Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04SANAA3070
2004-12-12 14:55:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Sanaa
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT

Tags:  PREL PGOV PTER YM DOMESTIC POLITICS 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 003070 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/11/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER YM DOMESTIC POLITICS
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT
SHEIKH AL-AHMAR

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 003070

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/11/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER YM DOMESTIC POLITICS
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT
SHEIKH AL-AHMAR

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


1. (C) Summary. Ambassador paid a courtesy call on Speaker
of Parliament and head of the Islah opposition party Abdullah
al-Ahmar on December 11. Al-Ahmar refused to address
pressing domestic issues, including much-needed economic
reforms, Parliament's agenda, and Islah's political agenda,
instead insisting that the Palestine and Iraq are "the
biggest and most important" issues facing the Yemeni People.


2. (C) The 71-year-old leader of the Hashid tribal
federation, the largest and most powerful northern federation
of which Saleh is a member, appeared relatively well, having
just returned to Sanaa after almost a yearlong absence from
the scene for medical treatment. Ambassador asked the Sheikh
for his views on pressing economic reforms, issues before
Parliament, and for his thoughts on how Yemen could most
benefit from U.S. cooperation and assistance. Al-Ahmar
preferred to discuss regional issues, characterizing
U.S.-ROYG relations as "good" but, as for the Yemeni people,
"their most important concern is the Palestinian problem,"
and they blame the U.S.


3. (C) Ambassador said the U.S. is fully committed to a two
state solution and resumption of the peace process, adding
that it is difficult to believe that the biggest problem
facing the average Yemeni citizen is the situation in
Palestine. "It is," relied al-Ahmar, "and it is the reason
for terrorism."


4. (C) Ambassador raised President Saleh's BMENA
participation and the ROYG's commitment to regional
leadership on democratic reform. Not taking the bait,
al-Ahmar replied that the friendliness of Arab leaders toward
the United States is not genuine but based on their fear of
American power. Ambassador asked the Sheikh if that was true
for Yemen. "Its true for all Arab Governments," replied the
Sheikh, "except maybe Jordan," which is a U.S.-British
creation. Al-Ahmar conceded that the U.S. can play a
positive role in Yemen through economic aid, but advised that
a change in regional policy would go much further with the
street. "It is better to gain the respect of the people than
that of their rulers," he said.

--------------
Comment
--------------


5. (C) Al-Ahmar appeared well, putting to rest numerous
rumors circulated about supposed amputations and dire health.
His posture at the start of the meeting was stiff, but
loosened up as it went on. He stressed at the end that
despite his criticisms, s he favored a dynamic dialogue with
the USG. Al-Ahmar is more a tribal leader and entrenched
member of the Yemeni Establishment than Parliamentarian or
opposition figure. He is a major stakeholder in the status
quo, an importer of arms, and a leader in the oil and gas
services industry; his leadership of the Islamic opposition,
perhaps by design, practically ensures that Parliamentary
challenges to the Executive as well as his party's agenda
will be measured and limited. End Comment.
KRAJESKI