FM QIRBI AND AMBASSADOR DISCUSS PALESTINIAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 001586 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR L/LEI, S/CT, DOJ FOR DAAG BRUCE SWARTZ, RIYADH FOR LEGATT E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/02/2013 TAGS: PREL KJUS PTER ASEC MARR PARM PGOV GM YM COUNTER TERRORISM TERFIN SUBJECT: FM QIRBI AND AMBASSADOR DISCUSS PALESTINIAN ASSISTANCE, AL-MOAYED AND OTHER ISSUES REF: A. SECSTATE 181245 ¶B. SANAA 1544 ¶C. SANAA 1455 Classified By: Ambassador Edmund J. Hull for Reasons 1.5 (b,d) ¶1. (C) Summary: The Ambassador called on Foreign Minister Qirbi July 2 upon the FM's return from Germany and France. He urged increased assistance to the Palestinian Authority per reftel A. They discussed the al-Moayed case, current Coast Guard training in Aden, the impressive role of the U.S.-trained Central Security Forces (CSF) in the Abyan operation (ref B) and other topics. The Ambassador also met with Qirbi one-on-one to discuss terrorist financing (septel). A/DCM and Acting Pol/Econ Chief accompanied the Ambassador. End Summary. -------------- -------------- Middle East Peace Negotiations: Secretary's Message -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) Ambassador delivered Secretary's message in reftel ¶A. He also highlighted the encouraging progress recently and the ongoing U.S. high-level engagement. Qirbi responded that there was a dispute between the ROYG and the Arab League regarding Yemen's assessment. Before unification in 1990, North Yemen and South Yemen each contributed 1% of the Arab League budget, for a total of 2%. After 1990, the ROYG maintained that its proper assessment is still 1% while the Arab League maintains 2%. Assistance to Palestine is based on the Arab League assessment. Hence, the ROYG feels it has fully paid while the Arab League considers it only 50% paid. The Ambassador said that this was not a usual time in the peace process, progress was becoming possible and the ROYG should increase its contribution regardless of any dispute. ¶3. (C) The Ambassador cautioned Qirbi on contributions to Hamas and other radical Palestinian groups, noting that the ROYG needs to make sure that contributions, both official and non-official, go to the right place. Ambassador said that contributions are vitally needed to buttress Abu Mazen and other legitimate charity groups such as the Red Crescent Society. Qirbi said it was a contentious issue, saying that Hamas had recently showed flexibility and "we need to exert pressure" on them to support Abu Mazen. He referenced a British House of Commons report that claimed that 80-90% of Hamas funding was used for legitimate charity. Qirbi said the impetus should be on how to influence its military wing to stop attacks. ¶4. (C) Qirbi noted that Yemen has established a committee to handle official and public contributions for the Palestinians, headed by Deputy Prime Minister (and MinFinance) al-Salami and composed of NGO representatives and ROYG officials. This committee has already changed emphasis to increased aid to the PA, therefore reducing contributions to Hamas. The Ambassador said he would discuss this issue with the Deputy PM and encouraged the ROYG to study further efforts to give Abu Mazen the strongest possible hand. -------------- -- President Saleh's visit to Germany -- al-Moayed -------------- -- ¶5. (C) The Ambassador and FM discussed the upcoming resolution to the al-Moayed case in Germany, including the timing of extradition and the potential appeals process. The Ambassador noted that we need to work together on managing public sentiment at extradition, particularly regarding security issues. Qirbi agreed that the "security, public responses and political impact" should be discussed and managed. Qirbi said he did not know if an appeals process was beneficial or not, but noted that delaying the extradition would "give us a chance to work out a mechanism" by which al-Moayed can cooperate and give information. He said that Yemen needs to be convinced of his culpability, and wondered if the Yemeni people would accept the situation otherwise if the case was not made. -------------- Coast Guard Training in Aden; Central Security Forces (CSF) -------------- ¶6. (C) The Ambassador informed Qirbi about the Coast Guard training in Aden, noting its importance as part of ongoing CT cooperation. He also congratulated Qirbi on the performance of the U.S.-trained CSF forces in the Abyan operation (ref B) and the visit by CSF commander to Tampa and Washington in August. -------------- --- Other Issues: U/S Bolton Visit; Car Exemptions; Ambassador's Washington Consultations -------------- --- ¶7. (C) The Ambassador thanked Qirbi for meeting with UnderSecretary Bolton June 17 (ref C). He said it was a productive visit, particularly the discussions on Article 98 and the DPRK. Qirbi expressed appreciation when the Ambassador informed him of the recent release of humanitarian demining funds as a tangible result of the UnderSecretary's visit. A/DCM mentioned that he was working the issue of car exemptions with the MFA head of protocol, where several armored and regular vehicles were being held up in bureaucratic delays. Qirbi indicated that he expected the issue to be expedited. The Ambassador briefed Qirbi on his recent Washington consultations. He told Qirbi that he discussed his idea of a strategic dialogue with Washington officials, and that the suggestion was to focus on a substantive agenda. The Ambassador suggested two important topics, arms flows and money flows, and suggested they discuss it further. HULL