Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05SANAA1346
2005-05-23 11:10:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Sanaa
Cable title:  

FM DISCUSSES KORAN DESECRATION, PRESS LAW, SALEH

Tags:  PREL PTER KAWC PHUM KMPI ECON 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

231110Z May 05
C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 001346 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/18/2015
TAGS: PREL PTER KAWC PHUM KMPI ECON
SUBJECT: FM DISCUSSES KORAN DESECRATION, PRESS LAW, SALEH
VISIT

REF: A. SANAA 1311


B. SANAA 1054

C. SANAA 1301

Classified By: Ambassador Thomas C. Krajeski for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d
).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 001346

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/18/2015
TAGS: PREL PTER KAWC PHUM KMPI ECON
SUBJECT: FM DISCUSSES KORAN DESECRATION, PRESS LAW, SALEH
VISIT

REF: A. SANAA 1311


B. SANAA 1054

C. SANAA 1301

Classified By: Ambassador Thomas C. Krajeski for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d
).


1. (C) Summary. On May 18 Ambassador met with Foreign
Minister Abubakr al-Qirbi. Discussions centered on the
release of a Yemeni detainee from GTMO (ref A),ROYG response
to Koran desecration allegations, Ambassador's canceled
meeting with Yemeni journalists, and Saleh's proposed visit
to Washington.

-------------- -
ROYG Response to Koran Desecration Allegations
-------------- -


2. (C) Ambassador thanked Qirbi for his controlled response
to allegations that Guantanamo interrogators desecrated the
Holy Koran, praising his measured and objective public
response for helping to prevent the sort of violent public
reaction seen in Pakistan and Afghanistan. He ensured Qirbi
that even with Newsweek's retraction, the USG continues to
take the issue very seriously, and intends to investigate any
such allegation thoroughly. Ambassador added that the USG
considers the desecration of any religious text to be an
abhorrent act.

-------------- --------------
Concerns over Embassy's Relationship with Press
-------------- --------------


3. (C) Pulling Ambassador aside for a one-on-one, Qirbi
expressed ROYG concern over Ambassador's May 14 scheduled
meeting with 14 leading Yemeni journalists and ROYG officials
to discuss a draft amendment to Yemeni press law (ref B).
The meeting was canceled shortly before it was to take place,
when Saleh convoked Ambassador (ref C). Ambassador stressed
that the canceled meeting was intended to be a forum to
address media issues including press freedoms and the new
press law. (Comment: Saleh is very sensitive about Embassy
contacts with the press and follows personally meetings
between even junior EmbOffs and journalists. Without jumping
to conclusions, President Saleh did not raise any new or
immediate issues in the last minute May 15 meeting he called
with Ambassador that led to the cancellation of Ambassador's
meeting with the press syndicate. At the end of the meeting,
Saleh told Ambassador that he was aware of the press lunch
and the Ambassador's need to return to the Embassy. When
Ambassador said he had to cancel the lunch, Saleh only
smiled. End Comment.)

--------------
Saleh's Proposed Visit to Washington
--------------


4. (C) Ambassador confirmed to the FM that the White House
still hopes to schedule President Saleh's visit for late
September, before the beginning of Ramadan, but that the
Presidency should also keep in mind late November as an
alternative. Qirbi expressed his desire to work closely with
the Ambassador on the key bilateral issues in the run-up to
the visit. Ambassador agreed that thorough preliminary work
on issues including counter-terrorism, controlling SA/LW,
economic and democratic reform, and the protection of human
rights would maximize the effectiveness of the meeting.
Krajeski