US embassy cable - 05CAIRO6957

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 006957 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/08/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, KUNR, EG, UNGA, UNSC 
SUBJECT: EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ON UN REFORM ISSUES, 
HIGH LEVEL EVENT 
 
REF: A. STATE 163224 
     B. STATE 163223 
 
Classified by Ambassador Francis Ricciardone for reasons 1.4 
(b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C) During a September 4 introductory meeting with 
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Aboul Gheit to present 
credentials, the Ambassador drew from reftel demarches to 
urge improved Egyptian cooperation on UN reform and the UN 
High Level Event Outcome Document.  Aboul Gheit stated that 
overall at the United Nations, Egypt and the U.S. "share the 
same goals, but sometimes have different ideas on how to 
achieve them."  Nonetheless, Aboul Gheit "promised" to work 
together on UN issues. 
 
2.  (C) On Security Council expansion, the Minister said 
Egypt was "in complete agreement" with Washington, but had to 
play its hand carefully to avoid exposing its position.  On a 
Human Rights Council, Aboul Gheit promised that Egypt "would 
work with you," but did not want to prejudice some members of 
the UN.  It is still unclear how members of the commission 
would be chosen, he said.  Regardless, we agree on the need 
for a Council that is made up of "the right members."  On 
management reforms, Aboul Gheit acknowledged that the UN 
Secretariat was weak and needed reform to strengthen it. 
 
SIPDIS 
 
3.  (C) Regarding a Peace-building Commission, Aboul Gheit 
said that Cairo and Washington "have no quarrel" over 
creation of such a body, but need to reach agreement on a 
proper formula on sharing oversight and supervision.  Egypt 
does not want to cede too much power to the states in the 
Security Council.  At the same time, he continued, the 
General Assembly has been rendered too weak.  The Assembly 
needs a constructive role at the UN besides just venting 
anger ("which it does too well"), he added.  Concluding, 
Aboul Gheit promised emphatically that Egypt would work with 
U.S. delegation in New York. 
 
4.  (C) Comment.  Assurances of good will notwithstanding, 
Aboul Gheit offered no promises of new cooperation at the UN. 
 On his own he is unlikely to use whatever influence he has 
over the Egyptian UN delegation to move them significantly in 
our direction.  We are also working, therefore, with other 
Cabinet ministries that share stakes in the U.S. relationship 
-- as we will do with Mubarak -- to motivate Aboul Gheit and 
his MFA to work with us for better at the UN.  End comment. 
 
 
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RICCIARDONE