GOE'S MIXED SIGNALS ON INTERNATIONAL NGO

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 005459

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NSC STAFF FOR RICK WATERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/31/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM EG
SUBJECT: GOE'S MIXED SIGNALS ON INTERNATIONAL NGO
REGISTRATION


Classified By: Classified by DCM Stuart Jones for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (SBU) Summary: Internews, the U.S.-based media reform NGO,
appears to have secured GOE approval to finalize its
registration in Egypt, paving the way to start work with
independent Egyptian media, supported by USAID. IRI, which
continues to defer appointing a new country director, is
taking a wait-and-see approach. Meanwhile, NDI is making an
overture directly to the reformist wing of the NDP
leadership, in hopes of influencing the GOE to allow NDI to
resume and expand its work. End summary.


2. (SBU) Internews, which has long-standing links with
Egyptian media organizations, told USAID staff on August 30
that the MFA was finalizing its registration. Internews
applied for registration in 2004, and had been running
occasional seminars and workshops on a fly-in/fly-out basis,
but USAID's award of a direct grant to Internews in 2006 for
new and expanded activities made the need for formal
registration more pressing.


3. (C) In a recent conversation with MFA Assistant Minister
for Americas Salama Shaker, the DCM had sought an update on
the overall registration issue and urged prompt resolution of
the Internews case. Shaker agreed to look into it, but
offered ambiguous signals on NDI, at one point saying that
NDI could "somewhat" resume activities, but needed to "stay
below the radar." The DCM pressed Shaker for clarification,
but she declined to elaborate.


4. (SBU) Visiting IRI staff told emboffs in late-August that
IRI was pleased to be invited to the NDP's party conference
September 19-20, and planned to send a mid-level Washington
representative. IRI's Country Director position remains
vacant.


5. (SBU) The NDI Country Director confirmed that NDI is also
invited to the party conference, and said that she plans to
attend. NDI board member Sam Gjedensen (former Democratic
Congressman from Connecticut) might attend in lieu of NDI
President Ken Wollack, who will not be available. NDI
believes that working closely with the NDP, for now, may be
the best way to secure its position. To this end, the NDI
Country Director will also seek a meeting with Gamal Mubarak
to make the case that the NDI's non-partisan technical
assistance to legal Egyptian parties would provide great
benefits to the NDP as it prepares for the 2007 Shura Council
elections.


6. (C) In a meeting August 24 with the DCM and emboff, Gamal
Mubarak advisor Mohammad Kamal was lukewarm on the chances
for prompt registration of IRI, NDI, and IFES. In an August
30 meeting with the Ambassador, Gamal Mubarak referred the
Ambassador's inquiry about the institutes' registration
status to the MFA. Gamal noted that the NDP was looking
forward to the institutes' attendance at the party
conference, but would not be drawn out on their legal status.


7. (C) Comment: Notwithstanding the positive news on the
Internews registration, GOE signals on the more controversial
cases of IRI, NDI, and IFES have been distinctly mixed. The
NDP's invitation for the institutes to attend the September
19-21 party conference is welcome, but may mean waiting on
the registration issue. The institutes should consider
taking advantage of the opportunity presented by the
invitations from the NDP to attend the annual conference,
ideally by sending senior leaders to attend and making the
case that they have something useful to offer.
RICCIARDONE