

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 09CAIRO2209, MUBARAK'S ANNUAL SPEECH TO PARLIAMENT OFFERS
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. #09CAIRO2209.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
09CAIRO2209 | 2009-11-25 15:27 | 2011-02-16 21:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Cairo |
VZCZCXRO8774
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHEG #2209/01 3291527
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 251527Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4339
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 03 CAIRO 002209
SIPDIS
NSC FOR AGUIRRE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/24/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM KJUS ECON EG
SUBJECT: MUBARAK'S ANNUAL SPEECH TO PARLIAMENT OFFERS
ECONOMIC BENEFITS AND DETAILS ITS REGIONAL LEADERSHIP REF: A. CAIRO 2166 B. CAIRO 2193 Classified By: Minister-Counselor for Economic and Political Affairs Donald A. Blome, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1.(C) Key Points: -- President Mubarak's annual speech before parliament focused on economic and social safety net issues. An approach directed squarely at the ruling NDP's rural and urban working class constituents. -- Fulfilling these new commitments, including "health insurance for all" and a 25 percent expansion of the government social insurance program will be costly, straining already significant budget deficits. -- Mubarak did not raise any new or potentially contentious political reforms. He praised the parliament's legislative "achievements" in key areas like judicial independence and freedom of expression, but the real record falls short. -- Beyond the legislative agenda, Mubarak asserted Egyptian leadership in Africa and the Arab world (noting concerns about Iran and the Palestinian reconciliation) and touched on key national security objectives including energy (specifically nuclear energy) and water security.
2.(C) Comment: Mubarak's agenda reflects the importance of patronage and government benefits to the ruling party's bargain with the Egyptian people. At least one senior NDP official told us recently that NDP leaders heard loud and clear from their local party bosses that economic hardship and inflation have put public support in jeopardy, particularly among the NDP's key rural and urban working class constituencies. While there is little competition from the secular opposition, which has no broad popular base of support, accusations from the opposition that the ruling party favors the interests of the elite do have resonance. The GoE must also compete with services provided by Egypt's large and well-organized Islamist groups, particularly the Muslim Brotherhood. Fears that any political reforms will limit the GoE's ability to control the outcome of the elections have stalled promised changes, most significantly the end to the Emergency Law. Mubarak touted the success of prior economic reforms, but avoided raising privatization, subsidy reform and fiscal discipline as these are broadly unpopular. This suggests that the GoE is unlikely to broach significant new economic reform initiatives until after the elections. End Comment. -------------------------------- Mubarak Focuses on Delivering Benefits --------------------------------
3.(C) In his annual speech to parliament on November 19, President Mubarak outlined key aspects of his government's domestic agenda, with a focus on economic progress, as well as foreign policy priorities for the coming year. The speech sets legislative priorities but does not reflect the entire legislative agenda which will emerge over the next months as the cabinet moves draft legislation through the relevant parliamentary committees. Mubarak's focus on a social safety net and expanded economic opportunity came as no surprise. Government priorities were effectively set by the National Democratic Party (NDP) Conference held in early October (Reftel A). As expected, Mubarak largely ignored political reforms advocated by democracy activists and human rights groups, still unable to build the necessary broad popular support for their proposed reforms. The GoE,s preference for "incremental" political reform and fears of the effect of unemployment, price hikes, and a general dissatisfaction with government performance kept Mubarak focused on "bread and butter issues," including heath care and social security reform, key to maintaining support from rural and urban working class constituencies. (Note: Parliament is unlikely to act on any of the agenda items until they return from the Eid al Adha break on December 8. End Note.)
4.(C) An experienced journalist covering the parliament, Gamal Essam El Din, called the speech typical of Mubarak's previous speeches before the parliament. He said now more than ever the goal was to frame President Mubarak as national leader, safeguarding the interests of all Egyptians, not just the ruling party elite. The message (also in his National Democratic Party (NDP) Conference speech) that "we are all in one boat" was repeated several times. According to El Din, this effort at "inclusion" was mostly a reference to NDP CAIRO 00002209 002 OF 003 efforts to address the needs of both business elites and the working class, but said he felt Mubarak's insistence on the need for unity was novel. Media commentary on the speech was limited, drowned out by the ongoing outrage about Algerian "attacks" on Egyptian football fans at the World Cup qualifying match in Khartoum (Reftel B). (Note: The People's Assembly took up the issue the day after the President's speech, with several NDP MPs reportedly arguing for a stronger GoE response. MPs will submit report discussed at the session to the international soccer authority FIFA. End Note.) --------------------------------- Promised Increases in Benefits Will Grow Budget Deficits ---------------------------------
5.(SBU) Mubarak praised previous economic reform efforts and referred to Egypt's success in weathering the global financial crisis. Mubarak announced new legislation amending the social insurance system and promised a 25 percent increase in benefits by the start of 2010 and an expansion of the program to include seasonal workers. Finance Minister Youssef Boutros Ghali estimates the cost of expanded coverage at LE500 million (US$91.7 million) in the first year alone. Healthcare reform is also high on the agenda. Mubarak asserted the "right" of all Egyptians to coverage with a focus on providing high-quality health care to all with a focus on the poor and children and lowering out of pocket fees. The law would also allow upgrade hospital facilities and increase doctor's salaries (more detail will follow septel).
