WEAPONS BUYBACK REDUX

S E C R E T SANAA 001684

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2013
TAGS: PREL PARM PTER ETTC YM COUNTER TERRORISM
SUBJECT: WEAPONS BUYBACK REDUX

REF: SANAA 1590

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


1. (S/NF) Brigadier General Shater, under orders from
President Saleh, held a 7/2 viewing of ROYG proceeds from
recent weapons buyback collection efforts for the Ambassador
and other USG officials (reftel). On July 6, Shater met with
the Ambassador to ascertain the U.S. reaction to the display
and to discuss ROYG's ongoing arms control strategies,
including the weapons buyback program. Also in attendance
were DATT, PolOff (notetaker),and Ossami al-Shami from
Presidential Protocol. (Comment: Al-Shami's presence
indicates the President's personal oversight of this recent
exchange. End comment.)


2. (S/NF) Ambassador said that initiatives like the weapons
buyback program are extremely important because of reports
indicating that arms and munitions from Yemen were used in
the Riyadh attacks. However, citing similar buyback
programs' creation of secondary markets, the Ambassador
stressed that the U.S. will not attempt to purchase billions
of dollars of weapons worldwide -- but the U.S. will help
with technical assistance.


3. (S/NF) Ambassador reiterated the April and 7/2 offer of
assistance (reftel) in the form of a DIA team. This team
would consist of specialists capable of helping ROYG
catalogue current stockpiles and future acquisitions. This
data could then be incorporated into a database that would
allow both ROYG and the U.S. to ascertain the origins of
weapons purchased through the weapons buyback program, seized
at borders, or used in terrorist incidents worldwide. (Note:
Depending upon the findings and recommendations of the DIA
Team, this may include the acquisition and installation of
computer and commo systems capable of sustaining a database.
End note.)


4. (C) Shater said he would take the U.S. offer to the
President. He also noted that he believes draft arms control
legislation, designed to tighten controls on illicit trade
and ban the possession of heavy weapons, will be passed by
parliament this session -- despite political and popular
opposition.


5. (S/NF) Comment: This carefully orchestrated exchange
shows ROYG's commitment to controlling the illicit arms trade
and the President's desire to secure external funding to
expand ongoing efforts. The continued removal of weapons
from the local market, legislation prohibiting their
possession, and the potential for increased technical
capabilities as offered by a DIA Team are encouraging
developments. End comment.


HULL