Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08SANAA240
2008-02-06 13:16:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Sanaa
Cable title:
TWO SIDES AGREE TO REVIVE QATARI MEDIATION IN SAADA
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHYN #0240 0371316 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 061316Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY SANAA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8950 INFO RUEHDO/AMEMBASSY DOHA 0383
C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 000240
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL YM
SUBJECT: TWO SIDES AGREE TO REVIVE QATARI MEDIATION IN SAADA
REF: 07 SANAA 2124
Classified By: Ambassador Stephen A. Seche for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
Summary
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 000240
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL YM
SUBJECT: TWO SIDES AGREE TO REVIVE QATARI MEDIATION IN SAADA
REF: 07 SANAA 2124
Classified By: Ambassador Stephen A. Seche for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
Summary
--------------
1. (C) A February 1 agreement to reinvigorate the stalled
Qatari mediation efforts in Saada was followed by a brief
continuation of the violence and then a reported cease fire.
While any good news in this conflict is welcome, difficulties
implementing earlier cease-fire agreements lead post to
remain guarded in its optimism. End Summary
Agreement signed in Doha
--------------
2. (U) Opposition and independent media reported on February
1 that Presidential advisor AbdulKarim al-Eryani met in Doha
with Saleh Habrah, a representative of Saada rebel leader
Abdulmalik al-Houthi, and that the two agreed to revive the
June 2007 Qatari-backed peace deal. The story was confirmed
in the Qatari media, which noted that the meeting had been
sponsored by Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
3. (C) Ali Babaka, a political analyst working at the Qatari
embassy in Sana'a, told POL/ECON Chief on February 3 that his
Ambassador was quite confident about the prospects for the
cease fire. Babaka specifically noted that this was the most
optimistic the Qatari Ambassador has been since efforts began
to reinvigorate the moribund mediation in November (reftel).
(Note: That reinvigoration effort, which was spearheaded by
al-Eryani, was predicated on the direct involvement of Abdul
Malik al-Houthi. It appears this condition has been dropped.
End Note.) Babaka hastened to emphasize that the agreement
reached in Doha was not a new peace agreement but merely an
agreement to reinvigorate the stalled mediation effort.
4. (U) The agreement did not have an immediate positive
impact on the ground. Fighting began to heat up in Saada
almost as soon as the meeting was announced. Deutsche
Presse-Agentur reported on February 3 that 14 people,
including seven soldiers, had been killed and scores had been
injured in the previous two days in renewed fighting in the
region. On the same day a helicopter crashed in the Haiden
area of Saada. Some independent media sources reported that
the helicopter had been shot down by al-Houthi fighters. The
MoD-funded 26sep.net denied the story, saying the aircraft
had rolled after landing on rough terrain. On February 5,
the website of the Yemeni Socialist party Aleshteraki.net
reported that President Saleh had ordered government troops
in Saada to cease fire on February 4 at 18:00 and that the
area had been calm since that time. Doha-based Qatari Daily
Alarab, however, reported on February 6 that Abdul Malik
al-Houthi had accused Yemeni authorities of attacking
al-Houthi elements after the agreement was signed.
COMMENT
--------------
5. (C) While any progress on this issue is positive, violence
in the area could flare up again at any time. Post is only
guardedly optimistic about possible amelioration of the
situation in this strife-torn province. End comment.
SECHE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL YM
SUBJECT: TWO SIDES AGREE TO REVIVE QATARI MEDIATION IN SAADA
REF: 07 SANAA 2124
Classified By: Ambassador Stephen A. Seche for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
Summary
--------------
1. (C) A February 1 agreement to reinvigorate the stalled
Qatari mediation efforts in Saada was followed by a brief
continuation of the violence and then a reported cease fire.
While any good news in this conflict is welcome, difficulties
implementing earlier cease-fire agreements lead post to
remain guarded in its optimism. End Summary
Agreement signed in Doha
--------------
2. (U) Opposition and independent media reported on February
1 that Presidential advisor AbdulKarim al-Eryani met in Doha
with Saleh Habrah, a representative of Saada rebel leader
Abdulmalik al-Houthi, and that the two agreed to revive the
June 2007 Qatari-backed peace deal. The story was confirmed
in the Qatari media, which noted that the meeting had been
sponsored by Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
3. (C) Ali Babaka, a political analyst working at the Qatari
embassy in Sana'a, told POL/ECON Chief on February 3 that his
Ambassador was quite confident about the prospects for the
cease fire. Babaka specifically noted that this was the most
optimistic the Qatari Ambassador has been since efforts began
to reinvigorate the moribund mediation in November (reftel).
(Note: That reinvigoration effort, which was spearheaded by
al-Eryani, was predicated on the direct involvement of Abdul
Malik al-Houthi. It appears this condition has been dropped.
End Note.) Babaka hastened to emphasize that the agreement
reached in Doha was not a new peace agreement but merely an
agreement to reinvigorate the stalled mediation effort.
4. (U) The agreement did not have an immediate positive
impact on the ground. Fighting began to heat up in Saada
almost as soon as the meeting was announced. Deutsche
Presse-Agentur reported on February 3 that 14 people,
including seven soldiers, had been killed and scores had been
injured in the previous two days in renewed fighting in the
region. On the same day a helicopter crashed in the Haiden
area of Saada. Some independent media sources reported that
the helicopter had been shot down by al-Houthi fighters. The
MoD-funded 26sep.net denied the story, saying the aircraft
had rolled after landing on rough terrain. On February 5,
the website of the Yemeni Socialist party Aleshteraki.net
reported that President Saleh had ordered government troops
in Saada to cease fire on February 4 at 18:00 and that the
area had been calm since that time. Doha-based Qatari Daily
Alarab, however, reported on February 6 that Abdul Malik
al-Houthi had accused Yemeni authorities of attacking
al-Houthi elements after the agreement was signed.
COMMENT
--------------
5. (C) While any progress on this issue is positive, violence
in the area could flare up again at any time. Post is only
guardedly optimistic about possible amelioration of the
situation in this strife-torn province. End comment.
SECHE