Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
05SANAA3105 | 2005-10-25 13:41:00 | SECRET | Embassy Sanaa |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. |
S E C R E T SANAA 003105 |
1. (S) Summary: On October 24, Ambassador delivered ref A information on de-listing terrorist financier Sheikh Abd al-Majid al-Zindani to Deputy Foreign Minister Mohiedeen Al-Dhabi. Dhabi thanked Ambassador for responding to the ROYG's previous request for assistance (ref B), but once again asked for specific information on Zindani's support to Al-Qaeda. End Summary. 2. (S) Ambassador passed instructions on how Zindani himself could request the Office of Foreign Assets Control and the UN 1267 Sanctions Committee to reconsider his designation as a terrorist financier. He stressed, however, that the USG possessed credible evidence of Zindani's support to terrorists and expressed disappointment that the ROYG had yet to freeze his assets or block his travel. 3. (S) Dhabi responded that Zindani would not leave the country as he was "too afraid to travel." In the middle of the meeting, Thabi called the passport office to confirm that Zindani no longer possessed a valid passport. He believes Zindani last traveled abroad on a diplomatic passport three years ago, when he accompanied the President on a visit to Saudi Arabia in his capacity as a presidential advisor. Regardless of Zindani's fears, Ambassador emphasized the importance of the ROYG fulfilling its UN obligations and formally blocking his travel. Zindani's designation as a terrorist financier is primarily based on his support for Al-Qaeda, said Ambassador, and the lack of action against him contradicts the ROYG's own campaign against the organization's activities in Yemen. 4. (S) Dhabi reiterated the ROYG's request for specific information on Zindani's support for Al-Qaeda, adding that his government was most interested in evidence of support given within the last five years. New information would be helpful, he continued, to allay concerns within the Yemeni government that Zindani's designation stemmed from his support of Osama bin Laden during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. Krajeski |