This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 001721 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/18/2014 
TAGS: ECON EAID AADP YM ECON COM
SUBJECT: ECONOMIC REFORMS STALLED; IMF DELIVERS TOUGH 
MESSAGE TO ROYG 
 
REF: A. SANAA 1537 
     ¶B. SANAA 122 
 
Classified By: DCM Nabeel Khoury for reasons 1.5 (b and d). 
 
¶1. (C) Summary/Comment: Senior Ministry of Planning official 
Nabil Shaiban confirmed that President Saleh has decided to 
delay economic reform, but reiterated the ROYG's long-term 
committment to implementation.  The decision comes in spite 
of the recent IMF mission headed by Senior Economist Saad 
Chami, which heavily encouraged advancing the reforms.  The 
delay is no surprise; for the average Yemeni, economic reform 
equals price increases and there has been no attempt by the 
ROYG to justify the reforms to the populace.  Several 
contacts cited Parliament's newfound strength from the recent 
oil-scandal (ref a) and many MPs were outspoken in their 
opposition.  Blunt messages from the IMF and donors on the 
necessity of economic reform may sway reform-minded 
ministers, but the tough political decision to implement 
reforms remains with President Saleh who seems to have 
calculated that the political climate is not ready for an 
economic austerity package.  End summary/comment. 
 
¶2. (SBU) Background:  The economic reform package (ref b) 
consists of five measures designed to wean Yemen away from 
depending on oil for state revenue, trim a bloated civil 
service and enhance the investment climate.  The five aspects 
are a) General Sales Tax (GST); b) reduction of the diesel 
subsidy; c) civil service reform to include wage increases; 
d) customs and tariff reform; and e) investment law reform. 
While not legally necessary, the ROYG has submitted the 
package to Parliament for approval.  The reforms were widely 
expected to go into effect this summer.  End background. 
 
------------------------ 
Whither Economic Reform? 
------------------------ 
 
¶3. (SBU) On 7/11 Ministry of Planning and International 
Cooperation Director General for the Americas and Europe 
Nabil Shaiban told Pol/Econoff that Saleh summoned Prime 
Minister Ba Jammal and Deputy Prime Minister and Minster of 
International Cooperation Sofan for intensive discussions 
over the diesel subsidy reduction and advised them that he 
has decided to "postpone implementation for a few months." 
Shaiban added that DPM Sofan told Saleh that "We need to 
rally public support on the positive aspects of the economic 
reforms."  Shaiban said that Saleh wants to build public 
trust and counter opposition to the programs.  Closing the 
subject, Shaiban reiterated that ROYG's plan to implement the 
economic reforms.  He added that DPM Sofan asked British 
Department for International Development (DFID) to "study the 
socio-economic impact" of reducing the diesel subsidy. 
 
---------------------------------- 
IMF DELIVERS BLUNT MESSAGE TO ROYG 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) On 7/7, IMF Middle East Director Saad Chami 
summarized to Ambassador the results of the IMF's latest 
consultations with ROYG officials, saying his team delivered 
a "blunt, direct message to ROYG officials that they must 
implement the reforms."  ROYG officials cited "regional 
circumstances," especially the security situation to Chami as 
justification to delay most aspects of the reform package 
(ref a), except for the civil service wage increase.  Chami 
said that IMF understands Yemen's "difficult circumstances" 
and accepted the ROYG argument, but warned officials that 
failure to implement reforms could produce serious economic 
consequences in 5-6 years. 
 
¶5. (SBU) According to Chami, powerful businessmen convinced 
Parliament to delay GST implementation until July 1, 2005. 
However, Chami is encouraged that former Minister of Finance 
and present Shura Council member, Mohammed Junaid, was tapped 
to lead a GST study committee.  The new committee will review 
the proposed GST and submit a report explaining its impact to 
President Saleh in March 2005.  Chami commented that a year 
delay in the GST is not a significant setback because it is 
intended to compensate for projected state revenue losses due 
to declining oil production.  In response to a question 
regarding ROYG transparency regarding GST implementation, IMF 
team member Bin Latifa interjected that the business 
community is "pretending not to understand" the GST, noting 
their real objection is that they would be subject to audits. 
 
¶6. (SBU) Turning to the oil subsidy, Chami stated that high 
oil prices now cost the ROYG 5.5 percent of GDP or roughly 
725 million USD per year to subsidize fuel.  According to 
Chami, ROYG officials including PM Ba Jammal, Deputy Prime 
Minister and Minster of Finance Salami, DPM Sofan and the 
Head of the Shura Council, all acknowledged the ROYG's 
declining oil revenue and understood the necessity for 
serious economic reform.  However, Chami added, "very 
powerful" people are blocking the diesel subsidy. 
 
¶7. (SBU) Director of Payment Systems for the Central Bank of 
Yemen Omar Bazara confirmed on 7/16 to economic specialist 
that the IMF had delivered a tough message to ROYG officials. 
 Bazara said that ROYG officials are keeping the negative 
information very quiet and were "astonished" at the poor 
economic picture portrayed by the IMF. 
HULL