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. -------------- EAC Actions -------------- ¶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