US embassy cable - 04SANAA2501

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 002501 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/21/2014 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, IZ, KDEM, PTER, YM, DEMOCRATIC REFORM, HUMAN RIGHTS 
SUBJECT: DFM NOMAN DISCUSSES BMENA, IRAQ, PRESS FREEDOMS 
WITH DCM 
 
REF: SANAA 2411 
 
Classified By: DCM Nabeel Khoury for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C)  Summary.  On September 21 Deputy Foreign Minister 
Mustafa Noman discussed with DCM the BMENA Forum for the 
Future Summit, ROYG support for the IIG, and recent 
Presidential statements and actions to rein in the Yemeni 
press.  Noman also offered condolences for the murder of 
American hostage Armstrong in Iraq.  End Summary. 
 
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BMENA Forum for the Future Summit -- Not in Sanaa 
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2.  (C)  Deputy Foreign Minister Noman immediately raised the 
ROYG's offer to host the BMENA Forum for the Future Summit 
(reftel).  DCM responded that, although a final determination 
has not been made, it is unlikely that the Summit will be in 
Sanaa.  Clearly displeased, Noman stressed that the ROYG 
would be extremely frustrated to see the Summit hosted by 
another state after President Saleh had "taken a high risk" 
by attending the Sea Island Summit.  Noman expressed concern 
that "those who were against the President's participation" 
in the G-8 initiative to promote reform in the region might 
use this tp influence Saleh to change course. 
 
3.  (C)  DCM told Noman that Yemen's G-8 BMENA participation 
was well regarded at the highest levels of the USG and 
advised that the ROYG not waste the opportunity to be a 
leader of dynamic change in the region over the issue of who 
hosts the meeting, adding that the decision of where to hold 
the meeting should not be interpreted as a weakening of USG 
support for the ROYG.  Noman nodded, but stressed that he 
understands the "Yemeni psychology" and expected many in the 
ROYG would indeed take it personally.  DCM responded that it 
was in Yemen's national interests to continue to play an 
active role in the BMENA G-8 process. (Note: Last minute 
requests from the ROYG to host conferences and receive 
high-level visitors are common.  The January Sanaa conference 
was organized at the last minute and, while successful, would 
have been strengthened with concerted long-term planning. 
End Note). 
 
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Noman Condemns "Horrendous Act" Against American 
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4.  (C)  Turning to Iraq, Noman offered the ROYG's 
condolences for the beheading of American hostage Eugene 
Armstrong in Iraq.  "It is a horrendous act, and our hearts 
are with the family and friend of the victim and the American 
people."  DCM thanked Noman for his kind words. 
 
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Yemeni political and media support for IIG 
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5.  (C) Characterizing the recent visit of IIG Foreign 
Minister Zebari as an important first step, DCM said the ROYG 
could do more to provide political support for the IIG.  The 
message coming from the ROYG, noted DCM, should be one of 
encouragement for the political transition taking place in 
Iraq. Instead, DCM pointed out, official newspaper "al 
Thawra" continues to use the term "resistance" in referring 
to terrorist and criminal elements in Iraq.  These groups, he 
said, kill ten times more Iraqis than westerners and hurt the 
Iraqi economy by making investment in Iraq life threatening. 
DCM also objected to the continued reference to coalition 
forces as "the occupation." 
 
6.  (C)  Noman agreed that there is no true "resistance" 
movement in Iraq.  As for the tone of al Thawra, he said, it 
represents a sentiment in Yemen and the region.  No one 
really controls the Yemeni press, the DFM continued, "I will 
pass the message to the President, and see what I can do to 
get them to stop using these terms." 
 
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ROYG Campaign Against the Press? 
-------------------------------- 
 
7.  (C)  DCM raised USG concerns over the arrest of as-Shura 
newspaper editor Khaiwani for printing articles "humiliating 
to the person of the head of state" (septel).  DCM 
underscored his hope that this incident was not part of a 
trend.  "Personally," replied Noman, "I think this arrest was 
a mistake," adding that he believed Khaiwani would be 
released within days. 
 
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What is Saleh Saying? 
--------------------- 
 
8.  (C)  On related matters, DCM highlighted President 
Saleh's recent statements threatening the press and calling 
attention to FSN employees.  (Note:  In one speech Saleh 
warned the press that journalists covering the rebellion in 
Sa'da may be charged with treason for questioning his 
actions.  In a another the president said "We know who is 
paying papers," and criticized, "those who hang around the 
doors of embassies and talk about democracy," adding, "these 
people are the same ones whose sons and daughters (are) 
recruited inside the American Embassy and they are the ones 
who say 'death to America."  End Note). 
 
9.  (C)  Noman attributed Khaiwani's arrest and Saleh's 
warnings to the press as reactions to the painful military 
episode this summer in Sa'da, rejecting the notion that the 
ROYG was implementing a systematic policy to roll-back press 
freedoms.  He predicted that, come October and Ramadan, a 
calmer approach would prevail. 
KRAJESKI