Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05CAIRO9249
2005-12-13 10:41:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:  

ASD RODMAN DISCUSSES FMF, REGIONAL AFFAIRS, AND

Tags:  PREL KDEM KPAL EAID IS IZ SY EG 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 009249 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/13/2015
TAGS: PREL KDEM KPAL EAID IS IZ SY EG
SUBJECT: ASD RODMAN DISCUSSES FMF, REGIONAL AFFAIRS, AND
THE ELECTIONS WITH DEFMIN TANTAWI

Classified by Ambassador Francis Ricciardone for reasons
1.4(b) and (d).

-------
Summary
-------

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 009249

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/13/2015
TAGS: PREL KDEM KPAL EAID IS IZ SY EG
SUBJECT: ASD RODMAN DISCUSSES FMF, REGIONAL AFFAIRS, AND
THE ELECTIONS WITH DEFMIN TANTAWI

Classified by Ambassador Francis Ricciardone for reasons
1.4(b) and (d).

--------------
Summary
--------------


1. (C) Minister of Defense Field Marshal Tantawi and
Assistant Secretary of Defense Rodman discussed the
vulnerability of Egypt's Foreign Military Financing (FMF),
regional affairs, and internal politics during their December
1 meeting, held while Mr. Rodman was in Cairo for the annual
Military Cooperation Committee meetings with Egyptian
counterparts. The Ambassador, LTG Kohler, RADM Moeller, OMC
Chief MG Bagby, and DATT Seel attended. Mr. Rodman urged
Tantawi to develop a transformation strategy and publicize
Egypt's contributions to regional stability and the Global
War on Terror. On regional matters, Tantawi said that Egypt
would like to see more progress in the Peace Process. He
also urged the U.S. to engage President Asad because a
post-Asad regime could be worse than the status quo. Tantawi
said that Egyptian progress toward democracy is proceeding at
an appropriate pace and cautioned the U.S. against rushing
the process or presuming that a formula for reform that may
have worked elsewhere would be suitable for Egypt. Tantawi
asked the U.S. team to use its influence to persuade the
Administration and the Congress of the importance of both the
broader bilateral relationship and the military assistance
component of the relationship with Egypt. End summary.

--------------
Military Assistance
--------------


2. (C) FMF Debates in Congress: Field Marshal Tantawi
thanked Assistant Secretary of Defense Rodman during their
December 1 meeting for Rodman's efforts and those of the U.S.
mission in Cairo to ensure that Congress earmarked Egypt's
FMF. When the Field Marshal predicted that the debate over
FMF would continue in Congress next year, Rodman stressed
that Egypt must persuade Congress that the U.S. - Egyptian
military relationship matters. The MoD, Rodman urged, should
develop its transformation strategy (including a review of
threats and objectives, doctrine, training, organization, and

materiel) to show that Egypt's military can and will
transform to increase its efficiency and support common
strategic interests. Tantawi asked for a clarification of
Congress's request that the Department of State report on the
proper balance of military and economic assistance. The
Ambassador suggested that the MoD proactively partner with
other Ministries to gather the information on Egypt's
political/military/economic strategy that the Embassy needs
to draft this report.


3. (C) Public Affairs: Rodman also encouraged the Field
Marshal to bolster the MoD's public image by allowing the
media to cover events such as the recent donation of MI-17
helicopter parts to Pakistan to assist earthquake relief
efforts, the delivery of arms and ammunition to Afghanistan,
and the work of Egypt's peacekeepers in Sudan. Tantawi
promised to consider the advice, but noted that Egypt depends
greatly on the U.S. to carry its water on the Hill and asked
the Administration to support Egypt more strongly next year.


4. (C) Importance of FMF to Civil Society: Tantawi told
the U.S. team that because of the military's active role in
development projects (including, for example, building
schools, roads, and health clinics),reducing or redirecting
Egypt's FMF would have a direct impact on this aspect of the
economy and consequently on civil society's view of the
military. The Egyptian people love the military because the
military's development work improves their everyday lives,
Tantawi explained. But if the military loses U.S. assistance
and cannot participate in such projects, the people will not
be happy. "I don't want to say it is dangerous," Tantawi
warned, "but the impact will not be good."

--------------
Regional Affairs
--------------


5. (C) Iraq: Tantawi said that the GOE is committed to
supporting the political process in Iraq and will encourage
Sunnis to participate in the political process. However he
also underlined that not all of the insurgents are Sunni.
Iraq's unity is critical, Tantawi stressed, and a break up
would be "disastrous".


6. (C) Tantawi urged the USG to maintain momentum on the
Peace Process. He warned that the recent agreement on Gaza
cannot be the end of our efforts and said we must all work to
take another step in the process. Syria presents another
problem, Tantawi acknowledged, but the U.S. should give Asad
a chance to cooperate because he is better than the
alternatives. When Rodman pressed that Syria must not allow
its territory to serve as a sanctuary for terrorists, Tantawi
responded that things are better handled between Syria and
Iraq.

--------------
Mil/Mil Cooperation
--------------


7. (C) RADM Moeller asked Tantawi to consider participating
in Task Force 150, which works to stop the flow of terrorists
and related materials in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and the
Gulf of Aden. Observing that Pakistan would be commanding the
Task Force in 2006, RADM Moeller said that there may be a
possibility that Egypt could command at some point in the
future. Declining to make a commitment, Tantawi instructed
his Chief of Staff, LTG Samy Enan, to study the matter and
find a way for Egypt to participate.

--------------
Internal Politics
--------------


8. (C) Tantawi said that Egypt had made a "good start" on
democracy, but noted that the process would take time as it
had in the U.S. Rodman remarked that democratization would
be a force for moderation. Nonetheless, Tantawi said,
democracy-building is not a one-size-fits-all initiative, and
what works in other countries may not be palatable in Egypt.
The Ambassador explained that the USG agrees that democracy
must develop in a way that works for Egypt and Egyptians, but
the people still need to feel that they own the government
and have a voice. He then noted that GOE treatment of the
political opposition (such as Ayman Nour) will generate great
interest in Washington. The Ambassador stressed the need to
avoid a political backslide that would affect the bilateral
relationship. Speaking in Arabic, Tantawi asked the U.S.
team to support Egypt by exerting its influence to ensure
that the relationship retains the importance it has always
had.

RICCIARDONE