EGYPT ACCEPTS INVITATION TO VISIT IRAN'S NUCLEAR

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 000174 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2012 TAGS: PARM IAEA ENERG EG IR KNNP SUBJECT: EGYPT ACCEPTS INVITATION TO VISIT IRAN'S NUCLEAR SITES REF: STATE 6433 Classified By: DCM Stuart Jones for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Poloff raised reftel concerns over Egypt's decision to accept Iran's invitation to visit Iranian nuclear sites with MFA's Director of Disarmament Dr. Hossam Aly on January ¶22. Dr. Aly said that Egypt is well aware of the various ways in which Iran will seek to exploit the visit, but FM Aboul Gheit nonetheless endorsed the visit after concluding that Ambassador Ramzy could manage the risks. Aly said the visit is important because it allows Egypt to remain involved in the matter, which may have implications for other countries' enrichment rights. Because Egypt does not have normal bilateral relations with Iran, engagement in multilateral fora is particularly important, Aly said. Aly also said that given that Egypt was invited in its NAM "troika" capacity, declining the invitation would open Egypt to criticism within the NAM. ¶2. (C) Dr. Aly acknowledged the risk that Iran will seek to portray Ambassador Ramzy's visit as an endorsement of Iran's activities. To prevent such exploitation, Aboul Gheit instructed Ambassador Ramzy not to sign a declaration at the conclusion of the visit if it contains either political or technical content. Ambassador Ramzy is only authorized to sign a statement that outlines the chronology of events during the visit and reiterates El Baradei's most recent report to the UNSC on Iran's nuclear program. Dr. Aly conceded, however, that Ramzy would face considerable pressure to make a more conciliatory statement at the end of the visit. RICCIARDONE