

Currently released so far... 12559 / 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
2011/05/13
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
AR
AF
ASEC
AMBASSADOR
AS
AJ
AM
AORC
AEMR
ASEAN
AFFAIRS
AFIN
AMGT
AODE
APEC
AE
ABLD
ACBAQ
APECO
AFSI
AFSN
AY
AO
ABUD
AG
AC
APER
AU
AMED
ATRN
ADPM
ADCO
ASIG
AL
ASUP
ARF
AUC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
ACOA
AADP
ASCH
AA
AFU
AN
AID
ALOW
AINF
AMG
AIT
ANET
AGAO
AROC
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORL
AMCHAMS
ACS
APCS
ADANA
AECL
ACAO
AORG
AGR
ACABQ
AGMT
AX
AMEX
ADM
AFGHANISTAN
AZ
AND
ARM
AQ
ATFN
BR
BK
BL
BA
BO
BRUSSELS
BM
BEXP
BU
BG
BB
BTIO
BF
BD
BBSR
BIDEN
BX
BP
BE
BH
BT
BY
BILAT
BWC
BN
BMGT
BTIU
BC
CI
CU
CO
CS
CVIS
CA
CJAN
CARICOM
CB
CASC
CE
CH
CN
CONDOLEEZZA
CMGT
CWC
CW
CG
CACS
CY
CPAS
CFED
CSW
CIDA
CIC
CITT
CBW
CONS
CD
CLINTON
CHR
CACM
CDB
COE
CDG
CDC
CAN
CR
CF
CT
CODEL
CJUS
CTM
CM
CLMT
CBC
COUNTERTERRORISM
CAPC
CAC
COUNTER
CV
CL
CBSA
CNARC
CEUDA
COM
CROS
CIA
CARSON
COPUOS
CTR
CICTE
COUNTRY
CBE
CIS
CKGR
CVR
CITEL
CLEARANCE
ECA
EU
ENRG
EPET
ETTC
ETRD
ELN
ELAB
EC
EFIN
ECON
EFIS
ELTN
EAGR
EIND
EWWT
EMIN
EINV
EAID
EG
EUN
ECPS
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENGR
ENIV
ECIN
EAIR
EI
ECUN
EFTA
ENGY
ECONOMICS
ES
ELECTIONS
EN
EIAR
ET
EINDETRD
EUR
EZ
EREL
ER
ECONEFIN
EINT
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
EFIM
EAIDS
EK
EPA
ENVR
EINVETC
ETRC
ENVI
ECONCS
ECONOMIC
EXTERNAL
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EUMEM
ETRA
ESA
ECINECONCS
EAIG
ETRO
ETRDECONWTOCS
EUREM
ESENV
ETRN
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EEPET
ENERG
EUC
EUNCH
EXIM
ERD
ERNG
EINVEFIN
ETC
EAP
ECONOMY
EINN
EXBS
IIP
IC
IR
IN
IAEA
IS
IT
IMF
IBRD
IZ
IWC
ISRAELI
INTERPOL
IO
ISLAMISTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
IRAQI
ILO
IPR
IQ
IV
IRS
INRB
ICAO
IMO
ID
IZPREL
IRAJ
ICTY
ICRC
IAHRC
ITF
INR
IGAD
ILC
ITU
IF
ITPHUM
IL
INTERNAL
ISRAEL
IACI
ICJ
ITRA
INMARSAT
ICTR
IA
IEFIN
INTELSAT
IBET
INRA
INRO
IDP
INDO
IRC
IDA
ITPGOV
IEA
KPAO
KCRM
KNNP
KCOR
KIRF
KISL
KSCA
KDEM
KDEMAF
KZ
KBTR
KUNR
KMDR
KRVC
KPAL
KTIA
KV
KJUS
KOMC
KTFN
KWBG
KTIP
KMPI
KSUM
KIRC
KE
KIPR
KWMN
KFRD
KSEP
KN
KOLY
KPKO
KIDE
KMRS
KFLU
KSAF
KGIC
KRAD
KU
KHLS
KOCI
KSTH
KS
KGHG
KAWC
KICC
KG
KSPR
KPRP
KDRG
KGIT
KVPR
KGCC
KSEO
KMCA
KSTC
KBIO
KHIV
KBCT
KPAI
KICA
KTDB
KACT
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KHUM
KFLO
KREC
KSEC
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KPIN
KCOM
KESS
KDEV
KCFE
KNUC
KAWK
KPLS
KWWMN
KCIP
KPRV
KHDP
KTEX
KFIN
KOM
KBTS
KCRS
KNPP
KWNM
KRFD
KVIR
KLIG
KMIG
KDDG
KRGY
KFSC
KR
KMOC
KPAONZ
KNAR
KIFR
KCGC
KID
KSAC
KAID
KNSD
KWMNCS
KCMR
KO
KNEI
KPOA
KTER
KOMS
KPAK
KTBT
KWMM
KWAC
KHSA
KX
KMFO
KPWR
KRIM
KSCI
KVRP
KENV
KCRCM
KNUP
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KTLA
KCSY
KTRD
KJUST
KRCM
KCFC
KCHG
KREL
KFTFN
MARR
MX
MOPS
MNUC
MZ
MASS
MEETINGS
MG
MW
MIL
MTCRE
MCAP
MAS
MO
MTCR
MD
MK
MP
MY
MR
MT
MCC
MIK
MU
ML
MARAD
MA
MAPS
MV
MERCOSUR
MASC
MPOS
MILITARY
MDC
MQADHAFI
MEPP
MRCRE
MEDIA
MAPP
MTRE
MEPN
MI
MC
MUCN
MAR
MASSMNUC
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MEPI
NATO
NL
NZ
NI
NU
NO
NPT
NRR
NA
NATIONAL
NIPP
NAFTA
NT
NS
NE
NASA
NSF
NP
NAR
NV
NORAD
NG
NSSP
NW
NK
NDP
NR
NATOPREL
NEW
NPA
NPG
NSG
NSFO
NGO
NSC
NH
NZUS
NC
OFDA
OTRA
OPRC
OIIP
OAS
OPDC
OVIP
OEXC
OPIC
OSCE
OPCW
OREP
OFFICIALS
ODIP
OECD
OMIG
OFDP
OBSP
OIE
OSCI
OES
OPAD
OVP
OHUM
OIC
ON
OCII
OCS
OTR
OSAC
PREL
PGOV
PINR
PTER
PARM
PHUM
PA
PBTS
PINS
PM
PREF
PHSA
PK
POL
PL
PE
PFOR
PALESTINIAN
PUNE
PGOVLO
PAO
POLITICS
PO
PHUMBA
PSEPC
PNAT
PNR
PROP
POLINT
PGOVE
PROG
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PSOE
PU
POGOV
PMIL
PINL
PHUMPREL
PGIV
PBT
PAK
PP
PGOC
PY
PLN
PMAR
PHUH
PBIO
PF
PRL
PG
PHUS
PTBS
PRAM
POV
PEL
PAS
POLICY
PGGV
POLITICAL
PARTIES
PCUL
PSA
PDOV
PCI
PREO
PAHO
