Egypt has requested additional weapons and funding from
the United States.
A delegation of four Egyptian generals briefed U.S. officials and
Congress on Cairo's military needs over the next few years. Last week, the
Egyptian Defense Ministry delegation visited the National Security Council,
Defense Department and Capitol Hill.
"There is a concern in Cairo that the Bush administration will block or
reduce arms shipments to Egypt," an official said. "The delegation wanted to
highlight Egypt's importance to U.S. strategy in the Middle East."
Officials said the delegation sought to assuage U.S. concerns over an
Egyptian military buildup, including plans to deploy 5,000 troops in eastern
Sinai along the border with Israel. They said Egypt has discussed U.S.
funding for the construction of a naval port in El Arish. The administration
has requested $1.3 billion in military aid for Cairo in fiscal 2006.
The delegation was also said to have addressed U.S. concerns that the
regime of President Hosni Mubarak continues to cooperate with North Korea's
missile program. In 1999, the State Department sanctioned two Egyptian
state-owned companies for supplying missile components to Pyongyang.
"The Egyptians know they're doing something naughty," another official
said.
Officials said Egypt has sought the F-16 Block 50 multi-role fighter as
well as the Joint Direct Attack Munitions system. They said the
administration has delayed approval as Washington monitors Egypt's
presidential elections scheduled for September 2005.
The administration's delay also stems from tensions in the U.S.-Israeli
defense relationship, linked to Israeli arms sales to China. Officials said
the White House did not want to be seen as selling major platforms to Egypt
while withholding cooperation from Israel.
"The administration is waiting for the right moment," an official said.
