[Egypt] Call to Saudi Arabia

[Naio90]

Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Aswad Sadiki would make a private call to his saudi counterpart.

@SM99

 

[SM99]

Classified and Encrypted

The navigator at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would view the incoming call. He would recognize it as the established Egyptian diplomatic channel. The Foreign Minister was currently already on a call to Japan, so after consulting with others he decided to forward the call straight to the Royal Palace. There the Crown Prince, Muhammad Al-Qahtani would attend to the call. The Crown Prince had strictly instructed the Foreign Affairs Ministry to prioritize opening talks with regional nations, since the Foreign Minister could not attend the call he was more than happy to take it.

"Mr. Sadiki! This is the Crown Prince speaking. I must apologize that the Foreign Minister could not attend your call but I'm sure you wont mind speaking to me. After all it would have eventually been directed to me." He would laugh.

@Naio90

 

[Naio90]

"Your Highness, it is an honor for me talking to you. I speak not only on behalf of President Mando Safar but also on behalf of all egyptians when I say that we were delighted to hear that Saudi Arabia finally managed to consolidate itself and be able to project externally.

Your nation is a key regional player and obviously a global actor in economic matters. It is due to both these reasons that I was instructed directly by President Safar to set up an open line of communications between our Governments to seek potential areas of communications.

To brief you quickly about Egypt's current foreign policy, we decided to adopt a position of neutrality, which led us to remain away from organzations such as the General Assembly, with the intention to proserve our complete sovereignty and keep to ourselfs the decision making of all affairs of state. But we did establish a strong network of bilateral relationships with nations such as Israel, Brazil, Belgium and Japan.

Eventually, if the global context demands it, we might shift towards a more multilateral position, but it will definitly not be one near the position of some "establishment" nations.

Would you be able to tell me a little about your Majesty's view of Saudi Arabias foreign policy?"

@SM99

 

[SM99]

"The pleasure is mine. It is great to speak to you. I must say Egypt was first on my list to initiate contact with.

Before I answer your question, let me give you some context. It's no secret the Kingdom has been lacking in many aspects. We have been dealing with some internal issues, however finally the path road towards the future is bright and clear. I am spearheading a development initiative titled Saudi 2000. It includes various goals such as economic development, military development and of course establishing a clear foreign policy.

Our policy going forward is clear and simple. My view is the same as his majesty. We want to ensure the unity of the Arab and Muslim world and we want Islamic strength and solidarity. Now that may be through Military means, economic means and of course Islam. We pride ourselves as the custodians of Islam. Uniting the Muslim Ummah will reap rewards.

On the question of neutrality and sovereignty. Of course I respect your Presidents viewpoint but I do disagree slightly. The region we are in is not stable. There are hostile regimes still present. Saddam Hussein is of course the closest example. But there is also Iran, which has influence in the region. it is his majesty's, as well as mine, viewpoint that Iranian influence in this region is THE biggest threat. There is also the Assad regime in Syria.

Saddam Husseins Iraq is the currently a major threat and must be stopped. So having said all that, how can Egypt remain neutral?

We understand your concern of establishment nations getting involved in the region, however someone has to deal with Saddam. If Western forces want to get involved, it has to be on our terms so that we ensure progression in the region in the best interests of the region, not the west.

As of right now, the Military of Saudi Arabia cannot act. However we can use the means of diplomacy and Islam against Iraq. The Ulema is in the process of declaring a fatwa against Saddam. We will assist all groups that fight against this tyrant.

On an unrelated note, Im curious about the role of Islam in your society."

@Naio90

 

[Naio90]

"While we celarly do not agree with Saddam Hussein's and ay of the radical elements actions and geopolitical plays, we also want to avoid having to see a resurgence of european presente on the ground in the Middle East. Its only been 20 years since the last important wave of decolonization, and here in Africa we are still trying to repar the damage done by the drawing of borders far away from the land and the depredatory exhaustion of our resources by colonial powers like the UK and France, which both happen to stick to some of their colonial belongings, trying to live from past.

