Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05SANAA179
2005-01-31 14:57:00
SECRET
Embassy Sanaa
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR'S 1/30 MEETING WITH INTERIOR MINISTER

Tags:  PREL PTER KJUS 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.

311457Z Jan 05
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.

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