Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06CAIRO1737
2006-03-20 15:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:
AMBASSADOR AND DEFMIN TANTAWI DISCUSS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0044 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHEG #1737 0791511 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 201511Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6741 INFO RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 001737
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2016
TAGS: PREL MASS EG
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR AND DEFMIN TANTAWI DISCUSS
INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
REF: STATE 43880
Classified by DCM Stuart Jones for reasons 1.4(b) and(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 001737
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2016
TAGS: PREL MASS EG
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR AND DEFMIN TANTAWI DISCUSS
INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
REF: STATE 43880
Classified by DCM Stuart Jones for reasons 1.4(b) and(d).
1. (C) The Ambassador and Defense Minister Tantawi
discussed the International Medical Center's treatment of
third country nationals during their March 19 meeting
(septel). Tantawi's senior advisor, MG Fouad Abdel Halim,
told the Ambassador and Field Marshal that the MoD
understands that State's PM Bureau will notify Congress of
the apparent violation. MG Fouad also said that MoD cannot
pay USD 35 million to buy back the FMF-purchased equipment
for the purpose of nationalizing the IMC. He instead offered
USD 15 million, but said the MoD could consider going as high
as USD 20 million. MG Fouad noted that "only" four percent
of the IMC's patients are non-Egyptian and said the facility
loses approximately 17 million USD per year. He then advised
that the MoD would continue to treat third country nationals
(at the same level) during 2006. He noted that if the number
of non-Egyptian patients increased above current levels, MoD
will notify the USG.
2. (C) Drawing on reftel talking points, the Ambassador
underscored the reasons why the IMC should stop treating
third country nationals. He reiterated that State PM had
wanted to have this assurance before notifying Congress of
the violation. Tantawi did not respond to the Ambassador's
request and instead noted that MoD had been clear from the
outset that it wanted to treat third country nationals at
IMC. Noting that we are just talking about "medical care,"
Tantawi said there will be a way to resolve this.
RICCIARDONE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2016
TAGS: PREL MASS EG
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR AND DEFMIN TANTAWI DISCUSS
INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
REF: STATE 43880
Classified by DCM Stuart Jones for reasons 1.4(b) and(d).
1. (C) The Ambassador and Defense Minister Tantawi
discussed the International Medical Center's treatment of
third country nationals during their March 19 meeting
(septel). Tantawi's senior advisor, MG Fouad Abdel Halim,
told the Ambassador and Field Marshal that the MoD
understands that State's PM Bureau will notify Congress of
the apparent violation. MG Fouad also said that MoD cannot
pay USD 35 million to buy back the FMF-purchased equipment
for the purpose of nationalizing the IMC. He instead offered
USD 15 million, but said the MoD could consider going as high
as USD 20 million. MG Fouad noted that "only" four percent
of the IMC's patients are non-Egyptian and said the facility
loses approximately 17 million USD per year. He then advised
that the MoD would continue to treat third country nationals
(at the same level) during 2006. He noted that if the number
of non-Egyptian patients increased above current levels, MoD
will notify the USG.
2. (C) Drawing on reftel talking points, the Ambassador
underscored the reasons why the IMC should stop treating
third country nationals. He reiterated that State PM had
wanted to have this assurance before notifying Congress of
the violation. Tantawi did not respond to the Ambassador's
request and instead noted that MoD had been clear from the
outset that it wanted to treat third country nationals at
IMC. Noting that we are just talking about "medical care,"
Tantawi said there will be a way to resolve this.
RICCIARDONE