RAMADAN 2005 PD ACTIVITIES

UNCLAS SANAA 002891

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/PPD, R, IIP, PA, AND DRL/IRF

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KIRF KPAO PREL COUNTER TERRORISM DOMESTIC POLITICS DEMOCRATIC REFORM
SUBJECT: RAMADAN 2005 PD ACTIVITIES

REF: SECSTATE 166527


1. SUMMARY: Ramadan celebrations in Yemen are typically
hosted within families and, while Yemenis generally prefer
to remain at home and close to family during the month,
Embassy Sana'a has planned to participate in Ramadan in a
variety of ways. End summary.


2. Ambassador will host well-positioned contacts, including
ROYG officials, media representatives, academicians, and USG
program alumni at a local restaurant for an iftar on October

11. Ambassador will deliver brief remarks to the assembled
guests alluding to Ramadan as a time of introspection and
highlighting the USG's history of religious and cultural
tolerance. A PowerPoint slideshow about Muslim life in the
United States will run throughout the iftar event on a large
screen. Guests will receive a business card handout listing
IIP's Arabic-language websites sites on BMENA issues, Muslim
life in America, and combating terror.


3. The political section will also meet throughout the
month, after iftar mealtime, in casual settings with
contacts. During these informal sessions, emboffs will
engage in active listening and will produce reporting cables
on major themes raised by contacts. Emboffs will use these
events to advance USG policy goals related to
counterterrorism, regional security, democratic and economic
reform by discussing issues resonant in Yemen such as:
- upcoming presidential elections;
- recent parliamentary session;
- effectiveness of ROYG efforts to reform those with
extremist views;
- effects of terror on innocent victims of terrorist
incidents;
- and, public opinion among Yemenis regarding terrorist
acts, terrorist organizations, and USG policy.


4. Public Affairs, in cooperation with the local NGO Al Sada
Charitable Association, will provide a weekly iftar dinner
during the month for a marginalized group of Yemenis known
as "akhdams" (members of this minority typically encumber
only the lowest paying jobs). Public Affairs staff and
volunteers from among the Muslim-American Embassy staff will
be available to assist in serving the guests and to engage
guests in dialogue. A banner indicating the Embassy's
sponsorship will be hung. At the end of the meal, children
will receive bookbags containing foodstuffs for their
families.


5. CLO is collecting donations of money and foodstuffs to
prepare Ramadan baskets for less privileged Yemenis.
Delivery will be accomplished through a local NGO.


6. Public Affairs will send press releases and post
official USG Ramadan greetings online as well as forward
Ramadan-related IIP materials to the local media.

KRAJESKI