DEFENSE CHIEF OF STAFF OFFERS REGIONAL OVERVIEW

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 009252 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/13/2015 TAGS: PREL MASS KPAL PTER IS SY EG IG SUBJECT: DEFENSE CHIEF OF STAFF OFFERS REGIONAL OVERVIEW Classified by DCM Stuart Jones for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces LTG Samy Enan and Assistant Secretary of Defense Rodman discussed MoD's image in Washington D.C., regional affairs, foreign military financing, direct commercial contracts, and political release of new systems during their November 30 meeting during the executive session of the annual Military Cooperation Committee (MCC) meeting in Cairo. DCM Jones, LTG Kohler, RADM Moeller, OMC Chief Bagby, and DATT Seel joined the meeting. The parties agreed that MoD is ineffective in publicizing its support for U.S. objectives. LTG Samy and Rodman shared a sense of optimism about progress in the peace process. LTG Samy agreed that withdrawal from Iraq is inappropriate at present. LTG Samy stressed the importance of military assistance to MoD's modernization plan. He also asked the U.S. to release TOW-2Bs, the Apache Longbow, and MK-48 torpedoes and to guarantee the enforcement of three controversial direct commercial contracts (DCCs) for the sale of night vision goggle tubes. End summary. -------------- MoD's image in Washington -------------- ¶2. (C) Public Affairs: ASD Rodman and Chief of Staff LTG Samy Enan discussed the MoD's need to bolster its public image to counter congressional interest in reducing Egypt's foreign military financing (FMF). Rodman asked the MoD to publicize its contributions to the Global War on Terror and humanitarian relief efforts because this will help Congress understand the value of the U.S.'s partnership with Egypt. Although LTG Samy admitted that MoD's outreach is weak, he said that the USG should play a more active role in sharing news of Egypt's contributions. LTG Samy explained that the message would have a greater impact if the U.S. would serve as the messenger. ¶3. (C) Transformation: Mr. Rodman urged LTG Samy to develop a military transformation strategy and find ways to increase interoperability with the U.S. LTG Samy said he would study the issue, but made no commitments. -------------- Regional Affairs -------------- ¶4. (C) Israel/Palestine: LTG Samy praised the U.S.'s role in brokering the recent agreement on Gaza, but stressed the need to make more progress faster. He said that Abu Mazen is the only Palestinian with the credibility to persuade his people to obey the security procedures that will maintain the peace. But, LTG Samy said, Abu Mazen needs political, economic, and moral support to prove that he is making better lives, and not just empty promises. The Palestinians need a port, an airport, and stronger security forces, LTG Samy offered, explaining that progress on these issues would deny Hamas the opportunity to criticize Abu Mazen's leadership. Mr. Rodman thanked LTG Samy for Egypt's proactive role on this issue. ¶5. (C) LTG Samy characterized Sharon as "the only" Israeli leader inclined to make peace and predicted that tangible progress is feasible under Sharon alone. Egypt, LTG Samy emphasized, will continue to support the process by working with the Palestinian security forces and with the factions to maintain opportunities for further progress. ¶6. (C) Iraq: The Iraqi people, LTG Samy said, are not easy to deal with. Consequently, he explained, Egypt will build the relationship cautiously. He said that he hopes that the U.S. will stay until it "solves" the Iraqi problem. According to Samy, the U.S. should not leave until Iraq has (1) a strong government, (2) a strong military, (3) a strong parliament, (4) the ability to control its borders, and (5) the means to provide its citizens with a dignified life (food, education, work opportunities). LTG Samy said the international community should agree that the use of violence against civilians is intolerable because "now is not the time to argue about the definition of terrorism." Mr. Rodman reassured LTG Samy that the U.S. would withdraw only as the Iraqis are capable of assuming control and said that increased Sunni participation in the elections may isolate the insurgents. ¶7. (C) Syria/Lebanon: Egypt and the U.S., LTG Samy said, have different views on dealing with President Asad. Egypt wants more dialogue and concessions for cooperation. "There is no other way here," LTG Samy said. The U.S. should give Syria credit for taking any positive steps and not resort to military action because political pressure over the long term will work. "The use of force is easy," LTG Samy said, but "controlling ourselves is harder." Rodman responded that the U.S. warned Asad in 2004 to stop using Syria as a sanctuary and staging ground for insurgents. President Asad must show, Rodman stressed, that he will cooperate. ¶8. (C) Iran: LTG Samy said that Iran has been the big winner from the war in Iraq because Saddam Hussein is gone, the price of oil is up, Iran has greater influence in Iraq, and asked about reports of U.S. discussions with Iran. Mr. Rodman said that Iraqi Shiites are firmly resistant to Iranian pressures and assured LTG Samy that U.S. interaction with Iranian government officials was limited in scope and did not constitute any warming of relations. -------------- Requests for more assistance/weapons release -------------- ¶9. (C) Military assistance: LTG Samy submitted that maintaining the current level of assistance is central to MoD's modernization plan. He explained that to fulfill Egypt's commitment to helping the U.S. achieve its objectives in the region, Egypt must have right tools. Without U.S. assistance, Egypt will need to find support elsewhere. "We will do what we have to equip ourselves," LTG Samy said. ¶10. (C) Weapons Releases: LTG Samy asked the U.S. to release the TOW-2B, Apache Longbow, and MK-48 torpedo, arguing that these systems do not present CISMOA problems and that their release would symbolize the strength of the relationship. Mr. Rodman did not comment. ¶11. (C) Direct Commercial Contracts: LTG Samy asked Mr. Rodman to guarantee the implementation of three direct commercial contracts (with the Litton and ITT companies) for the sale of tubes to be used to produce night vision goggles. He explained that the contracts are valid and binding and thus must be enforced unless there are new requirements to discuss. RICCIARDONE