HAMAS FIGURES VISIT CAIRO FOR TALKS ON NATIONAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 007001

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR MEPN PTER KPAL EG IS
SUBJECT: HAMAS FIGURES VISIT CAIRO FOR TALKS ON NATIONAL
UNITY GOVERNMENT


Classified by Minister-Counselor for Economic and Political
Affairs William Stewart for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

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Summary
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1. (C) Amidst a flurry of regional diplomatic activity,
senior Hamas political leaders Khaled Misha'al and Prime
Minister Haniyeh have been visiting Cairo for talks with
Egyptian leaders on the formation of a National Unity
Government and related issues. Misha'al, who visited Egypt
from November 23-26, discussed next steps on the peace
process with Egyptian Intelligence Chief Omar Soliman.
Haniyeh, who arrives in Cairo on November 28, is expected to
meet senior Egyptian leaders and Arab League Secretary
General Amre Moussa before departing. Egyptian Information
Minister El-Fekki told the Ambassador on November 28 that
Egypt watched Misha'al closely during his stay in Cairo, and
severely limited his access to media. While there had been
no major political breakthrough achieved during Misha'al's
visit, El-Fekki stated that Egypt had gone to lengths to
ensure no backward movement. Additional diplomacy is
expected when Omar Soliman visits Israel on December 29 for
talks with Israeli Prime Minister Olmert. End summary.

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Khaled Misha'al Visits Cairo
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2. (SBU) Syrian-based Hamas militant leader Khaled Misha'al
visited Egypt for four days, from November 23-26, meeting
with Egypt's Intelligence Chief Omar Soliman for talks on
formation of a Palestinian National Unity Government (NUG).
During his stay in Egypt, Misha'al met with members of the
Muslim-Brotherhood dominated Press Syndicate, where he told
reporters that a "third intifada" against Israel would erupt
if progress toward a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders
was not achieved. Western powers, he asserted, had "six
months" to seize on the "historic chance" to resolve the
Arab-Israeli dispute following formation of a NUG.


3. (C) During their November 28 meeting, Egyptian Information
Minister Anis El-Fikky told the Ambassador that the GOE had
closely watched Misha'al during his visit to ensure he stayed
in line. Fekki said that Misha'al wanted to be interviewed
on the Orbit satellite television channel and other
independent TV networks, but the GOE refused his request.
Instead, they forced him to submit to a taped interview with
reporter Abdel Latif el-Minawi, host of Channel One's "Point
of View" and known for his tough questioning style. The
taped interview, Fekki said, was pre-screened and vetted by
EGIS Chief Soliman, who approved its broadcast on local TV.
According to Fekki, Misha'al said "nothing new." The GOE, he
added, felt Misha'al had delivered no breakthrough, or even
an advance, while in Cairo. Instead, Fekki stressed, the GOE
went to great lengths to make sure Misha'al did nothing to
"move things backwards."

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Hamas Prime Minister Haniyeh to Cairo
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4. (C) Palestinian Prime Minister Haniyeh also was due in
Cairo on November 28, for additional negotiations and
meetings with EGIS Chief Soliman and others. Arab League
contacts confirmed that Amre Moussa would meet Haniyeh on
November 29. According to local media, Haniyeh will depart
Egypt for several other Arab states to brief regional leaders
on the state of play in Palestine. His discussions with
Soliman will likely occur late on the 28th, as the Egyptian
Intelligence Chief is expected to visit Israel on November 29
to update Prime Minister Olmert on the Cairo talks, and the
situation among the Palestinian factions. The status of
talks on a NUG formation, a ceasefire, and efforts to obtain
the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit and imprisoned
Palestinians are expected to top the agenda of those talks.
RICCIARDONE