YEMEN WILL RECEIVE BASHAR, DELIVER "TOUGH" MESSAGE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 000136

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/25/2016
TAGS: PREL SY YE
SUBJECT: YEMEN WILL RECEIVE BASHAR, DELIVER "TOUGH" MESSAGE

REF: STATE 11443

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


1. (C) Ambassador took the opportunity to deliver reftel
points to FonMin Abubakr al-Qirbi on the sidelines of a
reception for a visiting UK minister on January 24. Qirbi
confirmed that the ROYG had "agreed" to allow Syrian
President Bashar al-Asad to visit, but that the date had not
yet been fixed and would not be until President Saleh returns
from Germany. Ambassador urged Qirbi not to receive Bashar,
emphasizing that the international community needs to isolate
him and insist that Syria cooperate with the UN investigation
into the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister
Rafik Hariri.


2. (C) Qirbi did not agree with the USG's approach, arguing
that the ROYG is increasingly concerned about Syria's
alliance with Iran and the threat this presented to regional
security. For that reason, it was important for Bashar to
hear "harsh words" from President Saleh, who wants to warn
Bashar "eye to eye" in Sanaa.


3. (C) Ambassador reminded Qirbi that Saleh had been very
tough on Asad in his discussion with President Bush in
November 2005, and that this visit appears to contradict that
position. Asad will be greeted in Sanaa as a head of state,
with major media coverage, and a message along the lines of
"improving relations between brotherly Arab countries."
Saleh's "tough message" will not be conveyed publicly, and
Asad will use the visit as evidence of Yemeni support for his
position. The ROYG should call off the visit, or at least
postpone it indefinitely, Ambassador urged. The FonMin,
clearly uncomfortable and irritated, replied, "We have
already said that he could come and we cannot renege now."
Krajeski