Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05CAIRO7998
2005-10-17 15:10:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:  

EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER DETAILS OCTOBER 17 CAIRO

Tags:  PREL PGOV KPAL MOPS PTER ECON EG IS IZ MEPN 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 007998 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/17/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAL MOPS PTER ECON EG IS IZ MEPN
SUBJECT: EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER DETAILS OCTOBER 17 CAIRO
VISIT OF PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT ABBAS


Classified by DCM Stuart Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 007998

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/17/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAL MOPS PTER ECON EG IS IZ MEPN
SUBJECT: EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER DETAILS OCTOBER 17 CAIRO
VISIT OF PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT ABBAS


Classified by DCM Stuart Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary. Egyptian Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit told
the Ambassador October 17 that Palestinian President Mahmoud
Abbas during his meeting with President Mubarak earlier the
same day had provided a confident and upbeat assessment of
events in the Palestinian territories as well as prospects
for continued USG support. Nevertheless, Aboul Gheit
highlighted Abbas' complaint that ammunition had yet to be
delivered by Egypt to the Palestinian Authority as agreed,
and requested USG help to persuade Israel to "turn words to
action." Abbas was reportedly sanguine over prospects for
Gazan economic development and a pending agreement on
reopening the Rafah terminal. End summary.


2. (C) Aboul Gheit described Abbas, currently en route to
Washington via Paris and Madrid, as upbeat and positive on
the overall political situation in the Palestinian
territories. Abbas conveyed to President Mubarak his
"eagerness" to receive further political support from
President Bush "beyond what was received in the U.S. during
his last visit." It was crucial that he "build further
bridges to Washington" and receive clear USG political
support.


3. (C) The PA, Aboul Gheit said, was anxious to increase its
ability to control the situation in the territories and
needed the deal on ammunition provision by Egypt to turn
"from words to action." Despite apparent agreement from all
three sides (Egypt-Israel-PA),the ammunition had yet to be
delivered. (Note: Aboul Gheit disawoved any role in the
ammunition issue for himself, noting that it was being
handled in security channels. End note.) According to Aboul
Gheit, Abbas claimed that the PA was "not in a position to
take hold of the situation" without the ammunition.


4. (C) On a more positive note, Aboul Gheit described
Abbas's optimism on Gazan economic development. Abbas said
that money was starting to flow for hospitals and other
projects, including from United Arab Emirates figures who
were investing in housing and other infrastructure projects.
Similarly, Abbas conveyed that he expected an agreement "very
soon" between Egypt, Israel, and the PA on the reopening of
the Rafah border.


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