IRAQ: EGYPT LOOKING TO MOVE FORWARD ON BILATERAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 003924 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/25/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER EFIN MOPS EG IZ SUBJECT: IRAQ: EGYPT LOOKING TO MOVE FORWARD ON BILATERAL RELATIONS WITH BAGHDAD Classified by DCM Stuart Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Egyptian MFA Assistant Minister for Arab Affairs, Hani Khallaf, told poloff that Tehran is pressing to host a meeting of Iraq's neighboring countries (and Egypt) on July 8-9, and thought Saudi Arabia was encouraging Arab participation. Khallaf confirmed reports that the League would host Iraqi political figures in Cairo in July to plan the National Accord Conference in Baghdad. The MFA is awaiting President Mubarak's approval on a series of measures to improve Egypt's bilateral relationship with Iraq. Khallaf was chagrined that Baghdad is dragging its feet on sending an Iraqi Ambassador to Cairo, presumably until Cairo appoints an Ambassador to Baghdad. Post recommends that Department urge the new Iraqi government that an effective emissary to Cairo now could serve both Iraqi and U.S. political and public diplomacy objectives. End summary. -------------- International Meetings on Iraq -------------- ¶2. (C) MFA Assistant Minister for Arab Affairs, Hani Khallaf, told poloff that Tehran was pressing Egypt, Iraq's neighbors, and Arab League Secretary General Moussa to meet in Iran July 8-9 to discuss Iraq issues. Khallaf would not speculate on whether Egypt would accept Iran's invitation, but said that Saudi Arabia was quietly pressing other Arab states to go along. He added that this might be evidence of a Saudi shift in relations with Iran. Arab League Spokesman Alaa Rushdy told us that Amre Moussa has also been invited, but had not yet accepted, though probably would. ¶3. (C) Khallaf confirmed reports that the Arab League had not yet fixed a date with the Iraqis for a National Accord Conference, but was still planning to host key Iraqi political groups to a "planning meeting" in Cairo in the first half of July. He added that interior ministers from Iraq and its neighbors would meet in Riyadh in September. -------------- Egypt-Iraq Bilateral Relations -------------- ¶4. (C) Khallaf said the GOE was considering a visit to Cairo by SCIRI leader Abdel Aziz al Hakim in the coming weeks. The visit was on a list of seven items that the Foreign Ministry proposed to President Mubarak to move forward on bilateral ties with Baghdad, now that a new government was in place. Other proposals include: - Establishment of a bilateral "security committee" (NFI). - A visit to Egypt by Turkmen and other Iraqi political groups. - A public statement that Egypt intends to restaff its mission in Baghdad. - Hosting a Track-II conference of Iraqi and Egyptian experts to discuss Iraq. - Forgiving Iraq USD 51 million in debts reportedly owed to Egyptian public and private companies. - Permitting Egyptian laborers to work in Iraq (specifically, Kurdistan). -------------- An Iraqi Ambassador in Cairo? -------------- ¶5. (C) Khallaf lamented the Iraqi Charge in Cairo's private assertion that Baghdad would not send an Ambassador until Egypt announced its decision to return to full, normal diplomatic relations and sent a fully-accredited Ambassador to Baghdad. Citing domestic political pressure and GOE apprehension on this issue given the murder of Egypt's last envoy to Baghdad (Ambassador Ihab El Sherif),Khallaf said it would be better for Iraq to send its nominee in order to begin warming the waters. Full diplomatic ties, he added, would come in time. Noting the recent kidnapping of Russian diplomats in Iraq, Khallaf believed a decision to restaff Egypt's Baghdad Embassy would not be made in the short term. Post recommends that Department consider urging Baghdad to move forward on appointing an Ambassador to Cairo as soon as possible. This would serve both U.S. and Iraqi political and public diplomacy objectives. An effective Iraqi spokesman could be a persuasive voice in Egyptian media and other fora on positive developments in Iraq. RICCIARDONE