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PHUMPGOV
PREFA
PSI
PAIGH
POSTS
PARMS
PTERE
PRGOV
PORG
PS
PGOF
PKFK
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PRELP
PINF
PNG
RU
RS
RICE
RW
RCMP
RO
RFE
RP
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
ROBERT
REGION
RUPREL
RF
RELATIONS
RM
REACTION
ROOD
REPORT
RSO
RSP
SNAR
SENV
SOCI
SCUL
SY
SR
SU
SO
SP
SA
SZ
SF
SMIG
SW
SIPDIS
STEINBERG
SN
SNARIZ
SG
SNARN
SSA
SK
SI
SPCVIS
SOFA
SC
SL
SARS
SNARCS
SIPRS
SYR
SANC
SEVN
SWE
SHI
SEN
SHUM
SYRIA
SH
SPCE
SAARC
SCRS
SENVKGHG
SAN
ST
TW
TRGY
TU
TPHY
TBIO
TX
TN
TSPL
TC
TZ
TSPA
TS
TF
TI
TIP
TH
TINT
TNGD
TP
TD
TFIN
TAGS
TK
TL
TV
TT
TERRORISM
TR
THPY
TO
TRSY
TURKEY
TBID
UK
UP
US
UNSC
UNHCR
USEU
UNGA
UG
UY
UNESCO
UN
USTR
USOAS
UZ
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNEP
UNIDROIT
UNHRC
UNDESCO
UNMIK
UNDP
UNC
UNO
UNAUS
UV
UNICEF
UNCHR
UNDC
UNCHC
UNPUOS
USUN
USNC
UNCSD
UNCND
USPS
USAID
UE
UNVIE
UAE
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 09CAIRO1725, GOE PROPOSES NEW MODEL FOR ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE
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. #09CAIRO1725.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
09CAIRO1725 | 2009-09-03 15:29 | 2011-02-16 21:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Cairo |
VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHEG #1725/01 2461529
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 031529Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3542
INFO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 001725
SIPDIS
STATE PASS F, ALSO FOR NEA, ALSO FOR EB
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/03/2019
TAGS: EAID ECON PREL PGOV EG
SUBJECT: GOE PROPOSES NEW MODEL FOR ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE
Classified By: Ambassador Margaret Scobey for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
¶1. (C) Key Points: -- The GOE sees the current U.S. administration's desire to transform the bilateral relationship as an opportunity to revive proposals for USG economic assistance deemed unworkable in the past. -- The GOE's newest proposal closely mirrors its unacceptable November 2007 endowment/debt swap plan. -- Under the proposal, project specific ESF would be eliminated by FY 2011 with all ESF going into a $3.6 billion endowment; annual ESF levels would not be less than GOE debt service to the U.S.; and the GOE's contribution to the endowment would be one LE for each USD. -- The administrative structure of the GOE-proposed endowment would severely limit U.S. oversight. -- USAID Mission Director raised several potential USG concerns, including the size, nature, and duration of the proposed U.S. commitment, the lack of appropriate U.S. oversight, and the inadvisability of a debt relief appeal in this context. The Minister of International Cooperation (MIC) Fayza Aboul Naga showed little inclination to engage substantively on these concerns. -- The Ambassador will meet with Aboul Naga next week to begin the process of narrowing the considerable gap that exists between the MIC proposal and likely USG assistance. -- Post will request septel Department guidance in developing an official response. New Model for a New Era -----------------------
