AYMAN NOUR CASE DISCUSSED WITH GAMAL MUBARAK AIDE

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 009177 SIPDIS FOR NEA, NEA/ELA NSC STAFF FOR SINGH E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/08/2015 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL EG SUBJECT: AYMAN NOUR CASE DISCUSSED WITH GAMAL MUBARAK AIDE KARIM HAGGAG REF: CAIRO 9053 Classified by Minister-Counselor Michael Corbin for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). (C) During a conversation with Gamal Mubarak's principal aide Karim Haggag on December 5, just prior to opposition politician Ayman Nour's remand into custody (reftel),ECPO Counselor warned Haggag of the impact on the bilateral relationship should Nour be jailed. Haggag, who followed closely the just-concluded parliamentary elections, said that there was unanimity within the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) to go all out against Nour and the Ghad Party in the elections. However, he said that the reformers around Gamal advised Mubarak's inner circle that some way should be found to ensure that Nour remains a free man. Haggag admitted that he did not know if that suggestion received any serious consideration; he suspected not, as President Mubarak's attitude towards the Nour case is "personal." RICCIARDONE