Wikileaks Cable: The ‘Simple People’ of Egypt Don’t Understand

Posted Sep 5, 2011 by Howard Altman

Updated Sep 5, 2011 at 02:48 PM

The “simple people” of Egypt don’t understand the complexities of world affairs, particularly as it pertains to Israel – which should “calm down” and Iran, which is muddying the waters in Iraq.

So sayeth Minister of Defense Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi to then-Centcom commander Gen. John Abizaid, according to a 2006 U.S. State Department cable from the American Embassy in Cairo leaked by the anti-secrecy group Wikileaks.

The cable, of course, is dated (some five years before the “simple people” wound up overthrowing the Egyptian government), but it still gives an interesting glimpse into the thinking of one of Centcom’s key mil-to-mil partners in the Middle East.

Especially so since Tantawi, at this point, is the titular head of the Egyptian government as that nation is still trying to figure out its post Arab Spring course.

In a meeting in Cairo on Aug. 30, 2006, Abizaid and Tantawi agreed that the U.S.-Egyptian relationship is very strong; but, added Tantawi, “we want even more.” 

Abizaid thanked Tantawi for Egypt’s cooperation in areas as diverse as granting overflight clearances to facilitating usage of the Suez Canal.  Tantawi said it was important for the U.S. to remember that, while
Egyptian political and military leaders understood the value of the U.S.-Egyptian relationship, “the simple people do not see it.”  We need to work together to convince them, too.

The key, according to Tantawi, is the reinvigoration of the
peace process.  “It is not a peace process just for the Palestinians and Israelis, but for the region as a whole.”

Tantawi also asked General Abizaid for his assessment of the situation in Iraq.  General Abizaid explained that the security situation in Iraq has changed in the past year.

Iran Causing Trouble in Iraq
Insurgents are no longer the main threat; sectarian violence is.  The Iranians are playing on this, perhaps hoping to create another “Hizbollah” in the south of Iraq. 

“This would be very bad for everyone.”  It is time for the Arab states to reach out and help Iraq, General Abizaid stressed.  The Ambassador explained that Iraq has always been seen as the eastern shield of the Arab world.  Its stability and reintegration into the greater Arab and Islamic community is critical to the security and stability of the region.  Egypt and other important Arab states must act now to welcome Iraq back. 

Tantawi agreed, but said there are limits to what Egypt can do.  The Ambassador noted that even symbolic gestures were important, such as accepting an Iraqi ambassador in Cairo, forgiving Iraq’s debts, and using Egyptian media to show the strong, positive, and unified face of Iraq to the Arab world.

Israel Should ‘Calm Down’
Tantawi then asked for U.S. help in getting Israel to “calm down” and stop hindering the delivery of humanitarian supplies to the Palestinian people.  Abu Mazen, he said, is weak and getting weaker.  No one, including Abu Mazen, can control all the Palestinian factions.  The problem is the lack of a “strong center.”  The Israelis, he added, are not helping the situation by hindering humanitarian efforts, and by their harsh treatment of the Palestinians.  “Violence begets violence,” he added in Arabic.  General Abizaid stressed the need for patience, and for time to allow the situation to cool down.