US embassy cable - 05SANAA2791

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 002791 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, KNNP, KAWC, YM, COUNTER TERRORISM 
SUBJECT: FM QIRBI DISCUSSES IRAN, SALEH VISIT, CT ISSUES 
WITH AMBASSADOR 
 
REF: A. SANAA 2767 
     B. HQ MACDILL AFB FL 161738Z 
     C. STATE 92662 
     D. STATE 105271 
     E. SANAA 2699 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Thomas C. Krajeski for reasons 1.4 b and d. 
 
1.  (S)  Summary:  In a September 18 meeting with Ambassador, 
Foreign Minister Abubakr Qirbi discussed potential IAEA 
action against Iran and Saleh's November visit to Washington. 
 Discussions also focused on several counter-terrorism 
issues, including support for the extradition of an Iraqi 
former regime member, GTMO detainees and possible Ramadan 
amnesty releases.  End Summary. 
 
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Iran/IAEA: "Nothing Against the Resolution, but... 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
2.  (C)  Ambassador stressed that Iran must cease uranium 
enrichment activities and begin cooperating fully with the 
IAEA Board of Governors.  He urged Yemen to vote to refer 
Iran to the Security Council for discussion and potential 
action.  Yemen reportedly intends to vote against such a 
resolution, Ambassador added, and urged the ROYG to 
reconsider its position and vote alongside the members who 
are committed to holding Iran to its NPT obligations. 
 
3.  (C) Qirbi would neither confirm nor deny ROYG's position 
on the Iran vote, but replied "we have nothing against the 
resolution," but are consulting with the Arab League on a 
separate resolution.  "Yemen is committed to a nuclear free 
Middle East," Qirbi said, adding that any resolution against 
Iran should demand Israel abandon their nuclear program as 
well.  Ambassador replied that Iran's clear violation of its 
NPT obligations is the issue, not a possible Israeli nuclear 
program.  The USG supports a nuclear free Middle East as 
well, Ambassador stressed, and referring Iran to the Security 
Council would help achieve that goal. 
 
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Saleh's Visit 
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4.  (C)  Ambassador informed Qirbi that specific topics for 
Saleh's November meeting with Bush would soon be finalized. 
Focus would be on security cooperation, economic development, 
and democracy building.  Ambassador hoped to soon receive an 
official presentation of ROYG views on these issues, as 
promised by Saleh.  From the USG perspective, continued 
Ambassador, expect concerns over press freedoms as well, 
including the recent detention of several journalists by 
government authorities (septel).  He also mentioned the 
disturbing news of the abduction and beating of one 
journalist (ref A), with possible assistance from security 
authorities, for alleged ties with the US Ambassador. 
 
5.  (C) Qirbi provided no additional information on ROYG 
views for the November visit. He did present, however, a 
draft "Memorandum of Intention" establishing a framework for 
future US-Yemen cooperation.  Qirbi explained that the 
memorandum outlined broad guidelines for cooperation on 
counter-terrorism, military issues, and economic assistance. 
Ambassador promised to share a copy with Washington and 
report back.  A broad outline for cooperation provides a good 
starting point for strengthening our bi-lateral relationship, 
said Ambassador, but preparations for Saleh's visit must 
focus on specific steps to improve US-Yemeni cooperation. 
 
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CT: Extradition of Iraqi, Security Detainees, and Zindani 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
 
6.  (S)  Moving on to CT issues, Ambassador informed Qirbi 
that the Iraqi government issued an arrest warrant for Umar 
Sabawi, Saddam Hussein's nephew and insurgency leader, and 
would soon approach ROYG with an extradition request (ref B). 
 "Are you sure he's still here?" replied Qirbi.  Sabawi is in 
Yemen, replied Ambassador, stressing that USG will fully 
support Iraq's request and suggested ROYG immediately freeze 
his assets and detain Sabawi for extradition.  Ambassador 
said he would seek approval for releasable intelligence for 
MFA on Sabawi's activities to facilitate his extradition. 
 
 
7.  (C)  On GTMO detainees, Ambassador expressed concern for 
the delay response on the pending transfer of six former 
enemy combatants (ref C and D) and urged the ROYG to accept 
the return of its own citizens.  He requested an official 
answer, either affirmative or negative, in writing. 
 
8.  (C) On security detainees in Yemen, Ambassador 
anticipated ROYG would once again release prisoners during a 
Ramadan amnesty (ref E).  Early communication and 
transparency before release, stressed Ambassador, would avoid 
last minute tension over terrorism related detainees, 
especially in advance of Saleh's post-Ramadan visit. 
 
9.  (C) Qirbi provided no substantive response to Sabawi's 
extradition or GTMO detainees, but did provide Ambassador 
with a written request for detailed intelligence on Abdul 
Majeed Zindani's financial support to terrorist groups. 
Ambassador accepted the letter, but replied that 
nevertheless, Zindani's inclusion on the UN terrorist 
financing list required ROYG to freeze his assets and 
prosecute any illegal financial activities. 
 
10.  (C) Comment:  ROYG is hesitant to move against Zindani 
given the Sheikh's relative popularity and his role during 
the 1994 Yemeni Civil War of rallying "Arab Afghanis" to 
fight alongside northern forces.  Zindani recently gave a 
public interview requesting President Saleh to "take up his 
case" on the terrorist financing designation, which 
apparently he has.  End Comment. 
Krajeski