ARTICLE 98 NOT YET RATIFIED: DFM NOTES "TIMING IS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 001733

SIPDIS

PM/SNA FOR AMBASSADOR BODINE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/17/2014
TAGS: KICC PTER YM
SUBJECT: ARTICLE 98 NOT YET RATIFIED: DFM NOTES "TIMING IS
DIFFICULT"

REF: SECSTATE 145167

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Nabeel Khoury
for reasons 1.5 (b and d)


1. (c) Pol/Econ Chief met with Deputy Foreign Minister for
Europe, the Americas and International Organizations Mustapha
Noman on 7/11 and delivered message in reftel on the
importance of Article 98 ratification. Noman said that he
was aware that the issue had been discussed twice in
Parliament and that Article 98 ratification had not moved
forward, but did not know if it was due to procedural,
substantive or political reasons. In an obvious reference to
Abu Ghraib, he noted that the timing for Article 98
discussions was "difficult" and "not good for the U.S."
Pol/Econ Chief explained that the U.S. has taken the
allegations against the perpetrators of abuse at Abu Ghraib
seriously and following investigations has commenced
prosecuting criminal behavior, as demonstrated by the recent
court martial proceedings.


2. (c) In subsequent email exchanges on 7/14 and 7/16, Noman
clarified that the Article 98 agreement has not been ratified
for "administrative reasons" and promised to provide status
updates on any changes.

HULL