YEMEN ASKS TO HOST FORUM FOR THE FUTURE SUMMIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 002411 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/08/2014 TAGS: PREL ECON KMPI YM DEMOCRATIC REFORM ECON COM SUBJECT: YEMEN ASKS TO HOST FORUM FOR THE FUTURE SUMMIT REF: A. STATE 177377 ¶B. SANAA 2046 Classified By: Ambassador Thomas C. Krajeski; reasons 1.4 (b),(d). ¶1. (U) This is an action request. See paragraph 4. ¶2. (C) Ambassador discussed ROYG plans to participate in follow-on initiatives to the Sea Island G-8 BMENA Plan of Support for Reform with Deputy Foreign Minister Mustafa No'man on September 7. No'man confirmed Foreign Minister Qirbi's plans to participate in the September 24 Forum for the Future ministerial meeting to be held on the margins of UNGA. The DFM was unable to provide the sub-cabinet level ROYG representative to the September 23-24 preparatory meetings, but promised to inform the Embassy as soon as an official is designated (ref A). ¶3. (C) No'man delivered a message to Ambassador from President Saleh proposing that Yemen be the location for the Middle East Forum for the Future summit. He suggested that the event take place in December in Sana'a, following Ramadan. The DFM asked Ambassador for U.S. support for Yemen as host, and assistance in carrying out the summit. Calling the participation of civil society NGO's in the proposed summit a "sensitive issue," No'man requested NGO's be chosen by the Council of Foreign Relations. No'man asked for an answer before the September 24 ministerial on whether the USG would support Yemen as host. ¶4. (C) Begin Action Request. Post requests guidance from Washington on the future location of the Forum and possible follow-on opportunities for Sana'a. End Action Request. ¶5. (C) Comment: The idea for the Sana'a Forum for the Future summit is likely being proposed as a follow-on to the January 2004 Sana'a Conference (ref B). Post appreciates Saleh's initiative to keep reform and the outcomes of the Sana'a conference moving forward, although we understand that other venues are being considered. End Comment KRAJESKI