Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04SANAA506
2004-03-07 12:51:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Sanaa
Cable title:  

FM QIRBI ON ARAB LEAGUE, GREATER MIDDLE EAST

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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 000506 

SIPDIS

NSC FOR HADLEY; STATE FOR NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2014
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER ECON EAID KISL YM DEMOCRATIC REFORM
SUBJECT: FM QIRBI ON ARAB LEAGUE, GREATER MIDDLE EAST
INITIATIVE, MCA AND OTHER TOPICS

REF: A. SANAA 146


B. SANAA 498

C. SECSTATE 49816

D. SANAA 505

Classified By: Ambassador Edmund J. Hull for Reasons 1.5 (b,d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 000506

SIPDIS

NSC FOR HADLEY; STATE FOR NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2014
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER ECON EAID KISL YM DEMOCRATIC REFORM
SUBJECT: FM QIRBI ON ARAB LEAGUE, GREATER MIDDLE EAST
INITIATIVE, MCA AND OTHER TOPICS

REF: A. SANAA 146


B. SANAA 498

C. SECSTATE 49816

D. SANAA 505

Classified By: Ambassador Edmund J. Hull for Reasons 1.5 (b,d)


1. (C) Summary: Ambassador called on ROYG Foreign Minister
3/7 to discuss developments with Arab League reform and the
Greater Middle East Initiative upon the FM's return from the
Cairo AL ministerial. Qirbi highlighted the drafting of a
charter committing the Arab League to political and economic
reform. On the GME Initiative, Qirbi said that some Arab
governments were apprehensive while some were willing to
consider points for "dialogue." Qirbi had little to add on
recent CT operations in Abyan (septel). He welcomed
information on Millennium Challenge Account (MCA).
Ambassador also thanked FM for the ROYG condemnation the Iraq
bombings and the Ministry's assistance in addressing
Trafficking in Persons (TIP). Also present were DCM and
Acting Pol/Econ Chief (notetaker). End Summary.

-------------- --------------
Arab League Reform; Greater Middle East Initiative
-------------- --------------


2. (C) Responding to the Ambassador's query on the meeting
of Arab foreign ministers in Cairo, FM Qirbi said intense
debate occurred on "lots of issues," especially Arab League
reform and how to proceed. Qirbi said the important point
was they agreed to draft a charter committing themselves to
political and economic reform, including helping
underdeveloped Arab countries. Qirbi also noted they
stressed the Arab commitment to Palestine. The draft AL
reform proposal from Egypt, Syria and Saudi Arabia was
changed after discussions to a "balanced and stronger"
version. Qirbi said Arab leaders will designate foreign
ministers to work on "substantial changes" to the Arab League
charter, with proposals to be presented at the 2005 Algiers
meeting. Qirbi later told the Ambassador that the
discussions on Iraq were "positive," with the Arab League
exhorting Iraqis to pull together and move forward.


3. (C) On the Greater Middle East Initiative, Qirbi said
that some foreign ministers objected to it being brought up
without being on the formal agenda. Qirbi noted it was
debated for two hours, with more discussion planned in Tunis.
He said some were apprehensive, while some feel that it
should be considered to see which issues are relevant so that
a dialogue can begin. Qirbi noted two missing points that
would have "made the Initiative more acceptable":
Israel-Palestine and Iraq. Ambassador noted U/S Grossman's
recent consultations and FM Qirbi's discussions in
Washington, particularly at the NSC, as part of a broader
dialogue. Ambassador raised the inclusion of the Sana'a
Declaration (ref A) in the Under Secretary's remarks. Qirbi
joked that he never thought the Declaration would be passed
(at the Sana'a Conference),noting that the European
Commission had also adopted a resolution marking the
Declaration as a basis for moving forward. He encouraged the
U.S. and Europe to work together with Arab governments.

-------------- --
Iraq Bombing Condemnation; Security Operations/
Renditions to Egypt; MCA; Trafficking in Persons;
Upcoming Visitors
-------------- --


4. (C) Ambassador thanked Qirbi for ROYG statements
condemning the attacks on Karbala and Baghdad (ref B).
Having just returned from Cairo, Qirbi added little
information about recent security operations by ROYG security
forces in Abyan that arrested al-Naseeb and others (septel),
only noting that arrests announced to be in relation to
suspects related to the USS Cole gives the public "acceptable
reasons" for arrests, hinting that the relationship to the
Cole is not always accurate. Ambassador noted the positive
developments in Yemen and Egypt's security relationship as
typified by the recent rendition of several suspects.


5. (C) Ambassador passed report and talking points on
Millennium Challenge Account (ref C) and noted the provision
for governments to provide comments. Ambassador said MCA was
a priority, and Qirbi noted he had been briefed already by
Yemen's Ambassador to the U.S. on the March 5 discussions.
Ambassador thanked FM for the comprehensive cooperation
provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other ROYG
ministries in addressing Trafficking in Persons (TIP).
Ambassador noted TIP's importance and recognized the
assistance of the Minister of Human Rights (ref D).
Ambassador also mentioned possible upcoming USG visitors,
including CJTF-HOA Brigadier General Robeson, CENTCOM General
Abazaid and Arabian Peninsula U.S. Ambassadors.
HULL