PRESIDENT SALEH ACCEPTS SEA ISLAND INVITATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 001172 SIPDIS NEA FOR SUTPHIN E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/16/2014 TAGS: PREL PGOV AL YM SUBJECT: PRESIDENT SALEH ACCEPTS SEA ISLAND INVITATION REF: E-MAILS ORIGINATING 5/13 FROM LAROCCO AND SUTPHIN AND SUBSEQUENT Classified By: DCM Alan G. Misenheimer for Reasons 1/5 (b,d) ¶1. (C) Ambassador and DCM called upon Foreign Minister Qirbi 5/16 to discuss President Saleh's acceptance of the G-8 Sea Island invitation (ref e-mails). Qirbi asked about the formal invitation, travel arrangements to the U.S. and the proposed agenda. Ambassador briefed Qirbi on the known details, including other regional invitations extended. The FM said Saudi Prince Saud told him 5/15 that Crown Prince Abdullah was favorable towards attending. As for President Saleh's arrangements, Qirbi speculated on a possible 6/7 departure from Sanaa using the Presidential plane (a 747), with arrival at Hunter Army Airfield on 6/8 after an overnight stay on the way. Qirbi asked about lodging options and other details near Sea Island, and they discussed points of contact (POCs) for finalizing all arrangements. Other subjects discussed septel. ¶2. (U) Qirbi indicated the following ROYG POCs: In the U.S.: -- Yemen Embassy to the United States: Ambassador Abdul Waheb al-Hajjri In Yemen: -- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: FM Advisor Abdul Hakim al-Iryani -- President's Office: Head of Protocol Fadhl Abdul Khaliq ¶3. (U) Point of Contact for Embassy Sanaa is Pol/Econ Deputy Chief Catherine Westley, who can be contacted at the following phone numbers: Embassy: (967) (1) 303-155 extension 2206, cell phone (967) 7321-3504. Her e-mail addresses are: classified: westleycj@state.sgov.gov; unclassified: westleyc@state.gov. The number for emergencies SIPDIS only is (967) (1) 303-166 (Post One). HULL