FM QIRBI ON THE DIPLOMATIC POUCH, EMBASSY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 000767

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/14/2013
TAGS: PREL ADCO ADPM YM
SUBJECT: FM QIRBI ON THE DIPLOMATIC POUCH, EMBASSY
VEHICLES, AND NON-DIPLOMATIC PLATES

REF: SANAA 339

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


1. (C) Summary: Ambassador and Foreign Minister Abu Bakr
al-Qirbi discussed problems plaguing the diplomatic pouch,
outstanding vehicle exemption requests and the shortage of
non-diplomatic "blue" license plates during an April 12
meeting on various subjects (septels). Ambassador criticized
the lack of ROYG consistency and stressed the need for a
swift resolution to avoid wider ramifications. FM Qirbi
agreed to contact his ROYG counterparts to get these issues
resolved. End summary.

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Diplomatic Pouch
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2. (C) Ambassador highlighted the latest diplomatic pouch
run on April 11 as another example of ROYG inconsistency. He
noted that post did everything ROYG requested and even sent
people to the airport on 4/10 to make sure preparations were
complete. Regardless, there were still new requirements on
April 11 when the pouches arrived. Ambassador added that
post now faces a situation that will require even larger
shipments just to catch-up with the backlog.


3. (C) Noting that this impasse is continuing to draw
attention in Washington, Ambassador delivered a non-paper
outlining an April 4th incident in which diplomatic couriers
were physically prevented from performing their duties -- one
sustaining minor injuries while trying to maintain possession
of the pouch.


4. (C) After hearing the details of the April 4th incident,
FM Qirbi said he would raise the issue during a meeting with
PSO Chief Gamish scheduled for later that afternoon (4/12).

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Vehicle Exemptions
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5. (C) Ambassador called FM Qirbi's attention to four
pending vehicle exemptions at the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, all of which are for armored vehicles. Ambassador
highlighted the Embassy's need for additional armored
vehicles to maintain a strong security posture, and advised
that, due in part to the Embassy's growth because of
increased U.S.-Yemen cooperation, additional vehicle
exemption requests for both armored and personal vehicles
would be forthcoming. Qirbi acknowledged the importance of
maintaining security, but made no commitment to streamline
the process.

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"Blue" License Plates
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6. (C) When discussion turned to the shortage of blue
(non-diplomatic) license plates, FM Qirbi immediately denied
MFA involvement in their issuance. Ambassador countered that
the Ministry of Interior, the only other player in the
process, said that the MOI has no objection to the release of
these plates, the implication being that unresolved problems
were to be dealt with by the MFA.


7. (C) Qirbi replied that he would raise this issue with
the Minister of Interior later that day (4/12). The
Ambassador welcomed Qirbi's involvement and added that the
Embassy is trying to help ROYG by making U.S. officials
harder targets -- by removing easily identifiable diplomatic
plates and replacing them with regular blue plates.

HULL