ROYG SEIZES OPPORTUNITY TO INCREASE YEMENI

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 000086

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/08/2013
TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV YM COUNTER TERRORISM DOMESTIC POLITICS
SUBJECT: ROYG SEIZES OPPORTUNITY TO INCREASE YEMENI
POLITICAL WILL TO FIGHT TERROR IN THE AFTERMATH OF RECENT
TERROR INCIDENTS

REF: A. 02 SANAA 3636

B. 02 SANAA 3644

C. 02 SANAA 3695

D. 02 SANAA 3727

Classified By: Ambassador Edmund J. Hull for Reasons 1.5 (b,d)


1. (S) Summary: Formerly on the defensive regarding
counter-terrorism cooperation with the U.S., the ROYG has
seized the initiative in the aftermath of the recent terror
attacks to push forward on broad CT activity and put
opposition parties on the defensive. Its public outreach and
media campaign (refs) continue at a higher pace and are
joined by increased support and positive popular reaction
from all elements of Yemeni society. Yemeni political will
to fight terror is on the rise. End summary.


2. (S) The ROYG presented its report on terror to
parliament on December 30, partially in response to requests
from opposition parties to explain U.S.-Yemeni
counter-terrorism cooperation in the aftermath of the
November 3 attack on al-Harithi but also to seize the
initiative on countering terror. The report came two days
after the assassination of Yemeni Socialist Party (YSP)
leader Jarallah Omar and on the same day as the killings of
three Amcits in Jibla. Prime Minister Bajammal added the two
incidents at the last minute to the already-drafted report
that was read to parliament, broadcast on television and
published in the official newspaper. Notably, in the report
the ROYG states publicly for the first time that it not only
cooperated in the November 3 incident but requested the
action from the U.S. It also stated that there is nothing
constitutionally or legally to prevent coordination and
cooperation with the U.S. and other states. The report
emphasized the need for comprehensive economic, educational,
cultural and social dealings to confront terror and called
for the mobilization of society to combat terrorism in all
its forms. Reaction to the ROYG's report was mixed, with
opposition parties noting that it did not address the root
causes of terror and it inferred blame on opposition
(particularly the Islah party). ROYG statements after each
terror incident also mentioned specifically each killer's
affiliation with the Islah party.


3. (U) The ROYG Shura Council strongly condemned the
killings last week in a statement on December 30, urging all
Yemenis to heighten their vigilance to thwart any terror
plots and expressing deep regret over what the terrorists did
to Omar and the Americans. President Saleh called a
well-publicized extraordinary cabinet session on January 1 to
condemn the killings and reiterate the need for national
unity in combating terror.


4. (U) Tens of thousands of mourners gathered on January 1
for the funeral of Jarallah Omar. In a peaceful procession,
mourners from all walks of life carried signs saying "no to
terrorism." Several anti-violence demonstrations were held
in cities around Yemen, including Taiz and Bani Husheish, on
January 2, with demonstrators shouting anti-terror slogans
and carrying anti-violence banners.


5. (U) ROYG officials have increased their crackdown on
mosque preachers who use sermons politically or as a means to
incite violence, as evidenced by several arrests in the last
week and by statements in the official televised sermon on
January 3. In that sermon, the imam said that "mosques must
be centers for national awareness" and not the dissemination
of divisive party ideologies and youths need to be guided
with regard to true Islam "where there is no fanaticism or
extremism" and taught "moderation, tolerance and leniency."
Yemeni religious scholars (ulema) issued a statement strongly
condemning the attacks and preaching a message of tolerance
on January 2.


6. (U) Public and private statements of condolence and
condemnation of the attacks were written as editorials in
government and opposition newspapers, issued by political
parties in public statements and delivered by letter and in
person to the Embassy from Yemenis across the political and
social spectrum. Leaders from the General People's Congress
(GPC) and Islah party paid calls on the Ambassador to deliver
condolences personally, and the YSP sent a letter.


7. (S) The Islah party has been on the defensive after ROYG
statements linking the two killers of last week's attack to
their party and to al-Iman University, led by their recently
re-elected Shura Council chairman al-Zindani. In public
statements, they have condemned the attacks and sought to
distance themselves from them; however, they have accused
the government of using the attacks for partisan purposes.
Interviews with Islah party leaders Sheikh al-Ahmar and
al-Zindani have been more moderate than usual regarding
counter-terrorism cooperation and have condemned terrorism.


8. (S) Comment: The ROYG has used the opportunity
presented by recent tragic events to seize the initiative on
combating terrorism and stigmatizing terrorists. Its
stepped-up mobilization of its counter-terrorism campaign has
put opposition forces on the defensive, particularly the
Islah party, and forced them to join the anti-terror
bandwagon or risk being labeled harborers and supporters of
terrorists. After two months of attacks on the ROYG for its
cooperation with the U.S. in the November 3 incident,
opposition parties are now scrambling for ways to convince
Yemenis and the international community of their
counter-terrorism credentials. End comment.
HULL