FM QIRBI TALKS ABOUT IRAQI ELECTIONS, MCC, AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 000264

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/07/2015
TAGS: PREL PTER KDEM KMPI IZ YM ECON COM DEMOCRATIC REFORM
SUBJECT: FM QIRBI TALKS ABOUT IRAQI ELECTIONS, MCC, AND
PRESS FREEDOMS

REF: SANAA 03 2863 AND PREVIOUS

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


1. (SBU) Summary. Ambassador discussed the Iraqi Elections,
Yemen's MCC Threshold concept paper, and deterioration of
Press Freedoms in Yemen. End Summary.

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Iraqi Elections
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2. (C) Qirbi called the Iraqi elections an important first
step, commenting that "Yemen is in a position to welcome any
democratic progress in the Arab World as part of reforms we
started calling for in the region earlier than anyone else."
Qirbi congratulated Iraqis for going to the polls, adding
that he hoped those who lost the election would accept the
results, but feared they will instead accuse the winners of
rigging the elections. Unfortunately, said Qirbi, the Arab
experience with democracy demonstrates that "losers are not
very sporty." Ambassador responded that there is every
indication the newly elected Parliament will include
minorities in the task at hand -- drafting a new
constitution.


3. (C) Ambassador suggested that Yemen could play an
important role by being vocal in its support for the
political process in Iraq, and by supporting Iraq in regional
institutions such as the Organization of Islamic States and
Arab League. Qirbi nodded, commenting that the best way for
the USG to support unity in Iraq is by withdrawing coalition
forces at the earliest opportunity. This, he said, would
rally those who did not participate in the vote around the
new government.

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MCC Threshold: Improving the Investment Climate
-------------- --


4. (SBU) Ambassador congratulated Qirbi on the ROYG's
submission of its Threshold concept paper to the Millennium
Challenge Corporation. He commended the ROYG's focus on
improving Yemen's investment climate, calling it an important
step in the country's economic reform effort. Ambassador
stressed the importance of upcoming ROYG decisions on key
international tenders, particularly for management of the
Aden Port. A lot of eyes are on this process, said
Ambassador, underscoring the importance of conducting a
transparent process resulting in an award to a company of
international reputation.


5. (SBU) Qirbi agreed that improving the investment climate
was the key to curing Yemen's economic ills. "We cannot," he
said, "continue to rely on aid and donors indefinitely."
Instead, the FM called for a comprehensive ROYG approach to
attract foreign investors, taking into account all factors --
security, rule of law, and corruption.

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Deteriorating Press Freedoms...
--------------


6. (C) Ambassador raised the recent deterioration of press
freedoms in Yemen, sharing USG concerns with the FM over the
number of arrests and prosecutions of journalists along with
the closing of publications. Pointing out that Yemen until
recently had a reputation for expanding press freedoms,
Ambassador warned that Yemen's standing in the international
community was at risk over these actions to limit expression.


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"...Security Trumps Human Rights"
--------------


7. (C) "We, like you, feel uncomfortable about actions
limiting speech," said Qirbi. Acknowledging the
international community's increasing concern over cases like
Khaiwani's (reftel). "However," he said, "the problem we face
with outside observers is they look only at one side, our
national security cannot be ignored." The Foreign Minister
explained that Yemen is a tribal society with religious
differences. Implying Khaiwani was imprisoned for supporting
anti-American Shiite cleric al-Houthi, Qirbi said the
al-Houthi rebellion is an example of the challenges the ROYG
faces. "If we are not firm in dealing with such groups --
the country's unity and survival would be jeopardized."


8. (C) The Foreign Minister suggested that "perhaps the judge
in the Khaiwani case was a bit severe in his ruling," adding
that he personally thought so. But, Qirbi continued, the
case was handled according to the law. "You cannot fairly
say the government mismanaged the case, insisted Qirbi. "We
have to stand by our legal system." Qirbi said he preferred
to focus on improving the law rather than on individual
cases, pointing to ROYG efforts to work with the journalist's
syndicate to reform the Press Law. (Note: President Saleh
called for prohibiting the imprisonment of journalists
publicly months before Khaiwani's arrest. End Note).


9. (C) Comment: Our MFA interlocutors have been forthcoming,
making clear to Emboffs their discomfort with the
imprisonment of Khaiwani and others, and insinuating that the
ROYG is in a dilemma of its own making. "We have turned a
mediocre editor into a Nelson Mandela, bemoaned Deputy FM
Mustafa Noman on several occasions. With the release of the
2004 Human Rights Report's approaching, and Amnesty
International calling for Khaiwani's release, the MFA is well
aware that press freedom is likely to be a major issue in the
near future. The drafting of a new Press Law that prohibits
imprisonment of the media for expression, called for by Saleh
months before Khaiwani's arrest, may indeed be in the works.
In the compartmentalized and non-transparent ROYG
bureaucracy, Post has been unable to find any evidence that
the committee created to reform the Press Law has actually
begun its work. According to members of the Yemen Press
Syndicate, who described the new laws as a "big secret," they
have not been allowed to participate in this process. End
Comment.
Krajeski