US Embassy Cables: in 2009 “APRIL 6″ tells US GOV they kicked out Islamists before elections & supports Ayman Nour

“APRIL 6″ MOVEMENT CONSOLIDATES RANKS, LOOKS TOWARD COMING ELECTIONS

Ref ID: 09CAIRO1464
Date: 2009-07-30 13:45
Origin: Embassy Cairo
Classification: CONFIDENTIAL

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SUBJECT: “APRIL 6″ MOVEMENT CONSOLIDATES RANKS, LOOKS TOWARD COMING ELECTIONS

REF: A. CAIRO 695
B. CAIRO 591
C. CAIRO 580
D. CAIRO 468
E. 08 CAIRO 2572
F. 08 CAIRO 697

Classified By: Economic-Political Minister-Counselor Donald A. Blome for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

1. KEY POINTS

– (C) “April 6″ movement leader Ahmed Saleh told us July 26 that the group has ejected Islamist and Nasserist members to try to preserve its secular, western orientation.

– (C) Saleh urged U.S. pressure on the GOE for international monitors for the 2010 and 2011 elections. He is planning to travel to the U.S. with Ayman Nour in October to press for international monitors.

– (C) According to Saleh, a U.S.-based Freedom House official recently received a letter from the Egyptian MFA criticizing the organization’s association with Saleh.

– (C) Meeting us for the first time July 28, “April 6″ coordinator Ahmed Maher said the group is open to working with secular opposition parties on voter education and other activities.

2. (C) Background: “April 6″ is a small, youth-based movement which advocates replacing the current regime through a peaceful transition to democracy that would include a weak presidency and an empowered parliament and prime minister.
The movement organized a largely successful strike in Cairo on April 6, 2008 through Facebook to protest price increases and political and economic conditions (ref F). Following the strike, the GOE has arrested and tortured “April 6″ members, and has prevented the group from staging public demonstrations (ref E). End background.

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Cleaning House: Islamists and Nasserists Out
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3. (C) Saleh told us July 26 that the group ejected 13 Islamist and Nasserist members the previous day in an attempt to consolidate its secular, western orientation. Saleh had told us previously that these members had tried to hijack ”April 6,” and turn it into a Islamist movement opposing the west and rejecting Egypt’s peace treaty with Israel (refs A, D). Saleh said that following the ouster, “April 6″ published a new “manifesto” on its Facebook page, reaffirming the group’s interest in working with western countries and organizations. Saleh assessed that the movement would now be more internally “harmonious,” but that the ousted members would try to attack the group from the outside. He predicted that thousands of young Egyptians would join “April 6″ now that the movement has resolved its internal issues.

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“April 6″ Looking Toward 2010 and 2011 Elections
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4. (C) Saleh said “April 6″ is now focusing on the 2010 parliamentary and 2011 presidential elections. He asked for U.S. pressure on the GOE to allow international monitors as the only way of ensuring free and fair elections and open campaigns. He asserted that the political opposition would only be able to operate freely under such conditions, as the GOE would otherwise use the Emergency Law to prevent campaigning. Saleh noted that he had made this point to USG,Congressional and NGO interlocutors during his June-July trip to the U.S. Saleh said he is also coordinating his actions with Saad Eddin Ibrahim.

5. (C) Saleh asserted that free and fair elections as part of a gradual non-violent transition to democracy would be the only way to address Egypt’s acute economic and political problems. He said that “April 6″ plans an internet voter education campaign to decrease voter apathy, and wants to stage street demonstrations to support this goal. However, he predicted the GOE would prevent such demonstrations.
According to Saleh, “April 6″ members are currently not planning to run for seats in the 2010 parliamentary elections, but he noted that this calculus could change if the elections were “more open.” Saleh stressed that if movement members chose to run, they would do so as independents, not as opposition party candidates.

6. (C) “April 6″ Coordinator Ahmed Maher told us July 28 that the group is open to working with secular opposition parties such as Al-Ghad, the Democratic Front and Anwar Esmat Sadat’s nascent Reform and Development Party on voter education and other activities such as anti-corruption initiatives. Maher said he is working to establish an organizational structure for the group that would include a Cairo-based coordinating committee overseeing smaller chapters in each governorate.
(Note: This was our first meeting with Maher who was arrested and tortured following the April 6, 2008 strike, and tries to keep a low profile. End note.)

