IRAQ: EGYPT AND ARAB LEAGUE WELCOME FINAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 000971

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS PTER KPAO OPRC EG IZ
SUBJECT: IRAQ: EGYPT AND ARAB LEAGUE WELCOME FINAL
ELECTION RESULTS, URGE RAPID GOVERNMENT FORMATION. STILL
NO IRAQI AMBASSADOR IN CAIRO

REF: STATE 23668

Classified by ECPO Counselor Michael Corbin for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).


1. (U) Following the public release February 17 of final
election results by the Independent Electoral Commission of
Iraq (IECI),both the Government of Egypt and Arab League
publicly welcomed the conclusion of Iraq's electoral process
and called for the rapid formation of a government of
national unity. According to Egyptian state media, Foreign
Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit during a tour of African states
publicly welcomed the IECI announcement, voicing hope that
the Iraqi elections would be a "step on the road to build a
better future for the Iraqis and mark a new era in the
history of the war-torn country." Aboul Gheit also
highlighted the need for rapid government formation in Iraq.
Similarly, Arab League Assistant Secretary General Ahmed
Binhelli on February 11 told reporters that the League
welcomed the IECI's election results and hoped Iraqi
political parties would form a unity government. The
League's Secretary General is expected to send his envoy,
former Sudanese FM Ismail, to Baghdad shortly to discuss AL
plans to organize a reconciliation conference in Iraq after a
government is formed.


2. (C) According to the Iraqi Charge, Saad Ridha, the
Egyptian Foreign Ministry recently conveyed Egypt's oral
reply to two Iraqi Government letters delivered in December,
one requesting agrement for Baghdad's prospective
ambassadorial nominee, Dr. Mohamed al Haj al Hamoud, and the
other inviting Egypt to resume full, normal diplomatic
relations (cut by Iraq in 1991). He said that MFA Chef du
Cabinet Wafaa Bassim called him to share that Hamoud was
welcome in Cairo, but that he would be afforded only Charge
d'Affaires protocol status, signifying Egypt's decision to
delay resumption of full diplomatic relations. Asked if
Bassim's call was the reason for Hamoud's failure to show in
Cairo, Ridha said that there were several Iraqi ambassadorial
nominees for posts in the region had been held up by the
Prime Minister's office in Baghdad, and that Hamoud would not
arrive until the official paperwork was signed by the Prime
Minister and the President. Those signatures, Ridha
speculated, would likely not come before the formation of a
new Iraqi government. The Egyptians, he further surmised,
would likely await a new government in Baghdad before making
any move toward resumption of full diplomatic relations with
Iraq.


3. (C) Comment. A decision to resume normal diplomatic
relations with Iraq can only be taken by President Mubarak.
The kidnapping and murder of Egyptian Ambassador Ihab Sherif
last June continues to haunt senior GOE officials, and will
make a decision to send a replacement envoy to Baghdad
complicated. While the Egyptians tell us in private that
they are not thrilled by the prospect of Jafari continuing as
Prime Minister, once a new government in Baghdad is formed,
it should be easier for the Egyptians to take the necessary
steps to resume full ties with Iraq. End comment.
RICCIARDONE