GTMO NOTIFICATION DELIVERED, ROYG STILL UNSURE OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 002764

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/13/2015
TAGS: PREL PTER YM KWAC COUNTER TERRORISM
SUBJECT: GTMO NOTIFICATION DELIVERED, ROYG STILL UNSURE OF
COMBATANTS' RETURN

REF: A. STATE 167959

B. STATE 164152

C. SANAA 2490

Classified By: DCM Nabeel Khoury for reasons 1.4 b and d.


1. (C) On September 13, DCM delivered notification on the
continued detention of three Yemenis (ref A) to Deputy
Foreign Minister Mustafa Noman. Noman accepted the names
without comment.


2. (C) DCM also inquired on ROYG acceptance of an additional
no-longer enemy combatant (ref B). Noman said he did not
anticipate problems and would soon forward the name of the
official responsible for accepting the detainee at the
airport, likely the same official present during the return
of the first no-longer enemy combatant (ref C).


3. (C) As for enemy combatants, Noman said the issue was
"very complicated," as the ROYG could not deny the return of
its citizens, but did not want to assume the burden of
accepting potentially dangerous individuals. In the end,
Noman commented, the decision rests with the Political
Security Organization, who will be responsible for the
detainees, although "President Saleh will have the final
say." DCM commented that Saleh recently told Ambassador in
passing that he would never accept enemy combatants. Noman
promised to follow-up with the President's office to
determine if the comment was serious.






Krajeski