US embassy cable - 05SANAA3287

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 003287 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/19/2015 
TAGS: PREL, KDEM, YM 
SUBJECT: DFM SHARES VIEWS ON SALEH VISIT, FORUM FOR THE 
FUTURE 
 
REF: A. STATE 207948 
     B. STATE 206372 
     C. SANAA 3187 
 
Classified By: DCM Nabeel Khoury for reasons 1.4 b and d. 
 
1.  (C) During a November 14 meeting with DCM, Deputy Foreign 
Minister Mohiedeen Al-Dhabi shared his views on President 
Saleh's visit to Washington and the recent Forum for the 
Future conference in Bahrain.  Al-Dhabi was optimistic about 
Saleh's meetings with President Bush and others, saying the 
visit reflected both countries' "political will for close 
cooperation."  Al-Dhabi also expressed satisfaction over the 
Forum for the Future 
meeting, despite the absence of a final communiqu, calling 
it "an important step" toward democratic development in the 
region. 
 
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Saleh's Visit: Could Have Been Worse 
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2.  (C) Although President Saleh had not yet returned to 
Yemen at the time of the meeting, Al-Dhabi said the ROYG's 
initial impressions were positive.  "We're very happy with 
the visit," he said, "it went much better than expected." 
Al-Dhabi hoped that bilateral cooperation would continue in 
an "open and frank" manner to address the specific areas of 
concern discussed during Saleh's visit, including security 
cooperation and political reform (ref A).  He credited the 
extensive preparations conducted by both sides for giving 
Saleh a "clear message" on USG concerns over bilateral 
security cooperation. 
 
3.  (C) DCM stressed the importance of maintaining momentum 
from the visit and implementing specific and substantive 
initiatives to address problems, especially in relation to 
Yemen's suspended threshold program for the Millennium 
Challenge Account (MCA) (ref B).  Before Yemen could be 
reconsidered for participation in MCA, he continued, clear 
steps must be taken to address governance issues, including 
the recent deterioration of press freedoms (ref C) and 
continued problems with corruption.  DCM also emphasized the 
importance of institutionalizing security cooperation and 
developing stronger, more regularized relations between ROYG 
and USG officials on counter-terrorism issues.  The DFM 
agreed and hoped that President Saleh would use the ruling 
party's conference in mid-December to announce specific 
reform initiatives. 
 
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Forum for the Future: At Least We Are Talking 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
4.  (C)  Despite the absence of a final communiqu, Al-Dhabi 
considered the recent Forum for the Future meeting in Bahrain 
an "important gathering" and a "political success," as the 
event marked the first formal gathering between senior 
government officials and NGO 
representatives.  While meeting together is an important 
first step, he acknowledged that many governments are still 
wary of developing civil society for fear that "it might 
actually lead to democracy."  Al-Dhabi said the ROYG was 
proud of its role in the Forum and hoped their participation 
could continue in the newly established Foundation for the 
Future, despite their inability to provide the requested 
allocation of USD one million.  DCM agreed that the lack of a 
final communiqu did not indicate failure and encouraged 
Dhabi to work informally on reform issues with other 
countries between Forum meetings. 
Al-Dhabi expressed the ROYG's aspirations to be a leader on 
NGO development, including the possible establishment of a 
regional NGO training center in Yemen. 
 
5.  (C)  Comment:  Al-Dhabi appeared unaware of Yemen's MCA 
suspension and likely has not received a full brief on 
Saleh's visit.  The ROYG delegation returned on November 16 
and post will follow-up with officials to ascertain ROYG 
impressions of the visit and planned steps to address the 
problems discussed in Washington. 
Krajeski