YEMEN GENERAL AND ISLAH PARTY REACTION TO ARRESTS

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 000127

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/14/2013
TAGS: PTER PREL KJUS YM COUNTER TERRORISM TERFIN
SUBJECT: YEMEN GENERAL AND ISLAH PARTY REACTION TO ARRESTS
IN GERMANY; GERMAN VIEWS

REF: A. SECSTATE 7011

B. BERLIN 131

Classified By: Ambassador Edmund J. Hull for Reasons 1.5 (b,d)


1. (S) Summary: The arrest of al-Moayed in Frankfurt has
surprised many in Yemen, and public reaction is extremely
negative. He is a well-known humanitarian to Yemenis, and
many have expressed shock about a possible connection to
al-Qaeda. The Islah party is particularly concerned, and
similarly rejects the possibility that al-Moayed has an
al-Qaeda connection. Negative public reaction to the
arrests, possibly including demonstrations, is likely. The
Yemeni government continues to low key the issue and press
the FRG for repatriation. Embassy is assessing security
implications. End Summary.

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Negative Popular Reaction
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2. (S) Moayed is a Islah party Shura Council member and
formerly a probable candidate for the parliamentary elections
in April. Media reports (confirmed by PolFSN) noted that a
petition with 1000 signatures calling for his release was
circulated in Moayed's neighborhood in Sanaa, where he is
regarded as a humanitarian who is against terrorism. The
media has reported that the Islah party plans to provide
lawyers to those arrested. Prominent Yemeni interlocutors
confirmed to the DCM that Moayed is a noted humanitarian,
active in aiding the poor in general -- particularly via the
provision of free food to thousands of low-income Sanaa
residents. Embassy contacts also recall that he was "the
leading recruiter in Sanaa" for volunteers to fight the
Soviets in Afghanistan. One (pro-U.S.) Yemeni NGO official
described Moayed as "a big mouth" who sometimes rants about
U.S. policy. Nevertheless, a range of contacts agree that
his sermons also oppose anti-Western terrorism, and uniformly
view him as an extremely unlikely candidate for al-Qaeda
terrorist affiliation.

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Islah Approach
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3. (S) Urgent requests for a meeting with PolOff were made
by members of the Islah, and PolOff met with Islah Political
Director Mohamed Qahtan on January 12. Qahtan, a well-known
moderate, said that he is convinced that al Moayed could have
nothing to do with al-Qaeda, and noted that in his last
mosque speech he condemned terrorism strongly with specific
references to the incidents in Jibla and against Jarallah
Omar. He also described al Moayed's humanitarian work on
behalf of the poor, and expressed concern about his health
while in custody. Qahtan said that while he would not be
shocked by some people being definitively linked with
al-Qaeda, the alleged links between Moayed and al-Qaeda were
unbelievable as he was not an extremist personality. Qahtan
asked for evidence of such links, and said that if such
evidence were provided his party would support the arrest
because Islah is totally against al-Qaeda. (Comment: Not
true, especially Islah's Zindani wing. End Comment) Qahtan
said that Islah feels strongly enough to offer to take
responsibility for al Moayed and provide guarantees unless
clear evidence emerged to prove links to al-Qaeda.


4. (S) PolOff said that the two arrested were being held in
Germany pending a court hearing, and that details about the
criminal case would become public as the legal process
continued. PolOff noted that there was evidence linking al
Moayed to al-Qaeda financing. Qahtan asked about whether al
Moayed's fundraising for Hamas via al-Aqsa would also be part
of the court case, noting that while "everyone was against
al-Qaeda, support for Palestinians is another matter."
PolOff emphasized a focus on links to al-Qaeda and allowing
due process to take its course. PolOff said that these
arrests should not become a political issue between Islah and
the U.S., and restraint in politicizing the arrests within
Yemen would be prudent to avoid inflaming the situation.
Qahtan agreed to advise restraint and said he hoped that the
dialogue on this issue will continue.

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German Assessment
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5. (S) German Ambassador to Yemen Werner Zimprich told
Ambassador Hull January 14 that he has received several
"grass roots" appeals from Yemeni beneficiaries of
al-Moayed's charity to return him to Yemen. ROYG Interior
Minister Alimi, who enjoys significant credibility, also
argued strongly, in support of Yemen's case, with Ambassador
Zimprich that al-Moayed has no links to terrorism. The
German Ambassador is re-assessing security for German
citizens, including many development assistance workers. As
yet, he has not decided on a formal drawdown, but some
Embassy employees have been encouraged to extend leaves
outside Yemen.

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Comment
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6. (S) Comment: Several contacts have told Post they
expect an active negative public reaction, including possible
demonstrations. The course of the German extradition process
and subsequent U.S. prosecution will be followed closely by
many Yemenis and will influence the shape of popular reaction
in Yemen. Embassy will assess security ramifications for
Amcits at an EAC January 14. As we proceed with extradition,
U.S. public diplomacy should stress fair legal processes,
al-Qaeda links and appropriate humanitarian treatment, e.g.
medical care for any health problems. End Comment.
HULL