ROYG RESPONSE: YEMENI COOPERATION ON EXTRADITION

S E C R E T SANAA 001638 SIPDIS FOR NEA/ARP AMACDONALD E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/08/2019 TAGS: PREL PTER YM SUBJECT: ROYG RESPONSE: YEMENI COOPERATION ON EXTRADITION OF YEMENI NATIONALS IN PAKISTAN REF: STATE 80991 Classified By: Ambassador Stephen Seche for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). (S) The Ambassador met with Foreign Minister Abubakir al-Qirbi on September 7 to follow up on previous conversations regarding the ROYG's official position on the extradition from Pakistan of Yemeni nationals Sufyan al-Yemeni and Issa al-Yemeni. Qirbi said that ROYG officials had discussed the matter and determined they could not issue a formal letter of no objection due to the political sensitivities surrounding the movement of Yemeni nationals to a third country. Qirbi said, "We will leave it to the U.S. and Pakistan to sort it out." The ROYG would not actively object to the transfer, but would not issue any public statements of support, according to Qirbi. The U.S., however, is free to communicate the Yemeni position to the Government of Pakistan, Qirbi said. When the Ambassador pressed him, Qirbi agreed to convey the ROYG's position to the Pakistani Ambassador in Sana'a as well. SECHE