EGYPT REACTS NEGATIVELY TO PROPOSED U.S.-INDIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 001489 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/09/2016 TAGS: PREL ENRG KSCA IN PARM EG KNNP SUBJECT: EGYPT REACTS NEGATIVELY TO PROPOSED U.S.-INDIA NUCLEAR COOPERATION INITIATIVE REF: STATE 34761 Classified by ECPO MinCouns Michael Corbin for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). (C) Poloff delivered reftel demarche on the U.S.-India civil nuclear cooperation initiative to MFA Disarmament official Dr. Hossam Aly. Drawing on the points contained in reftel, poloff stressed the advantages of the agreement, noted Al Baradei's support for the initiative, and asked the GOE to issue a public statement of support. Dr. Aly said he would relay the request to Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit, but said the Egyptian position is that the agreement sets a dangerous precedent regarding the treatment of nations outside the NPT regime by offering rewards despite their refusal to accede to the regime in totality. RICCIARDONE