Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CAIRO1679
2009-08-27 14:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:
DEMARCHE DELIVERED: EGYPTIAN INVITATION TO ERITREA
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHEG #1679 2391456 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 271456Z AUG 09 FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3495 INFO RUEHAE/AMEMBASSY ASMARA PRIORITY 0210 RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 001679
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2019
TAGS: PREL MASS MOPS PTER ER EG
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: EGYPTIAN INVITATION TO ERITREA
FOR BRIGHT STAR
REF: STATE 86776
Classified By: Minister Counselor for Economic and Political Affairs Do nald A. Blome for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 001679
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2019
TAGS: PREL MASS MOPS PTER ER EG
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: EGYPTIAN INVITATION TO ERITREA
FOR BRIGHT STAR
REF: STATE 86776
Classified By: Minister Counselor for Economic and Political Affairs Do nald A. Blome for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) On August 24, OMC officers delivered reftel points to MG Ahmed Moataz, Chief of the U.S. Liaison Branch at the Ministry of Defense. Moataz confirmed that Egypt had already delivered an invitation to Eritrea to participate in the Bright Star military exercise as an observer, but noted that Eritrea had yet to "formally" respond. He acknowledged that the invitation had been sent in error, as Egypt and the U.S. had agreed to exclude Eritrea from the observers list during the June Final Planning Conference in Cairo.
2. (C) OMC stressed our strong objections to allowing Eritrean participation. Moataz suggested that certain "obstacles" could be used to prevent the Eritreans from attending, such as by removing them from all the official documents. Moataz admitted that the only way to guarantee that Eritrea did not participate would be to rescind the invitation. He asked for additional time to "resolve" the situation. Moataz suggested that if his efforts failed, our objections to Eritrean participation should be discussed during the scheduled September 2 meeting between Army Central Command Commander LTG Webster and Egyptian Chief of Staff LTG Enan in Cairo.
3. (C) Post will continue to follow-up with MOD and will raise the issue at higher levels if needed. Tueller
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2019
TAGS: PREL MASS MOPS PTER ER EG
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: EGYPTIAN INVITATION TO ERITREA
FOR BRIGHT STAR
REF: STATE 86776
Classified By: Minister Counselor for Economic and Political Affairs Do nald A. Blome for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) On August 24, OMC officers delivered reftel points to MG Ahmed Moataz, Chief of the U.S. Liaison Branch at the Ministry of Defense. Moataz confirmed that Egypt had already delivered an invitation to Eritrea to participate in the Bright Star military exercise as an observer, but noted that Eritrea had yet to "formally" respond. He acknowledged that the invitation had been sent in error, as Egypt and the U.S. had agreed to exclude Eritrea from the observers list during the June Final Planning Conference in Cairo.
2. (C) OMC stressed our strong objections to allowing Eritrean participation. Moataz suggested that certain "obstacles" could be used to prevent the Eritreans from attending, such as by removing them from all the official documents. Moataz admitted that the only way to guarantee that Eritrea did not participate would be to rescind the invitation. He asked for additional time to "resolve" the situation. Moataz suggested that if his efforts failed, our objections to Eritrean participation should be discussed during the scheduled September 2 meeting between Army Central Command Commander LTG Webster and Egyptian Chief of Staff LTG Enan in Cairo.
3. (C) Post will continue to follow-up with MOD and will raise the issue at higher levels if needed. Tueller