PRIME MINISTER: QATAR DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT YEMEN

C O N F I D E N T I A L DOHA 000606 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/08/2019 TAGS: PREL PTER YM SA QA SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER: QATAR DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT YEMEN Classified By: Ambassador Joseph E. LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (b and d). -------------- (C) KEY POINTS -------------- -- At an October 5 meeting with Ambassador, Prime Minister Shaykh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani said that the Qataris are "frightened" by the conflict in Yemen. -- Shaykh Hamad said that he had spoken with Saudi King Abdullah on the subject, but gave no details. -- The Prime Minister said that Qatar’s influence with the Yemeni President was limited, but that he was reaching out to him in an effort to assist in mediating the conflict. -- He urged the U.S. to seek a deeper understanding of the conflict in Yemen and not to take statements by the government at face value. -------------- (C) COMMENT -------------- -- In spite of the Prime Minister’s genuine worry over the ongoing conflict in Yemen, Qatar will be reluctant to make a formal effort to mediate the dispute. It attempted to do so once before, only to be asked by the government of Yemen to end its mediation efforts. Qatar is more likely to engage in private diplomacy on this issue, help when it can, and keep a very wary eye on the unfolding situation. End Key Points and Comments. ¶1. (C) At an October 5 meeting with Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Shaykh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, Ambassador raised the issue of the ongoing civil strife in Yemen. The Prime Minister replied that "We are frightened about Yemen." He pointed out that Yemen is very close to Qatar, and that a widening of the conflict there could lead to regional instability. ¶2. (C) Ambassador agreed, pointing out it was in Saudi Arabia’s self-interest, perhaps more than any other country’s, to help contain and resolve the conflict. The Prime Minister agreed, commenting that had spoken directly with Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz on the issue. Shaykh Hamad offered no details. ¶3. (C) When asked how he, and Qatar more generally, might be a force for reconciliation in the Yemeni conflict, Shaykh Hamad stated that his influence with Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh is limited, since the President believes the Qataris are financing the Houthi rebels leading the Saada rebellion against his government. Still, the Prime Minister said that the GOQ is reaching out to Saleh and would like to host him in Doha for talks. ¶4. (C) The Prime Minister cautioned the United States not to take people at face value and to strive for a deeper understanding of the internal dynamics of the conflict in Yemen, of which of the Howthi rebellion is but one part, he said. He cited north-south tensions as another driving force in the conflict, about which he had urged President Saleh to "treat the south better than the north, as it has embraced the unity of Yemen." He also warned the U.S. to look with skepticism on claims that the conflict was aimed at fighting Al Qaeda. "After 9/11 America liked to hear that nations were fighting against Al Qaeda. But leaders should not fight their own wars and say they are fighting Al Qaeda." LeBaron