DEFMIN TANTAWI WITH GEN ABIZAID ON IRAQ, HAMAS,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 002100 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/04/2016 TAGS: PREL PTER MASS IS IZ LE EG SY KPAL SUBJECT: DEFMIN TANTAWI WITH GEN ABIZAID ON IRAQ, HAMAS, TERRORISM, AND IRAN Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Stuart Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: In a March 29 meeting CENTCOM Commander GEN Abizaid and Minister of Defense Field Marshal Tantawi, joined by DCM Jones, discussed regional affairs, terrorism, military cooperation, and the International Medical Center (IMC). Tantawi (1) stressed the importance of a strong Sunni participation in a new Iraqi government; (2) urged the USG to give Hamas a chance to change; (4) pressed the U.S. to engage with Syria and called for a global conference on terrorism; (5) said cooperation with the GOI is strong; and (6) asked for help in resolving the IMC matter. GEN Abizaid (1) agreed on the need for Sunni participation in Iraq; (2) reiterated what the USG expects from Hamas; (3) called for greater integration of U.S. and Egyptian militaries; (4) promised to relay the call for a conference on terror; and (5) said addressing the IMC matter will take time. ¶2. (C) Iraq: GEN Abizaid briefed Field Marshal Tantawi duirng a March 29 meeting on the situation in Iraq and plans to transition (over time) more responsibility to the Iraqi security forces. Tantawi stressed the GOE's concern that the Sunnis play a strong role in the new government. Agreeing that Sunni participation is key, Abizaid noted their growing role in the army. When Tantawi reiterated his offer to train Iraqi security forces in Egypt, Abizaid expressed his appreciation, but explained that the timing is not right for security forces to leave Iraq for training. Tantawi also asked about Iranian interference in Iraq. Abizaid agreed that this is a concern, but said the Iranians can interfere, but not dominate. ¶3. (C) Hamas: Tantawi said that because Hamas was democratically elected, they deserve a chance to change. He added that Abu Mazen also deserves a chance to persuade Hamas to change. Abizaid said that the USG is waiting for Hamas to recognize Israel, disavow violence, and recognize the preexisting agreements. Without this, the DCM noted, progress would be difficult. The DCM also thanked the Field Marshal for the key role Egypt plays in the peace process and in addressing humanitarian needs in Gaza. ¶4. (C) U.S.-GOE Relations: Tantawi said that his March trip to the U.S. was good, but complained that there are some members of Congress who do not appreciate Egypt. Abizaid stressed that Egypt must persuade the Congress of Egypt's value, and promised to support the GOE in this effort. ¶5. (C) Military Cooperation: Abizaid expressed his appreciation for Egypt's support of U.S. regional priorities, noting that GOE facilitation of Canal transits was particularly vital. Abizaid said he could not do his job without such support. Abizaid told the Field Marshal that he would like to bolster military cooperation, particularly in the areas of command and control and air defense and to look for more ways to integrate the two militaries. Tantawi agreed that this would be useful, particularly in the BRIGHT STAR exercises. ¶6. (C) MFO: Abizaid told the Field Marshal that shifting responsibility to CENTCOM for information sharing, logistics, and force protection will enhance MFO's effectiveness and have no negative implications for the mission. Tantawi said he is comfortable with the arrangements. ¶7. (C) Iran: Tantawi noted that Iran under Ahmadinejad's leadership has been difficult and confirmed that Egypt's relations with Iran are bad. Nonetheless, Tantawi stressed, the U.S. must continue to deal with the Iranians quietly. Acting against them with force would be extremely dangerous, he said. Abizaid said it is clear that the nuclear program has military objectives and that Iran's intelligence service is operating in Iraq in a manner contrary to stability. ¶8. (C) Global War on Terrorism: Abizaid briefed Tantawi on the transition to NATO forces in Afghanistan, noting its political advantages, and reviewed the challenges to progress on the GWOT. Tantawi proposed convening a global conference on terrorism to include political leaders of all nations (without exceptions). He said a conference would compel nations like Syria to take responsibility for the issue. The DCM highlighted that at such a conference the U.S. would call attention to the problematic records on terror held by some nations (i.e, Syria). Tantawi responded that this should not be a deterrent and urged the U.S. to engage Syria. The DCM said the U.S. needs more cooperation from Syria to stop supporting Palestinian terrorists in Lebanon, to control its borders, and to stop interfering with Lebanese politics. Tantawi said that Mubarak is working with Assad on these issues and that border control is improving, albeit in part because Assad needs to do so to control Syria's internal security. Abizaid said he would relay the conference proposal in his channels. ¶9. (C) Egyptian-Israeli relations: Tantawi said that GOE-GOI cooperation is strong and noted that Mofaz is no longer criticizing Egypt in the press. Tantawi's advisor for American affairs MG Ahmed Mo'taz explained that high level liaison meetings occur monthly and that working level officers liaise daily. ¶10. (C) International Medical Center: Tantawi asked Abizaid for support in resolving the IMC problem so that treatment of third country patients can resume. The DCM said that stopping the treatment will allow us to work through this problem more easily. Abizaid added that the USG will need time to address the matter in a way that does not irritate the relationship. Tantawi said "I need the Embassy's help." RICCIARDONE