

Currently released so far... 12553 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
APECO
ASEC
AMGT
AFIN
APER
ACABQ
AORC
AEMR
AF
AE
AR
AGMT
AU
AY
ABLD
AS
AG
AJ
APCS
AX
AM
AMEX
ATRN
ADM
AMED
AFGHANISTAN
AZ
AL
ASUP
AND
ARM
ASEAN
AFFAIRS
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AODE
APEC
ACBAQ
AFSI
AFSN
AO
ABUD
AC
ADPM
ADCO
ASIG
ARF
AUC
ASEX
AGAO
AA
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
AIT
AADP
ASCH
AORL
AROC
ACOA
ANET
AID
AMCHAMS
AINF
AMG
AFU
AN
ALOW
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
ACS
ADANA
AECL
ACAO
AORG
AGR
BEXP
BR
BM
BG
BL
BA
BTIO
BO
BP
BC
BILAT
BK
BU
BD
BRUSSELS
BB
BF
BBSR
BIDEN
BX
BE
BH
BT
BY
BMGT
BWC
BTIU
BN
CA
CASC
CFED
CO
CH
CS
CU
CE
CI
CM
CMGT
CJAN
COM
CG
CIS
CVIS
CR
CKGR
CHR
CVR
COUNTER
CIA
CLINTON
CY
CPAS
CD
CBW
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CDG
CW
CODEL
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
COE
CN
CARICOM
CB
CONDOLEEZZA
CWC
CACS
CSW
CIDA
CIC
CITT
CONS
CL
CACM
CDB
CDC
CAN
CF
CJUS
CTM
CBSA
CARSON
CT
CLMT
CBC
CEUDA
CV
COPUOS
CTR
CROS
CAPC
CAC
CNARC
CICTE
CBE
ECON
ETRD
EIND
ENRG
EC
ELAB
EAGR
EAID
EFIS
EFIN
EINV
EUN
EG
EPET
EAIR
EU
ELTN
EWWT
ECIN
ERD
EI
ETTC
EUR
EN
EZ
ETC
ENVI
EMIN
ET
ENVR
ER
ECPS
EINT
EAP
ES
ENIV
ECONOMY
EXTERNAL
EINN
EFTA
ECONOMIC
EPA
EXBS
ECA
ELN
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENGR
ECUN
ENGY
ECONOMICS
ELECTIONS
EIAR
EINDETRD
EREL
EUC
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
ENERG
EFIM
EAIDS
EK
ETRDECONWTOCS
EINVETC
ECONCS
EUNCH
ESA
ECINECONCS
EUREM
ESENV
EFINECONCS
ETRC
ENNP
EAIG
EXIM
EEPET
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EUMEM
ETRA
ERNG
ETRO
ETRN
EINVEFIN
ICTY
IN
IS
IR
IC
IZ
IA
INTERPOL
IAEA
IT
IMO
IO
IV
ID
IRAQI
IEA
INRB
IL
IWC
ITU
ICAO
ISRAELI
ICRC
IIP
IMF
IBRD
ISLAMISTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
ILO
IPR
IQ
IRS
IAHRC
IZPREL
IRAJ
IDP
ILC
ITF
ICJ
IF
ITPHUM
INMARSAT
ISRAEL
IACI
IBET
ITRA
INR
IRC
IDA
ICTR
IGAD
INRA
INRO
IEFIN
INTELSAT
INTERNAL
INDO
ITPGOV
KWMN
KSCA
KDEM
KTFN
KIPR
KCRM
KPAL
KE
KPAO
KPKO
KS
KN
KISL
KFRD
KJUS
KIRF
KFLO
KG
KTIP
KTER
KRCM
KTIA
KGHG
KIRC
KU
KPRP
KMCA
KMPI
KSEO
KNNP
KZ
KNEI
KCOR
KOMC
KCFC
KSTC
KMDR
KFLU
KSAF
KSEP
KSAC
KR
KGIC
KSUM
KWBG
KCIP
KDRG
KOLY
KAWC
KCHG
KHDP
KRVC
KBIO
KAWK
KGCC
KHLS
KBCT
KPLS
KREL
KCFE
KMFO
KV
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFTFN
KVPR
KTDB
KSPR
KIDE
KVRP
KTEX
KBTR
KTRD
KICC
KCOM
KO
KLIG
KDEMAF
KMRS
KRAD
KOCI
KSTH
KUNR
KNSD
KGIT
KFSC
KHIV
KPAI
KICA
KACT
KHUM
KREC
KSEC
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCMR
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KNAR
KNUC
KPWR
KENV
KWWMN
KWMNCS
KPRV
KOM
KBTS
KCRS
KNPP
KWNM
KRFD
KVIR
KTBT
KAID
KRIM
KDDG
KRGY
KHSA
KWMM
KMOC
KSCI
KPAK
KX
KPAONZ
KCGC
KID
KPOA
KIFR
KFIN
KWAC
KOMS
KCRCM
KNUP
KMIG
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KTLA
KCSY
KJUST
MOPS
MARR
MASS
MNUC
MX
MCAP
MO
MR
MI
MD
MK
MA
MP
MY
MTCRE
MOPPS
MASC
MIL
MTS
MLS
MILI
MAR
MU
MEPN
MAPP
MTCR
MEPI
MZ
MEETINGS
MG
MW
MAS
MT
MCC
MIK
ML
MARAD
MV
MERCOSUR
MTRE
MPOS
MEPP
MILITARY
MDC
MQADHAFI
MUCN
MRCRE
MAPS
MEDIA
MASSMNUC
MC
NZ
NZUS
NL
NU
NATO
NP
NO
NIPP
NE
NH
NR
NA
NPT
NI
NSF
NG
NSG
NAFTA
NC
NDP
NEW
NRR
NATIONAL
NT
NS
NASA
NAR
NV
NORAD
NSSP
NK
NPA
NGO
NSC
NATOPREL
NW
NPG
NSFO
OPDC
OTRA
OIIP
OREP
OVIP
OSCE
OEXC
OIE
OPRC
OAS
OPIC
OTR
OMIG
OSAC
OFFICIALS
OECD
OSCI
OBSP
OFDA
OPCW
ODIP
OFDP
OES
OPAD
OCII
OHUM
OVP
ON
OIC
OCS
PHUM
PREL
PGOV
PINR
PTER
PARM
PREF
PM
PE
PINS
PK
PHSA
PBTS
PRGOV
PA
PORG
PP
PS
PGOF
PL
PO
PARMS
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PAK
POL
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PREFA
PALESTINIAN
PBIO
PINF
PNG
PMIL
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PAO
POLITICS
PHUMBA
PSEPC
PTBS
PCUL
PROP
PNAT
PNR
POLINT
PGOVE
PROG
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PHUMPREL
PGOC
PY
PCI
PLN
PDOV
PREO
PGIV
PHUH
PAS
PU
POGOV
PF
PINL
POV
PAHO
PRL
