DEMARCHES DELIVERED: SUPPORT FOR IRAQ ELECTIONS,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 002996

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2014
TAGS: PREL PTER ETTC SU IZ YM DEMARCHE
SUBJECT: DEMARCHES DELIVERED: SUPPORT FOR IRAQ ELECTIONS,
WEAPONS OUT OF SUDAN

REF: A. STATE 254809

B. STATE 254293

Classified By: DCM Nabeel Khoury for reasons 1.4 b and d.


1. (C) Summary. DCM delivered ref A and B demarches on
keeping weapons out of Sudan (ref A) and encouraging support
for full participation in Iraqi elections to Deputy Foreign
Minister Noman on December 1. Pointing to President Saleh's
on-again, off-again support for Coalition and IIG efforts,
DCM pressed for a more consistent, positive ROYG support for
the IIG and political process. In response, Noman suggested
that a phone call from Iraqi PM Allawi to President Saleh
might break the ice between the two leaders. On Sudan, Noman
assured DCM that the ROYG has no plans to for a weapons deal
with Khartoum. End Summary.

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ROYG does not intend to sell weapons to Khartoum
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2. (C) DCM shared USG concerns over the flow of weapons to
Sudan, particularly at a time when progress in Darfur is
fragile and the Africa Union mission to stabilize western
Sudan ongoing, (ref B). Noman replied that in an effort to
ease the crisis Yemen has frequent diplomatic contacts with
Khartoum, but that the ROYG does not intend to supply weapons
to any party in the conflict.

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Saleh runs hot and cold on IIG...
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3. (C) Pointing to President Saleh's recent and contradictory
statements concerning the IIG and coalition efforts in Iraq,
DCM said it was critical that the ROYG join its neighbors and
G8 partners by showing consistent support for the political
process and for January 30 elections, (ref A). (Note: During
his recent European tour, Saleh harshly criticized the
assault on Fallujah calling it a "massacre" and a "big
mistake," and said the U.S. commitment to democracy is "in
word only." In an interview only days later, however, the
President touted Yemen's partnership in the GWOT. On Iraq,
Saleh stated his support for coalition efforts and even
offered to help in keeping the election process on time. End
Note).

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...And all Politics is Personal
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4. (C) Noman affirmed that the ROYG supported a peaceful
transition. DCM reflected that FM Zubari's visit to Sanaa
took considerable groundwork but in the end was worthwhile.
Noman suggested that an Allawi visit would be premature but
that a phone call from the Iraqi PM reaching out to President
Saleh might improve the President's tone. "Saleh has a
personal dislike for the man," confided the DFM, "and
everything for the President is personal." DCM promised to
share the idea with Washington and the IIG through their
Embassy in Sanaa, adding that, personal feelings aside, it in
the interest of all Iraqis, including Sunnis, and all
regional players, including Yemen, to encourage the political
process and timely elections in Iraq.
KRAJESKI