Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07CAIRO2932
2007-10-01 08:04:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:
EGYPT: MFA'S BMENA REPRESENTATIVE DISCUSSES FORUM
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 002932
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/01/2017
TAGS: PREL KMPI KDEM PINR GM EUN
SUBJECT: EGYPT: MFA'S BMENA REPRESENTATIVE DISCUSSES FORUM
FOR THE FUTURE PLANNING
REF: STATE 136556
Classified by CDA Stuart Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 002932
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/01/2017
TAGS: PREL KMPI KDEM PINR GM EUN
SUBJECT: EGYPT: MFA'S BMENA REPRESENTATIVE DISCUSSES FORUM
FOR THE FUTURE PLANNING
REF: STATE 136556
Classified by CDA Stuart Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Charge called on Ambassador Raouf Saad, FM Aboul
Gheit's Coordinator for Reform Initiatives, on September 24
to discuss the planning for the Forum for the Future (FFF).
Saad indicated that he personally plans to attend the
upcoming sub-ministerial in Berlin (reftel). Saad made clear
that the GOE continues to see the FFF goal of bringing NGOs
to the same table as governments as problematic. Charge
replied that the USG remains committed to supporting free and
effective NGO operations in support of reform both in Egypt
and across the BMENA region, and urged the Egyptian side not
to undermine consensus on this point, as it had at the 2005
FFF in Manama.
2. (C) Saad's bottom line was that the GOE sees the FFF as
the "only living creature" of the BMENA process and that the
GOE agrees that "we all need" a mechanism to discuss and
promote human rights, democracy, and education and economic
reform. He also hinted, however, that the GOE would not
cooperate if the FFF organizers press too hard on giving NGOs
a seat at the table. "This ministerial cannot fail," Saad
warned.
3. (C) Turning to the issue of direct donor funding to NGOs
in Egypt, Saad dropped his diplomatic cordiality and bluntly
told the Charge that the GOE is "outraged" that IRI and NDI
continue to conduct operations in Egypt. The GOE disagrees,
Saad said, "with the choice of certain individuals to violate
the law. We will not put them in prison, of course," said
Saad, but their conduct is "disrespectful."
4. (C) Saad added that the GOE realizes that the
long-standing issue of the registration of NDI, IRI, and IFES
"has to be settled. It's taking a lot of time." At the end
of the conversation, Saad noted that IFES "seemed to be a bit
smarter" in its efforts to work with Egyptian organizations
like Cairo University and al-Ahram Center for Political and
Strategic Studies. The Charge urged Saad to use all his
influence to effect a satisfactory resolution to the
registration issue. "I'm hearing you," replied Saad. The
Charge also pressed Saad to urge his GOE colleagues,
including security officials, to work more closely with the
USG when there are disputed cases of NGO registration and
funding which involve the USG support.
5. (SBU) Bio note: Saad retired from a distinguished
diplomatic career in early 2007, but returned to the MFA at
the special request of FM Aboul Gheit after the previous
Assistant for Special Initiatives, Amb. Mohamed Shaaban, was
seconded to the UN as Under Secretary for General Assembly
and Conference Management. In his diplomatic career, Saad
had served as Egyptian ambassador to Brussels (and the EU)
and as ambassador to Russia. During the course of the
meeting with Charge, Saad reminisced fondly about his work
CAIRO 00002932 002 OF 002
with U.S. diplomats. Saad's wife died recently after a
lengthy illness.
JONES
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/01/2017
TAGS: PREL KMPI KDEM PINR GM EUN
SUBJECT: EGYPT: MFA'S BMENA REPRESENTATIVE DISCUSSES FORUM
FOR THE FUTURE PLANNING
REF: STATE 136556
Classified by CDA Stuart Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Charge called on Ambassador Raouf Saad, FM Aboul
Gheit's Coordinator for Reform Initiatives, on September 24
to discuss the planning for the Forum for the Future (FFF).
Saad indicated that he personally plans to attend the
upcoming sub-ministerial in Berlin (reftel). Saad made clear
that the GOE continues to see the FFF goal of bringing NGOs
to the same table as governments as problematic. Charge
replied that the USG remains committed to supporting free and
effective NGO operations in support of reform both in Egypt
and across the BMENA region, and urged the Egyptian side not
to undermine consensus on this point, as it had at the 2005
FFF in Manama.
2. (C) Saad's bottom line was that the GOE sees the FFF as
the "only living creature" of the BMENA process and that the
GOE agrees that "we all need" a mechanism to discuss and
promote human rights, democracy, and education and economic
reform. He also hinted, however, that the GOE would not
cooperate if the FFF organizers press too hard on giving NGOs
a seat at the table. "This ministerial cannot fail," Saad
warned.
3. (C) Turning to the issue of direct donor funding to NGOs
in Egypt, Saad dropped his diplomatic cordiality and bluntly
told the Charge that the GOE is "outraged" that IRI and NDI
continue to conduct operations in Egypt. The GOE disagrees,
Saad said, "with the choice of certain individuals to violate
the law. We will not put them in prison, of course," said
Saad, but their conduct is "disrespectful."
4. (C) Saad added that the GOE realizes that the
long-standing issue of the registration of NDI, IRI, and IFES
"has to be settled. It's taking a lot of time." At the end
of the conversation, Saad noted that IFES "seemed to be a bit
smarter" in its efforts to work with Egyptian organizations
like Cairo University and al-Ahram Center for Political and
Strategic Studies. The Charge urged Saad to use all his
influence to effect a satisfactory resolution to the
registration issue. "I'm hearing you," replied Saad. The
Charge also pressed Saad to urge his GOE colleagues,
including security officials, to work more closely with the
USG when there are disputed cases of NGO registration and
funding which involve the USG support.
5. (SBU) Bio note: Saad retired from a distinguished
diplomatic career in early 2007, but returned to the MFA at
the special request of FM Aboul Gheit after the previous
Assistant for Special Initiatives, Amb. Mohamed Shaaban, was
seconded to the UN as Under Secretary for General Assembly
and Conference Management. In his diplomatic career, Saad
had served as Egyptian ambassador to Brussels (and the EU)
and as ambassador to Russia. During the course of the
meeting with Charge, Saad reminisced fondly about his work
CAIRO 00002932 002 OF 002
with U.S. diplomats. Saad's wife died recently after a
lengthy illness.
JONES