Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07SANAA1693
2007-09-10 12:53:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Sanaa
Cable title:  

DETAINED PROTEST LEADER TRANSFERRED TO SANAA

Tags:  PHUM PREL PTER PGOV PINS PNAT YM 
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VZCZCXYZ0018
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHYN #1693 2531253
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 101253Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY SANAA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7956
C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 001693 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/09/2017
TAGS: PHUM PREL PTER PGOV PINS PNAT YM
SUBJECT: DETAINED PROTEST LEADER TRANSFERRED TO SANAA

REF: A. SANAA 1656

B. SANAA 1550

Classified By: Chief of Mission Stephen Seche for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 001693

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/09/2017
TAGS: PHUM PREL PTER PGOV PINS PNAT YM
SUBJECT: DETAINED PROTEST LEADER TRANSFERRED TO SANAA

REF: A. SANAA 1656

B. SANAA 1550

Classified By: Chief of Mission Stephen Seche for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: Unconfirmed media reports claim that retired
Brigadier General Nasir al-Nawba has been transferred from
Aden to Sanaa for prosecution by the ROYG on charges of high
treason. Al-Nawba, head of the United Retired Military
Officers Coordination Council, lead the 1 September Southern
protests to demand the reinstatement of thousands of Southern
cadres into the military after their forced retirement
following the 1994 Civil War. The ROYG has yet to respond to
these allegations. However, in a 9 September meeting with
Poloff, Mohamed Abu-Lahoum, head of the Foreign Relations
Department of the ruling party, said he expected al-Nawba to
be released before Ramadan. Assistant Deputy Foreign
Minister Khaled al-Akwa, denied any knowledge of the incident
during a meeting on the same day. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) There are unconfirmed reports from opposition and
independent media that Brigadier General Nasir al-Nawba, head
of the United Retired Military Officers Coordination Council,
was transferred from Aden to Sanaa on 9 September, along with
eight other detained retired officers. The transfer was
purportedly ordered so that authorities in Sanaa can
prosecute the detainees on charges of high treason which,
according to Yemeni law, may be punishable by death. The
ROYG has yet to respond officially to these allegations.


3. (C) Mohamed Abu-Lahoum, head of the Foreign Relations
Department of the ruling General People's Congress Party,
spoke to Poloff about al-Nawba during a 9 September courtesy
call. He said, "I am sure he (al-Nawba) will be released
just before Ramadan." Assistant Deputy Foreign Minister
Khaled al-Akwa was studiedly noncommittal on the topic when
asked about al-Nawba in a 9 September meeting with Poloff.
He denied having any knowledge of the case but went on to say
in situations like these it is important to separate the
person from the policy.


4. (U) Al-Nawba was reportedly kidnapped from his home in
Aden on 3 September and taken to al-Tawahi Prison after
leading the Southern protests of 1 September to demand the
reinstatement of thousands of Southern cadres into the
military after their forced retirement following the 1994
Civil War (reftel A and B). Protests in the South are
expected to escalate with this latest development. Post will
continue to closely monitor and report on the situation as it
develops.


5. (C) COMMENT: The opposition has already called for more
protests against the ROYG's treatment of al-Nawba and other
Southern detainees. It is expected that if President Saleh
does not act fast to quench Southern discontent, North-South
tensions will worsen, as the South increasingly becomes
unified against what it sees as Northern injustice. It is
tradition that prior to Ramadan, Saleh displays his
compassionate leadership by releasing detainees from prison.
There is a possibility, as Abu-Lahoum expects, that Saleh
will release al-Nawba to curry favor with the South. While
this is hoped for by the Southerners, even this move may be
too little too late without accompanied reform. END COMMENT
SECHE