DEFENSE MINISTER TANTAWI ON IRAN, IRAQ, HAMAS,

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 002183

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/10/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PHUM SY IS IZ SU EG KPAL
SUBJECT: DEFENSE MINISTER TANTAWI ON IRAN, IRAQ, HAMAS,
SUDAN AND FMF

Classified by DCM Stuart Jones for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: NEA Assistant Secretary Welch, accompanied
by the Ambassador, discussed Iran, Iraq, Hamas, Sudan and the
International Medical Center with Defense Minister Field
Marshal Tantawi during an April 4 meeting. Responding to A/S
Welch's caution on Iran's growing influence in the region,
Tantawi asked how Egypt can counter it. Tantawi reiterated
the offer to train Iraqi troops in Egypt, and Welch explained
the difficulties with the GOE proposal. On Palestine,
Tantawi urged the USG to continue financial support and give
Hamas a chance to change. Welch stressed that Abu Mazen must
take control of the border crossings and said that if
Congress approves, USG humanitarian assistance to the
Palestinian people will increase. On Sudan, Welch urged the
GOE to offer to send Egyptian troops to join a UN force in
Darfur. Tantawi was open to the idea and promised to raise
it with the President. End summary.


2. (C) Iran's regional influence: A/S Welch told Tantawi
that addressing Iran's nuclear file alone is no longer enough
because Iran's interference in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and
Palestine is growing. Welch said that in addition to
supporting Hizballah, U.S. (vice Israeli) information shows
that Iran also supports Hamas. While the amount of money
Hamas receives is not substantial, the link must be watched,
Welch said. He also said that Iranian infiltration in Iraq
is strongest in the police forces and Interior Ministry, but
noted that the Army is strong.


3. (C) Tantawi asked how Egypt might counter Iran's regional
influence. A/S Welch urged the GOE to (1) strengthen
political relations with a newly formed Iraqi Government, (2)
work with neighbors (Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE) to
influence tribes in Iraq, and (3) promote a more proactive
Arab League involvement in Iraq. Tantawi promised to convey
the USG's request. Tantawi also reiterated Egypt's offer to
train Iraqi military forces in Egypt, complaining gently that
significant numbers of Iraqi troops and police train in
Jordan. Welch noted that it is not convenient for the troops
to travel to Egypt for training. The Ambassador then asked
Egypt, security permitting, to consider sending small teams
to Iraq to provide training. Tantawi declined to commit,
noting they would be a target and recalling the assassination
of Egypt's Ambassador to Iraq. Tantawi promised to raise the
matter with President Mubarak. The Ambassador said that any
sign of support for Iraq, even providing a military liaison,
would be useful.


4. (C) Syria: Tantawi asserted that Bashar al Assad is
cooperating more on securing the borders. A/S Welch
disagreed, noting that the Syrian-Iraqi border is more secure
because U.S. and Iraqi forces are operating in the Euphrates
Valley.


5. (C) Israel/Palestine: A/S Welch thanked the GOE for
providing excellent security on the border with Gaza, and
noted that Israel also acknowledges the improvement. Tantawi
said that Israel causes some of the security problems with
its assassinations. Welch responded that Abu Mazen's lack of
control over security at the border crossings remains a big
problem and asked Egypt to press him to take charge. Egypt,
the EU, and Abu Mazen must control border crossing security,
Welch stressed. When Tantawi asked if Abu Mazen is strong
enough to handle this, Welch said yes. Tantawi then conceded
that if Israel closes border crossings because of security
concerns, it would be an Egyptian, and not just a Palestinian
problem.


6. (C) Tantawi asked the USG to give Hamas a chance to
change and asked what Hamas should do to show cooperation.
Tantawi also asked how Israel would respond to a gesture from
Hamas. After urging the GOE to ask Israel this question
directly, Welch noted that security is a priority and efforts
to bolster it would be welcome. Welch said that if Hamas
continues to say one thing on security and do another, Israel
will respond. If Hamas fails, it will be because the
Palestinian people reject them for failing to meet their
needs. Tantawi argued that because Hamas succeeded
democratically, the government must be allowed to work. An
electoral victory, Welch said, does not mean the USG must
agree with Hamas's positions. When Tantawi pressed for the
continuation of financial support the Palestinians, Welch
said that with Congressional approval, the USG would increase
its humanitarian assistance in the coming weeks.


7. (C) Sudan: A/S Welch said Egypt should support a
successful peace process in Abuja, but should not allow a
veto on the use of UN forces in Darfur. Welch urged the GOE
to offer Egyptian troops for a UN force in Darfur. Signaling
receptiveness, Tantawi promised to raise the proposal with
President Mubarak. (Note: During an April 4 visit to Sudan,
Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit said Egypt would be willing to
consider increasing the number of observers (in the military
or civil police) serving with the AU forces. On USG pressure
to send UN forces to Darfur, Aboul Gheit said this would need
to be decided in light of developments, including financing
and the availability of sufficient African and Arab troops.
End note.)


8. (C) International Medical Center: Tantawi asked A/S
Welch to help Egypt get approval to treat third country
nationals at IMC. Welch did not make a commitment, but said
the State Department would address the matter step-by- step.


9. (U) A/S Welch cleared this message.
RICCIARDONE