YEMEN'S 2008 SUBMISSION FOR 2008 EISA

UNCLAS SANAA 000265

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

EEB/ESC/IEC FOR B. GLENN GRIFFIN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ABUD APER ENRG SENV YM
SUBJECT: YEMEN'S 2008 SUBMISSION FOR 2008 EISA

REF: STATE 10743


1. In response to reftel, Post provides the following
information.


2. The Political and Economic Section at post handles energy
matters. A total of four employees handle energy-related
issues: one entry-level Economic Foreign Service Officer,
one entry-level Commercial Foreign Service Officer (DOS, not
DOC),one Economic Assistant Foreign Service National and one
Commercial Assistant Foreign Service National. The Economic
Officer and Economic Assistant spend 20 percent of their time
on energy-related issues and the Commercial Officer and
Commercial Assistant spend 10 percent of theirs. The four
employees are supervised by the Political and Economic
Section Chief, who spends 5 percent of his time on
energy-related issues.


3. The Economic Foreign Service Officer reports on
developments in the oil and gas sector. Past reporting has
included updates on the oil and gas sector, a resource
nationalism cable, a cable on the Extractive Industries
Transparency Initiative (EITI),and developments affecting
security of American oil companies. The Economic Officer is
in frequent contact with both oil companies and the ROYG
Ministry of Oil and Mineral Resources. The Economic Officer
also monitors the USD 500,000 U.S. Trade and Development
Agency (USTDA)-funded National Rural Electrification Project,
which aims to establish a National Rural Electric Agency in
Yemen, along with a pilot electricity cooperative in Ibb.
The project is implemented by the National Rural Electric
Cooperative Association (NRECA). The Economic Officer serves
as liaison between the USTDA and NRECA and the ROYG Ministry
of Electricity and Energy. The Economic Officer serves as
the control officer for USTDA and NRECA representatives
during their trips to Yemen. The Economic Officer devotes
approximately 20 percent of his time to energy-related
issues. The current Economic Officer, who departs post this
fall (2008),has a Master of Arts Degree in Arab Studies in
Georgetown University with a concentration in Economics and
Development. He also received Political and Economic
Tradecraft training at the U.S. State Department's Foreign
Service Institute in Arlington, VA.


4. The Economic Foreign Service Officer is assisted by an
Economic Assistant Foreign Service National (FSN-08). The
Economic Assistant Foreign Service National assists the
Economic Foreign Service Officer in setting up meetings with
CEOs in oil companies and with the Ministry of Oil and
Mineral Resources. The Economic Assistant collects
information on developments in the oil and natural gas
sectors. The Economic Assistant also sets up meetings for
the USTDA and NRECA with ROYG officials, especially at the
Ministry of Electricity and Energy. He devotes 20 percent of
his time to energy-related issues. The current Economic
Assistant holds a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Ibb
University in Yemen, and has worked as an Executive Officer
at the International Department of Saba Islamic Bank in
Sana'a, Yemen.


5. The Commercial Foreign Service Officer follows and
reports on developments in the electricity and energy sector.
The Commercial Officer also meets with U.S. companies who
would like to do business in Yemen. Recently, the Commercial
Officer met with the U.S. Powered-Corps Corporation, who was
considering undertaking a nuclear power project in Yemen.
The Commercial Officer spends about 10 percent of his time on
energy issues. The current Commercial Officer holds a
graduate degree from the School of Oriental and African
Studies in London. He also received Political and Economic
Tradecraft training at the U.S. State Department's Foreign
Service Institute in Arlington, VA.


6. The Commercial Foreign Service Officer is assisted by a
Commercial Assistant Foreign Service National (FSN-08),who
covers developments in the electricity and energy sector.
The Commercial Assistant also sets up meetings with relevant
Ministry of Electricity and Energy officials and with CEOs of
energy companies. He devotes about 10 percent of his time to
energy issues. The current Commercial Assistant holds a
Bachelor's Degree in English from Sana'a University in Yemen,
and has prior work experience as Information Assistant at the
Public Affairs Office at the U.S. Embassy in Sana'a,
Information Officer at the Indian Embassy (where he dealt
with a number of commercial issues),and in administration at
the Yemen Commercial Bank.


7. The Political and Economic Section Chief supervises all
four aforementioned employees. He reviews cables and reports
submitted by them on energy-related issues. He spends 5
percent of his time on energy-related issues.

8. Post spent the following amounts of State Department
funds in FY 2007 on energy-related activities:

a- Personnel: USD 36,670 (Note: Amount includes base
salaries, premiums, post differential, danger pay and a post
allowance. End note).

b- Programs: USD 0

SECHE