EGYPT ICAO DEMARCHE: INITIAL RESPONSE

UNCLAS CAIRO 000711 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR NEA/ELA ABU DHABI FOR FAA (BARTKO) MONTREAL FOR USICAO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL EAIR AORC EG ICAO SUBJECT: EGYPT ICAO DEMARCHE: INITIAL RESPONSE REF: STATE 16996 Sensitive but Unclassified. Please protect accordingly. ¶1. (SBU) Econoff delivered reftel demarche and points to Samir Abd El Maboud, Head of the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA). Vice Chairman of the ECAA Gen. Shawky El Azzab was also present at the meeting. Maboud was thankful for the points outlining the U.S. position and for the Voss biography. ¶2. (SBU) Maboud indicated that Egypt had not yet decided on its vote and was not necessarily tied to the Arab League endorsement of Taieb Cherif. El Azzab added that Egypt must take into account its African, not just Arab, role in the organization. Maboud and El Azzab both noted that they knew William Voss personally. ¶3. (SBU) Post will also demarche MFA contacts and report any developments regarding the Egyptian position. RICCIARDONE