C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 001774

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR S/CT BLACK AND NEA DIBBLE, DOJ FOR DAAG
BRUCE SWARTZ, NSC FOR TOWNSEND

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/22/2013
TAGS: ASEC KJUS PGOV PTER MARR PARM PREL GM YM COUNTER TERRORISM TERFIN
SUBJECT: INITIAL YEMENI REACTION QUIET REGARDING MOAYED
EXTRADITION DECISION

REF: A. SANAA 1586


B. SANAA 1752

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


1. (C) Summary and Comment: Neither Post nor the German
Embassy in Sana'a have yet received any direct reaction from
the ROYG or the public to the German court ruling in favor of
granting the U.S. request to extradite al-Moayed and his
companion. Press reports 24 hours after the decision remain
non-inflammatory; however, many opposition papers are not
yet published. The ROYG appears to be encouraging a low-key
immediate reaction. This is evidenced in part by the
official statement coming from Berlin and not Sana'a and the
emphasis placed on the expected appeals process. Foreign
Minister Qirbi's demarche (ref B) reflects a serious concern
by the ROYG about managing the issue. The ROYG wants to
avoid harming U.S.-Yemeni counterterrorism cooperation and to
protect Americans and Germans in Yemen from any violent
reaction by showing that the government is working hard on
the issue. Post will continue to monitor the official and
unofficial reaction, particularly as it affects security (see
warden message issued 7/21 in paragraph 8). End Summary and
Comment.

-------------- -
Reaction Towards German and American Embassies
-------------- -


2. (U) Post's Public Diplomacy section has received no
press queries as of July 22. Neither the German Embassy or
Post has received any new petitions or letters. ROYG
officials have not brought up the issue since July 19
(reftels).


3. (C) German Poloff told Pol/E Deputy July 22 that German
officials have instituted extra security measures, including
the use of armored vehicles at all times. Post will continue

to monitor the situation closely and implement appropriate
security adjustments accordingly.

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ROYG Statement; Official Media Reaction
--------------


4. (U) Most official reports featured a press statement
issued by the Yemeni Embassy in Berlin. As reported in the
press, the statement reiterated "ROYG's firm stand" on
pursuing resolution to the case and confirmed that "the two
mentioned Yemeni citizens were lured from Yemen to Germany in
violation of international laws and against Yemeni
sovereignty." It added that the Yemeni authorities would
follow up the case and make "all the efforts" to succeed in
the appeal. It ended with a line about having confidence in
the continuation of Yemen-German relations.


5. (U) Official daily al-Thawra issued the press statement
on its front page July 22. Yemen television news on July 21
did not lead with the story, instead reporting it in a
straightforward manner towards the end of the newscast and
emphasizing the expected appeals process.

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Other Media Reaction; Islah Party
--------------


6. (U) Islah party affiliated Sahwa-net July 22 published
the Yemeni Embassy's statement from Berlin and reported that
Hamoud al-Darihi, member of the Islah Supreme Authority and
Chairman of the Follow-up Committee on the al-Moayed case,
expressed "his astonishment" about the German court decision.
Al-Darihi said his committee has been in touch with the
Yemeni Ambassador to Germany and al-Moayed's lawyer and
confirmed that they will appeal to the German higher court.
Al-Darihi also disclosed that a Yemeni parliament and Shura
Council delegation will be leaving for Germany next Wednesday
to "continue convincing the German government to return
al-Moayed and his companion to Yemen."


7. (U) Independent al-Ayyam also did a straightforward
report on the decision, the travel of the parliamentary and
Shura Council delegation and al-Darihi's remarks.

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Warden Message
--------------

8. (U) Text of Warden Message:
The Embassy of the United States wants to inform American
citizens in Yemen that the German authorities have ruled in
favor of the U.S. request to extradite Yemeni Sheik Mohamed
Ali Hassan Al-Moyyad. Sheik Al-Moyyad was provisionally
arrested by the German authorities on U.S. criminal charges
of providing material support to foreign terrorist
organizations. Sheik Al-Moyyad has the right to appeal this
decision and it is fully expected that he will do so.

In light of this judgment and the expected appeals process,
American citizens in Yemen are reminded to pay particular
attention to their personal security at all times. Americans
should make it a point to keep a low profile, vary routes and
times of travel, avoid large crowds and demonstrations and
report any suspicious activity to the Embassy's Regional
Security Office at 303-156/7/8/9.

End Text of Warden Message.
HULL