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                Kerry in Egypt for Talks on Security, Terrorism

   by Pamela Dockins

   U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Cairo late Saturday for
   talks about security issues and regional terrorism, including the
   threat posed by Islamic State extremists.

   Kerry arrived in the Egyptian capital, his first stop on a five-nation
   tour of the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

   Kerry has no formal meetings scheduled Saturday night. He is expected
   to meet Sunday morning with Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.

   Security issues will be a focal point throughout Kerry's trip,
   according to State Department officials.

   In particular, the United States is "deeply concerned" about unrest in
   Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, where militants affiliated with the Islamic
   State group have claimed responsibility for a series of recent deadly
   attacks.

   ''A senior State Department official who discussed the situation in the
   Sinai before Kerry arrived said the U.S. needs to support Egypt's
   efforts to achieve stability.

   "The real challenge for Secretary Kerry in his meetings in Egypt is how
   to discuss ... the regional fight against terrorism and the domestic
   situation in Egypt, and how the two fit together," said Michele Dunne,
   a prominent American analyst of Middle East developments.

   Dunne, who has particular expertise on Egyptian affairs, is a senioir
   associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

   U.S. and Egyptian officials will also discuss political, human rights
   and economic issues.

   Warplanes sale

   Separately, the United States announced it is delivering eight  F-16
   fighter jets to Egypt.

   "The F-16s provide a valuable capability that is needed during these
   times of regional instability," said Major General Charles Hooper, a
   senior defense official at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo. defense official.

   The senior U.S. official who briefed reporters on Kerry's missin in the
   Middle East and Southeast Asia said there was no correlation between
   the secretary's visit and the warplanes deal.

   In March, President Barack Obama announced the United States was
   lifting a hold on U.S. military aid to Egypt that had been ordered two
   years ago, after the country's longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak was toppled
   by nationwide protests.

   ''The U.S. gives Egypt about $1.3 billion in annual military
   assistance.

   Despite the resumption of aid, U.S. officials have continued to voice
   concerns about Egypt's repression of supporters of former President
   Mohamed Morsi, who was elected to succeed Mubarak but who was in turn
   forced to step down under military pressure.

   Iran nuclear concerns

   From Egypt, Kerry travels to Qatar, where he will meet on Monday with
   the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council.

   GCC members have raised concerns about the deal between Iran and six
   major powers including the United States.

   Those six Arab states, all situated close to Iran, have worried that
   the nuclear agreement with Tehran could have a destabilizing effect on
   the region.

   Some Gulf ministers fear that sanctions relief for Iran, which is part
   of the nuclear agreement, could enable Tehran to widen its influence in
   the region and broaden its material support for militant groups.

   Both Obama and Defense Secretary Ash Carter have discussed the Iran
   nuclear deal with Saudi Foreign Minister Abel al-Jubeir in July.

   After returning to Riyadh during the past week, the foreign minister
   said he has concluded it does appear that the agreement will limit
   Iran's ability to develop nuclear weapons.

   The Gulf Cooperation Council consists of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait,
   Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates - all monarchies.

   Daniel Serwer, a scholar at the Middle East Institute in the United
   States, said he is uncertain whether Kerry will be able to ease all of
   the GCC's concerns about the Iran deal. However, he also points out the
   nuclear agreement carries many potential benefits.

   ''"It seems to me," Serwer said, that "if I lived in the Gulf, I would
   feel a lot more comfortable with Iran backed off from nuclear weapons
   and not being able to pursue them for 10 or 15 years, than I would
   without a deal."

   The U.S.-GCC meeting in Doha also will be a good opportunity to discuss
   broader strategic issues such as the unrest in Syria and Yemen, a
   senior State Department official said.

   Talks on Ukraine

   While in Doha, Kerry also will discuss security issues with Russia's
   Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

   Their talks are expected to include efforts to combat Islamic State
   militants in Iraq and Syria, U.S. officials said, as well as the
   situation in Ukraine.

   From Qatar, Kerry travels to Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam - three
   nations who have been involved in talks on the proposed Trans-Pacific
   Partnership to cut tariffs and trade barriers - and will also attend an
   forum in Kuala Lumpur organized by ASEAN, the Association of Southeast
   Asian Nations.

   While in Hanoi, Kerry will take part in an event marking the 20th
   anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the
   United States and Vietnam following U.S.involvement in the Vietnam War.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/secretary-of-state-john-kerry-in-egypt-for-talks-on-security-terrorism/2892906.html