US embassy cable - 03SANAA2769

S E C R E T SANAA 002769 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/22/2013 
TAGS: MCAP, PARM, PREL, YM, KN, DEMARCHE 
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE TO YEMENI FM QIRBI ON DPRK MILITARY 
CONTACTS 
 
REF: A. SECSTATE 325049 
 
     B. SANAA 2550 
     C. SANAA 2463 
     D. SANAA 1990 
     E. SANAA 1455 
 
Classified By: Classified by Charge D' Affaires Alan G. Misenheimer 
for reasons 1.5 (b), (d) and (h). 
 
1. (S) On November 22, Charge, accompanied by Pol/Econ Chief, 
called on FM Qirbi to deliver ref a demarche, which Charge 
noted was a follow-up to discussions with President Saleh by 
both U/S Bolton and NEA A/S Burns (ref c), as well as 
Ambassador's meeting with Defense Minister Aliwa (ref b). 
Other topics from the meeting are reported septels. 
 
2. (S) Qirbi stated repeatedly that Saleh had made clear 
Yemen,s policy, i.e. that there would be no further 
cooperation with North Korea.  There will be no new 
contracts, said Qirbi, stressing also that Yemen would make 
no/no payment of any sort to North Korea.  Rather, he said, 
the ROYG is attempting to extract from the North Koreans full 
service -- i.e. the missile repairs -- for "money already 
paid which we cannot get back from them."  He observed in 
passing that U.S. compensation could simplify the issue. 
Qirbi concluded with a promise to confer with the Ministry of 
Finance and convey a further reply after the impending 
government closure for the eid al-fitr holiday. 
MISENHEIMER