AMBASSADOR'S 1/30 MEETING WITH INTERIOR MINISTER

S E C R E T SANAA 000179 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/31/2015 TAGS: PREL PTER KJUS YM COUNTER TERRORISM SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S 1/30 MEETING WITH INTERIOR MINISTER ALIMI REF: A. STATE 9866 ¶B. STEINGER-ROBERTS 1/31 EMAIL Classified By: DCM Nabeel Khoury for reasons 1.5 b and d. ¶1. (C) Summary. In a January 30 meeting, Ambassador and Interior Minister Rashad al-Alimi discussed the dangers caused by Yemeni foreign fighters traveling to Iraq, the ROYG delegation to the Riyadh CT conference, and the Jaber al-Banna case. Alimi's update on two recent security investigations are covered in ref B email. End Summary. -------------- Iraq -------------- ¶2. (C) Alimi expressed his concerns over the travel of Yemeni fighters to Iraq to join the insurgency and perpetrate acts of violence. The Interior Minister told Ambassador he is highly engaged in efforts to stem this dangerous flow. It is next to impossible to stop it, he continued, as they take convoluted routes though different neighboring states in order to conceal that Iraq is their intended destination. Alimi also shared that he had "significant worries" about the CT threat to Yemen once these fighters, armed with new operational abilities, experience and connections return to Yemen. Ambassador assured Alimi that we share this concern. -------------- Yemeni Delegation to Riyadh CT Conference -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Contrary to what post was previously told, Deputy Foreign Minister al-Dhabbi and not Foreign Minister Qirbi will lead the Yemen delegation to the February 5-8 Counter Terrorism conference in Riyadh (ref A). Alimi said he would not be part of the delegation, which would include (sub-Cabinet) ROYG officials from the PSO and other security agencies. (Note: a list of participants will be sent septel as soon as available. End Note). -------------- Jaber al-Banna Case -------------- ¶4. (S) Ambassador asked whether or not the custody of dual U.S.-Yemeni citizen Jaber al-Banna had been passed from the PSO to the office of the Attorney General for potential prosecution. Alimi responded positively. (Note: Contrary to what Alimi told us, the AG's office confirms that it has not yet received al-Banna or any of his case files, but expects to in "the next few days, inshallah." End Note). As for the possibility of extradition of al-Banna to stand trial in the U.S., Alimi reiterated that extradition is prohibited by the constitution, but then raised the 5 million USD available for al-Banna under the rewards for justice program. Ambassador explained (again) that the reward money cannot be paid directly to a state actor, and in any case would not be paid to anyone prior to the arrival of al-Banna into U.S. custody. (Note: Legatt has had repeated discussions with the ROYG officials on the possibility for some sort of monetary or assistance compensation for the handing-over of al-Banna. End Note). Alimi said that if the AG's office determines there is not enough evidence to try al-Banna under Yemeni law, he would be released. ¶5. (C) Comment: According to Yemeni law, once al-Banna is in custody of the AG's office, the AG has a maximum of 180 days to bring him to trial or release him. MOI recommended, and post will arrange, a session with the AG to discuss an FBI team working with the AG's staff on the al-Banna case to see what legal options are avialiable. We fully expect bargaining over reward money to be part of this discussion. End Comment. Krajeski