SALEH SHARES HIS PLAN FOR IRAQ AND PEACE PROCESS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 001696

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/19/2015
TAGS: PREL KISL KPAL KWBG IS IZ YM OVID
SUBJECT: SALEH SHARES HIS PLAN FOR IRAQ AND PEACE PROCESS

Classified By: DCM Nabeel Khoury for reasons 1.5 b and d.


1. (C) Summary. President Saleh convoked Ambassador June 19
to pass his advice to the U.S. on how to solve the insurgency
in Iraq and advance the Middle East peace process. As the
U.S. will not be able to send a Washington envoy to Sanaa for
the June 28-30 Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)
meeting, Saleh asked Ambassador to pass his ideas on Iraq and
the peace process to Washington. Ambassador promised Saleh
he would personally deliver his suggestions when he arrives
in D.C. next week. Saleh also raised the timing of his
November trip to the U.S. to meet President Bush, asking that
the visit be scheduled before he meets President Chirac in
Paris on November 14. End Summary

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Saleh's Vision for Iraq...
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2. (C) Saleh described his four-point plan for enhancing
security and stability and ending the violence in Iraq.
"This is my vision, said the President:

- One, coalition forces under U.S. leadership announce the
withdrawal of their forces to four major bases located
outside of Iraqi cities, preventing them from "face to face
contact" with Iraqi citizens. The announcement should
include steps leading to the Iraqi security and military
forces assuming full responsibility for Iraq's security, and
to the complete withdrawal of coalition forces from Iraq.

- Two, the occupation authorities along with the Iraqi
Government declare an amnesty for all "gunmen of the Iraqi
resistance against coalition forces under U.S. leadership."
The first stage of the amnesty should require armed elements
to "leave their weapons in their homes." Once coalition
forces have left Iraq, the Iraqi authorities should then
collect these weapons. Part of this amnesty should include
resumption of salaries to the military and civil services of
the former regime "in order to guarantee their source of
living."

- Three, convene a national dialogue that includes all Iraqi
sects and factions in order to draft a constitution based in
political pluralism and not on "sectarianism and racism."

- Four, lift the ban on the Socialist Arab Baath party and
allow it to reconstitute itself within the "framework of
political and party pluralism."


3. (C) Saleh said that 80 percent of Iraqis would support
this plan, adding that he discussed his ideas with Iraqi
Deputy Prime Minister Jabbour at the recent G-77 meeting in
Doha and that Jabbour replied, "Its implementation would
guarantee peace."

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...and Middle East Peace
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4. (C) Saleh outlined for Ambassador his three-point plan for
Israel-Palestine:

- One, Israel stops construction of settlements and the "wall
of isolation," opens Gaza's airport and seaport, and releases
all Palestinian prisoners.

- Two, USG provides support to the efforts of Prime Minister
Abbas to end the violence, including holding meetings with
Palestinian factions in order to bring them into the peace
process.

- Three, USG provides increased development support and
economic aid to the PA to rebuild its economy and demonstrate
to the Palestinian people that they enjoy American support.

If the U.S. can do this, Saleh advised, "You can recover your
image in the Arab and Islamic world."

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ROGY Support for the ITG
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5. (C) Ambassador thanked President Saleh for sharing his
ideas, and for ROYG support for the ITG. Saleh confirmed his
intentions to support the ITG and said his proposal aims for
a quick end to violence so that transition to a democratic,
independent Iraq can take place. Other nations, however, are
not playing a constructive role, said the President, namely
Iran, Kuwait, Turkey and Syria.

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November Visit
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6. (C) Saleh raised his post-Ramadan visit to meet with
President Bush in early November. Explaining that he would
be visiting Chirac in Paris November 14, Saleh asked if his
D.C. itinerary might begin on or about November 7. Saleh
said he planned to remain in the U.S. until his departure for
France. Understanding that his official schedule would
likely be for two days, Saleh said he would spend the
remaining days getting an annual medical exam at Bethesda
Naval Hospital.

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Comment
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7. (C) Saleh's personal interests, which guide much of his
decision making, are not invested in either Iraq or
Palestine. His recommendations, general as they are, should
be received in the well-meaning spirit in which they were
intended. Post suggests a written response to the Yemeni
President, thanking him for his interest in regional peace
and promising to further study his proposal. End Comment.
Krajeski