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New Coordination with Ayman Nour
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7. (C) Saleh said he is working with former opposition presidential candidate Ayman Nour on a planned October 1-7 visit the U.S. to urge the USG to press for international election monitors. Saleh said that he, Nour and another opposition politician would travel together. Saleh told us he is working with U.S.-based Egyptians such as Saad Eddin Ibrahim, Dina Guirgis of Voices for a Democratic Egypt and Sherif Mansour of Freedom House to coordinate an Ayman Nour trip focused on monitors. He said Guirgis is the lead U.S.-based coordinator for the trip. According to Saleh, Saad Eddin Ibrahim travelled to Europe in mid-July to urge European officials to press for international monitors.

8. (C) Saleh told us that “April 6″ would support Nour as a presidential candidate in 2011 if he were able to run. Saleh noted that he recently began discussions with Nour about future coordination with “April 6″ to achieve democratic change. He described Nour as slightly “unbalanced from his time in jail,” but voiced hope that Nour could be an agent of change in open 2011 presidential elections.

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Saleh’s U.S. Travel
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9. (C) Saleh said that during his June-July travel to the U.S., a Washington-based Freedom House official told him that the Egyptian MFA had sent Freedom House a letter criticizing the organization’s relationship with Saleh. According to Saleh, the Freedom House official said the letter criticized Saleh as “an illegitimate opportunist seeking asylum in the U.S.” Saleh told us GOE customs searched him for 2 hours on July 20 at Cairo International Airport upon his return. He believed customs gave his papers to MOI State Security Investigative Services (SSIS) officers.

-Tueller

Source: WikiLeaks

NY Times: Overtures to Egypt’s Islamists Reverse Longtime U.S. Policy

Published: January 3, 2012. By DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK and STEVEN LEE MYERS

CAIRO — With the Muslim Brotherhood pulling within reach of an outright majority in Egypt’s new Parliament, the Obama administration has begun to reverse decades of mistrust and hostility as it seeks to forge closer ties with an organization once viewed as irreconcilably opposed to United States interests.

The administration’s overtures — including high-level meetings in recent weeks — constitute a historic shift in a foreign policy held by successive American administrations that steadfastly supported the autocratic government of President Hosni Mubarak in part out of concern for the Brotherhood’s Islamist ideology and historic ties to militants.

The shift is, on one level, an acknowledgment of the new political reality here, and indeed around the region, as Islamist groups come to power. Having won nearly half the seats contested in the first two rounds of the country’s legislative elections, the Brotherhood on Tuesday entered the third and final round with a chance to extend its lead to a clear majority as the vote moved into districts long considered strongholds.

US Embassy Cables: US planning for Mubarak succession since 2006

NEXT STEPS FOR ADVANCING DEMOCRACY IN EGYPT

Ref ID: 06CAIRO1351
Date: 2006-03-06 12:41
Origin: Embassy Cairo
Classification: CONFIDENTIAL

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SUBJECT: NEXT STEPS FOR ADVANCING DEMOCRACY IN EGYPT

Classified by Ambassador Francis J. Ricciardone for reasons

1.4 (b) and (d).

1. (C) Summary and Introduction: Sometime in the next six years, Egypt will undergo a leadership succession. The United States’ goals for this succession should be to promote an opening to establish a representative government that will secure Egyptian stability, prosperity, and friendship for a generation. There is scant movement in that direction now. Whether or not 77-year old Hosni Mubarak survives his six-year term, his regime is ossifying and increasingly out of touch. His enlightened economic cabinet has a negligible political base and gets little credit outside of elite circles. The National Democratic Party’s popularity is in decline. The military still expects to inherit the Presidency. But the Muslim Brotherhood’s confidence is growing.

US Embassy Cables: Response to El Baradei Return to Cairo in 2010

El Baradei Returns to Cairo

Ref ID: 10CAIRO237
Date: 2010-02-23 13:42
Origin: Embassy Cairo
Classification: CONFIDENTIAL

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SUBJECT: El Baradei Returns to Cairo

REF: 10 CAIRO 215

CLASSIFIED BY: Margaret Scobey, Ambassador; REASON: 1.4(B), (D)

1. (C) Key Points:

– Thousands of supporters greeted former IAEA Chairman Mohammed El Baradei upon his return to Cairo. Beleaguered leaders of the opposition seem relieved at their ability to muster a show of support for El Baradei and enthusiastic about his potential impact.

– El Baradei is seen as an “independent” and viable alternative to a corrupt regime and an ineffectual opposition.  However, the mainstream opposition appears reluctant to claim him as their own “consensus candidate.”

– In a television interview February 21, El Baradei criticized GOE corruption, election fraud, lack of political reform and failure to successfully address poverty and illiteracy.