¶2. (C) On August 17, the Minister of International Cooperation (MIC) Fayza Aboul Naga presented to USAID a revised version of an August 8 updated proposal for "The U.S. Economic Assistance Program to Egypt FY 2011 and Beyond" (Proposal has been emailed to NEA/ELA). The proposal closely mirrors MIC's November 2007 proposal, with adjustments reflecting more closely the goals laid out in President Obama's June 4 Cairo speech. The proposal, which covers a ten year period, calls for the establishment of an endowment that will be funded by $3.6 billion in contributions from annual ESF appropriations and debt relief (i.e. "redirected" ESF loan repayments), plus a separate GOE commitment of one LE contribution for every USD provided by the U.S. The proposal envisions a declining ESF level glidepath from 2011 to 2020, reducing ESF from $350 million to zero over ten years. The August 17 version of the proposal adds that all ESF project assistance will be eliminated in 2011, with all appropriated ESF going into the jointly managed endowment. The GOE proposes to administer the endowment with a bi-national foundation board, but with separate boards for each area of activity, thus complicating true joint control. The proposal mentions the Bi-national Industrial Research and Development Foundation (BIRD) between the U.S. and Israel as a model. The GOE's ownership of the process and the proposed endowment is emphasized throughout the document. USG Concerns Conveyed ---------------------
¶3. (C) On August 24, USAID Director, USAID Program Officer and ECON Counselor accompanied a USAID strategy design team when it debriefed Aboul Naga on the team's numerous meetings -- ten chaired by ministers -- focusing on past and future use of ESF assistance. (Note: The team of consultants is drafting a bridge strategy for the use of FY 2009 and FY 2010 ESF, a concept paper responding the above-mentioned GOE proposal for FY 11, and an agenda of issues to be addressed in responding to the GOE proposal, all of which will be presented in final to post by the end of September. End Note.) USAID Mission Director conveyed U.S. overarching policy concerns with the GOE proposal: -- Debt relief -- not a USAID issue -- remains as problematic as it was in November 2007 and will be difficult to move forward. -- Total ESF for the coming years is likely to be, not guaranteed, at $250 million. -- USG is currently unlikely to make multi-year commitments at this stage, so the GOE's ten-year proposal may be unrealistic. -- Funds will continue to be earmarked and thus have to be directed to certain programs with oversight required. -- There are no current USG discussions on setting a date to "sunset" ESF, and the U.S. hopes to maintain a balance in the relationship that includes both economic and military support. USG Contradiction Alleged -------------------------
4.(C) Aboul Naga asserted that there is an "apparent contradiction" in USG reluctance to phase out economic assistance while simultaneously avoiding a multi-year commitment. Noting the GOE's "aid to trade" objective, Aboul Naga reiterated that Egypt is proposing a phase out which a jointly-funded endowment would help facilitate. She repeated the long-held GOE position that economic assistance should not be less than what Egypt pays in debt service to the U.S. and asserted that she had received a favorable reply when asserting such in past congressional meetings. She characterized debt relief as "a political issue" that would be decided in Washington. Modest Endowment Plan Proposed... ---------------------------------
¶5. (C) USAID noted that the GOE proposal formed a good basis for discussion, but cautioned that the proposal raised a number of issues that would be difficult for the USG. USAID suggested a more modest start for an endowment, possibly one starting in FY 2010 with $50 million annual contributions from ESF funds over five years. A careful, successful start-up would be more likely to receive USG support than the GOE-proposed mega endowment. Aboul Naga replied that the endowment would have a specific agenda "so when Congress looks at it, it will see in complete terms where the money will be spent." She added that the foundation managing the fund would have GOE and USG members. In reply to USAID's point that it does not endow public institutions, Abu Naga replied that "If we're getting into a new horizon of cooperation, you need to be more imaginative." She asserted that the concept of an endowment was "already agreed" and was "beyond discussing." ...And Rejected ---------------
