IRAQ: EGYPT AND ARAB LEAGUE SUPPORTIVE OF IRAQI

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 009315 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/2015 TAGS: PREL PGOV EG IZ SUBJECT: IRAQ: EGYPT AND ARAB LEAGUE SUPPORTIVE OF IRAQI POLITICAL PROCESS REF: STATE 224553 (NOTAL/NODIS) Classified by ECPO Minister Counselor Michael Corbin for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Post conveyed reftel demarche December 14 to MFA Cabinet Staff Member responsible for the Iraq portfolio, Alaa Hadidi. Stressing the importance of supporting the Iraqi government and people regarding their December 15 elections, post called for strong Egyptian statements of encouragement for all Iraqis to participate in voting and the political process. Hadidi noted that the GOE had not made any official statements regarding Iraq,s elections, but promised that he would share the USG message with the Minister. Egypt, he said, would be watching Iraq,s election results very carefully. Hadidi was pleased that military operations in the run-up to the elections were limited in both scope and number. Post also encouraged the GOE to make positive public statements after the elections and to publicly welcome the democratic process there. Describing his government,s continued support for the Iraqi regime and the political process there, in general, Hadidi shared that Egypt had recently conveyed agrement to Baghdad for Iraqi Ambassadorial nominee, Dr. Mohamad al Haj al Hamoud. Hamoud, a career diplomat and legal expert, may arrive in Cairo toward the end of the year, according to the Iraqi Charge in Cairo. ¶2. (U) Arab League Secretary General Amre Moussa made several public statements while in Doha, Qatar, encouraging Iraqis to vote on December 15, and for parties there to avoid "all military operations and acts of violence." Moussa called for a cessation of all "assassinations, detentions, and air raids immediately to provide a calm atmosphere in which elections can be free, upright, and transparent." Moussa also called on all political forces in Iraq to participate in the elections and to support the constitutional process. JONES