MOD SHOWS INTEREST IN WEAPONS INVENTORY CONTROL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 003349 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/22/2015 TAGS: PREL PTER PARM YM COUNTER TERRORISM SUBJECT: MOD SHOWS INTEREST IN WEAPONS INVENTORY CONTROL SYSTEM REF: A. STATE 207948 ¶B. SANAA 3231 ¶C. SANAA 269 Classified By: DCM Nabeel Khoury for reasons 1.4 b and d. ¶1. (C) Summary: During a November 21 meeting, Office of Military Cooperation Chief and DATT briefed Minister of Defense MG Abdullah Ali Aliwa on a proposed weapons inventory control system. OMC Chief explained the basic concept of the system and reiterated USG willingness to assist in its implementation. Aliwa accepted the brief with interest and promised to soon provide post with an official response. End Summary. -------------- Building Upon Saleh's Washington Visit -------------- ¶2. (C) Seeking to reinforce the message President Saleh received during his recent visit to Washington on the importance of stemming the proliferation of SA/LW (ref A), OMC Chief met with Aliwa on November 15 to encourage the immediate implementation of a weapons inventory control system. Such a system, he explained, is crucial to preventing officially procured weapons from ending up in the hands of terrorists. Aliwa requested additional information on how such a system would operate. -------------- What is a Weapons Inventory System? -------------- ¶3. (C) In response to the request, OMC Chief briefed the Minister on the proposed system during a November 21 meeting. He explained that the system uses standard inventory control software and barcodes to track weapons and parts. The system would allow MOD to closely monitor the quantity and location of weapons, helping prevent slippage from official stocks. ¶4. (C) Aliwa asked if such a system applied to American weapons and spare parts only. OMC Chief explained that the system would be capable of inventorying any supply item, from weapons and spare parts to boots and cots. The system would not only give MOD a clearer picture of its weapons stocks, but would also allow them to plan for the adequate procurement of spare parts and ammunition needed to complete missions. ¶5. (C) As a first step, OMC Chief suggested that Foreign Military Financing (FMF) funds be used to install an inventory system at one major unit, such as the Yemen Special Operations Forces (YSOF). (Note: The YSOF Commander is Saleh's son and post has already established a relationship with the unit through FMF-funded training program.) After YSOF proves a successful test case, the system could then be expanded to all the armed forces. DATT encouraged Aliwa to use the upcoming visit of CENTCOM Commander (ref B) to formally agree to an inventory system, thereby demonstrating the ROYG's commitment to strengthening security cooperation following Saleh's visit to Washington. Aliwa promised to soon provide post with an official response. ¶6. (C) Comment: Ultimately, the decision to implement a weapons inventory system rests with President Saleh, who must muster the political will to end the well-established practice of using legitimately procured SA/LW for political patronage (ref C). While ROYG officials clearly understand the threat an inventory system poses to this lucrative practice, it is also evident that officials like Aliwa have little understanding of what an inventory system really entails. The concept of electronically monitoring procurement and distribution processes is a novel one, even for basic official supplies, let alone weapons. Working with MOD officials to demystify the technical aspects of an inventory system should help facilitate its implementation, once Saleh gives the go-ahead. End comment. Krajeski