S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 000154

SIPDIS

DEPT PLEASE PASS AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2013
TAGS: PTER PGOV PREL ADCO ADPM YM COUNTER TERRORISM
SUBJECT: MEETING WITH YEMEN FM QIRBI: DISCUSSION ON SCUDS,
DIPLOMATIC POUCH, USAID, CT, AND MILITARY COOPERATION


1. (U) Classified By: Ambassador Edmund J. Hull for Reasons
1.5 (b,d)


2. (S) Summary: On January 19, 2003 Ambassador Hull met
with Foreign Minister Qirbi at the MFA. Qirbi has received a
letter from the Ministry of Defense outlining outstanding
North Korean military shipments and plans to respond to
Ambassador's letter this week. Qirbi also commented on the
counter-terrorism component of his recent trips to Sudan and
Tanzania. The Embassy reiterated concern over problems
plaguing the receipt of the diplomatic pouch, informed Qirbi
of the ongoing USAID visit, and expressed approval of Yemeni
LNOs for CJTF/HOA. End Summary.

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Scuds
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3. (S) Ambassador Hull's January 19th meeting with Minister
Qirbi was also attended by DCM, AdminOff, PolOff (notetaker),
and Minister Qirbi's Advisor Iryani.


4. (S) The Ambassador reviewed his recent meeting with
Defense Minister Aliwa, who stated that a North Korean team
will travel to Yemen to help with scud installation. In
addition, spare parts for artillery and radar have been
ordered from North Korea. Aliwa also said the Defense
Ministry provided input for a letter for Minister Qirbi's
signature detailing these outstanding arrangements and
expressing ROYG's commitment that no further SCUDs or other
military material were on order or in transit from North
Korea.


5. (S) Minister Qirbi confirmed that said MOD information
has arrived in his office, and said he expected to
incorporate the information into a response to the
Ambassador's letter within the coming week. Qirbi's response
letter arrived at the Embassy on January 20th.

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Diplomatic Pouch
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6. (S) The Ambassador reiterated concern over continued
problems with diplomatic pouches. Qirbi said large shipments
-- i.e. as many as 10 pouches at once -- would be problematic
until he discussed pouch guidelines and reached a final
understanding with PSO Chief Gamesh. Qirbi stated that he
would sit down with Gamesh (upon Gamesh's return from the
U.S.) and seek final ROYG consensus on pouch guidelines. DCM
noted recent pouch shipment represented first successful
"bellyload" of pouches and praised Yemen side for this
positive step.

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USAID and Potential Development Projects
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7. (S) The Ambassador briefed Qirbi on the ongoing USAID
visit in preparation for the re-establishment of an AID
office in Yemen. He noted that the USG is working on a
strategy and identifying suitable funding sources for further
development assistance to Yemen. Qirbi confirmed he is
sending a letter to Secretary Powell regarding Yemen's
participation in the Middle East Partnership Initiative and
the Millenium Challenge Account.

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Counter-Terrorism
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8. (S) Minister Qirbi described his recent trip to Sudan
and Tanzania as a meeting with friends of the anti-terror
campaign. When asked about the Sudanese and Tanzanian
response to this campaign, Qirbi said that it was very
positive, and added that everyone was aware of the importance
of cooperation. Qirbi volunteered that the Sudanese feel the
U.S. is not as impartial as it should be especially in light
of its involvement in southern Sudan. Qirbi stated that the
Sudanese have reached this conclusion based on U.S.
legislation penalizing the Sudanese government for its
activities in the south.

9. (S) The Ambassador noted that practical cooperation
between Yemen and the U.S. on anti-terrorism was going well
and referred to meetings between Yemeni Ambassador to the
U.S. al-Hajjri and A/S Burns and S/CT Coordinator Black.

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Military Cooperation
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10. (S) The Ambassador expressed approval with recent
developments on the military cooperation front, including the
Minister of Defense's selection of liaison officers for the
USS Mt. Whitney, as a practical step.


11. MINIMIZE CONSIDERED.


HULL