EGYPT: MFA ASKS INTERNATIONAL REPUBLICAN

UNCLAS CAIRO 003363

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

NSC STAFF FOR SINGH

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM EAID KDEM EG
SUBJECT: EGYPT: MFA ASKS INTERNATIONAL REPUBLICAN
INSTITUTE TO SUSPEND OUTREACH WORK PENDING GOE APPROVAL OF
REGISTRATION APPLICATION



1. (SBU) ECPO Counselor and poloff attended a June 1
meeting at the MFA between IRI country director Gina London
and Assistant Minister for North American Affairs Salama
Shaker, which Shaker had called to address the issue of IRI's
pending registration in Egypt. London apologized to Shaker
for the delay in submission of the application and said that
the delay was due to poor coordination between IRI and the
Egyptian lawyer handling IRI's registration. Shaker,
expressing surprise about the scope of IRI's work in Egypt,
urged IRI to submit its completed application as soon as
possible; London said she would do so by the second week of
June. In response to London's inquiry about planned IRI
activities for later in the month, including several training
sessions for political party activists, Shaker strongly
advised that IRI not proceed with any more public activities
prior to receiving formal GOE registration. "We are in a
critical situation," Shaker advised London. "We don't want
you to be told to pack and go."


2. (SBU) At several times during the meeting, Shaker
reiterated her view--shared she said by her other MFA
colleagues--that IRI, and similar groups like NDI, have much
to contribute to Egypt's political reform process, but she
also emphasized that the IRI must be registered before it
conducts additional work in Egypt. "Help us to help you do
the excellent work that you need to do," Shaker told London.


3. (SBU) Shaker asked emboffs to ensure that NDI and IFES,
the other U.S.-based democracy organizations now working in
Egypt with USAID support, make urgent arrangements to call on
her on June 4 or 5. Both groups have submitted their
applications for formal registration to the MFA, but have not
yet received approval. Post has passed Shaker's request to
NDI and IFES and will assist with scheduling the meetings.
NDI, IRI, and IFES have all been the subject of several
negative articles in the Egyptian press, including Rose
Al-Youssef, the tabloid that is widely believed to be
influenced by the elements in the security apparatus and the
NDP leadership.


4. (SBU) Comment: The GOE is well aware of the presence
and activities of IRI, NDI, and IFES. Using the Consultative
Group on Democracy and Governance Assistance, which has met
on a monthly basis since early 2005, Post has kept the GOE
apprised of directly-funded D&G initiatives, including the
work of IRI, NDI, and IFES. In addition, NDI regional
representative Joe Hall briefed FM Aboul Gheit about NDI's
plans in August 2005, and NDI President Ken Wollack met with
various senior GOE officials, including Interior Minister
Adly, and briefed them about NDI's work plans during a late
2005 visit to Cairo. IFES, for its part, worked closely with
the GOE's State Information Service during preparation of a
voting guide during the parliamentary elections. The
negative media attention--combined with recent discussions
between FM Aboul Gheit and the Deputy Secretary, as well as
the Ambassador, on the registration issue--has injected a new
urgency to the formalization of their status under Egyptian
law. End comment.
JONES