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