YEMEN'S FM QIRBI ON SECRETARY POWELL'S UNSC IRAQ

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 000255 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/08/2013 TAGS: PGOV PREL ADCO ADPM YM SUBJECT: YEMEN'S FM QIRBI ON SECRETARY POWELL'S UNSC IRAQ SPEECH AND OTHER MATTERS REF: A. 02 SANAA 3822 ¶B. 02 SANAA 3853 ¶C. 02 SECSTATE 241052 ¶D. SANAA 37 ¶E. SANAA 154 Classified By: Acting Pol/Econ Chief Catherine J. Westley. Reason: 1. 5 (b,d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Charge called on FM Qirbi to discuss the Secretary's UNSC speech and ongoing pouch issues (refs) on SIPDIS February 8. Qirbi's response to the speech was measured, noting that it contained circumstantial evidence and expressing hope that the evidence can be given to inspectors to corroborate before any new UNSCR. Qirbi looked ahead to the inspectors' reports on February 14 and expressed hope that there would be no war. Also present were MFA advisor al-Iryani, AdminOff and A/PolEcon Chief (notetaker). End Summary. -------------- Iraq and Reaction to Secretary's UNSC Speech -------------- ¶2. (C) Charge said that Secretary Powell's speech clearly documented that Iraq is in material breach of UNSCR 1441, and noted that the Council might consider a second resolution. He underscored the importance of Blix's 2/14 report and emphasized that the onus is on Iraq to comply with its obligations. Charge pointed out that, while there was no timetable for action, President Bush has made clear it must be a matter of weeks and not months. FM Qirbi welcomed receipt of a copy of Secretary Powell's speech. ¶3. (C) FM Qirbi replied that Powell's speech "obviously" contained a lot of "circumstantial evidence" and there were many points of view about what the evidence meant. He expressed the view that all evidence should be given to the inspectors for follow-up investigation as a preliminary step to any new UNSCR. Qirbi said that the ROYG looked forward to Blix's visit to Baghdad, and his report, to document that Iraq is not adhering to UNSCR 1441 or that the inspectors need more time. The FM said that "we in Yemen and in the region" hope there will be no invasion and no war, as this would "destabilize the delicate situation" in the region. He noted approvingly that the U.S., while sustaining pressure on Baghdad, was also showing some flexibility in its approach. ¶4. (C) Qirbi also mentioned a speech by the Hezbollah Secretary General on February 7, which he perceived as SIPDIS addressing an admonitory message to Saddam. The FM said the speech opposed war, but also called for institutional and political change in Iraq and placed the onus on Saddam to initiate a reform process. -------------- Pouch -------------- ¶5. (C) Charge also brought up the diplomatic pouch issue and asked whether the FM had met with PSO Chief Gamish to finalize the last pending detail of the pouch guidelines worked out between Qirbi and Amb. Hull. Qirbi noted that Gamish had just returned to Yemen February 6 after a lengthy stay abroad, and said he would try to meet with him before Eid. Charge noted that the issue remained an Embassy priority and was followed at very high levels in the State Department. AdminOff expressed appreciation for the MFA's assistance in facilitating the arrival of five classified pouch bags February 7, and also expressed concern that one of the bags was briefly, and apparently inadvertently, mishandled. -------------- CBW Escape Masks -------------- ¶6. (C) Charge informed FM Qirbi that CBW protective masks for Embassy Sanaa personnel had been held up in Customs for some weeks. He asked for Qirbi's help if necessary to get the masks released before Eid, and Qirbi agreed. -------------- MEPI; Heightened U.S. Security Alert -------------- ¶7. (C) Charge referred to the just-completed visit of NEA/RA Director Grappo, noting that it had been productive and should improve prospects for assistance to Yemen under the rubric of the Middle East Partnership Initiative. Qirbi expressed gratitude and said that it is always useful to have officials come to Yemen so they can see for themselves the developments made and challenges faced in the country. Charge also described the recent worldwide security alerts, noting that these general alerts focused on the United States and the Persian Gulf (including Yemen),but that there were no known specific threats in Yemen. Charge thanked Qirbi for the continuing excellent security provided by the ROYG to safeguard U.S. locations and personnel in Yemen. ¶8. (U) Finally, Charge passed to Qirbi several letters, including the Secretary's Eid messages to him and the Prime Minister and the response to Qirbi's MEPI letter and the President's Eid message to President Saleh. MISENHEIMER