US embassy cable - 05CAIRO6757

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 006757 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/01/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, KPAL, EAID, PTER, EG, IS, MEPN 
SUBJECT: EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER'S VERBAL MESSAGE TO THE 
SECRETARY ON PEACE PROCESS 
 
 
SIPDIS 
 
Classified by DCM Stuart Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C) The DCM was convoked to the Foreign Ministry 
September 1 by newly arrived MFA Chef du Cabinet, Ambassador 
Wafaa Bassim (D equivalent), to receive a verbal message to 
the Secretary (text at paragraph three) regarding steps Egypt 
believes Washington should take with respect to the Middle 
East peace process. 
 
2.  (C) The GOE "verbal message" urged the USG and other 
Quartet members to pay particular attention to the need for 
progress on "interim measures" to ensure that the momentum 
resulting from the Israel withdrawal from Gaza is maintained. 
 Wafaa, who was accompanied by the MFA's new Middle East 
Affairs Cabinet staffer responsible for the peace process, 
Ezzedine Shukry, suggested that any "setbacks" in the West 
Bank, particularly expansion of settlements or continued work 
by the Israelis on the security wall, would "feed Hamas 
extremism."  Wafaa urged additional "confidence building 
measures" to help efforts by moderates from both sides.  She 
suggested that the Quartet should note the significance of 
Gaza disengagement, but at the same time emphasize the need 
for additional progress on the Roadmap to address final 
status issues. 
 
3.  (C) The DCM agreed to relay Wafaa's points to Washington, 
observed that it was helpful to have this information well in 
advance of the Quartet meeting in New York, and noted that 
while we agree on the need for additional progress with 
Roadmap implementation, it is crucial that Palestinian 
control of Gaza succeed.  The DCM noted the need for progress 
on various secondary issues in Gaza, like disposition of 
rubble issue, security, and border crossings.  Palestinian 
difficulties in Gaza would provide a pretext for those 
opposed to peace.  Responding, Bassim said that President 
Mubarak had sent Intelligence Chief Soliman to Gaza and 
Israel for this reason, where Soliman held 42 (sic) meetings 
on this topic. 
 
4.  (SBU) MFA Verbal Message to the Secretary on Peace 
Process: 
 
Begin Text: 
 
 
The Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and Northern West Bank is a 
historic step in many ways.  This is why Egypt has lent it 
its support, and continues to do so.  The determination and 
resolve with which the Israeli government has implemented its 
plan demonstrate its ability to face the settlers and their 
narrow-minded agenda and to take courageous steps when it 
serves the interests of Israel as a state.  The Israeli 
government deserves praise for this. 
 
What is critically needed now is to take immediate measures 
in order to build on the withdrawal, to make it a 
stepping-stone towards a sustainable peace process. 
Inaction, waiting for elections, would help extremist 
elements in both societies to play on entrenched fears, which 
could lead to a new round of violence.  The Israeli public is 
told that its security was undermined and the Palestinians 
are told that the Gaza withdrawal was a smoke screen for 
further settlement and Barrier construction.  Hamas tell them 
that Israel withdraws only in response to violence.  With the 
tight closure in the West Bank, which exacerbates 
frustration, the situation can easily slip into another round 
of violence.  This, in turn, would be presented to the 
Israeli public as the ultimate proof of the futility of 
peaceful measures, leading to more intransigence and extreme 
results in the elections. 
 
Positive action now can prevent this cycle from taking place. 
 Although a quick resumption of final status talks is the 
best way out, we do understand that it is unlikely.  However, 
between the 'waiting strategy' and the resumption of final 
status talks, there is a room for action.  A number of 
measures can stabilize the situation, create a positive 
atmosphere, and allow the partied to navigate safely through 
the elections season.  This would be the best preparation for 
full implementation of the Road Map, including final status 
talks, after the elections. 
 
These measures would focus on the two most sensitive areas: 
security for Israelis and land for Palestinians.  Without a 
Palestinian demonstrable action on security, it will be 
difficult for the Israeli government to take positive 
measures.  Without Israeli demonstrable action on settlement 
and Barrier construction as well as on prisoners and closure, 
it will be difficult for Abu Mazen to take effective measures 
to address the chaotic security situation, control armament, 
establish PA control over its territory and prevent attacks 
against Israelis.  Only mutual and simultaneous action can 
work.  Egypt is already engaged in discussions with both 
parties in order to convince them to take simultaneous steps 
in these two areas, and your active support is needed.  Your 
intervention with the parties would assist our effort and 
will signal to the parties that the international community 
is united in its position. 
 
It is also important that we seize the opportunity of the 
next Quartet Principals Meeting in New York to redress the 
peace process and put it back on track.  Three main tasks 
lend themselves for a quick international intervention. 
First is the clear support for the completion of the Israeli 
withdrawal and the resolution of its consequent issues. 
Second is to urge the parties to face their most compelling 
obligations now "security and land" and to take effective 
measures to rebuild confidence in the negotiation process. 
Third, is to re-insert the Israeli withdrawal into the wider 
peace process.  This could be done through setting a realist 
date for the resumption of final status talks.  It could also 
be supported if the quartet is to spell out the parameters 
for final status issues, on which there is consensus in the 
international community.  This would help frame and focus the 
debate, and prepare the parties to address these issues when 
negotiations resume.  Egypt stands ready to assist in such an 
effort, and I am personally looking forward to discuss these 
issues with you in New York. 
 
End text. 
 
 
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