Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06CAIRO3358
2006-06-01 15:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:
EGYPTIANS WELCOME U.S. WILLINGNESS TO ENGAGE IRAN
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHEG #3358 1521509 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 011509Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8800 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 003358
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).
C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 003358
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
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