PG
PRAM
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POLICY
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGGV
PHUS
PSA
PHUMPGOV
PEL
PSI
PAIGH
POSTS
PBT
PTERE
RS
RU
RW
RM
RO
RP
REGION
RSP
RF
RICE
RCMP
RFE
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
ROBERT
RUPREL
RELATIONS
ROOD
REACTION
RSO
REPORT
SENV
SNAR
SCUL
SR
SC
SOCI
SMIG
SI
SP
SU
SO
SW
SY
SA
SZ
SAN
SF
SN
STEINBERG
SG
ST
SIPDIS
SNARIZ
SNARN
SSA
SK
SPCVIS
SOFA
SAARC
SL
SEVN
SARS
SIPRS
SHUM
SANC
SWE
SHI
SYR
SNARCS
SPCE
SYRIA
SEN
SH
SCRS
SENVKGHG
TRGY
TSPL
TPHY
TSPA
TBIO
TI
TW
THPY
TX
TU
TS
TZ
TC
TH
TT
TIP
TO
TERRORISM
TRSY
TINT
TN
TURKEY
TBID
TL
TV
TNGD
TD
TF
TP
TFIN
TAGS
TK
TR
UNSC
UK
UNGA
UN
US
UNHRC
UG
UP
UNMIK
UNHCR
UE
USTR
UNVIE
UAE
UZ
UY
UNO
UNESCO
USEU
USOAS
UV
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNEP
UNIDROIT
UNDESCO
UNDP
UNPUOS
UNC
UNAUS
USUN
UNCHC
UNCHR
UNCND
UNICEF
UNCSD
UNDC
USNC
USPS
USAID
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 09CAIRO2166, EGYPT: NDP READY TO RUN ON A "FOR YOU" PLATFORM REF: 2008 CAIRO 2310 Classified By: Minister-Counselor for Economic and Political Affairs Donald A. Blome
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #09CAIRO2166.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
09CAIRO2166 | 2009-11-17 15:37 | 2011-02-16 21:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Cairo |
VZCZCXRO0529
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHEG #2166/01 3211537
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 171537Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4278
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 CAIRO 002166
SIPDIS
NSC FOR AGUIRRE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/12/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM EG
SUBJECT: EGYPT: NDP READY TO RUN ON A "FOR YOU" PLATFORM REF: 2008 CAIRO 2310 Classified By: Minister-Counselor for Economic and Political Affairs Donald A. Blome
1.(C) Key Points: -- As promised, the National Democratic Party's sixth annual conference focused on economic and social development including expanding economic opportunity through investment, decentralization, poverty alleviation, an expanding social safety net, an overhaul of the health care system, and the announcement of a supplemental 10 billion Egyptian Pound (LE) spending package for the coming year. -- Speakers often failed to distinguish between the party platform and government policies, referring to accomplishments like the implementation of constitutional amendments, the creation of 64 new seats for women in the People's Assembly, or Egypt's success in weathering the international financial crisis. -- President Mubarak opened and closed the conference, and as party leader, was praised by other speakers. Gamal Mubarak played a prominent role in the conference and was present throughout. -- Political reform was not a key theme at the conference, but speakers at the conference, including President Mubarak, called for a "constructive" opposition. -- Neither the 2011 presidential elections nor succession were discussed at the conference. Despite a denial of any internal inter-generational dispute, there were marked differences of style.
2.(C) Comment: Some members of the NDP see the conference as evidence of the success of the party's own "internal democratization," the result of a reform process initiated in 2002 by Gamal. These claims ring hollow with most Egyptians. Even members of the NDP admit that it is mere "window dressing" for continued back-room policy making. In the end, the conference offered few surprises, especially on the policy front. It does provide a window, however narrow, into the often opaque world of NDP party politics and personalities. Here Gamal Mubarak and his "new guard" allies play a prominent role, fueling speculation about his presidential ambitions. End Comment.
