US embassy cable - 05CAIRO6653

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 006653 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/29/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, MOPS, PTER, KPAL, EG, IS, MEPN, Visits 
SUBJECT: EGYPT:  ABU MAZEN'S VISIT TO EGYPT 
 
 
Classified by ECPO Counselor John Desrocher for reasons 1.4 
(b) and (d). 
 
------- 
Summary 
------- 
 
1.  (C) Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas's (Abu Mazen) 
August 24-25 visit to Egypt via the Rafah border crossing in 
Gaza was marked by both symbolism and substance.  Having 
Abbas enter Egypt via the Rafah crossing signaled Egyptian 
determination to keep the crossing open and to maintain close 
working relations with the Palestinian Authority (PA) 
following Gaza withdrawal.  During his visit to Egypt, Abbas 
met with the senior GOE leadership, including President 
Mubarak.  According to local sources, Abbas sought Egypt's 
assistance in maintaining pressure on Israel to open Gaza to 
the outside world via sea and air ports, border crossings, 
and connections to the West Bank.  The Palestinian President 
also reportedly discussed with the GOE coordination of 
diplomatic strategy ahead of the September 8-9 Arab League 
Ministerial meeting in Cairo and at UN General Assembly 
meetings in New York.  Abbas sought Egypt's help to maintain 
momentum on key bilateral issues such as Egypt's security 
training, GOE border guard deployment, and upcoming visits to 
Gaza and Israel by EGIS Chief Soliman (and possibly Mubarak 
to Israel after the September 7 election in Egypt).  At the 
Arab League, Abbas pressed Amre Moussa to help get Arab 
member states to fulfil financial pledges to the PA, and to 
pressure Israel on further Roadmap implementation.  Echoing 
Palestinian and regional concerns, most Egyptians believe 
that with Gaza (and four West Bank) settlements evacuated, 
Israel now intends to tighten its grip on its remaining West 
Bank settlements and Jerusalem, while continuing to build its 
security barrier.  End summary. 
 
----------------------------------- 
A Symbolic Rafah Crossing for Abbas 
----------------------------------- 
 
2.  (SBU) Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas crossed from 
Gaza into Egypt via the Rafah crossing August 24 en route to 
Cairo for meetings with President Mubarak and senior GOE 
officials.  His passage through the contentious crossing 
point was seen by local contacts as a symbolic gesture 
emphasizing Egyptian and Palestinian determination to keep 
the Rafah passage open for business, under purely Palestinian 
and Egyptian control.  One of Abbas' core themes in his 
public statements and private meetings in Cairo was the 
Palestinian Authority (PA's) desire to prevent Gaza from 
being turned into a "giant prison" following Israel's 
departure.  Abbas reportedly sought Egyptian and Arab League 
assistance to continue pressing Israel, Washington, and 
others to follow through on promises to open Gaza's sea and 
air ports, passage to the West Bank, and other development 
projects. 
 
-------------------------------------- 
Abbas:  We Need Egyptian, Arab Support 
-------------------------------------- 
 
3.  (SBU) During his short stay in Egypt, Abbas met with 
Prime Minister Nazif (two times), Foreign Minister Aboul 
Gheit, Information Minister al-Fiki, Intelligence Chief 
Soliman, and Arab League Secretary General Moussa.  Speaking 
to reporters after his meeting with Mubarak, Abbas said that 
all Israeli troops would be gone from Gaza by October 4. 
Abbas cited the need to coordinate closely with Mubarak to 
prevent Gaza from becoming "a large prison."  Abbas 
acknowledged that a deal had been reached on a seaport for 
Gaza, but stated that an airport agreement "remained to be 
negotiated."  Abbas called public attention to the "Sharm 
understandings" with respect to fulfilment of Israel's pledge 
to release prisoners and withdraw from West Bank cities. 
Repeatedly, Abbas highlighted the importance of obtaining 
critical financial support from the Arab and international 
community for reconstruction and development. 
 
------------------------------------ 
Soliman to Gaza;  Mubarak to Israel? 
------------------------------------ 
 
4.  (SBU) Abbas told reporters that Egyptian Intelligence 
Chief Omar Soliman would travel to Gaza August 29.  In 
addition to witnessing the status of Egyptian security 
training to the Palestinian Authority in Gaza, Soliman is 
expected to continue the ongoing dialogue between he and 
various Palestinian factions to ensure a continued ceasefire 
and press for their loyalty to both the PA and Abbas.  The 
announcement of the Soliman visit came amid persistent rumors 
that President Mubarak may be considering a visit to Israel 
following completion of the Gaza withdrawal and after Egypt's 
September 7 presidential election.  (Note:  Rumors aside, 
post has not picked up any official indication that Mubarak 
will make such a trip.  End note.) 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---------- 
Abbas to Arab League:  Keep up the Pressure and Funding 
--------------------------------------------- ---------- 
 
5.  (C) Arab League Secretariat Chief of Staff, Hesham 
Youssef, told poloff August 25 that Abbas' meeting with 
Secretary General Moussa the evening before had touched upon 
 
SIPDIS 
six areas where Abbas wanted Arab League support:  getting 
formal negotiations with Israel on track;  finalizing and 
implementing agreements on Gaza (i.e., sea/air ports, 
crossings, etc);  reconstruction finance from the Arab region 
for the PA;  ensuring unity of Palestinian factions;  support 
for the PA during coming AL meetings, including a possible 
summit; and, PA concerns over Israeli actions in the West 
Bank regarding its settlements, security barrier, and 
Jerusalem.  Abbas was "extremely worried" over recent Israeli 
actions with respect to Jerusalem, Youssef said.  How Israel 
and, more importantly, Washington address the issue of 
Israeli efforts to expand its West Bank settlements, Youssef 
continued, is of tremendous concern among Arabs, and will be 
at the top of the Arab agenda during upcoming meetings in New 
York on the margin of the UN General Assembly. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
Majority of Egyptians Remain Suspicious of Sharon 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
6.  (SBU) The rapid and efficient removal of all Israeli 
settlements from Gaza and four settlements from the northern 
West Bank is recognized by Egyptians as a bold move marking 
the beginning of a new, yet volatile phase of the Middle East 
peace process.  Nevertheless, most Egyptian commentators 
continue to echo Palestinian leaders' doubts over Israeli 
intentions on the West Bank and regarding final status 
issues.  PM Sharon's reported remarks on expanding West Bank 
settlements, the recent killing of Palestinian militants in 
Tulkarm, and ongoing construction of Israel's security 
barrier are fueling fears that Gaza withdrawal will be 
followed by a tightened Israeli grip over the West Bank. 
Nevertheless, President Mubarak continues to stake out 
forthright and helpful public positions on both the Israeli 
withdrawal and Egypt's relations with Israel.  Mubarak's 
recent interview in an Israeli newspaper (published widely in 
Egyptian papers) is significant given his repeated praise for 
Sharon.  Trade Minister Rachid's continued engagement with 
Israel and the U.S. on expanding QIZ's and Soliman's very 
public engagement on security issues are clear indications of 
Egyptian leadership both at home and in the region.  In 
perhaps another indication of warming relations with Tel 
Aviv, al Ahram newspaper published last week an op-ed article 
written by Israeli Ambassador to Cairo, Shalom Cohen, in 
which the Israeli envoy lauds Israel's withdrawal and calls 
upon Arab leaders to normalize relations with Tel Aviv. 
 
 
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. 
 
JONES