US embassy cable - 05CAIRO3647

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 003647 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/12/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, KPAO, KISL, EG 
SUBJECT: GUANTANAMO ALLEGATIONS OF KORAN DESECRATION NOT ON 
GOE AGENDA 
 
REF: STATE 88240 
 
Classified by ECPO Counselor John Desrocher for reasons 1.4 
(b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C) During a May 12 meeting with Egyptian Prime Minister 
Ahmed Nazif (septel), the Charge drew from reftel talking 
points to address allegations of desecration of the Koran at 
U.S. detention facilities in Guantanamo that sparked violent 
protests May 11 in Afghanistan.  Nazif was unaware of the 
events in Afghanistan, but expressed appreciation to the 
Charge for sharing the information, as well as for the USG 
taking quick action to address concerns and investigate the 
allegations. 
 
2.  (SBU) There has been limited press attention so far to 
the allegations and ensuing violence in Afghanistan and no 
formal GOE statements or reaction to date.  While the Foreign 
Minister has been out of the country for the past week, it is 
possible the local press will seek comment upon his return 
May 14.  The embassy also contacted Arab League Spokesman 
Hossam Zaki to convey reftel talking points.  Zaki said that 
he had read the Department Spokesman's public remarks and was 
seriously concerned by the nature of the allegations, but had 
so-far refrained from making any public comments on the topic. 
 
3.  (SBU) Post has placed A/S Boucher's remarks on this topic 
prominently on the Embassy's public website in both Engligh 
and Arabic (cairo.usembassy.gov).  Embassy Public Affairs 
section has also text-messaged Embassy contacts to refer them 
to the site.  Poloff also delivered reftel demarche points to 
MFA Cabinet staff member responsible for Arab affairs Alaa 
Hadidi May 12.  Hadidi had no substantive response other than 
to commit to conveying our demarche to the Minister upon his 
return to Cairo. 
 
 
Visit Embassy Cairo's Classified Website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/cairo 
 
You can also access this site through the 
State Department's Classified SIPRNET website. 
 
GRAY