Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05SANAA1884
2005-07-12 15:33:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Sanaa
Cable title:  

MISREPORTED COMMENTS ON RISKS TO AMERICANS IN THE

Tags:  PGOV PREL PTER MO YE 
pdf how-to read a cable
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 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)

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