Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SANAA972
2006-04-11 06:26:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Sanaa
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR VISITS PORT OF HODEIDA AND THE HISTORIC

Tags:  PREL PGOV MASS ECON YM 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0001
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHYN #0972/01 1010626
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 110626Z APR 06
FM AMEMBASSY SANAA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3502
UNCLAS SANAA 000972 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MASS ECON YM
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR VISITS PORT OF HODEIDA AND THE HISTORIC
CITY OF ZABID

REF: SANAA 647

UNCLAS SANAA 000972

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MASS ECON YM
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR VISITS PORT OF HODEIDA AND THE HISTORIC
CITY OF ZABID

REF: SANAA 647


1. Summary. On April 4, Ambassador visited the Red Sea
port of Hodeida, located in the governorate of the same name,
for meetings with local officials and to tour a USDA-funded
hospital project. During a meeting with the Governor,
Ambassador discussed USG development assistance and the
importance of encouraging private investment to stimulate
economic growth. Ambassador also toured a new wing of a
hospital constructed using USDA Food Aid funds. Lastly,
Ambassador visited the historic city of Zabid, a UNESCO World
Heritage site, to view efforts to restore the city and
promote tourism. End Summary.

-------------- --
Governor: Lots of People, Little Infrastructure
-------------- --


2. Hodeida Governor Mohamed Saleh Shamlan thanked the
Ambassador for USG development assistance within the region,
especially for USDA-funded projects in health and
infrastructure. Shamlan hoped that construction would soon
begin for a $40 million new port facility, supported with
$2.5 million from USDA Food Aid, but noted that the ROYG did
not have enough funding to complete the large project.
Ambassador stressed the need to seek support from other
donors, including the World Bank, as well as using national
funds to construct a new port and processing facilities for
Hodeida's underdeveloped fishing industry. Ambassador also
encouraged Shamlan to attract private investment to fuel much
needed economic growth.


3. Shamlan explained that his governorate faces many
difficulties in providing adequate services and
infrastructure to an expanding population. Hodeida, now the
second biggest governorate with approximately two million
people, received a large influx of residents during the first
Gulf War, after almost a million Yemeni guest workers were
expelled from Gulf countries because of President Saleh's
support for Saddam Hussein. "There was very poor planning,"
explained Shamlan, to cope with the returnees. He expressed
hope that the situation was improving, noting that the
Cabinet had approved additional funds for infrastructure
improvements in the most impoverished areas of Hodeida.

(NOTE: Hodeida will host this year's national day
celebrations in May. As the chosen city, Hodeida received an
infusion of cash from the central government for
infrastructure development, which is unlikely to continue
next year when another city will be chosen to host the
festivities. End Note).


4. Ambassador informed Shamlan that Admiral Richard Hunt
would soon be assuming command of the Combined Joint Task
Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) based in Djibouti and
looked forward to visiting Hodeida and the Yemeni Navy's
headquarters. Shamlan welcomed a visit by Admiral Hunt at
any time. He also expressed satisfaction with cooperation
between the Yemeni Coast Guard and Yemeni Navy, including
protection of the Safir oil export terminal located off the
Hodeida coast. Shamlan looked forward to any support
CJTF-HOA could provide to build the capacity of Yemen's armed
forces.

--------------
Salakhana Mother and Child Hospital
--------------


5. Ambassador toured the Salakhana Mother and Child
Hospital, including the $333,000 extension completed in
September 2005 with USDA Food Aid funds. The 200 bed
hospital, located in a poor area that absorbed many of the
Gulf returnees, serves approximately 60,000 Hodeida
residents. Dr. Tawfiq Thabi, Hospital Director, explained
that the extension was not fully operational due to a lack of
equipment, but expected the remaining equipment to be
delivered by July thanks to a $900,000 grant from the Dutch
Embassy.


6. Dr. Thabi said that Hodeida's large youth population
places a great strain on the health care system, especially
with the outbreak of polio in April 2005. (Note: The first
polio cases of last year's outbreak were discovered in
Hodeida. While the rate of infection has slowed, World
Health Organization experts estimate that it will take four
to five years to make Yemen polio-free. Another national
immunization drive is scheduled for May. End Note).

--------------
Zabid: Once Great Capital, Now in Disrepair
--------------


7. Ambassador also visited the nearby historic city of
Zabid, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Once renowned for its

unique architecture, the city is now in a serious state of
disrepair. Around 40 percent of the historic buildings have
been replaced with modern concrete structures and most of the
remaining historic buildings are in poor condition. In 2000,
UNESCO listed Zabid on its list of World Heritage sites in
danger. Several donors, including the Japanese, Germans, and
UNDP are funding projects to improve the city's
infrastructure and restore buildings, but the city still
desperately needs more assistance before it can serve as a
viable tourist destination. (Note: Post has nominated
several restoration projects in Zabid for the 2006
Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation grants. End Note).

--------------
Comment
--------------


8. Hodeida shares the same problems with most of Yemen's
governorates - a rapidly expanding population and
insufficient infrastructure to provide its residents adequate
services, especially in health and education. Hodeida has
little authority to raise its own funds and must therefore
rely on disbursements from the central government. While the
new Minister of Finance (reftel) appears supportive of
transferring more fiscal authority to local governments, the
governorates must also do more to attract private investment
to raise revenues and encourage much needed economic growth.

Krajeski