REACTION IN YEMEN TO SADDAM'S CAPTURE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 002920 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/2013 TAGS: PREL IZ YM SUBJECT: REACTION IN YEMEN TO SADDAM'S CAPTURE Classified By: Ambassador Edmund J. Hull, Reasons 1.5(b,d) ¶1. (C) Saddam's capture dominated discussion at UAE National Day December 14 with numerous Yemenis seeking Ambassador out to congratulate him. Saddam's surrender without a fight surprised many. Shura Council member Mohammed Tayeb told Ambassador in confidence that President Saleh had reacted angrily to Saddam's surrender because Saddam allowed himself to be taken without a fight. Saudi Ambassador Khattani noted humiliation of Saddam's meek and degrading appearance during medical examination. Several Yemeni's confirmed that Saddam's image had been deflated in their eyes. Other comments welcomed the role of Iraqi Governing council and the Iraqi court in meting out justice to the former president. In presenting congratulations, one Iraqi-American expressed hope that Saddam's capture would close a long, sad chapter in Iraqi history and allow Iraqi's to turn to rebuilding their country. ¶2. (C) COMMENT: The public diplomacy of Saddam's arrest, in our estimation, was nothing short of brilliant, and its impact is already clear in Yemeni. HULL