Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07CAIRO3103
2007-10-22 15:31:00
SECRET
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:
MFA ADVISOR ON EGYPTIAN JUDGE FOR SELECTION
how-toVZCZCXYZ0032 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHEG #3103 2951531 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 221531Z OCT 07 FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO TO RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY 1090 RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS PRIORITY 0943 RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7268 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0188
S E C R E T CAIRO 003103
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA FOR SOMERSET
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/22/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV LE PTER EG
SUBJECT: MFA ADVISOR ON EGYPTIAN JUDGE FOR SELECTION
COMMITTEE TO UN LEBANON TRIBUNAL
REF: A. CAIRO 3003
B. SECSTATE 139303
Classified By: ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL MINISTER-COUNSELOR WILLIAM R. STE
WART.
REASONS: 1.4 (B) and (D)
S E C R E T CAIRO 003103
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA FOR SOMERSET
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/22/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV LE PTER EG
SUBJECT: MFA ADVISOR ON EGYPTIAN JUDGE FOR SELECTION
COMMITTEE TO UN LEBANON TRIBUNAL
REF: A. CAIRO 3003
B. SECSTATE 139303
Classified By: ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL MINISTER-COUNSELOR WILLIAM R. STE
WART.
REASONS: 1.4 (B) and (D)
1. (S) MFA Cabinet Advisor Nazih el Neggary told Poloff Oct
22 that retired Egyptian judge Amin Mahdi had agreed to serve
on the UN selection panel for judges to the UN Special
Tribunal for Lebanon. However, Mahdi did not want to serve
on the tribunal itself, for fear of having to carry out
punitive actions against an Arab state (Syria). Neggary said
that Mahdi's credentials and reputation in Egypt and the
international community are impeccable, and that his
participation in the selection of judges for the tribunal
would lend credibility to the process, especially in Egypt
and the Arab/Muslim world. Although Egypt supports the
tribunal and recognizes the deterrent effect it could have on
future assassinations, Neggary reiterated his concerns that
merely having an Egyptian on the tribunal would risk
antagonizing Syria at a time when the Egyptian bilateral
strategy is to bring Syria along with incentives (reftel A).
2. (S) For this reason, Neggary said that the GOE will not
send forward names of any candidates for the tribunal.
According to Neggary, Mahdi's position on the selection panel
is seen as the best way for Egypt to stay involved in the
process. Neggary said that Mahdi was originally skeptical of
the UN Tribunal as a tool of "Western pressure," but that he
had backed Mahdi away from this initial position, and that
after Mahdi read the Brammertz and Mehlis reports, he
understood that there is a legitimate case to be decided.
Bio Note: Mahdi has served as judge on the UN International
Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia at the Hague, and as
President of the "Majlis al-Dawla" (the Egyptian State
Council, one of Egypt's highest judicial bodies).
3. (S) Comment: We have heard from other sources that there
may have been some in the MFA who had argued that the GOE
should submit names of Egyptian candidates to serve on the UN
tribunal. It appears, however, that the position articulated
by Neggary has prevailed.
RICCIARDONE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA FOR SOMERSET
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/22/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV LE PTER EG
SUBJECT: MFA ADVISOR ON EGYPTIAN JUDGE FOR SELECTION
COMMITTEE TO UN LEBANON TRIBUNAL
REF: A. CAIRO 3003
B. SECSTATE 139303
Classified By: ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL MINISTER-COUNSELOR WILLIAM R. STE
WART.
REASONS: 1.4 (B) and (D)
1. (S) MFA Cabinet Advisor Nazih el Neggary told Poloff Oct
22 that retired Egyptian judge Amin Mahdi had agreed to serve
on the UN selection panel for judges to the UN Special
Tribunal for Lebanon. However, Mahdi did not want to serve
on the tribunal itself, for fear of having to carry out
punitive actions against an Arab state (Syria). Neggary said
that Mahdi's credentials and reputation in Egypt and the
international community are impeccable, and that his
participation in the selection of judges for the tribunal
would lend credibility to the process, especially in Egypt
and the Arab/Muslim world. Although Egypt supports the
tribunal and recognizes the deterrent effect it could have on
future assassinations, Neggary reiterated his concerns that
merely having an Egyptian on the tribunal would risk
antagonizing Syria at a time when the Egyptian bilateral
strategy is to bring Syria along with incentives (reftel A).
2. (S) For this reason, Neggary said that the GOE will not
send forward names of any candidates for the tribunal.
According to Neggary, Mahdi's position on the selection panel
is seen as the best way for Egypt to stay involved in the
process. Neggary said that Mahdi was originally skeptical of
the UN Tribunal as a tool of "Western pressure," but that he
had backed Mahdi away from this initial position, and that
after Mahdi read the Brammertz and Mehlis reports, he
understood that there is a legitimate case to be decided.
Bio Note: Mahdi has served as judge on the UN International
Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia at the Hague, and as
President of the "Majlis al-Dawla" (the Egyptian State
Council, one of Egypt's highest judicial bodies).
3. (S) Comment: We have heard from other sources that there
may have been some in the MFA who had argued that the GOE
should submit names of Egyptian candidates to serve on the UN
tribunal. It appears, however, that the position articulated
by Neggary has prevailed.
RICCIARDONE