US embassy cable - 05CAIRO5514

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 005514 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/18/2015 
TAGS: PREL, EG 
SUBJECT: VISIT OF NEA ASSISTANT SECRETARY WELCH TO CAIRO 
JULY 16, 2005:  RADIO SAWA DISCUSSION WITH FOREIGN MINISTER 
AHMED ABOUL GHEIT 
 
 
Classified by: Charge Michael Corbin for reasons 1.4(b) and 
(d). 
 
1.  (C) In a July 16 meeting, NEA Assistant Secretary David 
Welch asked Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit to agree to 
the installation of a FM transmitter in Egypt to facilitate 
Radio Sawa broadcasts. Until this is done, A/S Welch 
underscored, $227 million in ESF money will not be released. 
He further asked that GOE officials agree to meet with 
members of the Broadcasting Board of Governors here in Egypt 
to approve the transmitter proposal as soon as possible.  By 
way of background, A/S Welch reminded Aboul Gheit that this 
issue has been pending since 2001 and that he had discussed 
the matter personally with successive Ministers of 
Information during his tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Egypt. 
Although AM transmitters may cause disruption to Egyptian 
broadcasting, an FM transmitter would not, A/S Welch 
explained. 
 
2.  (C) Aboul Gheit expressed displeasure that Egypt's ESF 
money was being withheld because of the Radio Sawa issue. 
Trying to link GOE assistance to a project such as this "will 
not work," said Aboul Gheit, stressing "you should know 
this."  Assistant Minister for the Americas, Ambassador 
Shadia Farrag, said that the only option is to raise the 
matter with the Minister for Investment and consider placing 
an AM transmitter outside of Media City.  GOE law does not, 
she said, permit licensing private foreign FM broadcasting 
companies.  After accusing the USG of creating a negative 
atmosphere, Aboul Gheit suggested A/S Welch work to solve 
what he characterized as a "technical problem." 
 
3.  (U) Assistant Secretary Welch cleared this message. 
 
 
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CORBIN