ISLAH PARTY MODERATE ON AL-MOAYED

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 000518

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR L/LEI, S/CT; DOJ FOR DAAG BRUCE SWARTZ

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/17/2013
TAGS: PTER PREL PGOV KJUS ASEC GM YM TERFIN
SUBJECT: ISLAH PARTY MODERATE ON AL-MOAYED

REF: A. SANAA 127

B. SANAA 482

Classified By: Pol/Econ Deputy Chief Catherine J. Westley for Reasons 1
.5 (b,d)


1. (C) Summary: An Islah party leader entertained the
possibility of al-Moayed's guilt after hearing evidence from
the U.S. complaint. P/E DepChief met with Islah party
political director Mohamed Qahtan on March 17 and discussed
the case of Sheikh Mohammed Ali al-Moayed, who is an Islah
party Shura Council member (ref a). Qahtan was somewhat
persuaded that al-Moayed might be guilty, particularly in
regards to the evidence of jihad trainee sponsorship gathered
in Afghanistan. Qahtan, a noted party moderate, had
requested the meeting to discuss his concerns about the
increased danger to Americans as more anti-war demonstrations
occur between now and the April 27 parliamentary elections
(septel). End Summary.


2. (C) P/E DepChief verbally briefed Qahtan about the U.S.
complaint against al-Moayed and highlighted its most
compelling evidence. She said that the case was very strong
and the Islah party should consider whether it wants to
actively support al-Moayed. She noted the case is now in the
German court system.


3. (C) On the evidence presented, Qahtan was less impressed
with the informant-produced evidence, skeptical like others
cited in the Yemeni press about the $20 million figure of
money donated to al-Qaeda and was surprised and troubled
about the evidence from Afghanistan showing jihad trainee
sponsorship. He asked if the sponsorship was before 1997 and
P/E DepChief said no, it was 2000. He looked very concerned
at this piece of evidence and said if that were true, Qahtan
did not know al-Moayed at all. He repeated that he simply
could not believe al-Moayed could be involved in al-Qaeda,
but said perhaps al-Moayed is a very good actor. He cracked
a bit of a joke and said if al-Moayed was proven guilty, the
Islah party would sue to get their donations to his charity
back. (Note: P/E DepChief avoided mentioning Hamas and
concentrated on al-Qaeda. End Note)


4. (C) Qahtan said he had read a report from a Yemeni
student in Germany who visited al-Moayed in jail. The report
alleged that al-Moayed was being kept in solitary confinement
without anything to keep him busy (books, radio) and that an
interpreter was not provided when doctors visited (causing
health problems) nor when meals were served (creating
problems in relation to religious restrictions). Qahtan said
he hoped al-Moayed was being treated well and asked that the
American Embassy do something to ensure it. P/E DepChief
said she had not heard anything about mistreatment and that
Qahtan should contact German authorities if he had concerns.
Qahtan thanked her for the information and said he would
follow the case as it moves through the German courts.


5. (C) Qahtan also said that al-Moayed's sons had received
phone calls soon after their father's arrest in Germany
encouraging them to kidnap a German citizen in retaliation.
He said that the sons thought these to come from members of
the security forces. Post cannot confirm this allegation.


6. (C) The al-Moayed case continues to get high publicity
and political play, and the typical view of the case by many,
including the government (ref b),is that he could not be
involved with al-Qaeda. Members of the Khowlan tribe have
been camping out in front of the President's Palace for days
demanding ROYG action on the matter. Widespread scorn and
derision exists from government to journalistic circles about
the $20 million donation figure quoted in the press and cited
in the U.S. complaint.


7. (C) Comment: Post succeeded in planting a seed of doubt
with at least one member of the Islah party regarding
al-Moayed's guilt. However, Qahtan is a noted moderate and
his atypical reaction is because he is perhaps more amenable
to persuasion than others in his party. End Comment.
HULL