YEMEN: PROPOSED FERRY SERVICE FROM YEMEN TO IRAQ

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 001348

SIPDIS

NEA/NGA FOR NATE JENSEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/11/2013
TAGS: EWWT PREF IZ YM
SUBJECT: YEMEN: PROPOSED FERRY SERVICE FROM YEMEN TO IRAQ

REF: CATO/JENSEN TELCON 6/9

Classified By: Charges D'Affaires Alan G. Misenheimer for Reasons 1.5 (
d)


1. (U) This is an action request -- see paragraph 4


2. (U) On June 8, Saeed Salh Al-Ghalebi, Al-Ghalebi
Shipping Company Ltd, met with Embassy's Commercial Assistant
to inquire about the procedures required to establish a ferry
service from Yemen to Iraq.


3. (U) Ghalebi estimated that there are between 10,000 -
12,000 Iraqis in Yemen (many of them teachers on summer
break) who would like to return to Iraq. A Turkish-owned
ship in Dubai is ready to come to Aden (or Hodeidah) and
pick-up passengers for transport to the port of Umm Qasr, but
Ghalebi is awaiting additional information from the Embassy
before proceeding. Ghalebi would like to organize between
10-15 trips, and estimates the fee for the ship at USD 2
million.


4. (C) Action requested: Post requests the Department's
guidance before we respond to Ghalebi on the feasibility of
his proposed ferry service. POC for this request is Pol/Econ
Officer Willeah Cato. She can be contacted via unclass and
class e-mail: catowe@state.gov or catowe@state.sgov.gov,
phone (967) 1 303 - 155 x2155, or fax at (967) 1 303 - 259.
In addition, please forward this query to the appropriate
individuals in both OCPA and CENTCOM.


5. (U) Minimize considered.


MISENHEIMER