DEMARCHE TO YEMENI FM QIRBI ON DPRK MILITARY

S E C R E T SANAA 002769

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/22/2013
TAGS: MCAP PARM PREL YM KN DEMARCHE
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE TO YEMENI FM QIRBI ON DPRK MILITARY
CONTACTS

REF: A. SECSTATE 325049


B. SANAA 2550

C. SANAA 2463

D. SANAA 1990

E. SANAA 1455

Classified By: Classified by Charge D' Affaires Alan G. Misenheimer
for reasons 1.5 (b),(d) and (h).


1. (S) On November 22, Charge, accompanied by Pol/Econ Chief,
called on FM Qirbi to deliver ref a demarche, which Charge
noted was a follow-up to discussions with President Saleh by
both U/S Bolton and NEA A/S Burns (ref c),as well as
Ambassador's meeting with Defense Minister Aliwa (ref b).
Other topics from the meeting are reported septels.


2. (S) Qirbi stated repeatedly that Saleh had made clear
Yemen,s policy, i.e. that there would be no further
cooperation with North Korea. There will be no new
contracts, said Qirbi, stressing also that Yemen would make
no/no payment of any sort to North Korea. Rather, he said,
the ROYG is attempting to extract from the North Koreans full
service -- i.e. the missile repairs -- for "money already
paid which we cannot get back from them." He observed in
passing that U.S. compensation could simplify the issue.
Qirbi concluded with a promise to confer with the Ministry of
Finance and convey a further reply after the impending
government closure for the eid al-fitr holiday.
MISENHEIMER