ANGER IN EGYPT OVER DANISH CARTOONS EXPRESSED

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 000713

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD PREL PGOV ECON ASEC EG DE
SUBJECT: ANGER IN EGYPT OVER DANISH CARTOONS EXPRESSED
PEACEFULLY THROUGH BOYCOTTS AND GOVERNMENT-SANCTIONED
PROTESTS


SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY.

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Summary
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1. (SBU) Egyptians are peacefully expressing their outrage
over Danish cartoons of the Prophet Mohamed, which is finding
expression through various official and private channels.
Businesses and consumers are boycotting Danish products, and
the government is publicly condemning the cartoons in a
measured way, while making stronger private protests.
President Mubarak made a balanced statement February 3 that
noted the importance of freedom of speech, but emphasized
that attacking religious beliefs was unacceptable and would
spur terrorism and violence in the region. The GOE has
increased security around certain embassies to prevent a
repeat of the destruction witnessed in Syria and Lebanon.
Meanwhile, indignation continues to spread among the
rank-and-file. Aware of the importance and volatility of
this issue, the GOE is expressing displeasure at the cartoons
in a way that will not further inflame emotions. End summary.

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Boycott of Danish Products
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2. (SBU) Two of Egypt's largest private grocery chains --
Metro and Seoudi -- were among the first businesses to
announce a boycott Danish of products last week. The
companies ordered all their stores to remove Danish items in
stock, mainly dairy products, and place signs up explaining
that the absence of goods was due to a boycott. Many small,
local stores run by individual proprietors followed suit.
Some shops bear signs noting that Danes are not welcome; a
few embassy personnel have been asked if they were Danish
when entering shops and taxis.


3. (SBU) The Egyptian Federation of Chambers of Commerce,
which represents mainly local industries, quickly backed the
boycott, even to the extent of urging companies to cease
business activities with shipping companies that transport
Danish goods. It also urged its members to convey to its
foreign trading partners the serious consequences of "racist"
campaigns. Meanwhile, capitalizing on the situation, local
companies supplying goods that compete with Danish products
have reportedly been offering discounts up to 10% on their
products, presumably in an attempt to develop new, loyal
customers. The Muslim Brotherhood made a statement that it
supported the boycott of Danish and Norwegian products.

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Government Reaction
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4. (SBU) The GOE has not taken a position for or against the
boycott, but the members of the People's Assembly expressed
their displeasure with Denmark by refusing to act on an offer
of a 60 million euro loan from the Danish government. As the
controversy picked up steam last week, the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs published on its web page a summary of steps
it had taken since October in response to the original
publication of the cartoons. It noted that in early October,
Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit had sent a letter of protest to
the Danish Prime Minister and sought meetings with his Danish
counterpart to address the issue. Aboul Gheit convoked the
Danish Ambassador in late October and warned that the lack of
an official apology from the Danish Government would fuel
resentment. When the controversy broke last week, Aboul
Gheit sent letters to the Ambassadors of all 25 EU countries
calling on them to urge restraint in further publication of
the offending cartoons. Similar messages were conveyed to
the Norwegians, as Norway was the first country after Denmark
where the offending cartoons were published. The Ministry
also highlighted its engagement with the Arab League and the
Organization of Islamic Conference, where the GOE had put the
cartoons on the agenda.


5. (SBU) President Mubarak's reaction came relatively late
in the controversy. In a measured statement to the Middle
East News Agency late on February 3, Mubarak stated that
"Freedom of opinion, speech and journalism -- which we
guarantee and respect -- should not be used as a pretext to
desecrate sacrosanct beliefs and religions." The President
warned that republishing the cartoons could be dangerous and
have severe repercussions, further intensifying negative
feelings in the Islamic world toward the west, and giving
more ammunition to extremists and terrorists. To prevent a
repeat of the destruction witnessed in Syria and Lebanon, the
GOE has increased security around European embassies in
Cairo, particularly the Danish and Norwegian chanceries on
the island of Zamalek.

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Public Reaction
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6. (SBU) As of February 6, public demonstrations have been
peaceful and limited to two events, both carefully managed by
Egyptian authorities. Public demonstrations were permitted
following Friday mid-day prayers on February 3. On February
6, government-sanctioned demonstrations took place in Cairo
and other major cities, such as Alexandria. The Cairo
protest at the Al Azhar mosque/university complex attracted
some 10,000 demonstrators, according to media reports.
Egypt's two most prominent Muslim leaders, the Sheikh of Al
Azhar and the Mufti, participated in the Al Azhar
demonstration, as did the President of Al Azhar University
and the Minister of Religious Endowment. The presence of the
Sheikh was seen as important, as he had been severely
criticized for a perceived soft public response to the
cartoon controversy when a newspaper quoted him as saying
that the Prophet should not be criticized because he was not
around to defend himself. The Sheikh claimed he was
misquoted.


7. (SBU) While sentiment is strongly aligned against the
Danish Government and other governments where the cartoons
have been published, there have been some isolated voices
questioning the response. An editorial in Masry Al Yom
criticized Muslims for focusing their attention on external
battles rather than waging the internal ones, such as living
up to the teachings of the Prophet through daily acts and
fighting corruption and injustices in local society. Also,
Amr Adib, the moderator of Al Qahera Al Yom, one the most
popular TV news shows in Egypt, called on Muslims everywhere
to show restraint, arguing that violence risked reinforcing
negative stereotypes of Muslims. Meanwhile, the
pro-government newspaper Al Akhbar is under fire after Al
Masry Al Yom reported that Al Akhbar had published the
cartoons in its February 2 morning edition, which was quickly
withdrawn from circulation. Some Egyptians have criticized
TV for dwelling on the cartoon controversy at the expense of
coverage of the ferry disaster.

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Comment
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8. (SBU) While anger and resentment over the publications of
the cartoons has not manifested itself in violent
demonstrations, the sentiments are nonetheless strong and
widespread. Emotions are kept raw as emails of the offending
cartoons circulate, and friends pass along cell phone text
messages urging support of the boycott and a day of fasting
and prayer to invoke Allah's revenge on the offenders. The
GOE appears to be steering a middle course aimed at
expressing its dissatisfaction with the publications of the
cartoons while seeking to channel public emotions on the
issue. End comment.
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