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### Viewing cable 06CAIRO5317, SCENESETTER FOR GENERAL ABIZAID'S VISIT TO CAIRO

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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
06CAIRO5317 | 2006-08-24 12:12 | 2011-03-15 18:06 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Cairo
Appears in these articles: not yet set

`

    VZCZCXYZ0020
    OO RUEHWEB

    DE RUEHEG #5317/01 2361256
    ZNY CCCCC ZZH
    O 241256Z AUG 06
    FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
    TO RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE
    INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0861

` `

    C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 005317

    SIPDIS

    SIPDIS

    E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/23/2011
    TAGS: PREL PARM PTER MOPS EG IS IZ IR SU LE KNNP
    SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR GENERAL ABIZAID'S VISIT TO CAIRO

    Classified By: Classified by DCM Stuart Jones for reasons 1.4
    (b) and (d).

    -------
    Summary
    -------

    ¶1. (C) Welcome back to Cairo. Your visit allows us to
    reaffirm our nations' strong mil-mil cooperation at a time
    when the broader bilateral relationship and the U.S. image on
    the Arab Street shows signs of strain due to the crisis in
    Lebanon. In meetings with governmental and non-governmental
    contacts, emboffs are now routinely subjected to sharp
    critiques of U.S. policies in the Middle East and doubts
    about our status as an "honest broker" vis-a-vis Arab-Israeli
    issues. In spite of this tension and GOE concerns regarding
    our long-term commitment to FMF, the mil-mil relationship
    remains solid. Minister of Defense Field Marshal Tantawi
    looks forward to exchanging views with you on Lebanon and its
    reconstruction, Syria, Iran, Sudan, and the security
    situation in Iraq. End summary.

    ---------------
    Military Issues
    ---------------

    ¶2. (C) The Field Marshal will thank you for your efforts to
    ensure the continuation of the USD 1.3 billion in annual
    security assistance to Egypt. Although Egypt once again
    dodged a bullet this year in the Congressional budget
    process, scrutiny of the program will likely continue. You
    may want to stress the need to look for more opportunities to
    strengthen our mil-mil cooperation and to highlight Egypt's
    support for our regional objectives. You may also want to
    express your support for Chief of Staff LTG Samy Enan's
    upcoming counterpart visit to the U.S. As you know, a
    solution to the International Medical Center problem is
    within reach, but not yet final. Because there are still a
    number of issues pending, we have not briefed the MoD on the
    proposed solution.

    ------------------------
    The Aftermath of Lebanon
    ------------------------

    ¶3. (C) Political reaction: While senior GOE officials
    recognize the respective roles Hizbollah, Iran, and Syria
    played in sparking the latest war, Egyptians across the board
    are furious over the destruction caused by what they see as
    Israel's use of disproportionate force. Egyptians also
    criticize the U.S. for providing military support to Israel
    during the crisis. Seeking to address public outrage towards
    Israel, Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit said publicly that he
    could not rule out the possibility that Israel had planned
    the war and that the U.S. played a role in the planning. He
    called on the international community to compel Israel to pay
    Lebanon compensation, and led the OIC initiative seeking a UN
    Human Rights Council investigation into Israel's alleged
    human rights violations in Qana and elsewhere. GOE officials
    believe Hizbollah can only be disarmed via an internal
    Lebanese process and that the withdrawal of Israeli troops
    from Sheba'a Farms (and placing the area under UN control
    pending a final resolution) is critical to achieving a
    lasting solution.

    ¶4. (C) Reconstruction: Egypt continues to provide
    humanitarian support to Lebanon. They have delivered 18
    C-130s of relief supplies and maintain a humanitarian field
    hospital in Beirut. The hospital has treated approximately
    1,000 patients a day since its late July deployment.
    President Mubarak also instructed his Ministry of Electricity
    to assist with rebuilding Lebanon's destroyed power grid.
    Egyptian Ambassador to the U.S. Nabil Fahmy told Assistant
    Secretary Welch during a recent meeting that Egypt may also

    SIPDIS
    explore sending quick-assembly Bailey-type bridges to
    Lebanon. We are following up on this idea with Foreign
    Ministry officials. The Field Marshal would welcome any
    information you could share on the scope of support the U.S
    military (logistical, communications) will provide to
    Lebanon.

    ¶5. (C) The Syria angle: GOE officials were furious with
    President Asad following his August 15 speech praising
    Hizbollah and criticizing (as "half men") Arab leaders who
    rebuked Hizbollah for kidnapping the Israeli soldiers. They
    believe Asad's alliance with Iran and Hizbollah is misguided,
    and also worry about his fragile internal situation. On the
    streets of Cairo, by contrast, Asad's praise for Hizbollah as
    a "resistance" (vice terrorist) group resonates. You may
    want to explore this further with the Field Marshal.

    -----------------------------------------
    Iran: Egypt's Fear of a Shiite Influence
    -----------------------------------------

    ¶6. (C) Egypt's concern over Iran's efforts to extend its
    influence in the region has intensified in recent months.
    Both Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani and Foreign
    Minister Motakki asked President Mubarak in June and August
    2006 respectively to normalize Egyptian-Iranian relations and
    join in the fight against Israel and the U.S. Mubarak
    adamantly refused, telling Motakki to "forget it" and giving
    him a tongue lashing for supporting Hizbollah and Hamas, and
    not negotiating with the P5 1 on Iran's nuclear program.
    Speculation on alleged plans for U.S. military strikes on
    Iran's nuclear sites continue to circulate, and Tantawi will
    likely seek your views on Iran's recent response to the P5 1
    package.

    -----
    Sudan
    -----

    ¶7. (C) Egypt's help with our effort to convince Sudan to
    permit UN forces in Darfur is important, and Tantawi could
    influence GOE decision-making. You might mention the
    importance of preventing future stalling by Sudan's President
    Bashir.

    ----------------------------
    Internal Politics and Reform
    ----------------------------

    ¶8. (C) Our clear call for the GOE to lead the region, by
    example, towards democracy and freedom has achieved
    significant but limited results. As 2005 drew to a close, it
    was reasonable to hope that, notwithstanding the manifest
    imperfections of the 2005 elections, Egypt's reform movement
    was on track. However, the nine months since the
    parliamentary elections have not witnessed continued reform
    momentum. The December conviction of presidential challenger
    Ayman Nour on forgery charges (underscored by the May denial
    of his judicial appeal), the February decree to postpone
    local elections (which threatened to see major gains by the
    Muslim Brotherhood) until the spring of 2008, and the May
    decision to extend the Emergency Law for another two years,
    all contributed to a widespread perception that political
    reform in Egypt has slowed.

    ¶9. (C) We understand that the NDP plans to use its annual
    party conference, September 19-20, to reiterate and
    re-emphasize Mubarak's reform program. Additionally, when
    Parliament reconvenes in November, it will reportedly tackle
    a wide range of constitutional amendments. The party
    conference and the next session of Parliament should shed
    additional light on the scale and authenticity of political
    reform. The Field Marshal would prefer not to discuss
    internal politics with you.
    RICCIARDONE

`