MFA TELLS NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE TO HALT

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 003441 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM EG SUBJECT: MFA TELLS NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE TO HALT OUTREACH WORK REF: A. CAIRO 3363 ¶B. CAIRO 3422 Classified by Charge d'Affaires Stuart Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) In a June 5 meeting, MFA Assistant Minister for the Americas Ambassador Salama Shaker told National Democratic Institute regional representative Joe Hall, joined by his local attorney Sarwat Shahid and poloff, to halt NDI outreach activities pending GOE approval of NDI's registration application, which she said was nearly complete. Ambassador Shaker said it is the MFA's duty to expedite NDI's application, which has been pending with the GOE since November 2005, and promised to make it a priority. She also promised that the registration problems of the International Republican Institute (reftels) would not impact negatively on NDI. While not questioning the completeness of NDI's application, Ambassador Shaker asked Hall to provide brochures on NDI's background and activities elsewhere in the Middle East. Hall agreed. ¶2. (SBU) Hall clarified for Ambassador Shaker the nature of NDI's work, explaining that the group does "democracy assistance not democracy promotion." He also said that as has he told Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit personally (over the course of several meetings that they have conducted in Cairo since mid 2005),NDI does not and has not given money to any person or group. Their focus is solely on non-partisan, technical assistance to legal political parties and NGOs. Concerning NDI's work in progress, Hall advised the Minister that NDI was, as they spoke, conducting a workshop. Ambassador Shaker did not instruct Hall to cancel the program, but said that there should be no press coverage of the session. Hall said he understood and noted that his staff members also have talking points, should members of the press approach them. Hall emphasized that while NDI can sustain a brief interruption in its programs, it would not be able to continue in that status for very long. Ambassador Shaker again promised to try to expedite the registration, noting her understanding that the application is currently with "security." ¶3. (C) Following the meeting with Hall, Ambassador Shaker, joined by her Deputy Mohammed Aboul Dahab, told poloff that IRI's conduct was a matter of great concern at MFA and that Aboul Gheit is personally furious. She expressed disappointment that IRI Country Director Gina London had not even mentioned the press interview (Ref B) in their June 1 meeting. Ambassador Shaker said that while IRI's staffing is an internal matter, she would strongly suggest, in light of the "damage" London caused, that IRI name a new country director with regional knowledge and experience. She asked the Embassy to reiterate to IRI the importance of respecting GOE procedures. Poloff thanked Ambassador Shaker for expediting NDI's application, noting that it is in everyone's interest to enable groups like NDI to operate legally in Egypt. Ambassador Shaker agreed, and Mohammed Aboul Dhahab said that he had been instrumental in bolstering contact between the GOE and IRI and NDI during his tenure at the Egyptian Embassy in Washington. JONES