MEDIA REACTION ON AL MOAYAD'S SENTENCING IN U.S.

UNCLAS SANAA 002451 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA, NEA/ARP, NEA/PD, NEA/RA, DS/OP/NEA AND S/CT CENTCOM FOR POLAD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR PHUM PTER KISL YM SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON AL MOAYAD'S SENTENCING IN U.S. FEDERAL COURT TO 75 YEARS IN PRISON. NEA/PPD FOR AFERNANDEZ ¶1. SUMMARY: There is increasing public reaction in Yemen to the July sentencing of Al-Moayad to 75 years in prison by a U.S. federal court for providing material support to terrorism. Although there is less attention devoted by government media to the case, independent and party- affiliated newspapers continue to address it and to cover public activities held in solidarity with Al Moayad. A rising criticism of the U.S. court system appears in the local media, chiefly in opposition and independent papers and papers affiliated with opposition parties. Overall, the sentencing of Al-Moayad is viewed by Yemeni media as evidence of a lack of justice in the U.S. judicial system with many predicting that the sentencing will further inflame anti-U.S. sentiment in Yemen. END SUMMARY ¶2. Independent papers and those affiliated with opposition parties reported on a major gathering of sheikhs, dignitaries, and seniors of Al-Moayad's Khawlan tribe and on their statement calling for the immediate release of Al- Moayad and asking President Saleh to put Al Moayad's case at the top of his agenda for his November visit to Washington. The newly established independent weekly Annida (08/04) accused the Government of not working hard enough for Al- Moayad's release saying: "Had the regime been more serious about the Al-Moayad case, Al-Moayad would have been released a long time ago." The English language independent Yemen Times, a biweekly, published an opinion piece entitled, "For the Love of Israel," which argued that the trial of Sheikh Al-Moayad "has proven once again that...the United States is now also the official lynch man for the Zionist state. ...Originally, starting as a case of anti-terrorism post 9/11, the case, based on relatively weak allegations of aiding Hamas, ended ultimately as no more than another free service to Israel." ¶3. Opposition media, including Al Sahwa Net (www.alsahwa- yemen.net),website of major opposition Islah party, and other news websites, highlighted (8/01) a statement released jointly by political parties and some civil society organizations condemning the sentencing of Sheikh Al Moayad in a statement which stated that the case, "will inflame anti-US sentiments." Pro-opposition newspapers commented that the verdict "has exposed" the U.S. Administration's "claims about the independence of its judicial system." "The verdict was based on preconceived assumptions magnified by post-9/11 sentiments," according to the independent weekly Annas (circulation 15,000; 8/01). ¶4. Independent newspapers carried a statement by Yemeni clerics urging President Saleh to work diligently so the U.S. releases Sheikh Al-Moayad and his associate; moreover, they urged all political forces, leaders, and Yemeni civil society organizations to continue advocating, "until their demands are met," for their release and return. KRAJESKI