YEMENIS REVIEW REGIONAL ISSUES WITH CODEL REYES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 000296

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/24/2017
TAGS: PREL MOPS SO YE
SUBJECT: YEMENIS REVIEW REGIONAL ISSUES WITH CODEL REYES

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


1. (C) SUMMARY: During meetings on February 19, President
Saleh and Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi reviewed for
visiting CODEL Reyes Yemen's views on Somalia, Iraq, Syria,
Iran and Afghanistan. The Yemenis expressed support for the
USG's approach in Somalia, voiced grave concern over Iran's
meddling in the region, and urged that the United States
re-engage with Syria to remove that country "from its embrace
with Iran." The USG must talk to all political actors in
Iraq and Afghanistan, including al-Qaida and the Taliban, in
order to achieve progress in those countries. "You cannot
spend all of your time talking only to your friends," Saleh
advised, "because you already know what they think. You must
also talk to your enemies." END SUMMARY


2. (C) President Saleh told a Congressional Delegation led
by Rep. Silvestre Reyes that he considered the group "one of
the most important delegations to visit Yemen in a long time"
and for that reason wished to share his views on a wide range
of regional topics. Saleh, who normally receives visitors
for no more than 45 minutes, spoke with the group for 90
minutes, assuring the congressmen that Yemen's
counter-terrorism work with the United States "is not
seasonal -- we will continue until we get rid of terrorists
completely." Yemen realizes that the damage caused by
terrorism affects not only the United States, but the entire
world.

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IRAQ
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3. (C) Saleh began his tour d'horizon with Iraq, noting that
the coalition forces' failure there began when Ambassador
Bremer "supported Iraqis taking revenge on Baathists" by
dismissing the army, security fores and bureaucrats, who then
became part of the resistance. Saleh said he had advised
previously that U.S. forces should re-deploy to bases outside
the cities, let Iraqis run their own affairs, and not "get
killed in the streets." The USG should sponsor a dialogue
with all political forces in Iraq, to include not only the
Sunnis and Shia, but also Baathists, al-Qaida and the
insurgents. "You cannot talk only to your friends," Saleh
advised, "because you already know what they think. You must
also talk to your enemies." Saleh then offered to put the
Congressmen in contact with a number of retired Baathist
generals now living in Yemen and Syria who could promote
stability in Iraq and counter "Shia influence in the region
from Iran."

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IRAN
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4. (C) Turning to Iran, Saleh said that that country is
"behind all the problems in the region," from southern Saudi
Arabia to Najaf, and from Lebanon to Bahrain. Iran is
"supporting twelver extremists here" in order to "settle
scores with the United States," Saleh said, referring to
supporters of Abdulmalik al-Houthi in the Saada province of
Yemen.

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SYRIA
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5. (C) Asked by Congressman Darrell Issa how the USG could
pull Syria away from its alliance with Iran, Saleh said the
USG must take a "deep breath" and re-engage in a dialogue
with Syria. "It is not something you can resolve in 24
hours," Saleh said, "but it must be done." The international
community, led by the United States, must "convince Syria
that it is secure, because the more we pressure Syria, the
closer it moves to Iran." Saleh said that he had "advised
Bashar a lot and he has learned a lot," and Saleh was
convinced that Syria would "play a positive role" should the
USG seek to re-engage it.

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SOMALIA

SANAA 00000296 002 OF 002


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6. (C) Saleh reiterated his support for the USG approach in
Somalia, noting that the International Contact Group on
Somalia met recently with Yemen in attendance in order to
"discuss ways to prevent that country from becoming another
safehaven for terrorists like Afghanistan was."

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AFGHANISTAN
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7. (C) Saleh advised the CODEL that the USG must "dialogue
with the Taliban," because the current government in Kabul is
a "burden on your shoulders" and cannot control the whole
country. This dialogue could be conducted in cooperation
with Pakistan.


8. (C) Congressman Reyes thanked Saleh for his candid views,
noting the role of Congress in overseeing foreign affairs
agency, but not actually making foreign policy. He said he
was interested in pursuing Saleh's offer to put the
Congressmen in contact with Iraqi Baathist generals.
Representative Reyes also said he hoped that more
congressional delegations would visit Yemen in the near
future to further develop our strong bilateral relationship.


9. (U) CODEL Reyes did not have an opportunity to clear this
cable.
KRAJESKI