EGYPTIANS WELCOME U.S. WILLINGNESS TO ENGAGE IRAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 003348

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PARM IAEA EG IR IS KNNP
SUBJECT: EGYPTIANS WELCOME U.S. WILLINGNESS TO ENGAGE IRAN
ON NUCLEAR TALKS

REF: STATE 87682

Classified by ECPO Counselor John Desrocher for reasons
1.4(b) and (d).


1. (U) Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit issued a statement June
1 welcoming reftel announcement and calling for the creation
of a Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction.
The full text of the statement follows.

Begin text:
Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit welcomed the statement by
the U.S. Secretary of State about Iran's right to the
peaceful use of nuclear energy as well as the U.S.
willingness to join the EU3 negotiations on the Iranian
nuclear file. The Minister emphasized that negotiations and
dialogue should have the support of the international
community to reach a settlement that is satisfactory to all
sides and returns the Iranian nuclear file to the IAEA, which
can fulfill its role in accordance with its authorities on
the one hand, and Iran's commitments as a signatory to the
NPT on the other hand.

Aboul Gheit also emphasized the importance of avoiding
confrontations and the threats of sanctions, as it is never a
successful way to reach a peaceful settlement in any
conflict. The Minister explained that Egypt continues to call
for a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction and for
all countries in the Middle East to sign the NPT and clear
the region of nuclear weapons according to the resolutions of
the NPT conferences and the UN General Assembly.

Aboul Gheit added that the Iranian nuclear file and its
surrounding developments receive the utmost Egyptian
attention because Egypt is convinced of the need to settle
this issue through negotiations and of the need for mutual
flexibility to reach an acceptable peaceful resolution that
preempts confrontation.

End text.



2. (C) Post also shared the gist of reftel with Arab League
Cabinet Chief of Staff Hisham Youssef June 1 and provided
copies of Secretary Rice's public statements on the
development. Responding to emboff's request for the League
to publicly welcome the move, and to publicly press Iran to
end its nuclear program, Youssef said the League certainly
welcomed the news of Washington's willingness to engage with
Tehran. Noting that Secretary General Moussa was currently
in China for an Arab-Chinese summit, Youssef promised to
convey the USG message and encourage him to make positive
public pronouncements on the issue.
JONES