MISREPORTED COMMENTS ON RISKS TO AMERICANS IN THE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 001884 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/12/2006 TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER MO YE SUBJECT: MISREPORTED COMMENTS ON RISKS TO AMERICANS IN THE REGION REF: RABAT 01452 Classified By: CDA NABEEL KHOURY FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) & (d) ¶1. (C) On June 29, CDA gave a wide ranging press interview in Arabic to a local website on bilateral U.S.-Yemeni relations, during the course of which he was asked if we thought Americans were at risk in Yemen. CDA responded that Americans were at risk throughout the region, from Yemen to Morocco, because of groups and networks that meant them harm and that Americans throughout the region are always advised to be careful. CDA's comment was not meant to single out any country's security conditions, but simply to say dangers existed throughout the region. The interview was carried by the daily "al-Jumhouriya" and on July 5 excerpted by UPI. Unfortunately, the local UPI stringer mistranslated the phrase "from Yemen to Morocco" to read, "especially in Yemen and Morocco." ¶2. On July 9, Press Attach Rabat alerted us to the misquote in the Moroccan media which carried the UPI report. CDA replied on the same day indicating that he had apparently been misquoted. Moroccan Ambassador to Yemen approached CDA at our National Day reception on July 10 and inquired on the same report. CDA provided the next day the original transcript from the interview and posts' letter to UPI requesting a correction of the story. Moroccan ambassador expressed satisfaction with the information and explanation. ¶3. Letter to UPI requesting a correction has been sent. all relevant material concerning this press report has been sent to Embassy Rabat. Regret concern caused to GOM, but will forward reply from UPI when received. Khoury