VZCZCXRO0360
OO RUEHROV
DE RUEHEG #7001 3321611
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 281611Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2751
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 007001 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2016 
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR MEPN PTER KPAL EG IS
SUBJECT: HAMAS FIGURES VISIT CAIRO FOR TALKS ON NATIONAL 
UNITY GOVERNMENT 
 
 
Classified by Minister-Counselor for Economic and Political 
Affairs William Stewart for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
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Summary 
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¶1. (C) Amidst a flurry of regional diplomatic activity, 
senior Hamas political leaders Khaled Misha'al and Prime 
Minister Haniyeh have been visiting Cairo for talks with 
Egyptian leaders on the formation of a National Unity 
Government and related issues.  Misha'al, who visited Egypt 
from November 23-26, discussed next steps on the peace 
process with Egyptian Intelligence Chief Omar Soliman. 
Haniyeh, who arrives in Cairo on November 28, is expected to 
meet senior Egyptian leaders and Arab League Secretary 
General Amre Moussa before departing.  Egyptian Information 
Minister El-Fekki told the Ambassador on November 28 that 
Egypt watched Misha'al closely during his stay in Cairo, and 
severely limited his access to media.  While there had been 
no major political breakthrough achieved during Misha'al's 
visit, El-Fekki stated that Egypt had gone to lengths to 
ensure no backward movement.  Additional diplomacy is 
expected when Omar Soliman visits Israel on December 29 for 
talks with Israeli Prime Minister Olmert.  End summary. 
 
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Khaled Misha'al Visits Cairo 
---------------------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) Syrian-based Hamas militant leader Khaled Misha'al 
visited Egypt for four days, from November 23-26, meeting 
with Egypt's Intelligence Chief Omar Soliman for talks on 
formation of a Palestinian National Unity Government (NUG). 
During his stay in Egypt, Misha'al met with members of the 
Muslim-Brotherhood dominated Press Syndicate, where he told 
reporters that a "third intifada" against Israel would erupt 
if progress toward a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders 
was not achieved.  Western powers, he asserted, had "six 
months" to seize on the "historic chance" to resolve the 
Arab-Israeli dispute following formation of a NUG. 
 
¶3. (C) During their November 28 meeting, Egyptian Information 
Minister Anis El-Fikky told the Ambassador that the GOE had 
closely watched Misha'al during his visit to ensure he stayed 
in line.  Fekki said that Misha'al wanted to be interviewed 
on the Orbit satellite television channel and other 
independent TV networks, but the GOE refused his request. 
Instead, they forced him to submit to a taped interview with 
reporter Abdel Latif el-Minawi, host of Channel One's "Point 
of View" and known for his tough questioning style.  The 
taped interview, Fekki said, was pre-screened and vetted by 
EGIS Chief Soliman, who approved its broadcast on local TV. 
According to Fekki, Misha'al said "nothing new."  The GOE, he 
added, felt Misha'al had delivered no breakthrough, or even 
an advance, while in Cairo.  Instead, Fekki stressed, the GOE 
went to great lengths to make sure Misha'al did nothing to 
"move things backwards." 
 
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Hamas Prime Minister Haniyeh to Cairo 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶4. (C) Palestinian Prime Minister Haniyeh also was due in 
Cairo on November 28, for additional negotiations and 
meetings with EGIS Chief Soliman and others.  Arab League 
contacts confirmed that Amre Moussa would meet Haniyeh on 
November 29.  According to local media, Haniyeh will depart 
Egypt for several other Arab states to brief regional leaders 
on the state of play in Palestine.  His discussions with 
Soliman will likely occur late on the 28th, as the Egyptian 
Intelligence Chief is expected to visit Israel on November 29 
to update Prime Minister Olmert on the Cairo talks, and the 
situation among the Palestinian factions.  The status of 
talks on a NUG formation, a ceasefire, and efforts to obtain 
the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit and imprisoned 
Palestinians are expected to top the agenda of those talks. 
RICCIARDONE