US embassy cable - 05SANAA2507

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 002507 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/04/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PTER, MASS, ECON, PARM, YM, COUNTER TERRORISM 
SUBJECT: SALEH COOPERATIVE ON CT, LOOKS FOR ECONOMIC REWARDS 
 
REF: SANAA 2451 
 
Classified By: DCM Nabeel Khoury for reasons 1.4 b and d. 
 
1. (S) Summary:  Ambassador met President Saleh September 4 
in preparation for APHAS/CT Townsend's September 6 visit to 
Yemen, and Saleh's November trip to Washington.  Ambassador 
said the highest priorities for discussion include CT and 
security cooperation, economic reform and development, and 
democracy.  Saleh replied that Yemen was committed to being a 
full partner with the U.S. on CT, but pointed to delays in 
the delivery of U.S. military aid as a source of friction. 
Ambassador and Saleh agreed on the need for a long-term 
strategy for military assistance and a more structured 
approach to intel sharing and CT cooperation.  Saleh quickly 
turned the discussion to economic aid, saying the ROYG will 
provide a list of development projects for U.S. support. 
Saleh also suggested there would be an imminent cabinet 
reshuffle, and protested the conviction of Moayad in the U.S. 
 End summary. 
 
2. (S) Ambassador met September 4 with President Saleh, 
accompanied by DCM, DATT, OMC, and POL/E.  Also present were 
Minister of Foreign Affairs Qirbi and Yemeni Ambassador to 
the U.S. al-Hajjri.  Ambassador outlined the three major 
themes for Saleh's November visit to Washington: 
counterterrorism and security cooperation; economic reform 
and development; and deepening democratic institutions. 
Ambassador said that U.S. views on CT cooperation were 
conveyed in the CT scorecard, provided to the Ministries of 
Foreign Affairs and Interior.  APHAS/CT Townsend's September 
6 visit to Yemen will focus on these issues, said Ambassador, 
and we are looking to hear your thoughts on what Yemen 
expects from the relationship. 
 
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CT Cooperation:  "We've Achieved All We've Been Asked" 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
 
3. (S) "Like it or not," said Saleh, "We're partners with the 
U.S. in fighting terrorism."  Saleh then declared that Yemen 
has already achieved all that it has been asked to do, with 
positive results.  Any CT discussion, continued Saleh, is 
just a confirmation of what is already happening. 
 
4. (S) Saleh hit a different note, however, when discussing 
delays in the delivery of U.S. military assistance, 
specifically referring to F5s and C130s.  "How can we be a 
partner in CT," he inquired, "if you don't give us the 
equipment we ask for?" Saleh asked for a more strategic 
relationship, both on military and economic development, 
rather than working on piecemeal projects.  He then asked 
that the U.S. inform him how much money it will allocate for 
security in Yemen, so the ROYG can figure out how to spend it. 
 
5. (S) Ambassador agreed on the need for a strategic 
partnership, and said that the November visit should help 
determine the next step in the relationship between the two 
countries.  We want to develop a strong relationship, said 
Ambassador, with routine sharing of intel and security 
information.  In terms of military assistance, said 
Ambassador, the U.S. needs detailed information on Yemen's 
long-term strategic plans, and can then allocate resources to 
meet those needs.  He pointed to the Yemen Coast Guard and 
Central Security Forces as examples of how the U.S. can 
provide equipment and training once a strategy is in place. 
Saleh agreed to provide such information, and promised to 
supervise this process personally in advance of the visit to 
Washington. 
 
6. (S) On small arms and light weapons, Ambassador repeated 
Saleh's request to bring him any information obtained on 
illegal sales.  Ambassador said we have such information and 
Saleh agreed to a separate meeting to examine the evidence. 
The President urged Ambassador to focus on bigger issues, 
however, saying:  "Kalashnikovs are not the real threat.  We 
need to remove landmines, explosives and heavy weaponry from 
the local market." 
 
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Saleh Makes His Fundraising Pitch... 
------------------------------------ 
 
7. (S) The President quickly diverted the conversation to the 
subject of economic development.  The U.S. talks about 
helping with development and corruption, said Saleh, but the 
key to solving all these problems is reducing unemployment. 
Saleh said the ROYG was composing a list of development 
projects, one of which was completion of the Saila road/canal 
in downtown Sanaa, for which he sought support from the U.S. 
before the November visit.  The President explained that he 
was looking for accomplishments from the visit, and wanted to 
"silence critics" who suggest that it is only a photo 
opportunity. 
 
----------------------------- 
...Promises New Faces in ROYG 
----------------------------- 
 
8. (S) The President expressed frustration with his own 
government, specifically the Minister of Planning and 
International Cooperation Ahmad Sofan, regarding development 
priorities.  He quipped that Sofan thinks he has a 
"government within the Government," and promised a change in 
the Cabinet shortly.  "Soon the old faces will disappear," 
said Saleh.  (Note:  Saleh's critique of MOPIC's programs 
referred specifically to the use of development assistance 
funds from the Department of Agriculture. End note). 
 
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Moayad:  "Not a Real Catch" 
--------------------------- 
9. (S) As the meeting ended, Saleh added his thoughts on the 
arrest and conviction of Sheikh Moayad in the U.S. (reftel) 
The U.S. created a big problem without any real evidence, 
said Saleh.  He downplayed support for Hamas, saying that 
Moayad was insignificant and not much of a catch.  The 
President suggested that Moayad should be released, and 
contended that if he were really dangerous "we'd catch him 
ourselves."  When pressed on the issue of Hamas, Saleh said 
Yemen had ceased its support, as there was no need for 
resistance in light of the ongoing peace process.  Ambassador 
suggested that the President make his position public. 
 
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Cashing in on CT Cooperation 
---------------------------- 
 
10. (S) Comment:  Despite broad agreement on continued CT and 
military cooperation, we need to get Saleh focused on the 
details of SA/LW and military aid.  The upcoming visit from 
APHAS/CT offers a good opportunity to advance a long-term 
strategic plan for future cooperation.  Saleh will advance 
the position that Yemen is doing its part in the War on 
Terror and therefore deserves broad economic support in 
return.  Saleh cited Yemen's previous relationship with the 
USSR in suggesting a broad MOU be signed between the two 
countries when he goes to Washington in November.  We also 
need to stress to Saleh that corruption in Yemen is pervasive 
and affects all sectors, including security.  Specifically, 
putting the arms dealers out of business is essential to the 
GWOT.  More broadly, he has to launch a full-scale war on 
corruption and he can rely on our help in this regard, 
starting with the MCC program which is due to be approved for 
Yemen in the next two months.  End comment. 
Krajeski