Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06CAIRO3419
2006-06-04 14:00:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:
EGYPTIAN DISARMAMENT OFFICE COMMENTS ON NAM
how-toVZCZCXRO7070 OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK DE RUEHEG #3419 1551400 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 041400Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8889 INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 003419
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/04/2016
TAGS: PREL IAEA UNSC EG IR KNNP
SUBJECT: EGYPTIAN DISARMAMENT OFFICE COMMENTS ON NAM
STATEMENT ON IRAN
REF: STATE 89324
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 003419
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/04/2016
TAGS: PREL IAEA UNSC EG IR KNNP
SUBJECT: EGYPTIAN DISARMAMENT OFFICE COMMENTS ON NAM
STATEMENT ON IRAN
REF: STATE 89324
Classified by ECPO Counselor John Desrocher for reasons
1.4(b) and (d).
1. (C) In response to reftel demarche, the MFA's Disarmament
Office Director Dr. Hossam Aly told poloff June 4 that Egypt
did work to moderate the NAM statement on Iran at the
ministerial meeting in Malaysia. Dr. Aly said that the
original proposed Ministerial Statement had been much worse
and that Egypt insisted on changes to improve the document.
He said, for example, that Egypt pressed for the statement
urging Iran to cooperation with the IAEA. Acknowledging that
the document contains unhelpful language, Aly said that
Egypt's position in the NAM is very delicate, and it must
avoid taking stances that will lead other NAM members to
criticize Egypt as a tool of the USG. Poloff noted that the
Iranian matter is an issue of concern for the entire
international community (not just the U.S.) and that Egypt's
support in maintaining a united position is key.
2. (C) Aly said that while Egypt welcomes the U.S.
willingness to engage with Iran on the nuclear file, there is
concern that the move signals a "narrowing" of the range of
options available to resolve the issue. He speculated that
Iran would refuse any negotiations package because the
enrichment matter had become so important to Iran's national
pride that Ahmadinejad may now view the program as a matter
of both regime survival and international legitimacy.
Reiterating the GOE position on the need to avoid using
military means to address the nuclear problem, Aly urged the
U.S. to remain patient and to consider exploring other
verification options that would allow the international
community to remain engaged with Iran. Iran's withdrawal
from the NPT, Aly said, would be a disaster and would lead
other nations in the region to initiate nuclear programs.
JONES
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/04/2016
TAGS: PREL IAEA UNSC EG IR KNNP
SUBJECT: EGYPTIAN DISARMAMENT OFFICE COMMENTS ON NAM
STATEMENT ON IRAN
REF: STATE 89324
Classified by ECPO Counselor John Desrocher for reasons
1.4(b) and (d).
1. (C) In response to reftel demarche, the MFA's Disarmament
Office Director Dr. Hossam Aly told poloff June 4 that Egypt
did work to moderate the NAM statement on Iran at the
ministerial meeting in Malaysia. Dr. Aly said that the
original proposed Ministerial Statement had been much worse
and that Egypt insisted on changes to improve the document.
He said, for example, that Egypt pressed for the statement
urging Iran to cooperation with the IAEA. Acknowledging that
the document contains unhelpful language, Aly said that
Egypt's position in the NAM is very delicate, and it must
avoid taking stances that will lead other NAM members to
criticize Egypt as a tool of the USG. Poloff noted that the
Iranian matter is an issue of concern for the entire
international community (not just the U.S.) and that Egypt's
support in maintaining a united position is key.
2. (C) Aly said that while Egypt welcomes the U.S.
willingness to engage with Iran on the nuclear file, there is
concern that the move signals a "narrowing" of the range of
options available to resolve the issue. He speculated that
Iran would refuse any negotiations package because the
enrichment matter had become so important to Iran's national
pride that Ahmadinejad may now view the program as a matter
of both regime survival and international legitimacy.
Reiterating the GOE position on the need to avoid using
military means to address the nuclear problem, Aly urged the
U.S. to remain patient and to consider exploring other
verification options that would allow the international
community to remain engaged with Iran. Iran's withdrawal
from the NPT, Aly said, would be a disaster and would lead
other nations in the region to initiate nuclear programs.
JONES