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.

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Middle East Peace Negotiations: Secretary's Message
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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.

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President Saleh's visit to Germany -- al-Moayed
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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.

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Coast Guard Training in Aden;
Central Security Forces (CSF)
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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.

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Other Issues: U/S Bolton Visit; Car Exemptions;
Ambassador's Washington Consultations
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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