US embassy cable - 05SANAA1696

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 001696 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/19/2015 
TAGS: PREL, KISL, KPAL, KWBG, IS, IZ, YM, OVID 
SUBJECT: SALEH SHARES HIS PLAN FOR IRAQ AND PEACE PROCESS 
 
Classified By: DCM Nabeel Khoury for reasons 1.5 b and d. 
 
1. (C) Summary.  President Saleh convoked Ambassador June 19 
to pass his advice to the U.S. on how to solve the insurgency 
in Iraq and advance the Middle East peace process.  As the 
U.S. will not be able to send a Washington envoy to Sanaa for 
the June 28-30 Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) 
meeting, Saleh asked Ambassador to pass his ideas on Iraq and 
the peace process to Washington.  Ambassador promised Saleh 
he would personally deliver his suggestions when he arrives 
in D.C. next week.  Saleh also raised the timing of his 
November trip to the U.S. to meet President Bush, asking that 
the visit be scheduled before he meets President Chirac in 
Paris on November 14.  End Summary 
 
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Saleh's Vision for Iraq... 
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2. (C) Saleh described his four-point plan for enhancing 
security and stability and ending the violence in Iraq. 
"This is my vision, said the President: 
 
- One, coalition forces under U.S. leadership announce the 
withdrawal of their forces to four major bases located 
outside of Iraqi cities, preventing them from "face to face 
contact" with Iraqi citizens.  The announcement should 
include steps leading to the Iraqi security and military 
forces assuming full responsibility for Iraq's security, and 
to the complete withdrawal of coalition forces from Iraq. 
 
- Two, the occupation authorities along with the Iraqi 
Government declare an amnesty for all "gunmen of the Iraqi 
resistance against coalition forces under U.S. leadership." 
The first stage of the amnesty should require armed elements 
to "leave their weapons in their homes."  Once coalition 
forces have left Iraq, the Iraqi authorities should then 
collect these weapons.  Part of this amnesty should include 
resumption of salaries to the military and civil services of 
the former regime "in order to guarantee their source of 
living." 
 
- Three, convene a national dialogue that includes all Iraqi 
sects and factions in order to draft a constitution based in 
political pluralism and not on "sectarianism and racism." 
 
- Four, lift the ban on the Socialist Arab Baath party and 
allow it to reconstitute itself within the "framework of 
political and party pluralism." 
 
3. (C) Saleh said that 80 percent of Iraqis would support 
this plan, adding that he discussed his ideas with Iraqi 
Deputy Prime Minister Jabbour at the recent G-77 meeting in 
Doha and that Jabbour replied, "Its implementation would 
guarantee peace." 
 
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...and Middle East Peace 
------------------------ 
 
4. (C) Saleh outlined for Ambassador his three-point plan for 
Israel-Palestine: 
 
- One, Israel stops construction of settlements and the "wall 
of isolation," opens Gaza's airport and seaport, and releases 
all Palestinian prisoners. 
 
- Two, USG provides support to the efforts of Prime Minister 
Abbas to end the violence, including holding meetings with 
Palestinian factions in order to bring them into the peace 
process. 
 
- Three, USG provides increased development support and 
economic aid to the PA to rebuild its economy and demonstrate 
to the Palestinian people that they enjoy American support. 
 
If the U.S. can do this, Saleh advised, "You can recover your 
image in the Arab and Islamic world." 
 
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ROGY Support for the ITG 
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5. (C) Ambassador thanked President Saleh for sharing his 
ideas, and for ROYG support for the ITG.  Saleh confirmed his 
intentions to support the ITG and said his proposal aims for 
a quick end to violence so that transition to a democratic, 
independent Iraq can take place.  Other nations, however, are 
not playing a constructive role, said the President, namely 
Iran, Kuwait, Turkey and Syria. 
 
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November Visit 
-------------- 
 
6. (C) Saleh raised his post-Ramadan visit to meet with 
President Bush in early November.  Explaining that he would 
be visiting Chirac in Paris November 14, Saleh asked if his 
D.C. itinerary might begin on or about November 7.  Saleh 
said he planned to remain in the U.S. until his departure for 
France.  Understanding that his official schedule would 
likely be for two days, Saleh said he would spend the 
remaining days getting an annual medical exam at Bethesda 
Naval Hospital. 
 
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Comment 
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7. (C)  Saleh's personal interests, which guide much of his 
decision making, are not invested in either Iraq or 
Palestine.  His recommendations, general as they are, should 
be received in the well-meaning spirit in which they were 
intended.  Post suggests a written response to the Yemeni 
President, thanking him for his interest in regional peace 
and promising to further study his proposal.  End Comment. 
Krajeski