Secretary of State Kerry meets with Defense Minister General Abdul
Fatah Khalil Al-Sisi.
Kerry reportedly grilled Sisi on whether Egypt's
military can be neutral politically, and offered U.S. help in the
Sinai.
Defense
Minister Rejects Kerry Offer of U.S. Help in the Sinai (Al Watan,
Egypt)
"General Sisi got testy when Kerry told him, 'Israel's security is America's first concern,' and he rejected a U.S. offer to help out in the Sinai operations. ... Sisi said the Armed
Forces know perfectly well what it is entrusted to do, which is to control the
border and protect the country from all threats. ... Our message to all is that national sovereignty is a red line that no
one can cross. Egypt will control its borders to preserve its territorial integrity,
and protect Egyptian territory from arms smuggling and all threats against its
national security."
Secretary of State John Kerry meets with Egypt President Mohamed Morsi at the presidential palace in Cairo, March 3. Secretary Kerry was there to assess whether Egypt's military was truly remaining politically neutral, what Cairo would do to help with Syria, and whether Egypt would accept U.S. help in the Sinai.
A senior military source has revealed to Al Watan that during
their meeting, General Abdul Fatah Khalil Al-Sisi confirmed to U.S. Secretary of State John
Kerry that the Armed Forces would not side with one party or faction against
another, and that the military completely sides with the people.
The source said that General Sisi assured
Kerry that the Armed Forces belong to all communities of the Egyptian people,
and would intervene only if it sees something threatening Egypt's national
security. Otherwise, Kerry was told, the Armed Forces would stay clear of the
political arena, remaining biased only toward the people in accordance with the
doctrine of the Armed Forces - which is to be indivisible.
The source said General Sisi made
clear to Kerry that as far as possible, the Armed Forces keep political
conflicts at arm's length, but it is fully aware of what is happening in the
nation, as well as the seriousness of the current situation.
And the source revealed that Kerry inquired into the position
of the Armed Forces when it comes to its role in the immediate future. He is
said to have asked Sisi more than once, usually in a
straightforward manner but occasionally cleverly, if Egypt's Armed Forces had "truly
removed itself from the political landscape."
General Sisi made clear, "Egypt
rejects interference in its affairs by other countries - and Egyptian
sovereignty is a red line for everyone. And while as an institution, the Egypt military
distances itself from conflict, no one should lose sight of its genuine role, which
is to protect the people. While it avoids interfering in politics, that doesn't
mean it will always watch from the sidelines. That cannot be so, because if
things go wrong, the role of the Armed Forces is to protect the nation, its vital
institutions, and the citizenry. While the military stands equidistant from all
political parties, as an institution, it is very keen on the safety and
security of Egypt."
Defense Minister [Sisi] told
Kerry: "We shall not sit on the sidelines when there is a real danger to
national security.”
The source said General Sisi
stressed that the situation on the ground would determine when the nation needed
its Armed Forces and that Kerry expressly asked: "Is there any intention on
the part of the Armed Forces to at some point become a party in the national
dialogue ?"
General Sisi answered, suggesting
to Kerry that the military does not covet power or rule, but is working to protect
the nation and its people.
"The Armed Forces will not do so, and remains far
removed from political conflicts. But it will never skimp when it comes to the
homeland. Should the situation worsen and its presence be needed, the Armed
Forces will be present."
The senior military source confirmed that General Al Sisi assured Kerry more than once, that the position of the
Armed Forces is clear and specific regarding Egyptian security and countering
any threat it must face.
The source added: John Kerry told General Sisi and his team: "I came to learn of views of the military
as an institution on the situation inside Egypt and to discuss current events, particularly
because the complicity of Egypt's political scene is extremely dangerous.
America expects the military to encourage all parties to remain calm and resume
a dialogue."
General Sisi's reply was categorical:
"As an institution, interference in politics is forbidden the military. For
the Armed Forces, it is protecting the homeland and citizenry which is mandatory.
As for the events in the streets, the Armed Forces are fully aware and
understand precisely what to do at every stage."
Posted By Worldmeets.US
General Sisi got testy when Kerry told
him, "Israel’s security is America's first concern," and he rejected a
U.S. offer to help out in the Sinai operations.
The source revealed that Kerry asked Sisi
directly about the situation in the Sinai and expressed concerns about Israeli
security, saying specifically, "Israel's security is important to us."
[Editor's Note: U.S. media report that in Egypt, Secretary
Kerry stressed the importance of upholding Egypt's peace treaty with Israel,
cracking down on arms smuggling to extremists in the Gaza Strip, and policing
the Sinai Peninsula while continuing to play a positive role in Syria's civil
war.]
General Sisi replied sharply,
"The Armed Forces know perfectly well what it is entrusted to do, which is
to control the border and protect the country from all threats. Domestic
disturbances will not affect the mission of the Armed Forces in protecting the
safety and borders of Egypt. Our message to all is that national sovereignty is
a red line that no one can cross. Egypt will control its borders to preserve
its territorial integrity, and protect Egyptian territory from arms smuggling
and all threats against its national security.
The military source said that at the end of the meeting,
Kerry tried to offer American help in wiping out criminal elements in Sinai, saying,
"America is ready to stand beside Egypt on this matter." But General Sisi rejected the offer. Sisi stressed
that the Armed Forces is doing its job securing Egyptian territory as it should.
He confirmed that they are regularly cracking down on terrorist elements,
preventing weapons smuggling, and preventing the infiltration of any subversive
elements into Egypt - and that it is able to control Sinai on its own.
