AMBASSADOR DELIVERS THERMOBARICS, STATE SPONSORED

S E C R E T SANAA 002408 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/07/2014 TAGS: ETTC KSTC PARM PREL PTER PINR YM DEMARCHE COUNTER TERRORISM SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DELIVERS THERMOBARICS, STATE SPONSORED TERRORISM DEMARCHES REF: A. STATE 187644 ¶B. STATE 188657 Classified By: Ambassador Thomas C. Krajeski; reasons 1.4 (b),(d). ¶1. (C) Summary. Ambassador took the opportunity of his introductory meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister Mustafa Noman to deliver refs A and B. Noman listened carefully to both messages and asked questions, but offered no immediate response. Discussions on G-8 BMENA process covered septel. End Summary. ¶2. (S/NF) Ambassador delivered ref A to Deputy Foreign Minister Noman on September 7. He stressed that out of the six state sponsors of terrorism, the roles of Syria and Iran are the most damaging to peace and stability in the region. Ambassador noted Syrian support for HAMAS, Hizballah, and other dangerous terrorist organizations. Moving to Iran, the most active state sponsor of terrorism in the world, Ambassador said direct and indirect support for terrorist elements operating in Iraq is increasing. Ambassador noted Yemeni suspicions regarding Iranian support for al-Houthi. Noman nodded but offered no immediate response. ¶3. (S) Ambassador thanked the DFM for his Ministry's assistance during A/S Bloomfield's August 31 - September 2 visit to Yemen. The visit, he reported, was successful on many levels, and we hope to have an agreement on the MANPADS buyback initiative soon. Continuing on the subject of the danger posed by man-portable shoulder-fired weapons, Ambassador shared with Noman that the USG has information that the ROYG is interested in purchasing thermobaric rocket-propelled grenade launchers and grenades from Russia (ref B). These weapons, Ambassador emphasized, are easily transported and operated by a single individual and pack significant destructive power, making them an ideal terrorist weapon. Ambassador urged the ROYG not to add these dangerous systems to its arsenal. ¶4. (S) Noman sought clarification as to the nature of thermobaric weapons, and asked which countries are the main manufacturing nations. Ambassador replied that our information suggests the ROYG is looking to buy them from Russia. The DFM promised to pass the information to the Cabinet to ensure they are aware of the risk posed by these weapons. KRAJESKI