– El Baradei met with Arab League Secretary Amre Moussa on February 22 and will begin to meet with political activists on February 23.”

– NDP reaction and government media reaction focused on El Baradei’s lack of political experience and doubts over his level of commitment.  Opinion makers in the independent media also see El Baradei as an outsider and appear wary to offer unqualified support.

US embassy cables: Muslim Brotherhood started meeting with US Government in 1986

MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD: EAGER FOR U.S. CONTACTS

Ref ID: 86CAIRO21221

Date: 1986-09-16 10:43

Origin: Embassy Cairo

Classification: SECRET

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SUBJECT:  MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD:  EAGER FOR U.S. CONTACTS,
FEARFUL OF GOE

1.  S-ENTIRE TEXT.

2.  SUMMARY.  THREE STRONG IMPRESSIONS EMERGED FROM EMBOFF’S INTRODUCTORY CALL ON THE NEW MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD LEADERSHIP SEPTEMBER 10:  (1) CURRENT LEADERSHIP IS KEEN TO ESTABLISH A DIALOGUE WITH THE U.S. EMBASSY; (2) AT THE SAME TIME, IT IS VERY WORRIED ABOUT AVOIDING PROBLEMS WITH THE MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR; AND (3) NEW SUPREME GUIDE ABUL  NASR APPEARS MORE A FIGUREHEAD THAN THE REAL POWER WITHIN THE LEADERSHIP, WHO MAY BE DEPUTY MUSTAFA MASHHUR.  END SUMMARY.

3.  POLOFF AND POL FSN MADE FIRST OFFICIAL CONTACT WITH MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD LEADERSHIP SINCE DEATH LAST MAY OF PREVIOUS SUPREME GUIDE OMAR TALMASSANI, MEETING AT OFFICES PREVIOUSLY USED BY BANNED MB MAGAZINE AL-DA’WA SEPTEMBER 10.  CORDIAL BUT SHORT MEETING WAS DEVOTED ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY TO WHY THE MEETING COULD NOT TAKE PLACE AT GREATER LENGTH AS PLANNED.  DEPUTY SUPREME GUIDE MUSTAFA MASHHUR HAD POSITIVELY AND PROMPTLY RESPONDED TO EMBASSY REQUEST SEPTEMBER 9 FOR THE CALL ON NEW SUPREME GUIDE MUHAMMED HAMAD ABUL NASR, BUT HAD ASKED EMBASSY TO SECURE MINISTRY  OF INTERIOR CLEARANCE. WISHING TO AVOID THE PRECEDENT OF REQUESTING SUCH ADVANCE CLEARANCE  FOR DIPLOMATIC WORK, EMBOFF APPEARED AT THE APPOINTED TIME AND PLACE WITHOUT MININT CLEARANCE.  HE EXPLAINED THAT THE CALL WAS ROUTINE COURTESY CALL.

US embassy cables: 2009 High Profile Gov. Official Confirms Transfer of Power, before Revolution

XXXXXXXXXXXX: MILITARY WILL ENSURE TRANSFER OF POWER

Ref ID: 09CAIRO1468

Date: 7/30/2009 14:44

Origin: Embassy Cairo

Classification: SECRET

Destination: 08CAIRO2091

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REF: 08 CAIRO 2091
Classified By: Economic-Political Minister-Counselor Donald A. Blome for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

1. KEY POINTS – (S) XXXXXXXXXXXX dismissed public and media speculation about succession. XXXXXXXXXXXX said Egyptian military and security services would ensure a smooth transfer of power, even to a civilian. — (S) XXXXXXXXXXXX called opposition parties weak and democracy a “long term goal.” XXXXXXXXXXXX said that the MB had no legitimate political role, adding that mixing religion and politics in Egypt was not wise and would not be permitted.

2.(S) Comment: XXXXXXXXXXXX is an XXXXXXXXXXXX who has held a number of key positions. His assurances that the Egyptian military and security services would ensure a smooth succession to a civilian (by implication Gamal Mubarak) were unusually straightforward and blunt. The idea that the military remains a key political and economic force is conventional wisdom here. However, other observers tell us that the military has grown less influential, more fractured and its leadership weaker in recent years (reftel). They suggest that in a succession scenario in which President Mubarak is no longer present, outcomes are less predictable. End comment.

