Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04SANAA1085
2004-05-03 07:17:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Sanaa
Cable title:  

MEPI GRANT RECIPIENT DECLINES AWARD IN

Tags:  KPAO SCUL YM 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SANAA 001085 

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/PPD PENDLETON AGNEW
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/PI DAVID MULENEX

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO SCUL YM
SUBJECT: MEPI GRANT RECIPIENT DECLINES AWARD IN
PROTEST OF U.S. POLICIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST


UNCLAS SANAA 001085

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/PPD PENDLETON AGNEW
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/PI DAVID MULENEX

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO SCUL YM
SUBJECT: MEPI GRANT RECIPIENT DECLINES AWARD IN
PROTEST OF U.S. POLICIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST



1. The Yemeni Female Media Forum declined
acceptance of a MEPI small grant in the amount of
$16, 500 in protest of U.S. policies in the
region. The president of the Forum, Ms. Rahma
Hujaira, also withdrew herself as a nominee for
the International Visitors Program. Several
Yemeni papers and websites (see paragraph 3)
carried the text of her withdrawal letter, which
follows:


2. Begin text.
The Yemeni Female Media Form is thankful for all
the sincere efforts you have made to support us,
which makes us believe that there are avenues that
we both can walk down together to reach an Arab
and American dialogue that will shut off the
opportunity of Zionists fishing in dirty water and
will lead the region to stability, a goal that we
thought we share in common.

However, the ongoing events in Palestine since the
return of Sharon from his latest visit to the
U.S., where he received the green light to ignite
war in the region with American support, have made
us realize that we have been trying to fool
ourselves and create a common ground with your
government. The U.S. government has common
interests with the criminal interests of the
Zionist entity, which have led our efforts to
create peace with you to failure.

As we recognize and thank your efforts here, we
condemn your covering for the Zionist crimes and
your hideous attacks on women and children in
Iraq.

We remind you that we are part of this human
family and the Arab nation where you have chosen
to shed the blood of strugglers. This forces us
to choose resistance. After we have fooled
ourselves a lot with the idea of peace with
Israelis and their allies, your government does
not leave us any option or excuse to cooperate
with you in light of your vast cooperation with
the war criminals in Israel.

Therefore we notify you that we are withdrawing
our request for MEPI small grant funding, IV
program consideration, and Yemen American Language
Institute sponsorship, and we reject the support
of the U.S. to our Forum unless the U.S. adjusts
its oppressive policy in the region.

This rejection may forgive our helplessness
towards our brothers and free us from the penalty
of conscience.

We thank you for your previous cooperation with us
but be assured that we hold your government
responsible for the crimes and massacres against
our peoples in Palestine and Iraq.

Wishing you all peace and prosperity.

YFMF Head, Rahma Hujaira
End text.


3. Media coverage appeared in the following papers
and websites: Yemen Observer, independent weekly;
Annas, independent weekly; Al-Balagh, independent
weekly; Annahar, independent weekly; Al-Wahdawi
Net, web site of Al-Wahdawi weekly, mouthpiece of
the opposition Nasserite Party; and Al-Sahwa Net,
web site of Al-Sahwa weekly, mouthpiece of the
opposition Islah Party.

HULL