YEMEN OFFERS TO HOST FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE

UNCLAS SANAA 003454

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL YM
SUBJECT: YEMEN OFFERS TO HOST FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE
HEADQUARTERS, NOMINATES ERYANI FOR CHAIRMAN POST



1. (U) The Republic of Yemen Government (ROYG) has offered
to host the Foundation for the Future headquarters. In a
meeting between Deputy FonMin Mohy al-Din al-Dhabi and DCM,
as well as via a dip note, the ROYG offered to cover the
costs of providing a facility and local staff, promising also
to "grant freedom and independence to the Foundation and its
staff." Al-Dhabi pointed out that this offer comes in lieu
of Yemen's required cash contribution of USD 1,000,000 as a
founding member of the Foundation.


2. (U) In the same meeting and diplomatic note, the ROYG
elicited the USG's support for its nominee for the
chairmanship of the Foundation, Dr. Abdul-Karim al-Eryani.


3. (SBU) Post strongly endorses Eryani's candidacy for the
chairmanship. A U.S.-educated former Prime Minister, Eryani
is an erudite, cosmopolitan man who is well-respected
throughout the region. Eryani's intellectual interests are
wide-ranging, and he is considered a resident expert in
agriculture (in which he holds a doctorate),development,
Arab and Islamic history, and regional politics. Eryani is
fluent in Arabic and English, and speaks some French. We
believe he would make an excellent chairman of the Foundation
for the Future.
Krajeski