MUBARAK WARNS AGAINST DEPARTURE OF U.S. FORCES

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 000034 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/07/2018 TAGS: PREL EG IZ SUBJECT: MUBARAK WARNS AGAINST DEPARTURE OF U.S. FORCES FROM IRAQ; ZEBARI SAYS BAGHDAD AND CAIRO TO EXCHANGE AMBASSADORS Classified By: ECPO Minister-Counselor William R. Stewart for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: President Mubarak told the Ambassador and visiting Congressman Steven Israel (D-NY) on January 6 that withdrawing American forces from Iraq now would be a "big, big mistake." Separately, visiting Iraqi Foreign Minister Zebari -- leaving his own, earlier meeting with Mubarak -- told the Ambassador that Egypt and Iraq would be exchanging ambassadors soon. End summary. ¶2. (C) During the January 6 visit of the Ambassador and Congressman Israel to President Mubarak's Sharm El Sheikh retreat, Mubarak advised that the departure of American forces from Iraq now would be a "big, big mistake" that would lead inevitably to "a big, big mess." The United States will be heavily criticized if it withdraws now from Iraq, Mubarak stressed. ¶3. (C) Mubarak said that he had just met with visiting Iraqi Foreign Minister Hosheyar Zebari, and had advised Zebari that the Americans should not withdraw their forces from Iraq until Iraqi forces are "ready to take over." Mubarak said they had also discussed ways to improve economic and political cooperation, and agreed to the visit of an Iraqi delegation to Cairo soon to "sign an agreement." ¶4. (C) Just prior to meeting Mubarak, the Ambassador spoke briefly with Zebari as he was leaving. Zebari told us that he had had a very good meeting with Mubarak, who had agreed to send "a delegation" to Baghdad to open an embassy. Zebari added that Iraq planned to reciprocate and would soon assign an ambassador to Cairo. ¶5. (U) Congressman Israel did not clear this message. Ricciardone