AMBASSADOR AND MOD DISCUSS IRAQ, PIRACY, AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 002481 E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2018 TAGS: PREL MASS MARR MOPS IZ IR IS KPAL SO EG SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR AND MOD DISCUSS IRAQ, PIRACY, AND MILITARY COOPERATION Classified By: Ambassador Margaret Scobey per 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: During a December 6 meeting, Ambassador and Minister of Defense Field Marshal Tantawi discussed regional security issues, including the new U.S.-Iraq security agreement, Iran, combating piracy, Palestinian reconciliation, and the upcoming Military Cooperation Committee (MCC) meeting in Washington. On combating piracy, Tantawi noted that Egypt stood ready to contribute naval assets under a United Nation's force. On the security agreement,Tantawi agreed that the agreement's approval represented a defeat of Iranian efforts to interfere in Iraqi affairs and believed the lost would encourage a "change in Iranian" policy on Iraq and dealing with the U.S. government. On the Arab-Israeli peace process, he hoped President-elect Obama would immediately engage on supporting a comprehensive peace agreement and reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to the difficult task of mediating intra-Palestinian reconciliation. End Summary. -------------- Iraq, Security Agreement, and Iran -------------- ¶2. (C) Ambassador noted the importance of the recently approved U.S.-Iraq security agreement, adding that the agreement clearly affirms Iraqi sovereignty, calls for the withdrawal of combat troops by 2011, and gives Iraqi authorities jurisdiction over some criminal cases involving U.S. personnel. Ambassador also noted that unlike the security agreement, which focuses on the next three years, the recently approved Strategic Framework Agreement will support a wide-range of cooperation between the American and Iraqi governments on economic, political, social, and cultural issues. Tantawi agreed that the security agreement's approval represented a defeat of Iranian efforts to interfere in Iraqi affairs and believed the lost would encourage a "change in Iranian" policy on Iraq and dealing with the U.S. government. -------------- -------------- Piracy: Ready to Contribute to United Nation's Force -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C) During a general discussion on combating piracy, Ambassador expressed USG support for deepening cooperation with the international community to counter piracy in the Horn of Africa region. Tantawi expressed confidence that the United Nations could find a solution to the question of handling the detention and prosecution of pirates captured at sea. Tantawi also shared Egypt's willingness to contribute naval assets to combating piracy under the "United Nation's flag." Ambassador also applauded Egypt's leadership on bringing together Red Sea states to coordinate counter piracy efforts (reftel). -------------- Israel-Palestine -------------- ¶4. (C) Tantawi hoped that President-elect Obama would immediately engage on negotiations for a comprehensive peace agreement after entering office. Ambassador noted the USG's appreciation of Egyptian efforts to mediate between Palestinian factions. Tantawi noted that the mediation efforts were "difficult" but expressed Egypt's commitment to supporting Palestinian reconciliation. -------------- Military Cooperation -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Tantawi looked forward to the upcoming MCC meetings in Washington December 16 - 17. Major General Fuoad al Halmi noted that the major topics of conversation would be 1) Foreign Military Financing cases in support of Egypt's five-year modernization plan, 2) co-production of M1A1 tanks, and 3) military cooperation, including Bright Star exercises. ¶6. (C) Ambassador agreed with Tantawi in the continued strategic importance of Bright Star exercises as a symbol of cooperation between moderate Arab countries and the United States on combating regional security threats. She recommended that he discuss this with General Petraeus when they meet. Halmi also noted that Egypt hoped to discuss the "political release" of certain weapons systems such as the TOW-2B, Javelin, and Apache Longbow. Ambassador noted that - while not the only impediment - the lack of the necessary agreement providing end-use assurances and ensuring proper protection of certain U.S. origin technology impeded further discussions on releasability. SCOBEY