CJTF HOA COMMANDER GHORMLEY VISITS ADEN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 002956

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/05/2015
TAGS: PREL PTER MASS PARM YM MARITIME SECURITY
SUBJECT: CJTF HOA COMMANDER GHORMLEY VISITS ADEN

REF: SANAA 1338

Classified By: Ambassador Thomas C. Krajeski for reasons 1.4 b and d.


1. (U) Summary. On October 1, visiting Combined Joint Task
Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) Commander MG Timothy Ghormley
and Ambassador traveled to Aden for meetings with the
Governor of Aden, Yemen Coast Guard (YCG) and regional
military commanders. MG Ghormley and Ambassador also
participated in a dedication ceremony at YCG headquarters for
four USG donated quick-response boats. Yemeni officials
expressed gratitude for USG assistance to the YCG and lauded
its positive impact on Aden's economy. End Comment.

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Yemen Coast Guard Receives New Boats
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2. (U) MG Ghormley and Ambassador attended a dedication
ceremony for four 25-foot Defender Class Boats provided to
the Yemen Coast Guard through the Foreign Military Financing
(FMF) Program. The new boats, identical to ones used by the
U.S. Coast Guard, will significantly improve YCG's ability to
respond quickly to security threats. During a well-attended
press conference, Ambassador congratulated YCG officials for
creating a competent and capable force aimed at reducing the
threat of terror and improving border security. Brigadier
Ali Ahmed Rassa, YCG Chairman, thanked the USG for its
"positive role" in supporting his organization's development
into an active partner in the fight against terrorism.
(Note: Since 2002, FMF has provided over $18 million to
establish, develop, and train the Yemeni Coast Guard).

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Aden Governor: Coast Guard Good for Economy
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3. (U) Governor Shuabi credited the YCG for improving
maritime security and helping make Aden port attractive to
investors. He expressed confidence in the port's economic
future, saying insurance companies recently lifted the risk
premium placed on ships following the 2000 attack on the USS
Cole. Shuabi was also confident that Dubai Ports
International (DPI),which recently won a 35-year concession
to operate and develop Aden Port and Aden
Container Terminal (reftel),would dramatically increase port
capacity and fuel economic growth.


4. (U) Shuabi hoped port improvements would attract more
than just ships, saying only the central government benefited
from increased fees and customs. An improved business
climate and more jobs is what the region really needs, he
continued, to meet the challenges of providing for a
population that has doubled in the last ten years. Ambassador
hoped that Parliament would soon pass a new law giving local
governments the authority to collect revenue, rather than
rely on payments from the Ministry of Finance.

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Military District Commander: YCG Doing Well, but...
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5. (C) MG Ghormley thanked MG Madhi Maqwala for the
military's support in the GWOT and looked forward to
increased cooperation on security issues, including stemming
the flow of small arms/light weapons. Maqwala acknowledged
the important role the YCG plays in improving border
security, but requested increased assistance for the
military's efforts to achieve full control over the borders.
Office of Military Cooperation (OMC) Chief commented that
embassy officials were working with MOD staff to focus
security assistance on shared priorities.


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District Navy Commander: We Want a Closer Relationship
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6. (C) MG Ghormley thanked BGen Mohammed Ali Ibrahim for the
Navy's commitment to combating terrorism and encouraged
increased cooperation with YCG officials. "The region
needs Yemen to have a strong navy," Ghormley said, adding
that the USG stood ready to support its development.
Ambassador stressed that maritime security was essential to
providing the conditions under which Yemen can achieve its
development goals.


7. (C) Ibrahim said the Navy wants to strengthen its
relationship with the USG and see "more tangible results"
from that relationship. "We need money too," Ibrahim
commented,to support counter-terrorism operations. OMC Chief
commented that the USG provided $4 million over the last year
to improve the Navy's maintenance capability. Ghormley
introduced the new U.S. military maritime liaison officer for
Yemen and looked forward to helping the Navy focus its
funding priorities.


8. (C) Comment: MOD forces frequently complain about USG
assistance to the YCG, even though the Foreign Military
Financing (FMF) program has provided millions of dollars to
support the military, including the Navy. Envy still runs
high, however, as MOD has not yet learned to utilize the FMF
program as effectively as their MOI and Coast Guard
counterparts. The Navy remains the weakest of all the armed
forces and is frequently unable to even move their ships out
to sea due to poor maintenance. End Comment.


Krajeski