6.(C) Mubarak committed to a third "economic stimulus" package of LE 10 billion to fund water and sanitation projects. Earlier packages totaling LE 23 billion(US$4.22 billion) sought to off-set the effects of the financial crisis and sharp declines in the GDP with a smaller percentage focused on infrastructure and investment including tax incentives for free-trade zone investments and tax cuts. These plans will continue to place stress on Egypt's fiscal situation and increase already large budget deficits. The government is already projecting an 8.4 percent budget deficit for 2009/2010 (up from 7 percent the previous year), but some analysts project that the deficit could be a full percent higher.
7.(C) Also on Mubarak's agenda was an overhaul of Egypt's Agricultural Bank, adding services that would bring revenue and keep the bank, primary lender to Egypt's farmers, afloat. Pressures on farmers following government mishandling of pricing agricultural commodities and inputs along with accusations of corruption in price setting have generated significant discussion. MPs convened on November 23 to discuss agriculture policy and recommendations will be passed to the Prime Minister. The effect on policy will likely be minimal, but criticism from the NDP-dominated PA will compel GoE action. ------------------------------- Mubarak Says Democracy Will Come But Political Reform Not on the Agenda This Year -------------------------------
8.(C) Mubarak largely shut the door on any key political reform legislation being introduced before the 2010 parliamentary elections. Several pieces of legislation were absent from Mubarak's speech. The most notable absence, draft counterterrorism legislation (a 2005 election commitment), which would replace the expansive powers of the Emergency Law, set to expire in April 2010. (Note: Influential member of the NDP Policies Committee Mohamed Kamal suggested to PolOff at the NDP Conference that the legislation continues to suffer from internal conflicts (specifically on limits to detention of terrorism suspects) that were unlikely to be resolved this year. In a meeting the day after Mubarak's speech, People's Assembly Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Mostafa Al Feqi also said he did not expect to see this legislation in the current session and said he believes the Emergency Law will be renewed again. End Note.) Journalist and Human Rights Activist Hisham Kassem told PolOff the renewal of the Emergency Law better allows for "continuity" throughout the elections. Legislation raised last year including a draft law governing the construction and repair of places of worship (applying the same rules to both mosques and churches)and a long-awaited local administration law, as well as the expected trafficking in persons law were also not on the agenda. CAIRO 00002209 003 OF 003
9.(C) In his speech Mubarak promised "enhanced" rights and freedoms and "entrenched democracy" as part of his "vision" for the next ten years, but offered little hope for the promised suspension of the Emergency Law or constitutional and legislative reforms the opposition demands. His praise for parliament's efforts to advance "political rights," improve "judicial independence," and expand "freedom of expression" rang hollow as many believe reform since 2005 has been either superficial or a step backward. -------------------------- Egypt's Regional Role and Energy Security --------------------------
10.(C) Mubarak outlined foreign policy priorities and highlighted Egypt's leadership in Africa, its focus on key regional issues such as water security, and underscored concerns about intra-Arab conflict. Mubarak warned against the interference of Iran in Arab affairs, underscored Egypt's commitment to Palestinian reconciliation and criticized Israel's settlement policy. Alluding to the ongoing Egyptian-Algerian diplomatic soccer row (reftel), Mubarak said Egypt will not accept attacks on the dignity of Egyptians abroad. He did not reference USG efforts either on the Israel-Palestinian conflict or elsewhere, nor did he specifically mention Iraq or Lebanon. MFA contacts told us November 23 that Mubarak,s comment on Iran was consistent with Egypt,s policy line toward Tehran, but declined to say whether it was driven by specific recent Iranian actions, e.g. in Yemen.
11.(C) Mubarak underscored the importance of energy security and said Egypt would establish itself as a "regional energy hub." Egypt remained committed to pursuing nuclear energy and would stick to its international nonproliferation commitments but would not accept pressure to limit its peaceful nuclear activities. Mubarak announced new legislation to regulate nuclear activities. Scobey