US embassy cable - 05CAIRO5035

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 005035 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/30/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, KWBG, KPAL, KDEM, IS, EG, Visits 
SUBJECT: PDAS CHENEY DISCUSSES REFORM, GAZA WITHDRAWAL, 
IRAQ, AND SYRIA WITH FM AHMED ABOUL GHEIT 
 
 
Classified by Charge Michael Corbin for reasons 1.4(b) and 
(d). 
 
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Summary 
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1.  (C)  In a June 30 meeting with Foreign Minister Ahmed 
Aboul Gheit, NEA PDAS Elizabeth Cheney emphasized the 
importance of reform.  Although the FM agreed in principle on 
the need to "modernize," he asked the U.S. to be patient and 
emphasized the GOE's need to preserve stability.  On the 
Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the FM candidly expressed his 
concern that violence may disrupt Gaza withdrawal and 
stressed that the discussions must move beyond Gaza.  FM 
Aboul Gheit also claimed that the Israeli-Palestinian 
conflict is a central cause of the war on terrorism.  PDAS 
Cheney rejected the idea that the conflict is the primary 
motive for terrorism, but recognized the centrality of ending 
the conflict for all the people in the region.  She also 
stressed the need to continue with a multi-faceted approach 
to combating terror.  Finally, PDAS Cheney urged Aboul Gheit 
to pressure Syria on Iraq, Lebanon, and support for 
Palestinian extremists.  Aboul Gheit asserted that President 
Mubarak, Omar Soliman, and he were all pressing the Syrians. 
End summary. 
 
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Reform/Modernization 
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2.  (C)  PDAS Cheney, accompanied by Senior Advisor Gamal 
Helal, Charge, and poloff (notetaker), met with FM Aboul 
Gheit on June 30.  Aboul Gheit opened the discussion by 
affirming the GOE's interest in engaging with the U.S., but 
asked the U.S. to "be patient." He argued that, because of 
problems such as illiteracy, poverty, and unemployment, 
development in Egypt must proceed in a way that does not 
result in chaos. Lamenting the trend toward increasing 
conservatism of Egyptian society as evidenced by the growing 
use of the head scarf ("hijab"), Aboul Gheit said that Egypt 
must find a way to cope with the Islamists and "defend" 
Egyptian women from their influence so that they may use the 
opportunities of political participation that are available 
to them.  According to Aboul Gheit, the increase in the 
number of women wearing the head scarf is the result of 
societal pressure, not personal religious conviction. The 
"recipe for progress", the FM opined, is "modernization, 
development, and stability, stability, stability." 
 
3.  (C) The PDAS welcomed the FM's emphasis on the centrality 
of the role of women in reform, and noted the link between 
this issue and the war on terror.  Observing that women have 
the most to lose from Islamist influence, the PDAS stressed 
that the U.S. will "stand with women as they work for 
empowerment." 
 
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Israeli/Palestinian Conflict 
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4.  (C)  Directing the discussion to the Israeli/Palestinian 
conflict, PDAS Cheney expressed USG appreciation for GOE 
support on the Gaza withdrawal.  Aboul Gheit bluntly 
responded "I am worried."  The first cause of concern, he 
explained, is the ongoing Israeli/Palestinian "haggling" over 
the terms of the withdrawal, the role of the Palestinian 
Authority and Israeli Army, and the potential for violence 
during the withdrawal. He expressed his fear that a 
withdrawal under fire will leave permanent scars and stressed 
that there "must be control."  Second, Aboul Gheit said Gaza 
cannot be seen to be a solution to the overall problem.  He 
stressed that Israel's refusal to withdraw from West Bank 
areas would almost surely lead to tension there.  This 
tension could easily spill into Gaza, with Palestinians 
engaging Israeli soldiers across the fence. 
 
5.  (C)  Aboul Gheit then pressed his belief that the 
Palestinian issue is a key driving factor in encouraging 
terrorism and extremism.  He said there is a "deep, deep 
anger" in the region as a result of the "injustice inflicted 
on the Palestinians" and said that the extremists are feeding 
this anger to foment anti-western sentiment.  Aboul Gheit 
asked the USG to consider that the conflict in Iraq is 
spurred by both the Baathist element and jihadist groups 
motivated by the unresolved Palestinian issue.  He then cited 
Egypt's own struggle with Islamists and the Muslim 
Brotherhood, and characterized the GOE as the U.S.'s partner 
against the Islamists. 
 
6.  (C)  The PDAS acknowledged the tension generated by the 
Palestinian issue, but strongly rejected the claim that it is 
the root of terrorism in the region.  She noted that the U.S. 
is committed to working with all parties to resolve the 
issue.  She cautioned against blaming the West for terrorism. 
 Combating terrorism, she explained, requires a multi-faceted 
approach to include support for the new Iraqi government, 
ensuring that Iraq can function as a democracy and control 
jihadist infiltration, continued military/intelligence 
engagement, ending the support for terror by governments like 
Syria and Iran, and addressing the multiple and complex 
causes of terror.  Because recruitment by extremist groups is 
easiest when young people have no hope, the PDAS said it is 
particularly important that societies in the region continue 
to reform. 
 
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Syria 
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7.  (C)  The PDAS expressed USG concern over Syria's failure 
to prevent violent extremists from using its territory to 
enter Iraq, its failure to withdraw its intelligence 
forces--and the continuation of its support for Hezbollah--in 
Lebanon, and its support for the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. 
Aboul Gheit confirmed that President Mubarak, Omar Soliman, 
and he were all pressing Syria on these issues.  However, he 
added, the Syrians complain that they need material and 
financial support to improve their border monitoring.  PDAS 
Cheney rejected this suggestion and reiterated that Syria 
could do more immediately, without external support, to 
bolster border security. 
 
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Iraq 
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8.  (C)  Turning to Iraq, PDAS Cheney asked Aboul Gheit 
whether the GOE Ambassador had presented his credentials in 
Iraq.  He replied that the GOE mission is headed by an 
ambassador, with the title "Head of Mission," and had given a 
letter stating his status to the Iraqi Foreign Minister. 
Aboul Gheit then said that the Iraqi Ambassador to Egypt has 
repeatedly delayed her arrival in Cairo and thus, her 
presentation of credentials to President Mubarak and 
establishment of full diplomatic ties.  When the PDAS pressed 
as to why the GOE needed to wait for the Iraqi Ambassador to 
arrive here before the Egyptian Ambassador could present his 
credentials to Talibani, Aboul Gheit did not answer directly, 
but promised to speak to President Mubarak about the matter. 
 
9.  (U) PDAS Cheney cleared this cable. 
 
 
 
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CORBIN