US embassy cable - 05CAIRO4125

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 004125 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, ASEC, IZ, RS, EG, EUN 
SUBJECT: EGYPT CONVOKES CHARGE ON IRAQ PREPCOM PARTICIPATION 
 
 
Classified by Charge Gordon Gray for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C)  The Charge was convoked late in the afternoon of 
June 1 by MFA Chief of Cabinet Sameh Shukry (acting for the 
Foreign Minister, who is overseas).  Shukry said he was 
"disturbed" to have just heard from the Russian ambassador 
that the U.S. had invited the Russian Federation to 
participate in Iraq PrepCom meetings the following day in 
Cairo.  Shukry said that the U.S. and Egypt had agreed to 
maintain "a high degree of transparency" to ensure smooth 
coordination of the PrepCom and facilitate a successful 
conference in Brussels; a sudden PrepCom invitation to Russia 
violated that agreement, in his view. 
 
2.  (C)  Aware of discussion at the UNSC the previous day 
regarding Russia's strong interest in joining the June 2 
Cairo meetings, Ambassador Shukry said he assumed that 
nothing had been agreed to without Egypt's consent.  Hearing 
the contrary from the Russian ambassador in Cairo led him to 
convoke the Charge for clarification. 
 
3.  (C)  The Charge reiterated that Egypt, as the host, had 
the lead role in determining participation.  He added that 
Russia's approach in New York the day before had reportedly 
been forceful, but that his understanding -- based on his 
morning meeting with U.S. delegation leader Ambassador Jones 
-- was that Iraq would request Egypt to allow Russian 
participation.  Shukry said he had met earlier in the day 
with the Iraqi delegate, who had not raised the issue of 
Russian participation beyond a somewhat half-hearted question 
about the participation of 25 observers, including Russia, 
from "the original list."  The Iraqi "did not imply a request 
to invite Russia" in particular.  The Russian Ambassador had 
nonetheless subsequently called, according to Shukry, to say 
that he had "an invitation from the U.S." 
 
4.  (C)  Shukry asked the USG to sort out the question of 
Russian participation, floating the option of 25 observers 
joining the June 2 meetings as one solution if Russia had to 
be included.  The Charge noted the inadvisability of such an 
option. 
 
5.  (C)  Comment:  Shukry was particularly upset that the 
issue of participation appeared uncertain in spite of that 
topic having been discussed in numerous teleconferences among 
coordinators.  He was displeased with the awkward nature of 
Russia's claim to an invitation, an issue which will 
hopefully not sour further coordination of the PrepCom.  End 
comment. 
 
 
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GRAY