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