NEA A/S WELCH AND EGYPT'S FM ON ISRAEL-PALESTINE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 008705

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/18/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAL IZ EG IG
SUBJECT: NEA A/S WELCH AND EGYPT'S FM ON ISRAEL-PALESTINE
PROGRESS, ARAB LEAGUE IRAQ PREPCON, AND SYRIA

Classified by Ambassador Francis J. Ricciardone for reasons

1. 4(b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: NEA A/S Welch discussed progress on
Israeli-Palestinian issues, the Arab League sponsored Iraq
prepcon, and Syria/Lebanon with Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul
Gheit on November 17. Aboul Gheit praised the USG, and the
Secretary in particular, for the November 15 Agreement on

SIPDIS
Movement and Access and said Egypt hopes the momentum will
continue. Aboul Gheit said that although Egypt supports the
Arab League sponsored prepcom, it would not necessarily be
significant. End summary.

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Israel, Palestine
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2. (C) During a November 17 meeting, NEA A/S Welch, joined
by the Ambassador, briefed Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit
on the Agreement on Movement and Access and plans for
implementation. Aboul Gheit had effusive praise for the USG,
and the Secretary in particular, for brokering the Agreement
and asked A/S Welch to convey his deep appreciation for her
efforts. He shared that he would have phoned her to
congratulate her, but did not wish to call her at odd hours
during her global travel. When A/S Welch asked Aboul Gheit
to make a public statement of support for the Agreement, he
readily agreed and noted that he had not done so only because
Presidential spokesman Soliman Awad had already done so.
(Note: The Egyptian Presidency's statement called the
Agreement a "breakthrough." Aboul Gheit released his own
public statement in support of the Agreement late on November

17. (Septel) End note.) Aboul Gheit also expressed support
for General Dayton's expanded role under the new Agreement
and said he would welcome a visit by Dayton to Cairo.


3. (C) Discussing the outlook for further progress, A/S
Welch said the GOI indicated it would neither interfere with
nor support the upcoming elections. Aboul Gheit belittled
the Israeli role, saying that Israeli "support" would be the
"kiss of death." Welch responded that Israel could do much,
such as facilitating the movement of people, that could be
important to successful elections. Aboul Gheit urged that
that all concerned should leave Hamas to "go political"
because they would then gradually lay down their arms. If
Hamas wins a significant share of the vote, Aboul Gheit said,
we will see if their policies will undergo a transformation.
Welch made clear our hope that Abu Mazen, not Hamas, would
prevail in the elections.


4. (C) Returning to the Agreement, A/S Welch said that it
would not have been possible without GOI (and IDF) confidence
in Egypt. Aboul Gheit agreed that GOI/GOE cooperation was
strong and noted that Mofaz would visit Egypt again soon.
Aboul Gheit expressed his hope that a search for a settlement
would continue and that ongoing activity, such as discussions
on the airport, progress on the harbor, and use of border
crossings, would maintain the momentum for political
progress. Aboul Gheit noted that when Egypt asked to join
the Quartet, no one accepted. He recalled that the Secretary
had indicated in their September 22 meeting that she had
instructed people to prepare for Egypt's participation in the
next meeting, but he gathered that the U.S. was reconsidering
whether to include Egypt. A/S Welch reassured Aboul Gheit of
Egypt's importance in the process and encouraged Egypt to
consider joining at the level of envoys during the next
meeting, possibly in December. A/S Welch noted that there
would not be a pledging conference until possibly March of

2006.


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Arab League Iraq Prepcon
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5. (C) Aboul Gheit said that although President Mubarak
will speak during the opening ceremony of the Arab League
Iraq prepcon, Egypt's role within the conference will not be
prominent. A/S Welch pressed that speeches in the opening
session by non-official political figures such as Harith al
Dhari would be inappropriate. Welch made clear that we have
no objection to the participation of such people in the
closed, all-Iraqi sessions. Al Dhari and others could say
whatever they want there, and even to the world in the
corridors. But they should not be put on a par with the
elected Iraqi Government leaders and President Mubarak at the
public opening session of the Arab League conference. Aboul
Gheit said Iraqis not "stained with blood" should be able to
speak and quarrel with one another. Without an open
dialogue, Aboul Gheit remarked, the conference will be more
for appearance than meaningful progress. A/S Welch said that
the USG wants the prepcon to succeed, but does not want it to
be public or to give the opposition a platform to suggest
broader Arab backing against the Government of Iraq.

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Syria/Lebanon
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6. (C) Aboul Gheit reported that President Asad had
ordered formal action to tighten procedures at Damascus
airport against the entry of Arabs intending to join the
Iraqi insurgency. The A/S expressed doubt and said the U.S.
would appreciate any GOE effort to test the new system.
Aboul Gheit admitted that such operations were not in his
portfolio, but said he would ask whether any Egyptians had
been returned from Damascus. Aboul Gheit and A/S Welch
agreed that ending Syrian support for Hizballah is critical.


7. (U) A/S Welch cleared this cable.


RICCIARDONE