RAMADAN RELEASES DEMARCHE DELIVERED, ROYG AGREES

S E C R E T SANAA 002699

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/16/2014
TAGS: PTER PREL PINR YM DEMARCHE COUNTER TERRORISM
SUBJECT: RAMADAN RELEASES DEMARCHE DELIVERED, ROYG AGREES
TO PROVIDE ADVANCE NOTICE TO EMBASSY

REF: STATE 223261

Classified By: Ambassador Thomas C. Krajeski for reasons 1.4 b and d.


1. (S) Summary. On October 16 Ambassador delivered reftel
demarche to Foreign Minister Qirbi and called on the ROYG to
live up to its CT commitments (reftel). Ambassador stressed
that ROYG failure to provide the USG with prior information
on Ramadan releases of terrorism-related security detainees
would be a major step backward in our GWOT partnership.
Several hours later, Deputy FM Mustafa Noman informed
Ambassador that the list would be provided October 17. End
Summary.


2. (S) Background. In an October 14 meeting, Minister of
Interior al-Alimi informed Ambassador that the ROYG plans to
release security detainees in a traditional Ramadan amnesty.
Alimi said some of the individuals were associated in the
past with al-Qaida, but all had been successfully
"reeducated." Ambassador urged Alimi to provide the USG a
list of the individuals for our review well before any
releases. The Minister of Interior promised to provide with
a list as soon as possible, adding that previous releases
were "very successful" and that as in the past, individuals
released would be subject to "constant surveillance" and
prohibited from traveling outside of Yemen.


3. (S) Characterizing the potential release of
terrorism-related security detainees an issue of urgent
concern, Ambassador delivered reftel demarche to Foreign
Minister Qirbi on October 16. Ambassador told the FM that
Interior Minister Alimi committed to providing the Embassy an
advance list during an October 14 meeting "as soon as
possible." In addition to names, Ambassador requested
photos, dates of birth and other identifying material for
review and comment. Qirbi replied that he believed the ROYG
would be able to comply with our request, and would consult
with Minister Alimi and Political Security Organization (PSO)
officials. Ambassador stressed that failure to provide this
information in a timely manner would be a major step backward
in the our cooperative CT relationship with the ROYG.
KRAJESKI