US embassy cable - 05BRASILIA760

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BRASILIA 000760 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/15/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, KSUM, ETRD, XF, XM, IS, BR, Domestic Politics 
SUBJECT: ARAB DIPLOMATS WEIGH BRAZIL'S READINESS TO HOST 
SUMMIT 
 
REF: A. BRASILIA 564 
     B. BRASILIA 574 
     C. BRASILIA 658 
     D. BRASILIA 718 
 
Classified By: DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION PHILLIP CHICOLA. REASONS: 
1.4 (B 
 AND D) 
 
1.  (SBU) During March 17 Tunisia National Day reception, 
numerous Arab diplomats expressed concerns to Poloff about 
the lethargic pace of administrative and substantive 
preparations for the May Arab-South America Summit in 
Brasilia.  According to the diplomats, numerous logistical 
issues, in particular hotel accommodations, have not yet been 
settled.  While it is unclear whether these problems will 
dampen high level attendance at the Summit, Arab embassies in 
Brasilia appear to be unhappy with Ministry of External 
Relations' (MRE) arrangements.  On the substantive side, one 
diplomat noted that negotiations over the Summit declaration 
are driving the Summit agenda -- not the other way around -- 
to the detriment of the Summit's ostensive raison d'etre: 
improving Arab-South American economic-commercial and 
cultural ties. 
 
2.  (C) Even at this late date, attendance by Arab heads of 
state is up in the air.  (Note: Most, if not all, South 
American Presidents are expected to be in Brasilia.)  Most 
Arab League foreign ministers will likely participate -- even 
Libya, which objected to having a Summit with the South 
Americans at this time, will reportedly send a delegation. 
However, based on comments by Arab diplomats, no more than 
four or five Arab heads of state will come to Brasilia. 
Regarding the possible attendance of President Mubarak, 
perceived as the key to robust participation by other Arab 
leaders, the Egyptian DCM explained that the political timing 
of the May Summit is terrible for the Egyptian President.  He 
did not see any possibility Mubarak would come to Brasilia. 
Moroccan and Algerian diplomats confirmed that King Mohamed 
and President Bouteflika would participate.  Both countries 
are playing host to important pre-Summit meetings, and both 
heads of state will likely sign a number of accords with 
Brazil and Mercosul during their visits. 
 
3.  (C) On March 17 several Brazilian newspapers reported 
that MRE would turn down an expected USG request for observer 
status at the Summit, arguing that "the Summit should not be 
open to third-party observers because it is aimed solely at 
tightening commercial and cultural ties among the 
participants."  The quoted MRE source added that 
"international observers are allowed in Mercosul summit 
meetings because the bloc is a forum for political 
negotiations." 
 
4.  (C) Diplomats recognized clearly that the story had been 
planted, but could not comprehend what was behind it. 
According to the Ecuadorian DCM, the South Americans believe 
that allowing Summit observers added undue "complications", 
although she did not say whether this was a consensus 
decision by the South Americans or a unilateral one by 
Brazil.  Nor could she explain why Mercosul meetings were 
"political" and this Summit not.  Arab diplomats expressed 
surprise.  After receiving a more accurate portrayal from 
poloff about the informal USG request to be an observer, and 
that we understood other countries such as Mexico had made 
the same request, the Egyptian DCM was struck by MRE's 
apparent anti-U.S. twist to the issue.  Poloff tried to 
obtain an explanation from the likely MRE source behind the 
story, but was told the official was just then departing for 
Algeria. 
 
5.  (C) Comment: In their preparations for the Summit, the 
Brazilians are clearly behind the eight-ball.  We have had 
similar frustrations with the GOB over preparations for 
Global Forum IV on Anti-Corruption, slated for June in 
Brasilia, and can empathize with the Arab diplomats who just 
shake their heads.  While the MRE leak to the press about 
possible USG observer status was an unnecessary pinch, it 
does suggest the Brazilians are feeling pressured by us on 
the more important issue of the Summit declaration.  The 
press story may be a small message to us, but it is perhaps a 
larger reflection of the level of concern being felt by MRE 
leadership about the Summit itself.  It is also reflective of 
a growing propensity on the part of the MRE to score 
political points at our expense. 
 
Danilovich