

Currently released so far... 6239 / 251,287
Articles
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
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Amsterdam
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 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
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
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 Lagos
Mission USNATO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
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 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 Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
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 Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Browse by tag
ASEC
AU
AORC
AF
AM
AFIN
AEMR
AR
ASIG
AMGT
AG
APER
AL
ABLD
ASUP
AA
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AE
AMED
AS
AGMT
APECO
AO
AFFAIRS
AJ
ACOA
AX
AROC
ATFN
ASEAN
AFGHANISTAN
ADCO
AFU
AER
ALOW
AODE
ABUD
ATRN
AID
AC
AVERY
APCS
CASC
CJAN
CVIS
CS
COUNTER
CD
CU
CI
CO
CG
CE
CA
CMGT
CH
CWC
CBW
CKGR
CR
CN
CPAS
CONS
CDG
CLINTON
CT
CJUS
CY
CV
COUNTERTERRORISM
CIA
CACM
CDB
CAN
COE
CM
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CACS
CF
CONDOLEEZZA
CARSON
CL
CIS
CODEL
CTM
CB
COM
ECON
EFIN
ETRD
EAIR
EAID
ET
EFIS
ENRG
EPET
ETTC
ER
EG
EINV
EAGR
ELAB
EUN
EWWT
ENGR
EMIN
ECIN
ENIV
ES
EC
ECPS
EIND
EI
EU
ENVI
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ELTN
EZ
EINT
ELN
EUR
EUNCH
EN
EINVECONSENVCSJA
ELECTIONS
EINVEFIN
ENNP
ECUN
EXTERNAL
EK
EFINECONCS
ECINECONCS
ECIP
EINDETRD
EUC
EREL
ENVR
ECA
ENERG
ENGY
ETRO
EFTA
ECONCS
ECONOMICS
ECONEFIN
EINVETC
EINN
ESA
ETC
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ESENV
ETRDECONWTOCS
IR
IZ
IWC
IC
ILC
IO
IAEA
IN
IS
IT
ICRC
INTELSAT
ILO
IBRD
IMF
ICAO
IMO
ITALY
ITALIAN
IRAQI
ITRA
ISRAELI
ICJ
IACI
INTERPOL
ID
IV
ICTY
IQ
IPR
INRB
ITPHUM
IIP
IL
IA
INR
ITPGOV
IZPREL
IRC
INRA
INRO
IRAJ
IEFIN
IF
KE
KCRM
KDRG
KIPR
KCOR
KSCA
KBIO
KDEM
KMCA
KMPI
KNNP
KJUS
KOMC
KGHG
KSUM
KSTC
KIRF
KTIP
KWMN
KZ
KG
KTFN
KHLS
KPAO
KFRD
KTIA
KOLY
KCFE
KISL
KFLU
KPKO
KWBG
KTBT
KTDB
KOCI
KUNR
KAWK
KICC
KPAL
KSTH
KN
KS
KGIC
KNPP
KWAC
KMDR
KAWC
KBCT
KIDE
KFLO
KWMNCS
KSEP
KU
KNEI
KVPR
KACT
KRAD
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCIP
KSAF
KV
KSPR
KPRP
KFSC
KCRS
KR
KRFD
KX
KO
KPWR
KMIG
KSEC
KIFR
KDEMAF
KFIN
KGCC
KPIN
KHIV
KPLS
KIRC
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KGIT
KBTS
KPRV
KBTR
KERG
KWMM
KRVC
KNSD
KVIR
KNUP
KTER
KDDG
KHSA
KMRS
KHDP
KTLA
KPAK
KNAR
KREL
KPAI
KTEX
KCOM
KNNPMNUC
KPOA
KLIG
KHUM
KDEV
KNUC
KCFC
KREC
KOMS
KWWMN
MASS
MP
MARR
MOPS
MNUC
MX
MO
MCAP
MY
ML
MU
MIL
MC
MTRE
MA
MD
MTCRE
MEPI
MAR
MRCRE
MR
MV
MPOS
MZ
MEPP
MOPPS
MAPP
MASC
MT
MERCOSUR
MK
MDC
MI
MAPS
MCC
MASSMNUC
MQADHAFI
MUCN
MTCR
MG
OVIP
OREP
OTRA
OSCE
OECD
OIIP
OEXC
OPCW
OPIC
OPDC
OPRC
ODIP
OVP
OSCI
OAS
OFDP
OTR
OSAC
OIC
OFFICIALS
OIE
PREL
PGOV
PHUM
PTER
PE
PINR
PINS
PARMS
PARM
PHSA
PA
PK
PBTS
PO
PREF
POL
PLN
POLITICS
PROP
PL
PM
PAO
PSI
PG
PEPR
POV
PALESTINIAN
PINT
PSOE
PU
POLITICAL
PARTIES
PBIO
PECON
PAK
POGOV
PINL
PKFK
PMIL
PY
PFOR
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PRAM
PMAR
PGOVLO
PUNE
PORG
PHUMPREL
PF
POLINT
PHUS
PGOC
PNR
PGGV
PNAT
PGOVE
PRGOV
PRL
PROV
PTERE
PGOF
PHUMBA
PINF
PEL
SNAR
SO
SENV
SU
SCUL
SOCI
SP
SC
SA
SMIG
SAN
SZ
SW
SN
SY
SR
SL
SEVN
SF
SYR
SI
SG
STEINBERG
SIPRS
SH
SNARCS
SOFA
SANC
SHUM
SK
ST
TERRORISM
TRGY
TZ
TX
TBIO
TSPA
TS
TSPL
TW
TU
TD
TIP
TURKEY
TP
TI
TC
TPHY
TH
TO
TK
TNGD
TINT
TRSY
TR
TFIN
TT
UG
UK
UP
UNGA
UNHRC
UZ
UN
UNAUS
USTR
UNSC
US
UNEP
UY
UNESCO
USUN
UNHCR
UAE
UNMIK
USEU
UV
UNO
UNDP
UNCHS
UNVIE
UNCHC
UE
UNDESCO
USAID
UNDC
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 15:03 | 2011-02-16 21:09 | 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