Confidential document Reveals Saleh's begging for U.S aids for al-Houthi War, Billions of Dollars Earmarked for Development Wasted in Wars

Saleh directly told the White House that al-Houthis were terrorists whose main goal was to destroy the United States of America as their slogan "Death to America, Death to Israel" proved and that they were harboring extremists within their ranks who would stop at nothing to harm the West, specifically citing the sect of the Twelvers, a Shia branch of Islam.

The letter finished with:  "We look forward to your assistance, either directly from the United States of America, or through your friends, the rich GCC countries, specifically Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar. We need urgently 600 armored vehicles, 200 tanks, weapons and other military equipment, which cost about one billion dollars. Some of the weapons and equipment can be delivered from neighboring countries.This is in addition to the fact that Yemen's security is an integral part of the security of the region and the United States' and the world's.

Mareb Press publishes a literal translation of the document:

Telegram No.: 07 SANAA414

History of cable: 2007-03-19 13:38

Date of publication: 08/30/2011 01:44

Category: Confidential

Source: U.S. Embassy in Sana'a

Dear friend, His Excellency the President of the United States of America, George W. Bush

Peace, mercy and blessings of God

(...) I would like to express my deep satisfaction for our growing friendship and cooperation, which determine the features of our shared aspiration to strengthen the existing cooperation and partnership between the Republic of Yemen and the United States in all fields.

Dear friend, you know about all the efforts made by our country before and after September 11, 2000 in the fight against terrorism, and the support of the U.S as well as the international community in that regard. We have achieved tangible successes in the fight against terrorism.
 
Yemen has been a good example of what an active partnership entails in the fight against this dangerous plague which we all suffer from, which threatens the foundations of security, stability and peace in the region and the world. There is no doubt that the strong commitment of Yemen and the United States in their fight against terrorism has resulted in Yemen becoming a target.

This caused us a lot of problems, and led to significant losses in economic development, which forced us to employ billions of dollars - that had been earmarked for development - in the fight against terrorism and terrorist elements. The last of these threats we have been facing since 2004, comes from the extremist and terrorist elements who chant the slogan of "Death to America, death to Israel." These elements are supported by the extremist forces hostile to the United States, specifically those belonging to the religious sect of Twelvers, which seeks to settle old accounts with the United States, either in Iraq, southern Lebanon, Yemen and all the areas that they can create problems and temptations to destroy the U.S. interests and national security.

Confrontations with the terrorist elements, whom Yemen has no problem with except for their hostility to the United States have increased the burden on our country with limited economic resources.

Based on the strong relations of friendship and partnership, and as a result of difficult economic conditions, we look forward to your assistance, either directly from the United States of America, or through your friends of the rich countries of the GCC, namely Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar. We urgently need 600 armored vehicles, 200 tanks, weapons and other military equipment, which cost about one billion dollars. Some weapons and equipment can be delivered from neighboring countries. This is in addition to the fact that Yemen's security is an integral part of the security of the region, the United States and the world.

Dear friend, we are in the Republic of Yemen partners to your friendly country, and we will go on in our commitment to work together in facing the terrorist elements and extremists. The Yemeni people who have paid a heavy price for their commitment to policies of freedom, democracy, reforms and who have been facing the practices of the terrorist and extremist elements are looking forward with great hope to the help of their friends  the United States at this critical juncture. This support can be provided directly from the United States or through friends in the region in order to overcome the challenges in the field of development and internecine war against terrorism. This policy does not belong to Yemen, but also the United States, the countries of the region and the world, in love for security, stability, peace, freedom, development and prosperity.

Accept my greetings and best wishes.

Ali Abdullah Saleh

President of the Republic of Yemen

March 17, 2007