INITIAL YEMENI REACTION QUIET REGARDING MOAYED

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. -------------- 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. -------------- 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. -------------- 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