YEMENI FM QIRBI SUGGESTS IRAQI GOVERNING COUNCIL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 001818 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA DIBBLE E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/27/2013 TAGS: PREL YM IZ DEMARCHE SUBJECT: YEMENI FM QIRBI SUGGESTS IRAQI GOVERNING COUNCIL SOLICIT ARAB LEAGUE ACCEPTANCE REF: A. (A) STATE 215824 AND PREVIOUS ¶B. (B) MUSCAT 1621 ¶C. (C) SANAA 1788 Classified By: Ambassador Edmund J. Hull for reasons 1.5 (b and d) ¶1. (u) This is an action request. See comment/request in paragraph 5. ¶2. (c) In a meeting with FM Qirbi on July 27, the Ambassador lauded the formation of the IGC and its recent participation in the UNSC meeting in New York. He noted UN SYG Annan's supportive statements and Special Representative de Mello's supporting role in helping the IGC to begin the process of normalizing Iraq by naming ministers and ambassadors, writing a new Constitution and preparing for elections. He strongly urged Yemen to make public statements in support of the IGC and provided the talking points in reftel a as a non-paper. ¶3. (c) In response to the demarche, Qirbi said Iraq is on the agenda for the next Arab League ministerial in September and indicated that the ROYG would follow the Arab League's decisions on the IGC, According to Qirbi, the need for the IGC to have backing of the Iraqi people in the form of constitutional status was discussed at a meeting of Arab League countries and until the formulation of such a government, Yemen views the "alliance" (coalition) as being the "rulers" of Iraq. ¶4. (c) In response to the question of whether Iraq would be allowed a representative at the League's meeting of foreign ministers, Qirbi suggested that IGC members might be permitted to address the League in their "personal" capacities. He also suggested the need for a "roadmap" for how the Arab League and its members will work with the UN to benefit Iraq. He asked whether or not the coalition wants Arab participation in resolving Iraq-related issues and what Arab countries' role would be in supporting coalition objectives. Qirbi stated that Yemen sees the key goals as: a democratic state with a new Constitution, ending "occupation" and re-integrating Iraq into the region. ¶5. (c) Comment/action request: The upcoming Arab League ministerial in September could be an opportunity to gain broad Arab acceptance of the IGC, if the UNSC precedent is followed. We recommend that the Department build early support among sympathetic Arab League members for such a step. End comment/action request. HULL