DFM NOMAN DISCUSSES ROYG PRESENCE IN BAGHDAD,

S E C R E T SANAA 001587 SIPDIS PLEASE PASS TO PM/JSHAUNFIELD E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/12/2015 TAGS: PREL PARM MASS PTER IZ YM DEMARCHE COUNTER TERRORISM SUBJECT: DFM NOMAN DISCUSSES ROYG PRESENCE IN BAGHDAD, SA/LW PROLIFERATION REF: A. STATE 107980 ¶B. SANAA 564 Classified By: DCM Nabeel Khoury for reasons 1.5 b and d. ¶1. (C) Summary. DCM met with Deputy Foreign Minister Mustafa Noman on June 12 to deliver ref A demarche on increasing ROYG diplomatic presence in Baghdad. Discussions also focused on proliferation of Yemen small arms and light weapons (SA/LW) and President Saleh's upcoming visit to Washington. End Summary. ¶2. (C) DCM delivered ref A demarche to Deputy Foreign Minister Mustafa Noman on June 13. He praised the ROYG's continuing support for the new Iraqi government, but stressed the importance of an increased Arab diplomatic presence in Baghdad, especially in fostering Sunni participation in drafting the new constitution. Noman expressed the ROYG's willingness to support Iraq, but said that security concerns prevent any increase in presence beyond the single low-level MFA official currently in Baghdad. Noman said the lone representative is "scared to death" and that the MFA is unlikely to find anyone else willing to accept this "dangerous posting." DCM suggested, and Noman agreed to consider, an alternative demonstration of ROYG support for the new Iraqi government---that President Saleh appoint an Ambassador to Iraq but place in Jordan on a temporary basis or simply defer sending to Baghdad pending improvement of security conditions. ¶3. (S) DCM expressed concern that the ROYG is not taking seriously its SA/LW commitments to the U.S. It appears, continued DCM, that the Ministry of Defense is "playing the same old game," with regard to the role of third party arms dealers in procurement. DCM warned Noman that the USG would not look the other way if officially procured weapons keep disappearing from government stocks. "We are and will continue to monitor the situation closely," DCM told Noman, assuring him that Yemen SA/LW will be a major topic during Saleh's visit to Washington. ¶4. (S) Noman relayed a recent conversation with Saleh, saying he informed the President that any hopes of securing additional USG support during his upcoming visiting are predicated on SA/LW action. Noman told the DCM that he believes Saleh is serious about tackling the problem of Yemeni SA/LW, but that some slippage from official procurements, particularly in the early days of the new policy, is inevitable. Noman promised to raise the issue again with Saleh during a June 15 meeting. ¶5. (S) Comment: Even if Saleh is fully committed to his pledge (ref B),Noman noted MOD reluctance to accept USG inventory system assistance as a major roadblock. NSB (de facto) Chief Ammar Saleh told Pol/Econ Chief June 7 that Saleh had already given MOD the green light on inventory assistance, but that continues to stall. Saying that ignorance on the part of the MOD about the assistance is hindering progress, Noman suggested sending three to four ROYG military officers to the U.S. to learn more about the proposed system. In post's view, MOD knows all too well what the inventory system means - accountability. Still, a close look at how a modern inventory system works might be a good first step toward convincing the ROYG to adopt one. Post will be communicating further on this with PM Bureau and DOD. End Comment. Krajeski