Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06CAIRO4168
2006-07-05 14:36:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:
EGYPT PREPARING TO HOST IRAQI OFFICIALS; FORMAL
how-toVZCZCXYZ0002 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHEG #4168 1861436 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 051436Z JUL 06 FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9706 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 0039
C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 004168
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/05/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER EFIN ECON EG IZ
SUBJECT: EGYPT PREPARING TO HOST IRAQI OFFICIALS; FORMAL
DIPLOMATIC TIES STILL WEAK
REF: BAGHDAD 2314
Classified by ECPO Counselor Catherine Hill-Herndon for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 004168
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/05/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER EFIN ECON EG IZ
SUBJECT: EGYPT PREPARING TO HOST IRAQI OFFICIALS; FORMAL
DIPLOMATIC TIES STILL WEAK
REF: BAGHDAD 2314
Classified by ECPO Counselor Catherine Hill-Herndon for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) During the July 4 Embassy reception, poloff discussed
Iraqi-Egyptian relations with Iraqi Embassy diplomatic
attache, Amir Abbas (protect). Asked about upcoming senior
visits between Cairo and Baghdad, Abbas shared that he was
working with contacts at the Egyptian General Intelligence
Service to coordinate a visit to Cairo by Iraqi Intelligence
Chief General Mohamed Abdullah Shahwani. Abbas believed the
visit would take place in the coming weeks, and believed the
exchange was also being coordinated between Egypt and the
Saudis. Also expected to visit Cairo soon is Deputy Prime
Minister Salam al Zaibai, Abbas said. Asked about a possible
visit to Egypt by SCIRI representative Abdel Aziz al Hakim,
Abbas said he was unaware of any plans for Hakim to visit at
this time. (Note: It is possible that such a visit by a
SCIRI rep would not be coordinated with the Iraqi Embassy in
Cairo. End note).
2. (C) Responding to poloff's inquiries on an Iraqi
Ambassadorial nominee for Cairo, Abbas said he did not think
there would be a new Ambassador sent in the short term, since
it was unclear whether the current nominee (Hajj al Hammoud)
could legally be posted given his age (70 years) and MFA
retirement rules. Referring to an Egyptian MFA report that
three Egyptian nationals had been kidnapped from a commercial
reconstruction project in Basra July 3, poloff enquired if
the Egyptians had contacted the Iraqi Embassy. Abbas was
unaware of the news, nor of any GOE attempt to communicate to
the Iraqi mission. Poloff later pressed MFA contacts to
engage their Iraqi Embassy counterparts on issues such as
this. In the same vein, poloff learned that the Egyptian MFA
has taken no action on a formal Iraqi request to send a
military attache to Cairo. The request, Abbas said, has been
pending for months and months. Abbas said the Iraqis would
be greatful if the Americans gave the Egyptians a "push" on
this issue.
RICCIARDONE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/05/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER EFIN ECON EG IZ
SUBJECT: EGYPT PREPARING TO HOST IRAQI OFFICIALS; FORMAL
DIPLOMATIC TIES STILL WEAK
REF: BAGHDAD 2314
Classified by ECPO Counselor Catherine Hill-Herndon for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) During the July 4 Embassy reception, poloff discussed
Iraqi-Egyptian relations with Iraqi Embassy diplomatic
attache, Amir Abbas (protect). Asked about upcoming senior
visits between Cairo and Baghdad, Abbas shared that he was
working with contacts at the Egyptian General Intelligence
Service to coordinate a visit to Cairo by Iraqi Intelligence
Chief General Mohamed Abdullah Shahwani. Abbas believed the
visit would take place in the coming weeks, and believed the
exchange was also being coordinated between Egypt and the
Saudis. Also expected to visit Cairo soon is Deputy Prime
Minister Salam al Zaibai, Abbas said. Asked about a possible
visit to Egypt by SCIRI representative Abdel Aziz al Hakim,
Abbas said he was unaware of any plans for Hakim to visit at
this time. (Note: It is possible that such a visit by a
SCIRI rep would not be coordinated with the Iraqi Embassy in
Cairo. End note).
2. (C) Responding to poloff's inquiries on an Iraqi
Ambassadorial nominee for Cairo, Abbas said he did not think
there would be a new Ambassador sent in the short term, since
it was unclear whether the current nominee (Hajj al Hammoud)
could legally be posted given his age (70 years) and MFA
retirement rules. Referring to an Egyptian MFA report that
three Egyptian nationals had been kidnapped from a commercial
reconstruction project in Basra July 3, poloff enquired if
the Egyptians had contacted the Iraqi Embassy. Abbas was
unaware of the news, nor of any GOE attempt to communicate to
the Iraqi mission. Poloff later pressed MFA contacts to
engage their Iraqi Embassy counterparts on issues such as
this. In the same vein, poloff learned that the Egyptian MFA
has taken no action on a formal Iraqi request to send a
military attache to Cairo. The request, Abbas said, has been
pending for months and months. Abbas said the Iraqis would
be greatful if the Americans gave the Egyptians a "push" on
this issue.
RICCIARDONE