US embassy cable - 05SANAA2412

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 002412 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/17/2015 
TAGS: KDEM, KMPI, KWMN, PGOV, PHUM, PREL, YM, DOMESTIC POLITICS 
SUBJECT: MHR SOSWA REQUESTS SUPPORT FOR UNDP NOMINATION 
 
 
Classified By: DCM Nabeel Khoury for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (C) Summary. In a meeting with Ambassador on August 17, 
Human Rights Minister Amat al-Alim Soswa asked the USG to 
support her nomination to the United Nations Development 
Program Regional Bureau for Arab States (RBAS).  She also 
briefed Ambassador on a ROYG initiative to increase women in 
government, and indicated that she would invite Secretary 
Rice to a Women's Rights conference in November. End Summary. 
 
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Soswa to the UN? 
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2. (C) Human Rights Minister Amat al-Alim Soswa met with 
Ambassador to inform him that she is seeking the post of 
Assistant Administrator and Regional Director of the United 
Nations Development Program Regional Bureau for Arab States 
(RBAS).  Soswa, who indicated that she has already spoken to 
UN officials about the position, would replace Dr. Rima 
Khalaf who has held the position since June 2000.  RBAS 
publishes an annual Arab Human Development Report assessing 
the state of political freedom and governance in the Middle 
East. 
 
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Request for Support 
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3. (C) Soswa asked Ambassador for USG support for her 
nomination.  She notified Ambassador that the MFA sent a 
request for support to Secretary Rice and that FM Qirbi would 
deliver a formal request to Ambassador in the near future. 
Soswa revealed that other Arab countries were also informed 
and that she has already received positive responses from the 
GCC, particularly Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.  Egypt has also 
given her "positive indications," although she noted that it 
might nominate its own candidate.  Soswa said that neither 
she nor the ROYG have formally approached other nations for 
support, wanting first to raise the matter with the USG. 
Soswa will be in the US in September for consultations at the 
UN and to deliver a lecture at the Kennedy School of 
Government. 
 
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Signs of Frustration 
-------------------- 
 
4. (C) The Minister expressed frustration with her current 
position.  "I'm really tired," she sighed, disclosing that 
she was disappointed with the ROYG's current performance in 
human rights.  "It can be much better with just a little 
effort," she observed,  "I keep telling people to be vocal, 
and I urge the USG to stay vocal." 
 
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Women's Rights, Possible Invite to Secretary Rice 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
5. (C) Soswa told Ambassador she expected another woman to 
replace her as Human Rights Minister, although she did not 
specify who.  She disclosed that the ROYG would appoint three 
women ministers and nominate a "large" number of females to 
the Judiciary before Saleh's expected trip to Washington in 
November.  Soswa also mentioned her ministry is planning a 
Women's Rights Conference November 20-22.  She told 
Ambassador that once dates were finalized, she would invite 
Secretary Rice. 
 
SIPDIS 
 
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Comment: A Loss for Yemen 
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6. (C) If Soswa takes the UNDP position, it would be a loss 
for Yemen.  She has been a strong, solitary advocate for 
human rights and had many successes in taking on other ROYG 
ministries toward that end.  Although she is obviously 
frustrated with ROYG's stagnation on human rights in the last 
year, her desire to move on is more likely rooted in her wish 
to support her family and be close to one of her daughters, 
who will be attending university next year.  Although it 
would be a loss to post, USG support for such a strong and 
effective human rights advocate is well warranted.  End 
Comment. 
Krajeski