Cablegate: Egypt: Peacekeepers Head to Southern Sudan

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

271437Z Jun 05

UNCLAS CAIRO 004876

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPKO MOPS MASS SU EG
SUBJECT: EGYPT: PEACEKEEPERS HEAD TO SOUTHERN SUDAN

1. On June 21, President Mubarak reviewed Egyptian troops
preparing for peacekeeping missions in south Sudan. The
President reminded the troops, and the public, that Sudan
would constitute Egypt's sixth active peacekeeping mission
under the UN umbrella. Minister of Defense Tantawi
highlighted Egypt's peacekeeping efforts as a declaration "to
the world that peace is Egypt's strategic choice."

2. The initial contingent of 800 troops reportedly began
deployment on June 25, with the UN coordinating
transportation. Egypt's forces in Sudan are to include a
command group element, an infantry company, an engineering
company, a demining company, a transportation platoon, and a
field hospital. Equipped with over 800 vehicles and supplies
appropriate to its diverse mission, the Egyptian contingent
may be augmented by more troops in July.

3. Egypt's presence in southern Sudan complements Egyptian
military observers and a military medical facility in Darfur.
In addition to Egypt's political involvement in helping
Sudan recover from years of conflict -- including recent
efforts to broker an agreement between the GOS and the
National Democratic Alliance (NDA) -- these practical
contributions of manpower and expertise are indications of
the great importance Egypt places on the stability of its
neighbor to the south.

4. Khartoum minimize considered.

Visit Embassy Cairo's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/cairo

You can also access this site through the
State Department's Classified SIPRNET website.

CORBIN

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