ROYG INNER CIRCLE CONSIDERING STRAWMAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 001954 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/28/2017 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR PTER YM SUBJECT: ROYG INNER CIRCLE CONSIDERING STRAWMAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE? REF: SANAA 1245 Classified By: Ambassador Stephen Seche for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 1 (C) In a private meeting on the evening of October 24, former South Carolina Governor David Beasley told CommOff of a conversation he had with a Yemeni associate, Faris Sanabani, who is the President's Personal Secretary and generally believed to be a close associate of the President's son, Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh. The Governor said that Sanabani told him that someone referred to as "Tiger," possibly affiliated with the ROYG military or Central Security Forces, is being considered as a potential successor to President Saleh. CommOff asked if "Tiger" is being considered as a "place holder" to fill the position until Saleh's son assumes power to avoid the appearance of family succession. The Governor did not know but said that, as he understood the situation, the President's son is seen as too weak at this time to assume power. Similarly, a British diplomat told POLOFF on October 27 that his contacts saw Ahmed as unready for power and added that he had heard that regional military leaders were particularly uncomfortable with him as a successor. ¶2. (C) Most observers, including Post, feel that Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh, is being groomed as the next president (reftel). The information conveyed by Beasley does not change Post's view. It is interesting, however, that this information came from Sanabani, given his position as Personal Secretary to the President and his close association with Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh. Post is trying to ascertain the exact identity and position of "Tiger." We will report on additional information as it becomes available. SECHE