3.(C) In its sixth annual conference held in Cairo October 31 to November 2, the National Democratic Party (NDP), set out its platform for the 2010 parliamentary elections under the slogan "For you"("Min Aglik Inte"). The purpose of the NDP's annual conference is to set out its policy priorities or, in this election year, the party's electoral platform. Its convention (the next is scheduled for 2011 and coincides with the 2011 presidential elections) selects its leaders. The conference is rarely seen as a real policy making event, but as a way to understand NDP, and thus GoE, priorities. As one member of the influential NDP Policies Committee later confirmed, priorities had been hammered out at the committee level before the conference's start. They were then sold, as formulated, to party rank and file at the conference and those Egyptians watching on TV. The NDP Conference has also become an annual opportunity to leaders from throughout the country to get together and network with the leadership. During conference breaks, members would rush to speak with party leaders. ----------- NDP or GoE? -----------
4.(C) Throughout the conference, party leaders and government officials blurred the lines between the NDP party platform and the accomplishments and agenda of the current government. Cabinet officials, all high-ranking members of the NDP, were a front row presence when party leaders were on the dais. It was Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif, who has no specific leadership role in the party, that set out the key "challenges" on the party's agenda for the coming year including: the importance of government decentralization efforts, addressing the burden of an expanding population through efforts to control family size (Note: Nazif's comments that families should be limited to two children caused a wave of murmurs in the crowd. End Note), building "human capital" including an expansion of vocational training, health care reform, efforts to address water and sanitation shortages, the need to bring the benefits of economic success to all, agricultural reform that would CAIRO 00002166 002 OF 004 benefit the "fellaheen" (or small farmer) and a supplemental spending package or "stimulus" of 10 billion Egyptian Pounds (LE) that would focus on providing services to rural constituencies. -------------------------------------- Economics and Social Reforms the Focus --------------------------------------
5.(C) As advertized, the focus of the conference was economic development, poverty alleviation and social reform. There was little mention of political reform, except the often cited "success" of what many consider controversial constitutional reforms affecting the election framework. President Mubarak referenced the importance of human rights, but criticized the narrow focus on political rights vs. economic and social "rights," a common theme for the president. NDP Secretary General Safwat Sherif highlighted the importance of "group rights" (vs. individual rights) in times of crisis. Sherif (along with President Mubarak) explicitly defined citizens as both Copts and Muslims (a comment that received applause in both speeches). The Citizenship, Human Rights and Democracy panel, moderated by Zakaria Azmi (NDP Assistant Secretary General for Organization and Membership), lacked substance and several NDP members who asked the panel questions openly expressed their disappointment (particularly on the issue of legislation to regulate the construction of places of worship). Azmi did say that the party would continue to work on updating voter rolls and supported local election monitoring efforts. The "highlight" of the panel was the significant time dedicated to a presentation by NDP spokesman Dr. Ali Eddin Hillal, on the importance of the expansion of "cultural rights," including preservation efforts and copyright protections.
