YEMEN: ASSISTANCE FOR CIVIL DISORDER MANAGEMENT

UNCLAS SANAA 000690 SIPDIS SENSITIVE INL FOR PAUL SIMONS, S/CT FOR COFER BLACK, DS FOR FRANK TAYLOR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC PTER YM SUBJECT: YEMEN: ASSISTANCE FOR CIVIL DISORDER MANAGEMENT (CDM) ¶1. (SBU) I am requesting your support for Civil Disorder Management (CDM) training for Yemen. There are at least three salient considerations: -- Yemeni efforts against Al-Qa'ida elements, especially over the last eight months, have been sustained and increasingly successful. -- Despite President Salih's differences with us over Iraq and the troubled regional climate, Salih has shown steady resolve to protect American personnel and facitilies. -- When push came to shove during the March 21 violent demonstration heading toward the Embassy, Salih and Yemeni security forces gave no sign of flinching, even when lethal force had to be used. ¶2. (SBU) With my encouragement, staff here have been in touch informally with INL and S/CT regarding training possibilities. Not surprisingly, FY-03 training budgets are already earmarked, and indeed we are told FY-04 plans are well advanced. Sometimes plans fall through, however, and countries are unable to participate in training programs already approved. Against that contingency, I would like to express my strong support, as soon as possible, for a Civil Disorder Management (CDM) Program for Yemen. ¶3. (SBU) Such an INL-funded program would provide essential in-country training for Central Security Organization commanders, and follow-up training and essential equipment for Central Security Organization (CSO -- the Ministry of Interior's internal security body) cadres. The violent March 21 demonstration showed clear need, and I cannot think of a more appropriate response to the ROYG's efforts to ensure the safety of this mission during the recent violence. I am told that training and equipment for about 150-175 personnel could be done for an estimated $350,000. ¶4. (SBU) I recommend such a program be funded as early as possible. Informally, we have been in touch with senior working levels at the MOI, who indicate strong interest in training possiblities; if/if opportunities materialize, On that basis, Embassy would engage with the Minister of Interior on necessary agreements to cover this activity should a way forward be found for CDM for Yemen. MISENHEIMER