S E C R E T SANAA 000584

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/24/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ YM DEMARCHE
SUBJECT: CLOSURE OF IRAQI MISSIONS

REF: A. STATE 72921

B. STATE 75557

Classified By: Edmund J. Hull, Ambassador for Reasons 1.5 (b,d)


1. (S/NF) DCM delivered reftel demarches to Chief of the
Americas Office Abdul-Salam Q. Al-Awadi on 3/24. Awadi said
he would convey the U.S. message to FM Qirbi, but offered his
own "opinion" of the ROYG position. He said that it would be
very difficult for Yemen to act against Iraq because of their
long-standing bilateral relations. He further noted that for
countries like Jordan and Egypt this type of action would be
easier because they are closer to the U.S. Awadi also
indicated that the ROYG was concerned about Yemeni students
still present in Iraq, noting that severance of diplomatic
contacts could restrict the ROYG's ability to assist them.


2. (S/NF) DCM explained that our request pertained only to
the Iraqi government, its officials and its missions, and
that Yemen-Iraq people-to-people relations would obviously
continue. Moreover, the impending removal of the Iraqi
regime would compel the ROYG to address the question of how
to deal with representatives from Saddam's government. Still
hesitant, Awadi stated that it would be very difficult to
change the ROYG position, especially in light of Yemeni
support for the Iraqi people.


3. (S/NF) Also in attendance were DATT and
Pol/EconOff(notetaker).

HULL