US embassy cable - 05CAIRO4024

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 004024 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR NEA, NEA/ELA 
NSC STAFF FOR POUNDS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/26/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, KDEM, EG 
SUBJECT: EGYPT:  GAMAL MUBARAK AIDE ON REFERENDUM VIOLENCE 
 
REF: CAIRO 4005 
 
Classified by Acting DCM Michael Corbin for reasons 1.4 (b) 
and (d). 
 
1.  (C) ECPO Counselor raised the negative consequences of 
the GOE's handling of violent incidents during Egypt's May 25 
constitutional amendment referendum (reftel) with Karim 
Haggag, a close aide to Gamal Mubarak, presidential son and 
chair of the ruling National Democratic Party's (NDP) 
Policies Committee.  Counselor stressed that the violent 
intimidation of protestors and journalists during the 
referendum was contrary to basic principles of free elections 
and the GOE's own stated goal of political reform.  Counselor 
stressed that the failure of security forces to protect 
journalists and to prevent violence between NDP supporters 
and opposition demonstrators boded ill for the campaign ahead. 
 
2.  (C) Haggag readily acknowledged that the incidents were 
"ugly" and "extremely unfortunate" and said he would pass 
U.S. concerns to Gamal Mubarak and other NDP leaders.    He 
said the he and others had urged the NDP not to hold 
counter-demonstrations in reaction to the "Kifaya" movement's 
protests precisely because of the potential for violence.  At 
the same time, Haggag complained that press reports had left 
the impression that beatings of protestors and journalists 
had been widespread throughout Egypt when in fact violence 
had been limited to only a few incidents.  Haggag did not 
respond when Counselor expressed hope that the day's events 
would convince the NDP leadership to rein in the party's 
cadres. 
 
3.  (C) Comment:  Haggag's response to the events was no 
surprise, given that he and his boss represent the 
reform-minded among the NDP leadership.  It is not clear, 
however, if they will be able to persuade the NDP old guard 
to restrain the party's more volatile elements.  End comment. 
 
4.  (SBU) Post will continue to make our concerns known to 
other senior Egyptian officials. 
 
 
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