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