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