SYRIA/LEBANON: EGYPT "STILL STUDYING" MEHLIS

UNCLAS CAIRO 008136

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER EG SY LE MEPN UNSC
SUBJECT: SYRIA/LEBANON: EGYPT "STILL STUDYING" MEHLIS
REPORT


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accordingly.


1. (SBU) Senior Egyptian Presidency and MFA officials have
so far offered minimal reaction to the Report of the
International Independent Investigation Commission
Established Pursuant to UNSCR 1595, otherwise known as the
"Mehlis Report." Presidential Spokesman Soliman Awad told
the DCM during an October 21 conversation that Egypt "was
studying the report thoroughly." He did not provide a time
when the GOE would respond in greater detail. Awad, however,
told reporters October 22 that the report "should not be read
superficially" as it indicates that "the investigations are
not yet over." Awad also conveyed the message that the GOE
was still "studying the report."


2. (SBU) Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit,
shortly after his October 21 return from Moscow and Vienna,
provided a similar response to reporters saying only that the
Mehlis report "should be read carefully and dealt with
delicately, to avoid further tensions in the Middle East."
MFA contacts repeated similar sentiments to poloff October
23, suggesting Egypt would await results of UN Security
Council deliberations on the Mehlis and Larsen reports before
commenting more fully.


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