US embassy cable - 04SANAA1733

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 001733 
 
SIPDIS 
 
PM/SNA FOR AMBASSADOR BODINE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/17/2014 
TAGS: KICC, PTER, YM 
SUBJECT: ARTICLE 98 NOT YET RATIFIED:  DFM NOTES "TIMING IS 
DIFFICULT" 
 
REF: SECSTATE 145167 
 
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Nabeel Khoury 
for reasons 1.5 (b and d) 
 
1. (c) Pol/Econ Chief met with Deputy Foreign Minister for 
Europe, the Americas and International Organizations Mustapha 
Noman on 7/11 and delivered message in reftel on the 
importance of Article 98 ratification.  Noman said that he 
was aware that the issue had been discussed twice in 
Parliament and that Article 98 ratification had not moved 
forward, but did not know if it was due to procedural, 
substantive or political reasons.  In an obvious reference to 
Abu Ghraib, he noted that the timing for Article 98 
discussions was "difficult" and "not good for the U.S." 
Pol/Econ Chief explained that the U.S. has taken the 
allegations against the perpetrators of abuse at Abu Ghraib 
seriously and following investigations has commenced 
prosecuting criminal behavior, as demonstrated by the recent 
court martial proceedings. 
 
2. (c) In subsequent email exchanges on 7/14 and 7/16, Noman 
clarified that the Article 98 agreement has not been ratified 
for "administrative reasons" and promised to provide status 
updates on any changes. 
 
HULL