6.(C) Several speakers claimed the NDP was open to the idea of a strong opposition. However, speakers just as often expressed concern that Egypt's opposition was ineffective and even dangerous in its current form. President Mubarak called for an "objective opposition" and Gamal Mubarak said there was an "appropriate substantive role" to be played by the opposition but called criticism of the NDP and its slogans unwarranted and "biased." Gamal used as an example the refusal of independent parliamentarians (a reference principally to Muslim Brotherhood MPs) to "seriously engage" on GoE proposed legislation. In the toughest criticism of the opposition at the conference, Ahmed Ezz (NDP Secretary for Organization) suggested the opposition was incapable of "positive politics," able only to "launch attacks in front of the cameras." He blamed opposition weakness on a "lack of substance" and support that was principally from outside Egypt. Ezz also called NDP members to action as the first line of defense against an opposition (although left-unsaid, the Muslim Brotherhood) that believes in "one guide, one voice, one ruler" and "one religion." ---------------------------- Succession Not on the Agenda ----------------------------
7.(C) Little reference was made to the 2011 presidential elections during the conference. Party support for Gamal's presidential aspirations was not explicit, though his position as NDP Assistant Secretary General and Policies Secretary put him in a key and highly visible role in leading the conference. Gamal was asked by an Al Jazeera journalist at the conference if he intended to run for President. He said "now was not the time," that the convention was to name a candidate only months before the elections, and cited "internal party procedures," which dictate the selection of the NDP candidate. President Mubarak also offered no clues on his thinking, but in a nod to the continued controversy, said Egypt is a "republic" that gives "priority" to the constitution and the state over the individual. ------------------------------------- "Old Guard" Leaders Still at the Helm -------------------------------------
8.(C) As chief symbol of the party's "old guard," NDP Secretary General Safwat Sherif kicked off the conference with a distinctive nationalist tone. His prepared speech began with a reference to the recent anniversary of Egypt's "victory" in the 1973 war. Sherif praised the conduct of the military and the police and called the NDP the party of "stability" and "security" that will continue to "defend the homeland." He said Egypt "stood strong" and "rejects any intervention in its internal affairs." Without mentioning Islamists by name, he called the NDP the "moderate's party" CAIRO 00002166 003 OF 004 and said Egypt would continue to battle extremism. Sherif praised the party's internal elections conducted over the summer, which he called a "self renewal" program, saying it had affirmed party unity. As the party's CEO, Sherif sat front and center during most of the conference, but when on the dais showed little interest in engaging with the audience.