If we can have Saddam out of the way, good, but we do not want to have to deal with foreign presence in the Middle East. I hope you understand our distrust towards them.

Regarding Islam, I must tell you that the current administration values secularism in the burocratic decision making. Islam is a key component of Egypt's culture, history and society and it would be stupid, excuse me the word, to deny it. But it is President Safar's believe that sometimes, in the history of my nation, bad decisions were made on the basis of religion instead of geopolitical and economic value. We wish to only base our decisions on objective grounds, keeping islam as a key element of the egyptian way of live.

Example of this is our strong relations with many non-muslim nations. Even Israel, with whom we've been working since the 70s after the Camp David accords."

@SM99

 

[SM99]

" Yes I completely understand your viewpoint. Thats why Im saying it must be on our terms if there is an intervention. We must be the ones to decide what happens to Iraq after Saddam. It is impossible for us to remain simply neutral in our region with a threat like Saddam.

I urge you and your President to consider reaching out to the western forces. The Kingdom would be more than happy to work with Egypt and the West on this issue.

On the matter of Israel... I am no fool and recognize that the future of the Middle East involves Israel. However that is a matter to be dealt with later."

@Naio90

 

[Naio90]

"The egyptian Government is closely monitoring the events unfolding in Iraq. We have confirmation of a large US strike group operating in the eastern Mediterranean, an area we consider our sphere of influence. While we do not plan to contact the intervening powers, we will surely take cards on the matter if they appear to overstrech their original intentions, such as by establishing a foothold in the area.

If Saudi Arabia is a member of the GA, you could maybe pursue a legal way to avoid phyisical intervention in the area by presenting a case against Saddam at the ICJ.

As for Israel, we gladly talk about it later, due to the current circustances it has rather grown to the role of an important partner for us."

@SM99

 

[SM99]

"With all due respect Foreign Minister, I feel that you are very idealistic. Thats not to say being idealistic is a bad thing, I completely respect your arguments and feel reassured for the future of the Middle East. However the reality on the ground is not on the same page as you.

There were attacks in west and all blame is geared towards Iraq. That is not proven to be a fact yet and I agree presenting a case against Saddam at the ICJ in that case would be the right thing to do.

What is a fact is that the Iraqi Military entered foreign embassies by force. Another fact is that Iraq has invaded Kuwait and Syria. These are plain facts and it has already happened. We have provided sanctuary for the Kuwaiti Emir.

Foreign Minister, the boat has sailed for legal methods to bring Saddam to justice. Do you want to just sit around preventing the forces trying to stop Saddam whilst he pillages through Kuwait and Syria as we speak? What is to stop him from going all the way to Israel and even your Egypt? What is to stop him from invading the Kingdom, which at the moment cannot sustain such a thing. Do you understand what Im getting at?

I mean no disrespect Mr. Foreign Minister. I understand your sovereignty is important and that you want to prevent western influence in the region, we agree with you. But at the moment should we just sit back and let Saddam do what he pleases? Should we wait for a legal process that will process whilst he invades nations in OUR region. Kuwait is a great ally of the Kingdom. Egypt and Israel both amass a strong military and neither of you have committed. Which of course is your own decision but Saddam invading Kuwait and Syria is a fact, how is that in your interests?

Here is what I propose Foreign Minister. We have initiated contact with the coalition forces and told them that they will have our support, if and only if the future of Iraq after Saddam is in the hands of players in this region, not the west. Isnt that something you can support?"

 

[Naio90]

"Under no point of view do we agree or defend vile and coward actions undertaken by the Government of Iraq and by Saddam Hussein. With that said, we are more concerned about the US arsenal of chemical weapons and the United Kingdom's potential projection from Cyprus, rather than from a madman with an inflated ego. We accept all actions that will bring stability back to the area, wheter legal or military. But we cannot support ways that might open the door to have british or french neighbours ahead.

