CLOSURE OF IRAQI MISSIONS

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