MUBARAK MAKES LIGHTENING VISIT TO KHARTOUM

C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 000829

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR D AND AF/SPG

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/04/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV SU EG
SUBJECT: MUBARAK MAKES LIGHTENING VISIT TO KHARTOUM

REF: CAIRO 1911

Classified By: Charge Andrew Steinfeld for reasons 1.5 (B) and (D)


1. (C) Having skipped last week's Arab League summit,
President Mubarak made an unannounced two and one half hour
visit to Khartoum midday today, April 4. (The brief and
surprise nature of the visit no doubt due to Egyptian
security concerns -- reftel.) The Egyptian Ambassador Abdel
Moneim al-Shazali provided Charge with the following readout:

-- There was one meeting only -- with Bashir.

-- Bashir briefed on the Arab League summit's accomplishments.

-- Mubarak re-emphasized GOE positions as were stated at last
week's summit meeting.

-- The bilateral today was very friendly; points of view on
all issues are similar.


2. (C) Charge noted that Darfur and UN rehatting were
clearly at the top of the U.S. agenda, and asked whether
these had been discussed. Egyptian Ambassador replied "not
in particular." Rather, both sides stressed the necessity of
reaching a political solution to Darfur as soon as possible.
Each avenue for reaching closure needs to be pursued. When
asked again about rehatting, al-Shazali answered that there
was "no need for crossing those bridges before it is
necessary."
STEINFELD