PRESIDENT REPORTEDLY PROMISES TO RESETTLE REYDA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 002005 FOR SPECIAL ENVOY RICKMAN, DRL AND NEA/ARP:AMACDONALD E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/2018 TAGS: PHUM KIRF YM SUBJECT: PRESIDENT REPORTEDLY PROMISES TO RESETTLE REYDA JEWS TO SANA'A REF: SANAA 1994 Classified By: Ambassador Stephen A. Seche for reaons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) BG Tariq Saleh, nephew of President Saleh and head of his Presidential Guard, informed EMBOFFS on December 16 that the President had offered to provide every member of the Jewish community in Reyda resettlement in Sana'a, a parcel of land and money to build a home. Saleh reportedly also agreed that there would be no interference in the judicial process that might let the murderer of a member of the community escape justice. Suliman Yahya Yacoub, a member of the community who was in the meeting, confirmed to the embassy that an offer was made, but declined to comment on the details of the offer until it was discussed with the entire community. ¶2. (C) Earlier in the day, the Ambassador pressed Interior Minister Mutaher Rashad al-Masri on the safety of the Jewish community, in the wake of continuing harassment, including the murder of one community member and an explosive device being thrown at the home of another (reftel). Masri responded that he had been informed of the explosive attack and that it was under investigation. He assured the Ambassador that the Security Director for the Amran Governorate (where Reyda is located) had reported that the Jewish community would be protected. The Ambassador noted that EMBOFFS including POL/E Chief had recently spoken with members of the community and come away with a very different view of the situation. At Masri's request, POL/E Chief related his conversation with members of the community, noting that they felt very frightened and did not believe that the ROYG could ensure their safety. He added that the community worried that local security personnel were not carrying out the Minister's orders. ¶3. (C) During the meeting, Masri placed a telephone call to the Security Director of Amran, who reported that two suspects had been arrested in relation to the bombing. Masri took the opportunity to gently berate his subordinate for appearing not to carry out his orders. He also directed him to contact the local Security Director in Reyda and travel with him to the town to reassure the Jewish community. Masri then told the Ambassador that the Security Director would visit the town and establish a link that the community can use to contact security forces. He further offered to meet with a delegation from the community himself. ¶4. (C) Masri asserted repeatedly during the meeting that the murder was the act of one deranged individual and that the harassment of the community might in fact be the action of al-Houthis (Zaydi Shia insurgents who have waged an intermittent war with the ROYG in Sa'ada governorate). The Ambassador said that while it was the Ministry's duty to investigate and understand the context of the harassment, he had seen no evidence to link the action to the al-Houthis. He stressed to the Minister that this and other religious freedom issues are very important to the USG. Comment -------------- ¶5. (C) Saleh's offer, if confirmed, will finally provide much-needed relief for the embattled Reyda Jewish community. Until it is confirmed, Masri's orders to the Amran Security Director will at least provide interim comfort to the community while a more permanent solution is sought. End Comment. SECHE