DONOR COUNTRIES POW-WOW ON PIRACY, DISCUSS WAY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 001484 SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/ARP AMACDONALD AND OES/MSN E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/09/2019 TAGS: PREL PHSA PGOV EWWT MCAP EFIN MASS YM SUBJECT: DONOR COUNTRIES POW-WOW ON PIRACY, DISCUSS WAY FORWARD Classified By: Ambassador Stephen Seche for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. Meeting on July 26, donor nations agreed that structural flaws, bureaucratic battles, and a lack of funding have hampered the Yemen Coast Guard (YCG) and the Yemen Navy (YNAV) in their mission to secure Yemen's coastline. The donor countries also discussed the need for a high-level summit of the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Defense and all partner nations in order to stop the infighting and move forward with counter-piracy efforts. Donor nations agreed that they will fail to see returns on their investment in the YCG if it is not assimilated fully into Yemen's maritime-security planning. END SUMMARY. A UNIFIED MESSAGE TO YEMENI SECURITY FORCES -------------- ¶2. (C) In a July 26 meeting of donor nations in Sana,a, representatives agreed that the Ministry of Interior (MOI), which oversees the Yemen Coast Guard (YCG),and Ministry of Defense (MOD),which oversees the Yemen Navy (YNAV),must reconcile their differences for the sake of maritime security. Those present indicated willingness to participate in a group meeting to reinforce a unified message on counter-piracy cooperation. Representatives from Japan, France, the Netherlands, the European Union, Britain, and the United States voiced concerns over the significant obstacles to effective Yemeni counter-piracy efforts. The British DATT discussed the lack of cooperation between the YNAV and the Yemen YCG and proposed a sit-down with the MOD and MOI to pressure them to coordinate their efforts. PolOff noted the ongoing tension between the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and the YCG, highlighted by the fact that the MOF has cut YCG funding by 75% and may continue to deprive the YCG of basic operational income as donor nations increase their aid. COORDINATING DONOR EFFORTS -------------- ¶3. (C) According to the German DCM in Sana'a, the current piracy crisis in the Gulf of Aden has prompted the Germans, who have traditionally limited military support to medical training and equipment, to seek an expanded, though strictly civilian, role. The British plan to host leaders of the Yemeni military and security forces at a conference in London in October to jumpstart coordination. The French have made preparations to set up a port on Perim Island, near the vulnerable Bab al-Mandeb. The British representative stressed the importance of reminding GCC countries to fulfill pledges made during the London Conference in 2006, for which the disbursement rate has been a meager 0.3% of promised funds. Meanwhile, according to Mr. Roy Facey of the Port Authority in Aden, the Kuwaitis have pledged $40 million to build a port, fully equipped with YCG facilities, on Socotra. According to the British DATT, the Saudis are considering donating 12 patrol boats to the YCG. The Japanese representative urged funding to dredge ports unable to admit larger Japanese patrol boats; all other donor nations, however, agreed that German efforts should be channeled towards training the YCG in resource management, basic logistics, and capacity building. COMMENT -------------- ¶4. (C) Although the YCG remains a committed partner in combating piracy, structural inefficiencies and bureaucratic wrangling between the MOI and MOD necessitate a strong, unified approach by donor countries to accomplish counter-piracy goals in Yemen. Additionally, the MOD views the generous funding directed towards the YCG as a marginalization of its forces, which may further contribute to the tensions between the YNAV and YCG. Although the YNAV owns more deep-water ships, the YCG has been more open and cooperative with the USG and the international donor community. Long-term operational effectiveness will depend upon the ability and willingness of both the YNAV and the YCG to cooperate and contribute to counter-piracy efforts. END COMMENT. SECHE