportunity to "speak our minds." We will remind those European states that now come to us as "prophets of virtue," he said, that it was they who sent their Jewish citizens to the Nazis - "not us." RICCIARDONE