LETTER DELIVERED FROM PRESIDENT BUSH ON SAADA

UNCLAS E F T O SANAA 000784 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/30/2012 TAGS: PREL MASS YM SUBJECT: LETTER DELIVERED FROM PRESIDENT BUSH ON SAADA CONFLICT REF: A. FRANCESCHI-KHOURY EMAIL OF 4/27/07 ¶B. SANAA 414 ¶1. (U) Per ref A instruction, post delivered to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the President's Office the text of the letter found at paragraph two from President Bush to President Saleh regarding Saleh's requests for assistance in relation to the conflict in Saada on April 28 (ref B). ¶2. (U) Begin text of letter from President Bush to President Saleh: Dear Mr. President: Thank you for your letter. I have been following the ongoing conflict in Yemen and recognize the challenges that this situation presents to your government. The United States has long supported the strengthening of Yemen s security and counterterrorism capabilities. Our three-pronged assistance program focuses on developing the Yemeni Counterterrorism Unit and Special Operations Forces, building up your Coast Guard, and improving Yemen s military capacity. In 2006, U.S. assistance totaled over $10 million. The United States intends to maintain, if not surpass, this level in 2007. Let me also affirm that the United States supports, in principle, your requests to neighboring countries regarding excess U.S.-origin equipment and has pledged to facilitate approval of these transfers as expeditiously as possible when and if agreed to by your neighbors. I look forward to welcoming you back to the White House in May to discuss this and other issues in greater detail. Sincerely, George W. Bush End text of letter from President Bush to President Saleh. KHOURY