Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04SANAA477
2004-03-02 14:36:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Sanaa
Cable title:  

NO NEW SECURITY THREAT IN YEMEN; FRENCH NOT CLOSING

Tags:  PTER ASEC PGOV FR YM COUNTER TERRORISM 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 000477 

SIPDIS

FOR S/CT, DS, EUR, AND NEA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/02/2012
TAGS: PTER ASEC PGOV FR YM COUNTER TERRORISM
SUBJECT: NO NEW SECURITY THREAT IN YEMEN; FRENCH NOT CLOSING

REF: ROBERTS/MISENHEIMER TELCON 3/1/04

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 000477

SIPDIS

FOR S/CT, DS, EUR, AND NEA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/02/2012
TAGS: PTER ASEC PGOV FR YM COUNTER TERRORISM
SUBJECT: NO NEW SECURITY THREAT IN YEMEN; FRENCH NOT CLOSING

REF: ROBERTS/MISENHEIMER TELCON 3/1/04


1. (C) SUMMARY. French DCM told DCM 3/2 that media reports
of French diplomatic closure in Sanaa due to new local
security threats are in error. The recent Zawahiri audiotape
prompted Paris to advise French embassies worldwide to review
security. In Yemen, this instruction prompted an ongoing
review of French sites and several prudent security upgrades.
French DCM praised responsiveness of Ministry of Interior.
END SUMMARY.


2. (U) DCM called on French DCM Jean Louis Rysto 3/2 to
discuss media reports that French had closed Embassy,
Cultural Center and/or the French School in response to new
security threats in Yemen. Rysto informed DCM that all such
reports are entirely/entirely in error, and explained current
security-related steps taken by the French mission.


3. (C) According to Rysto, the recently circulated audiotape
attributed to al-Qaeda number two Ayman al-Zawahiri included
expressions of hostility to French interests in connection
with the hejab controversy in French schools. In response,
said Rysto, Paris sent a cable to nearly all its embassies
worldwide advising of the Zawahiri statement and ordering
security review and adjustment as needed. He stressed that
France had no/no information whatsoever on any new threat
specific to Yemen. The Zawahiri statement was not
geographically specific.


4. (C) Upon receipt of the cable from Paris, the French
Ambassador met urgently with Interior Minister Alimi on 2/27.
Follow-on contacts, including a joint visit by French
embassy representatives and MOI officials to main French
sites (embassy, ambassador,s residence, French Cultural
Center, French Center for Social Studies (CFES),and the
French School) on 2/29, led to installation of additional
concrete traffic barriers and deployment of additional Yemeni
security personnel at the sites.


5. (C) In order to facilitate the security review, the School
released students 3 days early for a scheduled holiday. It
will reopen as scheduled on 3/13. In the meantime,
additional on-site security measures will be put in place.
Rysto considers the French School particularly exposed, as it
adjoins several busy downtown streets (in contrast to the
American-curriculum Sanaa International School, which is in
an isolated suburb and has excellent setback and perimeter
patrols).


6. (C) Similarly, the French Cultural Center is closed and
will reopen later this week. The Cultural Center will close
during April and relocate to a more secure property, a move
already in preparation before the Zawahiri message. Neither
the embassy nor CFES has closed at all. Rysto expressed
frustration that CFES staff focus on academic/cultural
outreach and resent any security restrictions, but noted that
they will be compelled to accept at least some on-site
security measures.


7. (C) A separate meeting between DATT and his French
counterpart, and telcon between P/E Chief and French consular
assistant, elicited parallel accounts of the French security
review.


8. (C) Comment: While not keyed to any local threat
information, the security moves being undertaken by the
French are prudent and reasonable. Their facilities all lack
setback and previously had minimal perimeter security. In
fact, Rysto noted that French Ambassador Moureau had chosen
to play up the worldwide caution from Paris in order to "send
a signal" to the ROYG -- i.e. to obtain greater security
attention from the MOI -- and to Paris -- to show that the
recently arrived ambassador is taking security seriously. He
deemed the measure successful, as the MOI has acted quickly
to provide additional security support.
HULL