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 002129 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/03/2015 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER OVIP KMPI YM KMCC KWAC ECON COM COUNTER TERRORISM
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES ANTI-CORRUPTION EFFORTS, 
SALEH VISIT WITH FM QIRBI 
 
REF: A. SANAA 1919 
     ¶B. SANAA 93 
     ¶C. SANAA 37 
     ¶D. SANAA 2095 
     ¶E. SANAA 2123 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Thomas C. Krajeski for reasons 1.4 b and d. 
 
¶1. (C) Summary.  On August 3 Ambassador discussed the 
aftermath of the oil price hikes and next steps for ROYG 
economic reform and anti-corruption with Foreign Minister 
Qirbi.  Discussions also focused on the return of Yemeni 
detainees from GTMO and Saleh's November meeting with 
President Bush.  End Summary. 
 
--------------------------------- 
Riots are Over...But What's Next? 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶2. (C) Qirbi said the violent reaction to price hikes in oil 
products following partial lifting of subsidies in July was 
"all over, hopefully."  Ambassador reiterated U.S. support 
for the ROYG in implementing of IMF-WB recommended economic 
reforms, but suggested that the reaction might have been more 
measured if the ROYG had explained to the public the reasons 
for and the benefits of reforms, and had introduced the 
anti-corruption measures Parliament called for when it passed 
the reform package in January (refs A and B).  The FM replied 
that once Saleh had reached an agreement with leading 
businessmen on the General Sales Tax (GST), PM Bajammal did 
in fact meet with Parliament and opposition parties to 
explain the reforms (ref C).  Strong negative reaction from 
the public was expected, continued Qirbi, but the eruption of 
uncontrolled violence was worrisome and counter productive. 
"We are in the process of investigating the instigators," 
added the FM. 
 
------------------- 
Fighting Corruption 
------------------- 
 
¶3. (C) Ambassador suggested to the FM that ROYG failure to 
formulate a program to seriously take on corruption 
contributed to last month's internal discontent.  (Note: DFM 
Noman said as much to DCM on August 2, commenting that public 
distrust of the government led the public to question how an 
increase in public revenues would benefit them (ref D).  End 
Note).  Ambassador said he hoped the ROYG would take 
advantage of the MCC Threshold program to make concrete 
progress, pointing to the draft plan's focus on fighting 
corruption through building an independent judiciary and 
creating a national land registry.  Qirbi agreed on the 
central importance of fighting corruption, adding that a 
credible judiciary was of "paramount importance." 
 
¶4. (C) The only way Yemen can succeed against corruption, 
Qirbi told Ambassador, is through an implementation process 
that includes the government, NGOs, and opposition parties 
working together without the influence of political agendas. 
"It will take an effort of national unity," said the FM. 
 
--------------------- 
Yemeni GTMO Returnees 
--------------------- 
 
¶5. (C) Ambassador raised ROYG reluctance to accept the return 
of Yemeni GTMO detainees unless they are designated non-enemy 
combatants.  Ambassador assured the FM that the U.S. 
considered the decision of whether or not these individuals 
are ultimately freed or prosecuted entirely a ROYG one.  He 
suggested, however, that if the security services shared the 
results of their investigations and the Attorney General's 
Office their reasons for releasing or prosecuting with the 
USG, it would lessen the likelihood of a negative USG 
reaction to potential releases.  Qirbi replied that as the 
returnees' cases would be handled according to Yemen laws and 
Constitution, he saw no obstacles to sharing this 
information. 
 
----------- 
Saleh Visit 
----------- 
 
¶6. (C) Ambassador and Foreign Minister discussed beginning 
preparations for President Saleh's November meeting with 
President Bush.  Qirbi said he hoped to reschedule his 
meeting with the Secretary before Saleh's trip, and mentioned 
that he routinely travels during Ramadan.  Ambassador agreed 
it would be important for him to visit Washington in advance 
of Saleh's trip, focusing on the key issues of CT and 
security cooperation and economic and democratic reforms. 
Pointing to Saleh's intention to pass a list of his 
priorities in the next week or so (ref D), Ambassador 
highlighted that if the U.S.-Yemen relationship is to move to 
the next level, both sides need to understand what that 
entails.  A major part of this equation, continued 
Ambassador, is a genuine relationship of trust in 
intelligence cooperation and sharing. 
 
------------- 
Comment: GTMO 
------------- 
 
¶7. (C) Qirbi did not raise the same objections to accepting 
the return of seven GTMO detainees as Noman had the previous 
day (ref E).  On August 2 Vice President Abd Rabbu Mansour 
stated "The U.S. must hand over Guantanamo prisoners to their 
countries where they can be tried under local laws.  We will 
try them just as we did those we caught in Yemen."  It is not 
rare for ROYG officials to make conflicting policy 
statements, it appears, however, that the ROYG may be close 
to arranging for the return of prisoners from GTMO.  End 
Comment. 
Krajeski