Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10ABUDHABI35
2010-01-25 11:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:
UAE on Upcoming Yemen Meeting in London
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHAD #0035 0251119 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O R 251118Z JAN 10 FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0190 INFO GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI RUEHYN/AMEMBASSY SANAA 0018
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 000035
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/ARP ANDREW MACDONALD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/01/25
TAGS: PREL PGOV EAID YM AE
SUBJECT: UAE on Upcoming Yemen Meeting in London
REF: STATE 6940; ABU DHABI 6
CLASSIFIED BY: Richard Olson, Ambassador; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 000035
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/ARP ANDREW MACDONALD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/01/25
TAGS: PREL PGOV EAID YM AE
SUBJECT: UAE on Upcoming Yemen Meeting in London
REF: STATE 6940; ABU DHABI 6
CLASSIFIED BY: Richard Olson, Ambassador; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)
1. (C) On January 24, PolOff delivered ref A demarche to Ambassador
Mohammed Sultan Al Suwaidi, Director of Arab Affairs at the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Al Suwaidi stressed the UAE’s view
that Yemen’s three security threats --- the Houthi rebels, Al
Qaeda, and the southern secessionists --- must be addressed
collectively. Al Suwaidi attended the four-party consultations in
London January 19 and was well-versed on US and UK efforts to
promote international and regional support for the ROYG. He plans
to attend the January 27 meeting as part of a small Emirati
delegation led by Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al
Nahyan.
2. (C) Al Suwaidi said Yemen’s neighbors want to see an end to the
Houthi conflict but it was only one of Yemen’s three security
problems. He suggested all three issues should be on the table in
London because each posed a serious and equal threat to President
Saleh’s government. Al Suwaidi pledged the UAEG’s continued public
and private support for President Saleh but confidentially
questioned his competence. Noting the UAE’s recent announcement of
$650 million in financial assistance (ref B) Al Suwaidi expressed
concerns about corruption within the ROYG and its capacity to
effectively utilize international aid.
3. (C) Comment. Despite his own pessimistic view of the Saleh
government, Al Suwaidi made clear the UAEG remains strongly
supportive of US and UK efforts on Yemen. His criticism of the
ROYG may reflect the frustration of working level MFA personnel but
is unlikely to be repeated by the UAE Foreign Minister in London.
OLSON
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/ARP ANDREW MACDONALD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/01/25
TAGS: PREL PGOV EAID YM AE
SUBJECT: UAE on Upcoming Yemen Meeting in London
REF: STATE 6940; ABU DHABI 6
CLASSIFIED BY: Richard Olson, Ambassador; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)
1. (C) On January 24, PolOff delivered ref A demarche to Ambassador
Mohammed Sultan Al Suwaidi, Director of Arab Affairs at the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Al Suwaidi stressed the UAE’s view
that Yemen’s three security threats --- the Houthi rebels, Al
Qaeda, and the southern secessionists --- must be addressed
collectively. Al Suwaidi attended the four-party consultations in
London January 19 and was well-versed on US and UK efforts to
promote international and regional support for the ROYG. He plans
to attend the January 27 meeting as part of a small Emirati
delegation led by Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al
Nahyan.
2. (C) Al Suwaidi said Yemen’s neighbors want to see an end to the
Houthi conflict but it was only one of Yemen’s three security
problems. He suggested all three issues should be on the table in
London because each posed a serious and equal threat to President
Saleh’s government. Al Suwaidi pledged the UAEG’s continued public
and private support for President Saleh but confidentially
questioned his competence. Noting the UAE’s recent announcement of
$650 million in financial assistance (ref B) Al Suwaidi expressed
concerns about corruption within the ROYG and its capacity to
effectively utilize international aid.
3. (C) Comment. Despite his own pessimistic view of the Saleh
government, Al Suwaidi made clear the UAEG remains strongly
supportive of US and UK efforts on Yemen. His criticism of the
ROYG may reflect the frustration of working level MFA personnel but
is unlikely to be repeated by the UAE Foreign Minister in London.
OLSON