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