MEETING WITH YEMEN FM QIRBI: DISCUSSION ON SCUDS,

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. -------------- Scuds -------------- ¶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. -------------- Diplomatic Pouch -------------- ¶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. -------------- USAID and Potential Development Projects -------------- ¶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. -------------- Counter-Terrorism -------------- ¶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. -------------- Military Cooperation -------------- ¶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