SANAA EAC MEETING - SEPTEMBER 1, 2003

S E C R E T SANAA 002224 SIPDIS NOFORN DEPARTMENT FOR NEA, NEA/ARP, NEA/EX, S/CT, CA, DS/DSS, DS/IP/NEA, DS/DSS/ITA, DS/ICI/PII, CENTCOM FOR POLAD E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/01/2013 TAGS: ASEC AMGT PREL PTER EAC SUBJECT: SANAA EAC MEETING - SEPTEMBER 1, 2003 REF: STATE 250479 Classified By: CHARGE ALAN G. MISENHEIMER, for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S/NF) Begin Summary: The Ambassador convened an EAC meeting on September 1 to consider a Department Threat Advisory (reftel). Also discussed was the lack of credible and specific recent threat reporting on American targets in Yemen, the impending al-Moayad extradition, the official designation of Shaykh Zindani as a supporter of terrorism, and the need to convene a warden meeting. Key offices and personnel represented at the meeting included: POL/ECON, CONS, MO, FPD, ORCA, DAO, OMC, and SOC YEMEN. End Summary. ¶2. (S/NF) DCM briefed the cable describing the continuing threat from Al-Qaeda to targets in the Persian Gulf region, East Asia, Africa and CONUS. Attendees concurred with the cable's observation that the enemy remains active, and that host government support to counter the threat must be sustained and enhanced. ORCA and OMC briefed recent intel relating to potential security threats in Yemen. EAC members agreed that there was no credible information indicating a current heightened threat in Yemen. Nevertheless, attendees agreed on the need to continue good personal security practices, including continuing to vary routes and times. ¶3. (C) DCM updated events surrounding the continued incarceration of Hafez al-Moayad in Germany. The case has been remanded to the Frankfurt regional court, where it is likely to remain for several weeks. The case will then return to the Supreme Court level where it might be delayed again for several weeks before final adjudication. Available information indicates that al-Moayad's extradition to the United States is likely to be affirmed. The DCM commented that the post is following events closely and will re-evaluate the security situation and any potential threats against American targets at the time of the final extradition. ¶4. (C) DCM updated events surrounding the USG designation of Shaykh Zindani as a supporter of terrorism. The DCM noted that the Zindani case differs from al-Moayad in that Zindani is an ideologue and minor Islah party official who enjoys less-widespread support than al-Moayad. DCM reiterated that the ROYG has been informed of the pending designation, but that the official U.S. declaration has been put on hold. ¶5. (C) Finally, the EAC agreed on the need to schedule an early warden meeting to reiterate caution against "soft targets". Consul had recently returned from meeting wardens in the south and noted that given the likely end-of-summer/post-war return of Amcits to Yemen a warden meeting would be beneficial. The EAC decided to schedule a warden meeting in the near term. MISENHEIMER