Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07SANAA2179
2007-12-02 08:41:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Sanaa
Cable title:
A CHANGE OF GOVERNOR IN ADEN UNLIKELY
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHYN #2179 3360841 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 020841Z DEC 07 FM AMEMBASSY SANAA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8493
C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 002179
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/ARP AND INR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2017
TAGS: PGOV PINR YM
SUBJECT: A CHANGE OF GOVERNOR IN ADEN UNLIKELY
Classified By: DCM Angie Bryan for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 002179
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/ARP AND INR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2017
TAGS: PGOV PINR YM
SUBJECT: A CHANGE OF GOVERNOR IN ADEN UNLIKELY
Classified By: DCM Angie Bryan for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Responding to rumors that the Governor of Aden is in
danger of being replaced, Assistant Deputy Foreign Minister
Khalid al-Akwa told poloff on November 26 that rumors about
leadership are rare in Yemen and a leak of this kind would
usually quickly be followed by a decision. As no decision has
yet been made, al-Akwa said it is unlikely there will be any
change.
2. (C) Al-Akwa was responding to a question from poloff, who
had been told by editor of independent newspaper al-Ayam
Basha Bashraheel on November 19 that the ROYG is considering
replacing Aden Governor Ahmed Kohlani. Kohlani, who was
previously Mayor of Sana'a, is purported to be a close
relation by marriage to the President. He has family ties to
important business interests in Yemen. Bashraheel, a
long-time observer of Adeni politics, speculated that
President Saleh was considering two candidates for the
governorship of this important region:
Ahmed Hamoud Taher al-Qubati is a former member of parliament
and an out-spoken critic of corruption. He belongs to the
Islamic Islah party and is from the Mawiyah district of the
Taiz governorate.
Dr. Saleh Ali BaSura is currently the Minister of Higher
Education. He has served as President of Sana'a University
and Aden University. He is from Hadramout Governorate.
3. (C) COMMENT: Kohlani's connections make him unlikely to be
pushed aside. If replaced, he might be made a cabinet
minister or given another governorate. President Saleh's
presence in Aden to negotiate with the leaders of recent
southern discontent may have contributed to this rumor.
Kholani has thus far been unable to subdue his turbulent
Governorate. (Note: Although at unification the ROYG
promised Aden would be the winter capital of Yemen, on less
than five occasions have the cabinet and President Saleh
actually moved there. Saleh has been ruling the country from
Aden since mid-October; it is unclear when he will return to
Sana'a. End Note.) On the other hand, Saleh is a master
showman and negotiator and is not above floating a rumor such
as this if he thought it might give him some advantage in
dealing with unhappy southerners.
SECHE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/ARP AND INR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2017
TAGS: PGOV PINR YM
SUBJECT: A CHANGE OF GOVERNOR IN ADEN UNLIKELY
Classified By: DCM Angie Bryan for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Responding to rumors that the Governor of Aden is in
danger of being replaced, Assistant Deputy Foreign Minister
Khalid al-Akwa told poloff on November 26 that rumors about
leadership are rare in Yemen and a leak of this kind would
usually quickly be followed by a decision. As no decision has
yet been made, al-Akwa said it is unlikely there will be any
change.
2. (C) Al-Akwa was responding to a question from poloff, who
had been told by editor of independent newspaper al-Ayam
Basha Bashraheel on November 19 that the ROYG is considering
replacing Aden Governor Ahmed Kohlani. Kohlani, who was
previously Mayor of Sana'a, is purported to be a close
relation by marriage to the President. He has family ties to
important business interests in Yemen. Bashraheel, a
long-time observer of Adeni politics, speculated that
President Saleh was considering two candidates for the
governorship of this important region:
Ahmed Hamoud Taher al-Qubati is a former member of parliament
and an out-spoken critic of corruption. He belongs to the
Islamic Islah party and is from the Mawiyah district of the
Taiz governorate.
Dr. Saleh Ali BaSura is currently the Minister of Higher
Education. He has served as President of Sana'a University
and Aden University. He is from Hadramout Governorate.
3. (C) COMMENT: Kohlani's connections make him unlikely to be
pushed aside. If replaced, he might be made a cabinet
minister or given another governorate. President Saleh's
presence in Aden to negotiate with the leaders of recent
southern discontent may have contributed to this rumor.
Kholani has thus far been unable to subdue his turbulent
Governorate. (Note: Although at unification the ROYG
promised Aden would be the winter capital of Yemen, on less
than five occasions have the cabinet and President Saleh
actually moved there. Saleh has been ruling the country from
Aden since mid-October; it is unclear when he will return to
Sana'a. End Note.) On the other hand, Saleh is a master
showman and negotiator and is not above floating a rumor such
as this if he thought it might give him some advantage in
dealing with unhappy southerners.
SECHE