US embassy cable - 05CAIRO8875

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 008875 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NSC STAFF FOR SINGH 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/23/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, KDEM, EG, Elections, Parliamentary Elections 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR CAUTIONS INTERIOR MINISTER ON ELECTION 
VIOLENCE 
 
REF: A. CAIRO 8822 
 
     B. CAIRO 8786 
     C. CAIRO 8745 
 
Classified by DCM Stuart Jones for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (C) During a telephone conversation on November 22, the 
Ambassador cautioned Egyptian Interior Minister Habib el-Adly 
about the violence which accompanied the start of the second 
stage of Egyptian elections on November 20 (reftels). 
 
2. (C) After an initial discussion of the upcoming visit of 
the FBI Director, Adly asked the Ambassdor for his views on 
the progress of the People's Assembly elections.  The 
Ambassador replied that it is not what we think that is 
important, it is what the Egyptian people think.  The 
violence in the second stage, combined with the procedural 
lapses, have undermined public confidence in the balloting 
process.  This is a set-back for Egypt, after conducting 
successful presidential elections and a relatively peaceful 
first stage of parliamentary elections, albeit with 
irregularities.  The November 20 violence has made the NDP 
look desperate, the Ambassador cautioned. 
 
3. (C) The Ambassador added that having police stand by 
during violent episodes was unhelpful.  We appreciate the 
efforts to ensure police "neutrality," but we would 
nonetheless hope for greater security for poll workers and 
voters in the November 26 runoff and the third stage, which 
begins December 1.  Bringing to justice those responsible for 
instigating violence would also be important, the Ambassador 
added. 
 
4. (C) Adly took on board the Ambassador's points and thanked 
him for the spirit in which they were conveyed. 
 
5. (C) Comment: While the November 20 violence was most 
likely not centrally orchestrated, we think it probable that 
local NDP elites, in some cases cooperating with local 
security forces, will instigate similar episodes during 
runoffs on November 26.  End comment. 
 
 
RICCIARDONE