PRESIDENT MUBARAK ON AFGHANISTAN

S E C R E T STATE 097496 FOLLOWING CAIRO 01817 DATED 17 SEP 09 SENT ACTION SECSTATE BEING REPEATED FOR YOUR ACTION. QUOTE: S E C R E T CAIRO 001817 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2019 TAGS: PREL MOPS PTER AF EG SUBJECT: PRESIDENT MUBARAK ON AFGHANISTAN Classified By: DCM Matthew H. Tueller per 1.4 (b) and (d). (C) During a meeting with Special Envoy Mitchell (septel), President Mubarak warned the U.S. against sending additional troops to Afghanistan. He advised that a more successful strategy would be to limit U.S. presence and work through the "tribes and local people." Additional troops, he argued, would create the same problems that the Russians faced during their experience in Afghanistan. "Tell President Obama that Egypt can help, " Mubarak said, as "we know some elements" inside the country. He recommended keeping a small military force inside of Afghanistan for targeted counter terrorism operations. Mubarak noted that he would be sending President Obama and Special Representative Holbrooke a separate message on recommendations for Afghanistan. Scobey UNQUOTE: CLINTON