FOREIGN MINISTER ON GEORGIA, IRAQ, AND U.S.

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 001876

SIPDIS

NSC FOR PASCUAL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2028
TAGS: PREL PGOV EAID KIRF RU GG IZ EG
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER ON GEORGIA, IRAQ, AND U.S.
ASSISTANCE

REF: A. CAIRO 1789

B. CAIRO 1862

Classified By: Ambassador Margaret Scobey, for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: In an August 24 meeting, Foreign Minister
Ahmed Aboul Gheit told the Ambassador he had not yet read the
report and recommendations of an MFA team that recently
traveled to Baghdad to assess security conditions in
preparation for the potential return of an Egyptian
ambassador. He demonstrated keen interest in the
relationship between the Maliki government and the "Sahwa"
(Awakening) councils, apparently wanting to ensure that
Maliki is sufficiently supportive of Sunni Iraqis, and is not
targeting the "Sahwa" groups. Aboul Gheit was critical of
what he perceived as US-sanctioned Georgian provocations of
Russia, and predicted that Russia will keep South Ossetia and
Abkhazia "secured" for the foreseeable future. Aboul Gheit
was also clearly frustrated by his sense of continued U.S.
lack of appreciation for Egypt, commenting that by its
insistence on reform, the USG is "trying to break the legs of
your main regional ally!" The FM said Egypt would host a
mid-October "Quintet" sub-ministerial meeting focused on
strategic planning issues, to include Saudi Arabia, Jordan,
Iraq, Egypt, and the US (reported ref B). End summary.

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IRAQ
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2. (C) In response to the Ambassador's query as to the
readout of the Egyptian MFA team that traveled to Iraq August
18-21 to assess security conditions in preparation for the
potential return of an ambassador (ref A),Aboul Gheit said
he had received the report the previous day, but had not had
a chance to read it yet. The Ambassador commented that
Egyptians were much needed on the ground in Iraq, and that
she hoped there would be movement forward soon. Later in the
meeting, Aboul Gheit brought up Iraq again, inquiring as to
the Maliki government's approach to the "Sahwa" councils, and
specifically whether the GOI was "targeting" the groups,
citing recent GOI action against the Diyala province "Sahwa"
council. The Ambassador noted that maintaining
extra-governmental armed forces is not a long-term solution,
and that the "Sahwa" councils will need to be incorporated
into the GOI security forces and, alternatively, provided
with other jobs and training. The DCM noted that the Diyala
"Sahwa" had been infiltrated by Al Qaida, which resulted in
GOI action against it. He said that PM Maliki has grown to
truly appreciate the value of the "Sahwa" councils. Aboul
Gheit remarked that the GOE does not want to appear "as if we
are letting the Sunnis down, and working with someone who is
on the verge of discriminating against them," to which the
Ambassador replied that Egyptian counsel on such issues would
be valuable to Maliki, and that he needs to hear from Arab
leaders.

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RUSSIA-GEORGIA
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3. (C) Drawing a comparison to former Ambassador April
Glaspie's meeting with Saddam Hussein just prior to Iraq's
1990 invasion of Kuwait, Aboul Gheit was critical of the USG
for allegedly not making clear to Georgian president Mikhail
Saakashvili that "he must not provoke Russia, or you will put
us all in a corner. Russia's feelings of humiliation over
the past 15 years made it obvious that the Russians would
react as they have. The Georgians should have been told to
be careful, and not to endanger their own country, and the
fabric of U.S.-Russian relations." Aboul Gheit predicted
that the Russians would "keep South Ossetia and Abkhazia
secured ...the situation will remain like this for the next
decade or so, as Russia plays chess." Aboul Gheit also
asserted that "the situation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia is
like Kosovo, but in reverse," and criticized the U.S. for
"constantly pushing the envelope with Russia," particularly
with regard to NATO expansion.


4. (C) According to Aboul Gheit, the ramifications of current
Russian-Western tension over Georgia are that the Russians
"will not cooperate" on Iran for the foreseeable future, nor
will they work constructively with the US and others on
Middle East peace process issues. After the Ambassador's
discussion of the US position on Georgia, she also noted that
the USG will be speaking publicly in international fora about
the dispute, and about the pressing humanitarian concerns
there. She requested that Egypt, at least in private
discussions with the Russians, stress the need for attention

CAIRO 00001876 002 OF 002


to humanitarian concerns and the need for monitors. The FM
did not argue against these positions but did not commit to
endorsing any of them. When the Ambassador asked that Egypt
work to discourage any Russian move to annex South Ossetia
and Abkhazia, Aboul Gheit said he was certain that Russia
would not take such a step, discounting any move in the Duma
as political theater.

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U.S.-EGYPTIAN RELATIONS
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5. (C) Sparked by a brief discussion of the current state of
play regarding future ESF to Egypt, Aboul Gheit emotionally
criticized the USG: "You keep pushing Egypt to change course,
'or else.' This is an extremely damaging approach. We both
are trying to find our way in the troubled waters of Iraq,
Iran, revived Islamism, and anger against the West, and we
must tread carefully .... The U.S. wants to confront Iran,
but at the same time, you are trying to break the legs of
your main regional ally, Egypt!" The Ambassador noted that
Egypt has many friends in the U.S. who are concerned and who
want to be supportive of Egypt, but who have lost confidence
that there is an Egyptian political reform process. The FM
responded that the major challenge for Egypt is in
confronting Islamists, who must be taken on not only through
the security forces, but also by providing employment
opportunities and stories of success for the average
Egyptian, which would theoretically undercut their appeal.
Aboul Gheit asserted that Egypt's struggle against Islamic
extremism is made harder due to U.S. policies in the region.


6. (C) In a discussion of Coptic-Muslim relations in Egypt,
Aboul Gheit posited that, "there is no persecution of Copts;
rather, there is discrimination against them." He detailed
his own efforts to recruit Copts to join the Egyptian
diplomatic corps, which he said have had only limited success
thus far, despite targeted recruitment and scholarship
opportunities. The Ambassador encouraged him to continue
with such endeavors.

SCOBEY