US embassy cable - 05SANAA1301

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 001301 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/14/2015 
TAGS: PREL, MASS, PTER, KJUS, YM, COUNTER TERRORISM 
SUBJECT: SALEH AND AMBASSADOR DISCUSS KORAN DESECRATION 
ALLEGATIONS, FMF, AND AL-HOUTHI REBELLION 
 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Thomas C. Krajeski for reasons 1.4 b and d. 
 
1. (C) Summary.  President Saleh convoked Ambassador for a 
brief meeting May 14.  The President and Ambassador discussed 
the Koran desecration allegations, President Saleh's planned 
visit to Washington, and the status of ROYG requests for 
M-113 armored personnel carriers.  True to his nature, Saleh 
claimed that fighting the second al-Houthi rebellion has set 
the ROYG back 50 billion YR (approximately 262 million USD) 
and asked for at least partial USG compensation, claiming as 
he has before, that he fought al-Houthi on behalf of the U.S. 
and the GWOT. 
 
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Koran Desecration Allegations 
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2. (C) Ambassador assured President Saleh that the USG 
considers the recent allegations that Guantanamo 
interrogators desecrated the Holy Koran to be an extremely 
serious matter.  Ambassador noted Secretary Rice and SecDef's 
official repudiation of the alleged behavior.  The U.S. 
Military is conducting immediate and complete investigations. 
 Such an act, continued Ambassador, would be abhorrent, 
repugnant, and contrary to the fundamental belief in freedom 
and respect for all religions upon which our nation was 
founded.  If proved true, Ambassador told Saleh that those 
responsible for this deviant behavior would be held 
accountable.  Saleh thanked Ambassador for his strong stance 
on this issue, and noted that ROYG security forces would not 
permit demonstrations to occur in Yemen.  (Note: On 15 May 
official daily 'al-Thawra' headlined a front page story on 
this meeting with Saleh's "Strong Condemnation of the 
Desecration of the Holy Koran in Guantanamo.  End Note.) 
 
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Saleh's Visit to Washington: Must be 'Official' 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
3. (C) The President inquired about scheduling for his visit 
to Washington to meet President Bush, reiterating that he 
prefers to travel before Ramadan begins in October. 
Ambassador explained that exact timing would not likely be 
pinned down until late in the summer, but that the White 
House was aiming for late September in recognition of 
Ramadan.  Responding to Saleh's question on if his visit 
would be "working or official," Ambassador said it would be 
an "official working visit."  The President frowned, 
insisting, "it must be official."  Ambassador explained that 
the details were yet to be worked out but that usually an 
official working visit includes an invitation to Blair House 
and a working lunch and meeting with the President, which 
appeared to satisfy Saleh. 
 
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Saleh: I want My M-113s 
----------------------- 
 
4. (C) Saleh asked for a progress report on ROYG M-113 
orders.  Ambassador responded that OMC is working with the 
Ministry of Interior to complete the details for 
approximately 30 M-113 U.S. APCs from excess defense 
acquisitions available, possibly more, in Germany. 
Ambassador confirmed that the U.S. would cover the shipping 
costs.  Saleh reached into his pocket saying, "I will pay for 
the shipping if you can get them here faster."  Saleh added 
that the ROYG has also bought 600 Russian BMP-2, similar to 
the M-113.  (Note: The major delay has been MOI submission of 
official request paperwork, finally received at the Embassy 
today, May 15.  As for the 600 Russian APCs, OMC is only 
aware of ROYG orders for 200 Russian and 100 Ukrainian 
BMP-2s.  End Note.) 
 
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Saleh, Again: USG Should Compensate for al-Houthi losses 
--------------------------------------------- ----------- 
 
5. (C) Saleh raised the costs to the ROYG of fighting the 
second al-Houthi insurrection, claiming (as he has often in 
the past) that he fought al-Houthi, son and father, on behalf 
of the U.S. and as part of the GWOT.  Pitching for USG funds 
to partially compensate for expenditures of funds and 
materiel in Sadaa, Saleh claimed the ROYG has spent a 
whopping 50 billion YR (approximately 262 Million USD) 
fighting "your fight."  The U.S., insisted the President, has 
an obligation to pay for some of this damage, "or would you 
prefer we allow the al-Houthis to chant 'Death to America' on 
the streets of Sanaa?  If you don't care," added the Yemeni 
President, "then I'll let them say what they want," but 
warned "it could lead to real chaos."  President Saleh also 
asked Ambassador to weigh in with the UK over reported 
British objections to the use of Central Security Forces 
(CSF-CTU) in Saada. 
6. (S) Comment: Saleh ended the meeting abruptly, but not 
uncharacteristically, with a "bye, bye!" before Ambassador 
could respond to his last request, or raise the issue of 
needed USG access to detained AQ cell leader Kanan.  Saleh 
did not raise any particularly urgent or new issues. 
Krajeski