3.(S) On XXXXXXXXXXXX, PolOff met with XXXXXXXXXXXX. Without prompting, XXXXXXXXXXXX offered newly-arrived PolOff advice on how to approach political issues in Egypt. XXXXXXXXXXXX counseled PolOff not to “run around” town asking questions about Egypt’s next leader, suggesting that most offered only opinions not facts. XXXXXXXXXXXX said that this kind of wide-ranging engagement “by our friends” demonstrated a certain “naivete.” XXXXXXXXXXXX suggested that PolOff also steer clear of the many uncorroborated reports and misguided analysis in the local media. XXXXXXXXXXXX also underscored a common XXXXXXXXXXXX refrain that Egypt’s opposition political parties were weak and self-serving.

2006: Britain Plans to Reach Out to Muslim Brotherhood

Three government memos leaked to the press and published on New Statesman and NPR on February, 2006 reveals that the British government was in the process of building diplomatic ties with the Muslim Brotherhood in early 2006. The documents, leaked to the press, recommends increased engagement with the group, a proposal that British’s former foreign secretary Jack Straw accepted at the time.The leaked documents, include a memo to the Middle East minister Kim Howells, dated 17 January 2006 and obtained by New Statesman magazine, shows that the British government was preparing to open lines of communication with the Brotherhood in 2006. The memo from the FCO’s Arab/Israel and North Africa Group recommends increasing “the frequency of working-level contacts with Muslim Brotherhood parliamentarians (who do not advocate violence), particularly those who are members of parliamentary committees”.Listen to NPR Audio report:
NPR Audio report

Sources: New Statesman.com

US embassy cables: Soliman on dangers of Muslim Brotherhood (Ekhwan)

Cable dated:2006-02-15T07:44:00
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SUBJECT: FBI DIRECTOR MUELLER’S VISIT TO EGYPT
REF: CAIRO 493
Classified by DCM Stuart Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

1. (C) During his February 8-9 visit to Egypt FBI Director Robert Mueller held a series of cordial and productive meetings with President Mubarak, Intelligence Chief Soliman, Interior Minister Adly, and State Security Director Abdel Rahman. The strength of the bilateral security relationship, and means to expand it, was a key topic of conversation. Also discussed were the implications of the Hamas victory in the Palestinian legislative elections, the proliferation of extremist ideologies, and the nebulous nature of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood. The Egyptians were typically conservative in their assessments, but warmly welcomed the Director’s push to further develop security ties through specific technical cooperation programs. End summary.

US embassy cables: Soliman vows to fight radicalism

Cable dated:2009-04-30T15:00:00
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SUBJECT: ADMIRAL MULLEN’S MEETING WITH EGIS CHIEF SOLIMAN
Classified By: Ambassador Margaret Scobey per 1.4 (b) and (d).

1. Key Points:

- (S/NF) During an April 21 meeting with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen, Egyptian General Intelligence Service Chief Omar Soliman explained that his overarching regional goal was combating radicalism, especially in Gaza, Iran, and Sudan.

- (S/NF) On Gaza, Soliman said Egypt must “confront” Iranian attempts to smuggle arms to Gaza and “stop” arms smuggling through Egyptian territory.

- (S/NF) Soliman shared his vision on Palestinian reconciliation and bringing the Palestinian Authority back to Gaza, saying “a Gaza in the hands of radicals will never be calm.”

- (S/NF) On Iran, Soliman said Egypt was “succeeding” in preventing Iran from funneling financial support to Hamas through Egypt. Soliman hoped that the U.S. could encourage Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions and stop interfering in regional affairs, but cautioned that Iran “must pay a price” for its actions.

- (S/NF) Egypt is “very concerned” with stability in Sudan, Soliman said, and was focusing efforts on convincing the Chadean and Sudanese presidents to stop supporting each others’ insurgencies, supporting negotiations between factions in Darfur, and implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). “Egypt does not want a divided Sudan,” Soliman stressed.

Mohamed ElBaradei

Mohamed Mustafa ElBaradei, born June 17, 1942, is an Egyptian law scholar and diplomat. He was the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), an inter-governmental organisation under the auspices of the United Nations, from December 1997 to November 2009. ElBaradei and the IAEA were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. ElBaradei was also an important figure in the 2011 Egyptian protests which culminated in the resignation of Hosni Mubarak.

Family and personal life

ElBaradei was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt. He was one of five children of Mostafa ElBaradei, an attorney who headed the Egyptian Bar Association and often found himself at odds with the regime of President Gamal Abdel Nasser. ElBaradei’s father was also a supporter of democratic rights in Egypt, supporting a free press and an independent judiciary.

ElBaradei is married to Aida El-Kachef, an early-childhood teacher. They have two children: a daughter, Laila, who is a lawyer living in London. They also have one granddaughter, Maya.