SANAA EAC MEETING - NOVEMBER 15, 2003

S E C R E T SANAA 002711

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: 11/15/2013
TAGS: ASEC AMGT PREL PTER EAC
SUBJECT: SANAA EAC MEETING - NOVEMBER 15, 2003

REF: SECSTATE 299239

Classified By: CTC AUSTIN G. GILREATH, for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).


1. (S) Begin Summary: The Charge convened an EAC meeting on
November 15 to consider the impending extradition of Sheikh
al-Moayad from Germany to the United States. While the
Embassy has seen no evidence of anti-US demonstrations or
political activity in anticipation of the transfer, the EAC
decided to issue a warden message providing background on the
issue and advising increased personal vigilience on or about
November 16 (i.e., after Moayed actually departs Germany
enroute to the United States). Key offices and personnel
represented at the meeting included: POL/ECON, CONS, RSO,
MO, FPD, POL/MIL, DAO, OMC, and SOC YEMEN. End Summary.


2. (C) The Charge opened the meeting with an update on recent
developments in the case of Sheikh al-Moayed in Germay,
concluding that extradition was expected to be conducted on
16 November. The Charge cautioned that the Sheikh had many
friends in Yemen who believe him to be an apolitical figure
unjustly accused and duped by the US and Germany. The Charge
assessed that the delay resultant from protracted legal
appeals in the case has probably worked to our advantage by
allowing time for Yemeni public interest in the case to wane.
The RSO briefed that he has been in contact with his
Ministry of Interior (MOI) interlocutors and that they
reported an absence of any extradition-related political
activity in the streets or the mosques.


3. (C) POL/ECON briefed the EAC on her recent conversation
with the German DCM regarding security issues related to the
extradition. Although it has no indications of impending
trouble, the German Embassy in Sanaa has issued a travel
warning and restricted the movement of embassy personnel as a
safety precaution. MOI has deployed extra security personnel
at the German Embassy, employee residences and selected
German civilian residences. As of November 15, 2003, the
German air carrier Lufthansa has suspended its flights into
Sanaa International Airport. This suspension of service was
expected to last no less than one week.

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EAC Actions
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4. (C) The EAC decided to issue a warden message in the near
term (after Moayed actually leaves Germany enroute for the
U.S.) to brief the facts of the case, point out that the
Shaykh will be tried in a regular court and not a military
tribunal, and advise increased personal vigilience. Upcoming
social events are to proceed as scheduled with necessary
security measures in place for each. The Public Diplomacy
section is sponsoring an Iftar dinner on 19 November, but the
EAC will monitor and evaluate the security situation and opt
to cancel the dinner if warranted.
MISENHEIMER