SANAA EAC MEETING - NOVEMBER 18, 2003

S E C R E T SANAA 002741

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 18, 2003

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


1. (S) Begin Summary: Charge convened an EAC meeting on 18
November to consider further the repercussions of the 17
November 2003 extradition of Sheikh al-Moayad from Germany to
the United States, and any appropriate embassy response. The
Embassy has not seen, nor is there visible cause to expect
widespread demonstrations or anti-US political activity as a
result of the extradition. The embassy will maintain close
liaison with Yemeni security bodies, continue to monitor the
situation with close attention, and adjust its actions when
and if warranted. 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 by briefing the EAC on an 18
November morning meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs
Qirbi to discuss the al-Moayad case. Qirbi's approach was
low-key. (septel)


3. (C) The A/RSO briefed that his office had no indications
of a threat or planned demonstration. There is no
information, including from MOI, to elaborate on FM Qirbi's
mention to Charge of a pro-Moayad "demonstration" at the
Presidential Palace on 11/17. PD said that the issue had
lingered too long in the courts and that the timing of the
release during Ramadan had apparently served to dampen any
anti-US energies. In his survey of press coverage, the DAO
said reporting of the release was largely factual and not
inflammatory; in fact, one newspaper even presented some of
the USG's evidence against al-Moayad in its reporting.
POL/ECON Chief briefed the EAC on her 18 November meeting
with the German DCM, who said that as of 18 November the
embassy was re-opened without any incidents to report.

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EAC Actions
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4. (C) The EAC decided not to issue a warden message. The
embassy will continue to closely monitor weekend events and
Friday sermons. Upcoming social events are to proceed as
scheduled with necessary security measures in place for each.
The PD Iftar dinner on 19 November will continue as planned,
and RSO has appropriate security arrangements in place.
MISENHEIMER