9.(C) As President of the NDP President Mubarak spoke about Egypt's role in the world as well as the NDP's focus on "reform" and its continued relevance. Mubarak appeared vigorous and engaged while delivering his speech from prepared remarks (Note: Gamal, sitting in the front row, read the speech as his father spoke. End Note.), but regularly paused to joke with members that called out to him. President Mubarak was the first to announce the conference's biggest deliverable, a ten billion LE "stimulus package." Mubarak also promised expanded pension and health care benefits and called over population the "principal danger" Egypt faces. In an effort perhaps to answer the criticism cited earlier in the day that the NDP was concerned only about the elite, Mubarak said the farmer was the "heart of our priorities," called on all workers and businessmen to remember that they were "all in the same boat," and described the sons of the middle class as the "solid nucleus" of Egyptian society. He praised the party's "tangible" achievements but acknowledged the benefits had not reached all. He suggested the party was on the right track, with achievements that "speak for themselves." Mubarak said that the "road to reform was not easy" but the party had a "clear vision" and underscored the importance of the party's "youth." He called on those gathered to create an electoral program that would speak to the concerns of ordinary Egyptians, that "gains the confidence of the voters" and that "justifies" the NDP's majority. --------------------- And "New Guard" Style ---------------------
10.(C) While Gamal Mubarak openly rejected a split between the "old guard" and the "new guard" in his speech, differences of style were noticeable. In presentations sometimes accompanied by power point presentations, Gamal along with Zakaria Azmi (Note: Azmi, advisor to President Mubarak and a member of the party since its start in 1978, is "old guard" but is also known as an internal critic. He was called the "representative of the NDP opposition" while in parliament in the 1990s because of his overt criticism of the government. End Note) and Ahmed Ezz outlined in some detail the party's preparations for the upcoming elections. Projecting the image (literally as graphs were flashed on the screen behind them as they spoke) of a more transparent party structure, Gamal touted "tangible" economic achievements, while Azmi offered a detailed review of the party budget and Ezz reviewed the internal house-cleaning effort (resulting in a significant 38 percent turnover in NDP "cadres" or local leaders) and called for renewed party discipline (following a reference to "NDP independent" candidates that caused the party embarrassment in 2005).
11.(C) The reaction to Gamal from NDP rank and file was distinctly positive, with a rush to greet him as he entered the hall on the first morning. With the important exception of his father, each speaker praised his leadership in the party to long and loud applause. As in previous years, his greatest supporter appeared to be Ahmed Ezz whose hearty "baladi-style" clapping on Gamal's behalf and constant presence of the stage was the focus of satire by bloggers and independent media. Gamal spoke extemporaneously, occasionally referring to note cards. He appeared well-prepared, knew the points he was delivering and the message he intended to send. Known publically for having little personal charisma, Gamal was more expressive during his speech than in other parts of the conference. As a moderator of several panels he appeared competent, managing the panelists without interruption (unlike Ezz who interrupted regularly) and without missteps (unlike Azmi who regularly whispered to co-panelists without turning off his micro-phone), providing at the end of the panel a summary of the discussion.
12.(C) Gamal's formal remarks focused on election preparations and reform efforts while acknowledging past challenges. He spoke of the NDP's internal reform efforts that started in 2002 and culminated in the 2009 "party unit" elections and significant changes in party "cadres." Along with others at the conference, Gamal tried to downplay the party's dominance. He recognized that "political reality was changing," and said the NDP does not seek to "monopolize" politics but sought "healthy" dialogue. He referred to CAIRO 00002166 004 OF 004 "unprecedented freedom" in public discourse and the independent media that did not exist in the 2005 elections. Gamal said the party had "learned from its mistakes" in the last election, and would "enter these elections unified" with "competent new blood." He called on members to be "courageous and confident" when talking about the party platform. Gamal also refuted comments that the Policies Committee "dominated" the party.
13.(C) In the most rough and tumble speech of a fairly polished conference, Ahmed Ezz played the role of party rabble-rouser. In a mix of prepared points and extemporaneous remarks, Ezz challenged those who criticize the NDP, rejecting characterization of the NDP as the party of "manipulation" and "power" calling it the "party of the people." Ezz admitted the party had been internally disorganized in 2005 and urged party unity, saying "there can only be one," one seat, one candidate, one party. Not only the event organizer, Ezz was also its policeman, "shushing" the crowd and waving down those standing up to praise the speaker or complain.
14.(C) The conference venue was open to the media despite tight security that included a prohibition on cell phones. Several TV "studios" were set up at the conference center and, during breaks, senior NDP members and cabinet officials sat down with the media. The conference hall stage included a "jumbotron" backdrop that ran a regular loop of patriotic music videos, NDP advertisements and images of party leaders in action. As the conference members waited for Gamal to speak on day two, the screen ran images of his participation in a recent series of town hall-style meetings throughout Egypt. Shown before his speech, the biography of President Mubarak was set to an updated version of the national anthem and included images of Mubarak as a young soldier and rushing to Sadat's aid the day he was assassinated. The clip began with images of the burning Twin Towers in New York and wounded in last year's war in Gaza. In addition to formal speeches, the conference included a series of panel discussions. Several ministers (including the ministers of finance, housing, investment and local development) participated in more than one panel discussion. Ministers fielded questions in these non-televised portions of the conference. While some questions were clearly prompted by the organizers others taken from the crowd appeared less so. Scobey