ADMIRAL MULLEN'S MEETINGS WITH FIELD MARSHAL

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 000747 NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/26/2019 TAGS: PREL MASS MOPS PARM KPAL IS IR SO EG PTER SUBJECT: ADMIRAL MULLEN'S MEETINGS WITH FIELD MARSHAL TANTAWI AND MOD CHIEF OF STAFF LTG SAMI ANAN REF: CAIRO 693 Classified By: Ambassador Margaret Scobey per 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. Key Points: - (S/NF) During an April 21 meeting with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen, Minister of Defense Field Marshal Tantawi noted the strong Egypt-U.S. military relationship and looked forward to increased cooperation with the new U.S. Africa Command. - (S/NF) On counter smuggling, Tantawi said "we are trying our best" to prevent arms smuggling to Gaza and expressed appreciation for U.S. efforts to disrupt smuggling networks further afield. - (S/NF) Tantawi hoped the new Israeli government would not "exploit political differences" between Israel and Egypt, saying statements by the new Israeli government created "problems with public opinion" in Egypt. - (S/NF) During a separate meeting, Egyptian military Chief of Staff LTG Sami Anan stressed the importance of resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict in order to deter Iranian interference in the region. - (S/NF) Anan described Egyptian efforts to counter smuggling, including deploying additional Border Guard Forces to the Egypt-Sudan border. He requested additional intelligence on arms smuggling networks, saying "if we are provided with enough information, we will take all efforts" to intercept shipments. - (S/NF) Anan said that Egypt would "immediately consider" any request to deny overflight clearance for suspected Iranian arms shipments to Gaza, but requested additional information on the flight, cargo, and suspected final destination (reftel). -------------- -------------- MinDef Tantawi: Regional Security, Counter Smuggling -------------- -------------- ¶2. (S/NF) Admiral Mullen briefed Tantawi on U.S. efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan to counter the deteriorating security situation. "I hope you succeed," Tantawi replied, noting that instability in Afghanistan and Pakistan affected Egypt. Admiral Mullen stressed the importance of the Middle East peace process, highlighting the increased capacity of Palestinian Authority security forces in the West Bank. Tantawi expressed Egypt's desire to participate in the new U.S. Africa Command, saying "we can help you" in Africa. On piracy, Tantawi blamed political instability in Somalia for fueling piracy. On Iraq, Admiral Mullen stressed the importance of Egypt re-opening its embassy in Baghdad as soon as possible. ¶3. (S/NF) On counter smuggling, Admiral Mullen said the U.S stood ready to provide Egypt with additional support to combat arms smuggling. Admiral Mullen briefed Tantawi on increased U.S. efforts, through U.S. Central Command, to improve intelligence on smuggling networks. "Egypt is critical to efforts" to prevent Hamas from re-arming and to establish a durable cease-fire in Gaza, he added. Tantawi looked forward to a "strong and important" Bright Star exercise in fall 2009. -------------- COS Anan: Peace Process, Counter Smuggling -------------- ¶4. (S/NF) LTG Anan noted the strong bilateral relationship, saying "differences in opinion will never be allowed to spoil" the U.S.- Egypt relationship. Resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict must be prioritized, Anan said, in order to deny Iran and groups like Hezbollah an opportunity to interfere in regional affairs. Anan criticized countries like Qatar for supporting Hamas, saying they were more interested in establishing a greater role in regional affairs than supporting the Palestinian people. He also noted the importance of a strong and capable Egyptian military in promoting regional stability. ¶5. (S/NF) LTG Anan provided a brief on Egyptian counter smuggling efforts along the Egypt-Gaza border, including Border Guard Force (BGF) patrols, an active military intelligence unit, and increased arrests of suspected smugglers. "We have been relatively successful" he said, adding that "strict counter smuggling measures" recently caused angry Sinai Bedouin involved in the smuggling business to attack Egyptian security forces. According to Egyptian military intelligence, Egypt's "strong hand" also angered Hamas, who also plans to attack Egyptian security forces. ¶6. (S/NF) Admiral Mullen encouraged Egypt to accept "all available technology" to combat smuggling. MG Fouad al-Helmi, Senior Advisor to the Minister of Defense, said that MOD would fully cooperate with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the "quick" installation of the FMF-funded Border Tunnel Activity and Detection System (BTADS) along the Egypt-Gaza border. Anan noted that technology "will not stop 100 percent of smuggling," adding that "as long there is a blockade, there will be smuggling." Anan stressed that arms smuggling into Gaza was "a direct threat to Egyptian national security." ¶7. (S/NF) Anan described increased efforts to combat arms smuggling along the Egypt-Sudan border, including additional border guards, increased border patrols, and a military intelligence unit that was doing a "tremendous job" controlling the border. Patrols focus on areas with high-levels of suspected smuggling activities, but a comprehensive aerial reconnaissance and surveillance plan helps cover areas without a physical BGF presence. Anan asked for additional intelligence, saying "if we are provided with enough information, we will take all efforts" to intercept arms shipments. Admiral Mullen said the U.S. was committed to intelligence sharing and noted the importance of intelligence for successful interdiction efforts. On denying overflight clearance for suspected Iranian arms shipments to Gaza, Anan promised that Egypt would "immediately consider" any request to deny clearance, but stressed the importance of getting "full information" on the flight, its cargo, and the suspected final destination (reftel). ¶8. (U) Admiral Mullen did not have the opportunity to clear before his departure. SCOBEY