YEMENI PRESIDENT SALEH VISITS ETHIOPIA; MOVE TO INCREASE TRILATERAL COOPERATION AMONG YEMEN-ETHIOPIA-SUDAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 001814

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/27/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER ETRD EIND ECON YM ET COUNTER TERRORISM ECON COM
SUBJECT: YEMENI PRESIDENT SALEH VISITS ETHIOPIA; MOVE TO
INCREASE TRILATERAL COOPERATION AMONG YEMEN-ETHIOPIA-SUDAN

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


1. (c) In a July 27 meeting with the Ambassador, Foreign
Minister Qirbi said Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh,s
recent visit to Ethiopia paved the way for increasing
regional cooperation. FM Qirbi deemed President Ali Abdullah
Saleh,s three day trip successful in terms of strengthening
Yemeni-Ethiopian coordination on counter-terrorism, as well
as planning for economic development and increased trade. He
claimed that the growing tripartite alliance that includes
the Sudan is not directed against any country, but is open to
all and designed to increase economic cooperation among the
HOA countries. He also said that settling disputes by
peaceful means (e.g., in Somalia and the Sudan) would be a
major function of the alliance. Noting that the Sudan and
Ethiopia already have a open trade zone and that the
Ethiopian market for Yemeni goods (oil and agricultural
products) is about $120 million, Qirbi said the goal is to
eventually have a Free Trade Area (FTA) and to develop a
common market. The Ethiopian and Yemeni presidents also met
with businessmen to discuss improving the investment
environment.


2. (c) The Ambassador mentioned General Robeson,s recent
visit to Yemen (septel),his interest in the HOA, training in
Yemen and other countries, and the possibility of future
regional exercises. He also asked about Kenya,s inclusion
in the alliance. According to Qirbi no other specific
countries or limitations on cooperation were discussed by the
presidents. There is interest, however, in developing
stonger ties to Tanzania given the large Tanzanian population
in Yemen.
HULL