Egypt will not support any western intervention in the Middle East, and I'm sure they can handle it without it. We will be monitoring though that all those ships and troops return after the job is done.

Saddam will fall, one way or the other.

And now it is my turn your highness to ask you without meaning any disrespect, what guarantee do you have that the "coalition forces" will be truth to their word? It wouldn't be the first time national interests and hidden agendas have the winning cards in such dilemmas."

@SM99

 

[SM99]

"What exactly are you concerned about US Chemical weapons. Do you have information that they are planning to deploy those to the Middle east? Why on earth would they do that.

I must stress that we are both on the same side here. I completely agree with your concerns about western influence. Supporting them doesn't mean you're supporting them to influence the region. I have no guarantees as of yet but that is why we initiated contact. If I were to sit idle and order complete neutrality, like Egypt is, then I have no doubt that Iraq will end up with a western installed democracy that is not in our or your interests. This is why it is important for us and yourself to initiate contact with the coalition forces. This is the only way we can ensure and stress that the sole purpose of this coalition must be to retaliate against Saddam and leave. We will have direct access to the coalition forces and can ensure their departure as well."

 

[Naio90]

"The position of neutrality was not instrumented on this case only, but has been our policy for few years now. We see no direct threat against out interests, greater than the presence of foreign troops in the Middle East. Should we be targeted by iraqui forces, we have the strenght to deal with them. Sadly we will not change our position on this affair, although we appreciate your nations concerns and value your opinion on the matter. I will let President Safar know of your nations valid position.

In any case, should Saudi Arabia be subject by to an unprovoked attack by iraqui forces, and if you require it, we would be open to see how we could aid you."

@SM99

 

[SM99]

"One moment Mr. Foreign Minister". The Crown Prince would momentarily pause the call and review updates of the coalition communications meeting.

"My apologies. As I was saying, I completely respect your neutrality. We consider Egypt as a great friend of Saudi Arabia. You have made your position clear and I've made mine clear. Whilst they are slightly different, I do believe that our goal is the same.

Going forward, I have a few things to ask you.

I understand you will not support Western forces getting involved in the conflict. Does that mean you will not assist them or you will prevent them from intervening. For example, will you let the Americans move through the Suez?

Secondly, I understand that Israel has joined the Coalition communications line and hold a similar position to ours. They will only support those forces if the only goal is to take out Saddam. So my question to you is, when the time comes to deal with post-Saddam Iraq, will you support us in our attempts to block any remaining western forces from installing a western democracy. You suggested going through the GA. I feel that could be an option when the time comes to discuss post-Saddam Iraq.

Thirdly, once this is all over, I would love to begin talks of an economic relationship."

 

[Naio90]

"Thank your for understanding.

Regarding the Suez, we did receive requests from the US and the NORSCOM to cross the Suez with a military fleet. At the moment it was decided that allowing military forces to cross was taking a side. We denied both crossings on the basis of neutrality due to the strict military nature of the vessels employed.

As for the post-Saddam Iraq, I understand that it is still early to discuss the exact action needed to be taken, however, I can assure you that Egypt is open and welcomes intra-regional discussions on the matter and would surely consider working together with Saudi Arabia and Israel on this issue.

We look forward to deepen the economic talks, specially considering the impact our nations have on a global perspective as major oil exporters."

@SM99

 

[SM99]

Classified and Encrypted

"That is good to hear.

We understand your position and we hope you understand ours. I assure you that once Saddam is gone we will focus on making sure the western forces leave as soon as possible. We can discuss economic deals once this is all over.

I must apologize but I have a very important call to attend to. My assistant will take over the line and if you have anything else to say he will note it down for me.

It was a pleasure speaking with you. Goodbye for now my friend."

The Crown Prince would leave the call and his assistant would take over if the Egyptian FM had anything more to add.

 

[SM99]

@Naio90

 

[Naio90]

"I think we are good for the moment. I look forward to resuming the conversation on more broader issues once this is all over. Have a good day and good luck your highness."

With this the call would be ended.

@SM99