Robert M. Gates, secretary of defense of the United States of America, spoke at AmCham Egypt’s pre-annual general meeting and luncheon on April 18 about US-Egypt relations and regional security challenges. The event was held at the Semiramis InterContinental Hotel in Cairo.

Billed as his first public speech on policy in the Middle East, the luncheon was highly anticipated and covered widely by the international media. Gates was in the midst of a three-nation trip to the region, which included visits to Jordan and Israel.

Gates began his speech by reviewing the evolution of the relationship between the US and Egypt since the late 1970s and the ground-breaking Camp David Accords. “I’ve long considered Egypt one of America’s most important, even indispensable, partners,” he stated. “Our relationship with Egypt is one that began with subtle diplomacy and peace negotiations with Israel and has since evolved into a strong bilateral partnership of its own.”

While at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and National Security Council, Gates said he was able to witness firsthand “the relationship between our two countries being forged after years of animosity.” He said this collaboration is evident in the military field through joint training exercises, officer exchange programs and the significant amount of aid that Egypt receives each year from the US.

Gates noted he had met with senior government officials to reiterate shared goals in the region, which he outlined as a “unified, stable and prosperous Iraq,” peace between Israelis and Palestinians, “an Iran that does not attempt to dominate the region by subverting their neighbors and by building nuclear weapons,” and halting the growth and influence of extremist terrorist networks and sectarian militia organizations.

The consequences of a collapse in Iraq would be felt in the Middle East before the US, Gates said. “The first and secondary effects of a collapse in Iraq, with all of its economic, religious, security and geo-political implications, will be felt in capitals and communities in the Middle East well before they are felt in Washington and New York. The forces that would be unleashed, of sectarian strife, of an emboldened extremist movement with access to sanctuaries, do not recognize or respect national boundaries.”

As such, Gates urged Iraq’s neighbors to play a constructive role going forward, while lauding the regional talks recently held in Baghdad as “a good start toward improved cooperation and our government is open to higher level exchanges.”

Gates offered suggestions for ways in which regional challenges can be addressed, noting that Egypt has historically played and will continue to play a crucial role in overcoming such issues. “Because of Egypt’s unique position – its economy, geography, demographics and history – it is unlikely that progress can be made on the most pressing issues today without Egypt’s full engagement, support and leadership,” said Gates. “But with Egypt providing leadership it will be possible to open up new possibilities for the peoples of the Middle East.”

On the subject of Iran, Gates was unapologetically blunt in his assessment. “We should have no illusions about the nature of this regime or about their designs for their nuclear program, their intentions for Iraq or their ambitions in the Gulf region. There is also the threat posed by terrorist networks and their financial and ideological sponsors – a threat that transcends nations and continents,” he said.

In closing, Gates sketched a vision of a more secure and prosperous future, which he says will require the cooperation of multiple partners. The US will “continue working with Egypt and other friends in the region, not as a patron but as a partner; a partner that respects the different histories, cultures and perspectives of the people of the Middle East. It is a responsibility we will not abandon, a trust we will not break,” he said assuredly.

During the question and answer session, a number of issues were raised including a reconstruction fund for Iraq predicated on cooperation among different factions, Iran’s nuclear energy program, the ability to stabilize Iraq under the Bush administration and the United States’ nuclear energy policy.

At the end of the event, AmCham Egypt presented Gates with an honorary membership. Afterward, two AmCham members in attendance were randomly selected to receive free first-class airline tickets to anywhere in the world, courtesy of EgyptAir. Twenty-five free EgyptAir tickets are being raffled off during monthly luncheons in 2007 to celebrate AmCham’s 25th anniversary.