VZCZCXRO2677
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHEG #1933 2451552
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 011552Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0367
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 001933 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NEA FO FOR WELCH/HALE 
NSC FOR ABRAMS/PASCUAL 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/01/2028 
TAGS: PREL KPAL IS EG
SUBJECT: MUBARAK-BARAK DISCUSSIONS FOCUS ON FINAL STATUS 
AND GAZA 
 
REF: TEL AVIV 1984 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Margaret Scobey per 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
¶1. (C) Presidential Advisor Soliman Awad briefed the 
Ambassador August 27 on President Mubarak's August 23 
discussions with visiting Israeli Defense Minister Ehud 
Barak.  Awad described Barak's visit as "fruitful," focusing 
on two main issues:  Gaza, and Israeli-Palestinian final 
status discussions, but also touching on Iran and Syria. 
According to Awad, Barak briefed Mubarak on the Secretary's 
discussions in Israel.  Mubarak also brought Barak up to date 
on Egyptian efforts to promote Palestinian reconciliation. 
Awad said that the GOE is inviting the Palestinian factions 
to Cairo two by two in late August and early September.  Awad 
emphasized that this was a "time consuming effort" designed 
to buy time for the peace process.  The GOE told Barak that 
Hamas itself remained the stumbling block to reconciliation, 
and Palestinian Islamic Jihad was showing more "flexibility 
and understanding." 
 
¶2. (C) According to Awad, Egyptian officials explained to 
Barak that they see little likely progress on Shalit's 
release.  The GOE thinks Israel's prisoner exchange with 
Hizballah has led Hamas to believe it can obtain more 
prisoners in return for Shalit than originally anticipated. 
Additionally, Awad said that the issue of Shalit's release is 
complicated by Palestinian demands for opening border 
crossings. 
 
¶3. (C) Barak discussed Kadima's leadership situation, 
predicting that Deputy Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz would win 
the primaries.  According to Awad, Mubarak told Barak that 
the Egyptians believe FM Livni would prevail.  Barak 
mentioned Quartet Special Envoy Blair's upcoming visit to 
Israel and the Palestinian territories, and indicated that 
the IDF is prepared to be more flexible to facilitate some of 
Blair's proposed projects.  Barak also thanked Egypt for its 
increased counter-tunneling and counter-smuggling efforts on 
the Gaza border, which Barak subsequently noted in public. 
SCOBEY