US embassy cable - 05CAIRO8705

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 008705 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/18/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, KPAL, IZ, EG, IG, Arab League, Iraqi, Syria, Palestine 
SUBJECT: NEA A/S WELCH AND EGYPT'S FM ON ISRAEL-PALESTINE 
PROGRESS, ARAB LEAGUE IRAQ PREPCON, AND SYRIA 
 
Classified by Ambassador Francis J. Ricciardone for reasons 
1. 4(b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C)  Summary:  NEA A/S Welch discussed progress on 
Israeli-Palestinian issues, the Arab League sponsored Iraq 
prepcon, and Syria/Lebanon with Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul 
Gheit on November 17.  Aboul Gheit praised the USG, and the 
Secretary in particular, for the November 15 Agreement on 
 
SIPDIS 
Movement and Access and said Egypt hopes the momentum will 
continue.  Aboul Gheit said that although Egypt supports the 
Arab League sponsored prepcom, it would not necessarily be 
significant.  End summary. 
 
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Israel, Palestine 
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2.  (C)  During a November 17 meeting, NEA A/S Welch, joined 
by the Ambassador, briefed Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit 
on the Agreement on Movement and Access and plans for 
implementation.  Aboul Gheit had effusive praise for the USG, 
and the Secretary in particular, for brokering the Agreement 
and asked A/S Welch to convey his deep appreciation for her 
efforts.  He shared that he would have phoned her to 
congratulate her, but did not wish to call her at odd hours 
during her global travel.  When A/S Welch asked Aboul Gheit 
to make a public statement of support for the Agreement, he 
readily agreed and noted that he had not done so only because 
Presidential spokesman Soliman Awad had already done so. 
(Note:  The Egyptian Presidency's statement called the 
Agreement a "breakthrough."  Aboul Gheit released his own 
public statement in support of the Agreement late on November 
17. (Septel) End note.)  Aboul Gheit also expressed support 
for General Dayton's expanded role under the new Agreement 
and said he would welcome a visit by Dayton to Cairo. 
 
3.  (C)  Discussing the outlook for further progress, A/S 
Welch said the GOI indicated it would neither interfere with 
nor support the upcoming elections.  Aboul Gheit belittled 
the Israeli role, saying that Israeli "support" would be the 
"kiss of death."  Welch responded that Israel could do much, 
such as facilitating the movement of people, that could be 
important to successful elections. Aboul Gheit urged that 
that all concerned should leave Hamas to "go political" 
because they would then gradually lay down their arms.  If 
Hamas wins a significant share of the vote, Aboul Gheit said, 
we will see if their policies will undergo a transformation. 
Welch made clear our hope that Abu Mazen, not Hamas, would 
prevail in the elections. 
 
4.  (C) Returning to the Agreement, A/S Welch said that it 
would not have been possible without GOI (and IDF) confidence 
in Egypt.  Aboul Gheit agreed that GOI/GOE cooperation was 
strong and noted that Mofaz would visit Egypt again soon. 
Aboul Gheit expressed his hope that a search for a settlement 
would continue and that ongoing activity, such as discussions 
on the airport, progress on the harbor, and use of border 
crossings, would maintain the momentum for political 
progress.  Aboul Gheit noted that when Egypt asked to join 
the Quartet, no one accepted.  He recalled that the Secretary 
had indicated in their September 22 meeting that she had 
instructed people to prepare for Egypt's participation in the 
next meeting, but he gathered that the U.S. was reconsidering 
whether to include Egypt.  A/S Welch reassured Aboul Gheit of 
Egypt's importance in the process and encouraged Egypt to 
consider joining at the level of envoys during the next 
meeting, possibly in December.  A/S Welch noted that there 
would not be a pledging conference until possibly March of 
2006. 
 
 
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Arab League Iraq Prepcon 
------------------------ 
 
5.  (C)  Aboul Gheit said that although President Mubarak 
will speak during the opening ceremony of the Arab League 
Iraq prepcon, Egypt's role within the conference will not be 
prominent.  A/S Welch pressed that speeches in the opening 
session by non-official political figures such as Harith al 
Dhari would be inappropriate.  Welch made clear that we have 
no objection to the participation of such people in the 
closed, all-Iraqi sessions.  Al Dhari and others could say 
whatever they want there, and even to the world in the 
corridors.  But they should not be put on a par with the 
elected Iraqi Government leaders and President Mubarak at the 
public opening session of the Arab League conference.  Aboul 
Gheit said Iraqis not "stained with blood" should be able to 
speak and quarrel with one another.  Without an open 
dialogue, Aboul Gheit remarked, the conference will be more 
for appearance than meaningful progress.  A/S Welch said that 
the USG wants the prepcon to succeed, but does not want it to 
be public or to give the opposition a platform to suggest 
broader Arab backing against the Government of Iraq. 
 
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Syria/Lebanon 
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6.  (C)   Aboul Gheit reported that President Asad had 
ordered formal action to tighten procedures at Damascus 
airport against the entry of Arabs intending to join the 
Iraqi insurgency.  The A/S expressed doubt and said the U.S. 
would appreciate any GOE effort to test the new system. 
Aboul Gheit admitted that such operations were not in his 
portfolio, but said he would ask whether any Egyptians had 
been returned from Damascus.  Aboul Gheit and A/S Welch 
agreed that ending Syrian support for Hizballah is critical. 
 
7.  (U)  A/S Welch cleared this cable. 
 
 
RICCIARDONE