Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05SANAA2806
2005-09-21 14:10:00
SECRET
Embassy Sanaa
Cable title:  

ROYG REQUESTS ZINDANI INFORMATION

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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.

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
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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