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. -------------- --- ROYG does not intend to sell weapons to Khartoum -------------- --- ¶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. -------------- Saleh runs hot and cold on IIG... -------------- ¶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). -------------- ...And all Politics is Personal -------------- ¶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