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