US embassy cable - 04SANAA2053

S E C R E T SANAA 002053 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR PM A/S BLOOMFIELD 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2014 
TAGS: MARR, MOPS, OPDC, PREF, YM, COUNTER TERRORISM 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR AND FM DISCUSSES MANPADS BUY-BACK AND 
ROYG SUPPORT FOR IIG 
 
REF: STATE 174644 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Thomas C. Krajeski; reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
      1.  (C)  Summary.  On August 22 Ambassador raised the 
upcoming visit of PM A/S Bloomfield with Foreign Minister 
al-Qirbi.  Discussion centered on A/S Bloomfield's visit, the 
need to control MANPADS and SA/LW in Yemen, and ROYG support 
for the Interim Iraqi Government (reftel).  Guantanamo 
demarche and G-8 Forum for the Future invitation reported in 
septel.  End Summary. 
 
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A/S Bloomfield Visit/MANPADS 
---------------------------- 
 
2.  (C)  Ambassador informed FM that PM A/S Bloomfield will 
arrive on 8/30 to hold consultations on MANPADS buy-back. 
Qirbi responded that he welcomes the visit and that "we are 
all committed to embark on a policy to remove all types of 
arms from the hands of ordinary people."  However, he 
continued, to succeed, Yemen must overcome tribal tradition 
and popular opposition -- "like your National Rifle 
Association."  Qirbi suggested that the best way to change 
Yemeni tradition and public opinion is through education and 
public awareness to the danger of individuals holding arms. 
"Ultimately," he said, "we must succeed for our own security." 
 
3.  (S)  Ambassador replied that the U.S. has a history with 
this issue -- the right to bear arms -- and that we deal with 
it by regulating the export, import, manufacturing and 
ownership of weapons.  Ambassador emphasized that the USG 
understands the comprehensive nature of the SA/LW 
proliferation problem in Yemen, but the purpose of A/S 
Bloomfield's visit is MANPADS, which we consider to be 
extremely dangerous.  "We must make sure they do not get into 
terrorist hands as has happened in the past," said 
Ambassador." 
 
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ROYG Political Support for IIG 
------------------------------ 
 
4.  (C)  In the context of the Saudi Proposal for Muslim 
Forces in Iraq, Ambassador raised the need for ROYG support 
for the Iraqi Interim Government (IIG), saying that we 
welcome all contributions of our regional partners.  Qirbi, 
who expressed skepticism about a pan-Arab security force in 
the Ambassador's introductory meeting on August 12, 
responded, "We don't support this and I don't think you want 
them either!"  Ambassador said that the IIG is relying on the 
UN and international organizations to organize elections, on 
the U.S. and the Coalition for security.  The IIG needs the 
political support of its Arab neighbors.  "Arab support," he 
continued, "will help ensure a smooth and complete transition 
to a government elected by the Iraqi people." 
 
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VISIT OF IRAQI FM ZUBARI 
------------------------ 
 
5.  (C)  Qirbi said the ROYG is supporting the IIG as 
evidenced by the upcoming visit of IIG Foreign Minister 
Zubari on the 7 or 8 of September.  "Everyone," he added, 
"has a role in helping the Iraqis get out of this quagmire." 
The FM said he was encouraged by the Iraqi National 
Conference which went "better than expected" and that he 
hoped the Iraqis were "recovering their sense of direction" 
and that there would be less violence in the near future. 
KRAJESKI