¶6. (C) In a subsequent meeting August 27, USAID Controller, Legal Counsel, and Program Officer along with strategy consultant attended the August 27 MIC meeting, which Senior Advisor Marwan Badr chaired. USAID covered points in a shared document conveying the regulations governing USAID-funded endowments. Badr responded by stating: -- The GOE wants to maintain the proposed endowment size of $4.2 billion ($3.6 billion from the USG and $1.6 billion in matching funds from Egypt). -- The GOE does not believe an NGO along can manage the proposed endowment, thus requiring significant GOE involvement in its management. -- The GOE is not interested in old models of assistance. They want the funds and they will manage them. -- GOE ministers who expressed interest in continued assistance were not in adherence with GOE thinking. They do not make GOE policy; the President and Prime Minister do. -- The GOE finally accepted FY 09 and FY 10 ESF proposals as a symbol of a revived dialogue just prior to President Obama's trip to Cairo. But if the new U.S. administration conducts business the same, there is no reason to move ahead with FY 09 and FY
¶10. Post-Cairo Speech Plans -----------------------
¶7. (C) Aboul Naga claimed in the August 24 meeting that the U.S. already had agreed that all $40 million in FY 2009 funds identified to support post-Cairo Speech activities would be used for Egyptians to obtain advanced degrees in the U.S. (Note: The MIC and the Mission have agreed in principle that $40 million of FY 2009 ESF resources will be used to fund a range of activities related to education, science and technology and human capacity development. End Note.) USAID Mission Director repeated the position that half the amount go to other education needs, such as model high schools, an agricultural technology school, and expanding an English language program. She added that the Minister of Higher Education had asked that the USG not focus exclusively on scholarships abroad but also include other efforts in country that would be more cost effective and benefit more students. Aboul Naga reiterated that the funds would be used for U.S. advanced degrees and advised that the Ministry of Higher Education had already formed a selection committee with four GOE representatives and two seats for the U.S. (Note: Later, in a August 30 letter, Aboul Naga formally requested that USAID nominate two representatives to this committee. End Note.) Badr noted separately August 27 that a review of the desired scope of the program has determined that current funding is insufficient. Comment: --------
¶8. (C) These and other recent exchanges highlight the continuing differences between what the USG may be able and willing to support with appropriated ESF and the GOE's desire to turn toward a type of assistance that is fully host country owned, multi-year in duration, with no risk of annual conditionality and limited earmarking, and significant in size so as to better reflect the importance of the U.S.-Egypt relationship. The GOE may perceive that the change in tone in the bilateral relationship opens up new possibilities in the way ESF is directed and managed.
¶9. (SBU) The Ambassador and USAID Director will see Minister Aboul Naga on September 9 to begin the effort of bringing MIC views closer to realistic goals. Post will request septel Department guidance on the USG response to the GOE's endowment proposal and to guide consultations with the GOE on ESF level for 2011 and beyond. Scobey