CODEL KERRY MEETING WITH PRESIDENT MUBARAK

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 001637 SIPDIS NSC FOR PASCUAL E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAL PHUM AU EG IR IS SU SUBJECT: CODEL KERRY MEETING WITH PRESIDENT MUBARAK Classified By: Ambassador Margaret Scobey, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: On July 2, Senator Kerry and the Ambassador discussed regional developments with President Hosni Mubarak, including Zimbabwe, Sudan, Iraq, Iran, and Israel-Palestine. Mubarak said that Egypt was working to find a solution in Sudan, but preferred to do so "quietly." Mubarak warned against a precipitous U.S. withdrawal from Iraq. While he called Iranians "liars" and said they sponsor terrorism, he opined that no Arab state would join the U.S. in a formal defense alliance against Iran for fear of retaliation. Mubarak expressed frustration with the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, and was particularly disparaging about the lack of Palestinian unity. End summary. -------------- AU "Soft" on Mugabe -------------- ¶2. (C) In a 60-minute meeting with President Mubarak in Sharm El-Sheikh, Senator Kerry began by asking for Mubarak's views on the discussions at the African Union Summit, which had concluded in Sharm El-Sheikh the previous day. Mubarak said he had been at the Summit until late in the evening and was tired. He reported that some member states had condemned Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, while others told him to form a national unity government and find a role for the opposition parties. Mubarak said he couldn't prevent Mugabe from attending the conference in Egypt because Zimbabwe is a member of the African Union. He said the British were behind this "big fuss" and that the pressure from other African leaders was "sufficiently soft that Mugabe can do what he wants." -------------- Sudan: Quiet Diplomacy Is Best -------------- ¶3. (C) In response to Senator Kerry's query about the situation in Sudan, Mubarak said the issue was not discussed publicly at the AU summit. He also said "this issue could have been worked out" if it were not debated so publicly because "two tribes always work things out." Mubarak noted Egypt's attempts to "try and help the (Sudanese) people" through the Egyptian hospital in Sudan and the efforts of EGIS Director Omar Suleiman to advise on North-South negotiations. -------------- Iraq: Don't Pull Out Too Soon -------------- ¶4. (C) Turning to Iraq, Senator Kerry asked Mubarak if he had changed his opinion of Prime Minister Al Maliki after Iraq's successful stabilization efforts in Basra and Sadr City. Mubarak said he "I am not critical. He came to Cairo. I gave him my phone number but he hasn't called us." He noted that Egypt offered to host and train Iraqi forces, but that the offer had not been acted upon by the Iraqis. He said the U.S. "cannot withdraw until you strengthen the armed forces and police. Until then you have to stay." -------------- Beware The Iranians -------------- ¶5. (C) Mubarak's top concern for the stability of Iraq and the region is Iran. He believes that "as a result of the invasion of Iraq, Iran is spreading everywhere." He urged the U.S. to be wary of what Iran says. "They are big, fat liars and justify their lies because they believe it is for a higher purpose." He said he believes this opinion is shared by other leaders in the region. Nonetheless, he opined that no Arab state will join the U.S. in a defense relationship vis-a-vis Iran out of fear of "sabotage and Iranian terrorism." He said Iran's sponsorship of terrorism is "well-known but I cannot say it publicly. It would create a dangerous situation." Mubarak said that sanctions are the best hope for containing Iran, but Arab states won't dare to endorse them. -------------- Not Optimistic on The Peace Process -------------- ¶6. (C) On the Middle East Peace Process, Mubarak said he sees no progress between Syria and Israel and doesn't expect any progress between Israel and the PA leadership. He said that "Palestinians are quarrelling" and Hamas and other factions will reject any agreement made by Abu Mazen. Senator Kerry CAIRO 00001637 002 OF 002 suggested the parties appeared to be close in some areas. In response, Mubarak reiterated he doesn't believe the many Palestinian factions will reach agreement and, thus, they only serve to undermine Abu Mazen's efforts. ¶7. (C) This cable was not cleared by CODEL Kerry. SCOBEY