US embassy cable - 04SANAA2307

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 002307 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/29/2014 
TAGS: ECON, PREL, PGOV, KDEM, YM, COUNTER TERRORISM 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES DEVELOPMENT ISSUES WITH VICE 
PRESIDENT MANSOUR 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Thomas C. Krajeski; reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (U)  Summary:  Ambassador paid a courtesy call on Yemeni 
Vice President Abd-Rabo Mansour Hadi on August 28. 
Discussions centered on U.S. - Yemeni cooperation in the 
GWOT.  Hadi emphasized that long-term success in the war 
against terror in Yemen would also require improved social 
services, economic reform, and democratization.  End Summary. 
 
2.  (SBU)  VP Hadi highlighted the importance of U.S. - Yemen 
cooperation in the GWOT, saying that Yemen had suffered a 
great deal politically and economically from terrorist acts 
committed on its soil (namely the USS Cole and M.V. Limburg 
bombings).  He stressed that, in addition to CT support, 
winning the long-term battle against terrorism in Yemen would 
require U.S help in reducing poverty, achieving economic and 
democratic reform, and attracting foreign investment. 
Ambassador responded that the U.S. - Yemen partnership in the 
GWOT continues to log important successes, and agreed that 
long-term change in Yemen, as well as the region, required 
improved economic conditions and increased political 
participation. 
 
3.  (U)  Mansour outlined the ROYG's six development 
priorities since 1996: education, health, roads, water, 
electricity, and telecommunications.  Progress, he continued, 
has been slow due to disagreements between the ruling GSP 
party and the opposition Islah.  Ambassador assured the Vice 
President of the USG's commitment to U.S. - Yemeni 
cooperation, "economically, militarily, and politically." 
 
4.  (C)  Comment:  A reputed champion of reform, Mansour's 
position as Vice President is largely ceremonial and does not 
lend him much influence with ROYG decision makers.  Although 
from the southern Abyan region, Mansour led the campaign 
against YSP secessionists and served as Minister of Defense 
during the civil war.  His post-unification appointment in 
1994 is considered a reward for his services to the North. 
End Comment. 
 
KRAJESKI