US embassy cable - 05SANAA213

S E C R E T SANAA 000213 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA A/S WELCH; ARPI MISENHEIMER AND STEINGER 
USMISSION UN VIENNA FOR GREG SCHULTE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2011 
TAGS: PREL, PARM, KNNP, YM 
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT SALEH SAYS YEMEN WILL VOTE WITH US ON 
IRAN 
 
REF: A. USDAO SANAA IIR DTG 071437Z JUN 05 
     B. 05 SANAA 917 
 
Classified By: DCM NABEEL KHOURY FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d) 
 
1. (S) At the conclusion of a meeting with Presidential 
Special Guard Commander Tarek Mohammed Abdullah Saleh at the 
presidential palace, President Saleh, who recently returned 
from a visit to Germany, asked to see DCM on several matters 
related to Saada fighting and requests for military aid. 
Saleh complained to DCM of Iranian "blatant" interference in 
Yemeni affairs, saying that they were behind the most recent 
flare-up of fighting in Saada. Saleh said, "I came this close 
to sending their Ambassador home and cutting off relations." 
When DCM said, "As you know, we are in a rather 
confrontational phase with them right now over the nuclear 
issue," Saleh said, "Yes, yes, and we are now completely on 
your side."  DCM asked for clarification, "Will you then vote 
with us on referring them to the UNSC?" Saleh replied in the 
affirmative. 
 
2. (S) We caution that Saleh is temperamental and has been 
known to make quick decisions and then, just as quickly, 
rescind them. It does seem to us, however, that it would be 
good to strike while the right mood is upon him, and ask for 
confirmation from Yemen's rep to the IAEA, Dr. Bahran - 
currently in Vienna. We also endorse the notion of a VP call 
to Saleh, as suggested by NEA, to seal the matter. We 
caution, in this regard, that Saleh may use the opportunity 
to ask VP Cheney for speeding up a year-old request for M113 
armored vehicles (recently approved by Congress) to help the 
ROYG in current fighting in Saada. 
Krajeski