US embassy cable - 04SANAA3070

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 003070 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/11/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PTER, YM, DOMESTIC POLITICS 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT 
SHEIKH AL-AHMAR 
 
Classified By: DCM Nabeel Khoury for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C)  Summary.  Ambassador paid a courtesy call on Speaker 
of Parliament and head of the Islah opposition party Abdullah 
al-Ahmar on December 11.  Al-Ahmar refused to address 
pressing domestic issues, including much-needed economic 
reforms, Parliament's agenda, and Islah's political agenda, 
instead insisting that the Palestine and Iraq are "the 
biggest and most important" issues facing the Yemeni People. 
 
2.  (C)  The 71-year-old leader of the Hashid tribal 
federation, the largest and most powerful northern federation 
of which Saleh is a member, appeared relatively well, having 
just returned to Sanaa after almost a yearlong absence from 
the scene for medical treatment.  Ambassador asked the Sheikh 
for his views on pressing economic reforms, issues before 
Parliament, and for his thoughts on how Yemen could most 
benefit from U.S. cooperation and assistance.  Al-Ahmar 
preferred to discuss regional issues, characterizing 
U.S.-ROYG relations as "good" but, as for the Yemeni people, 
"their most important concern is the Palestinian problem," 
and they blame the U.S. 
 
3. (C)  Ambassador said the U.S. is fully committed to a two 
state solution and resumption of the peace process, adding 
that it is difficult to believe that the biggest problem 
facing the average Yemeni citizen is the situation in 
Palestine.  "It is," relied al-Ahmar, "and it is the reason 
for terrorism." 
 
4. (C) Ambassador raised President Saleh's BMENA 
participation and the ROYG's commitment to regional 
leadership on democratic reform.  Not taking the bait, 
al-Ahmar replied that the friendliness of Arab leaders toward 
the United States is not genuine but based on their fear of 
American power.  Ambassador asked the Sheikh if that was true 
for Yemen.  "Its true for all Arab Governments," replied the 
Sheikh, "except maybe Jordan," which is a U.S.-British 
creation.  Al-Ahmar conceded that the U.S. can play a 
positive role in Yemen through economic aid, but advised that 
a change in regional policy would go much further with the 
street.  "It is better to gain the respect of the people than 
that of their rulers," he said. 
 
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Comment 
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5. (C) Al-Ahmar appeared well, putting to rest numerous 
rumors circulated about supposed amputations and dire health. 
 His posture at the start of the meeting was stiff, but 
loosened up as it went on.  He stressed at the end that 
despite his criticisms, s he favored a dynamic dialogue with 
the USG.  Al-Ahmar is more a tribal leader and entrenched 
member of the Yemeni Establishment than Parliamentarian or 
opposition figure.  He is a major stakeholder in the status 
quo, an importer of arms, and a leader in the oil and gas 
services industry; his leadership of the Islamic opposition, 
perhaps by design, practically ensures that Parliamentary 
challenges to the Executive as well as his party's agenda 
will be measured and limited.  End Comment. 
KRAJESKI