FONMIN "SURPRISED" AT IRANIAN COMMENTS; SAYS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 003170

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/2015
TAGS: PREL PTER OVIP IR YM
SUBJECT: FONMIN "SURPRISED" AT IRANIAN COMMENTS; SAYS
SALEH'S EID ADDRESS WILL COVER ISSUES OF IMPORTANCE TO USG

REF: A. 199863

B. 199225

C. 195442

Classified By: AMBASSADOR THOMAS C. KRAJESKI, FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (
D).


1. (C) SUMMARY: FonMin Abubakr al-Qirbi told Ambassador on
October 30 that the ROYG was "surprised" by Iranian President
Ahmadi-Nejad's recent comments regarding Israel. Qirbi said
they were likely meant to score domestic political points in
what has become a "popularity contest" between the President
and Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. The FonMin said he did not
believe Iran intended to declare war on Israel. The ROYG
will not make a public statement, but will "offer advice" to
the Iranian ambassador in Sanaa that this statement was
"difficult to comprehend in the 21st century." Turning to
President Saleh's imminent visit to the United States,
Ambassador noted an October 28 statement by a ROYG official
saying that the use of brokers in arms purchases would be
rendered illegal. Qirbi predicted that the President would
cover "many issues of importance to the United States" in his
annual Eid al-Fitr address to the nation. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) Responding to Ambassador's presentation of points
contained in refs A and B, Qirbi said his government was
"surprised and could not readily understand the aim" of the
Iranian President's remarks about "wiping Israel off the
map." He said the comments reflected negatively on Iran and
its new president, who Qirbi believes was trying to gain
domestic political points by making the statement. Ayatollah
Khamanei had recently taken certain powers away from the
president and transferred them to Rafsanjani, a move that has
sparked a "popularity contest" between the two men. Qirbi
said he hoped Rafsanjani would exert a moderating influence
on the government, but said it was hard to predict what
Rafsanjani would do, as his "position sways from time to
time."


3. (C) Subsequent Iranian Government statements had made
clear that Iran did not plan on declaring war on Israel,
Qirbi said. Asked if the ROYG would make a public statement
condemning the president's statement, the FonMin replied that
it was "not likely," but said his government would "offer
advice" to the Iranian ambassador, noting that this sort of
comment is "difficult to comprehend in the 21st century."


4. (C) Turning to President Saleh's upcoming visit,
Ambassador said he had told Saleh on October 25 that
President Bush would be very interested in hearing about the
ROYG's plan to bring the proliferation of Small Arms and
Light Weapons under control (ref C). In that context, it was
reassuring to see press statements by Yemeni officials on
October 28 making it clear that the ROYG had "taken strict
measures to ban the purchase of arms by brokers," and that
"those found involved in bringing arms into the country will
be held accountable as lawbreakers." Ambassador also said
Saleh's positive statements in support of the political
process in Iraq following his meeting with King Abdullah II
of Jordan were helpful. Qirbi added that President Saleh's
annual Eid address to the nation this week would cover these
topics "and other issues of importance to the United States."
Krajeski