ROYG REQUESTS ZINDANI INFORMATION

S E C R E T SANAA 002806 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA DAS GRAY, S/CT COORDINATOR, AND EB/TFS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/19/2015 TAGS: PREL PTER YM COUNTER TERRORISM TERFIN SUBJECT: ROYG REQUESTS ZINDANI INFORMATION REF: A. SANAA 2791 ¶B. SANAA 2151 ¶C. SANAA 2115 Classified By: Ambassador Thomas C. Krajeski for reasons 1.4 b and d. ¶1. This is an action request. Please see paragraph seven. ¶2. (C) Summary: In a September 18 meeting with Ambassador, Foreign Minister Abubakr Qirbi provided a written request for detailed evidence on Abdul Majeed Zindani's financial support to terrorists groups (ref A). The letter states that the ROYG will take necessary legal action against Zindani if given proof of his illegal activities. If USG cannot provide proof, then the letter requests assistance with removing his name from the UN terrorist financing list. End Summary. ¶3. (C) Text of Letter: The Government of the Republic of Yemen presents its compliments to the Government of the United States of America and avails itself of this opportunity to reiterate its interest in promoting bilateral cooperation in all fields in a way that embodies the joint desires of the countries' leadership to advance these relations. While reiterating its interest to move forward with the bilateral relations and strengthen them, the Government of the Republic of Yemen would like to inform you that the charges the U.S. Government used to put the name of Sheikh Abdul-Majid Al-Zindani on the unified list of the UN Security Council committee, formed by resolution no. 1367, could be based on mistaken information published by some of the Yemeni parties' newspapers that want to bring down Sheikh Al-Zindani as a result of the political conspiracies and press wrangles among the Yemeni parties. Although the Government of the Republic of Yemen has requested the UN Security Council committee and the U.S. Embassy in Sana'a to provide any evidence that proves the charges against Sheikh Al-Zindani, it has not received any kind of evidence that proves the conviction of Al-Zindani. In order to maintain the good atmosphere of the bilateral relations and not let any party make use of it, the Government of the Republic of Yemen hopes that the esteemed Government of the United States of America interferes and removes the name of Sheikh Al-Zindani from the UN Security Council list of terrorism in order to give Sheikh Al-Zindani the freedom of movement or, otherwise; provide the Government of the Republic of Yemen with any evidence that convicts Sheikh Al-Zindani in order to review that evidence and take legal action according to Yemeni law. End Text -------------- Comment -------------- ¶4. (C) Comment: This is not the ROYG's first request for evidence of Zindani's financial support to terrorist groups. President Saleh has said he does not believe Zindani conducts financial activity in Yemen (ref B). On several previous occasions, Yemeni officials informally requested information on his activities before agreeing to freeze his assets or prosecute. Following verbal requests to post, ROYG formally approached the Security Council for information, but was told only the country submitting Zindani for inclusion on the list could release the evidence. ¶5. (C) The ROYG request follows increased public pressure for Saleh to resolve Zindani's case, along with the case of Sheikh Moayad (ref C),during his November Washington visit. Zindani himself approached Saleh for support and the consultative Shura Council recently issued a public statement requesting Saleh defend Zindani against the charges. ¶6. (C) ROYG understands its commitment to adhere to UNSC requirements, but is unlikely to take further action without some additional evidence of Zindani's activities. End Comment. ¶7. (C) Action Request: Post requests release of information and evidence on Zindani be made available to ROYG. Krajeski