YEMEN PROTESTS "COLLECTIVE PUNISHMENT" OFNEW

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 000093

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ARP NEA/PPD AND DS/ATA JNASON
DHS FOR CBP/OIOC EWALER AND CPB/PLT GDEWEY

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/19/220
TAGS: PTER PREL PGOV ASEC EAIR KPAO YM
SUBJECT: YEMEN PROTESTS "COLLECTIVE PUNISHMENT" OFNEW

PASSENGER SCREENNG POLICIES

Classified B: Ambassador Stephen Seche for reasons 1.4(b) and d).


1. (C) SUMMARY. On January 18, Deputy Foregn Minister
Mohyadeen al-Dhabbi summoned a divere group of ambassadors
to express the ROYG's concrns about new passenger screening
procedures forinternational air travel that, in his
characteriation, unfairly subjects all Yemeni nationals toadditional and unwarranted scrutiny. He warned tht this
"collective punishment" threatened the ROY's CT efforts by
creating the impression that th international community
regards all Yemenis as errorists. The Ambassador explained
that TSA prcedures scrutinize all travelers who visit Yemenand other designated countries, regardless of the tavelers'
nationality. Although the new TSA procdures have not
attracted attention in the Yemenipress, Dhabbi's
protestations suggest that the gidelines are about to become
an issue in the bilteral relationship. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) On Janury 18, Deputy Foreign Minister Mohyadeen
al-Dhabi summoned a diverse group of ambassadors to expres
the ROYG's concerns about newly implemented pasenger
screening procedures for international trvel that put "all
Yemenis on the blacklist." Witout mentioning the U.S. or
TSA specifically, he aid that the new procedures unfairly
subject allYemeni nationals to additional screning.
"Twenty-three million people, wherever they're traveling,
whatever they're doing, they are wanted ... The whole Yemeni
people are penalized by being put on the blacklist." Dhabbi
said that extremists operating in Yemen should not be
construed as representative of all Yemeni travelers, just as
EU and U.S. nationals who are involved in extremist
activities do not represent their countries.


3. (C) Describing Yemen's recent "successful efforts against
al-Qaeda" with "many (extremists) killed or arrested," Dhabbi
suggested that the "collective punishment" inflicted on theYemeni people by the new passenger screening proceures
undermines the ROYG's CT campaign. He said "We don't know
who these (procedures) serve. Weneed the Yemeni people with
us in the fight agaist terrorism." He said that the
procedures creae the impression that the international
communit regards all Yemeni travelers as potential
extreists, leaving the Yemeni public mistrustful of CTefforts.


4. (C) Addressing USG-instituted passeger screening
procedures in the wake of the Deceber 25 bombing attempt in
Detroit, the Ambassador explained that TSA guidelines
stipulate additional scrutiny for all passengers who have
traveled to Yemen (and other TSA-designated countries) during
their itinerary, not only Yemeni nationals. "This isn't a
measure that seeks to target the citizens of any nation," he
said, emphasizing that the goal of the TSA guidelines is to
address gaps in aviation security. Dhabbi said that "there
is a better way" of improving aviation security, and welcomed
assistance to upgrade security in Yemen's airports.

COMMENT
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5. (C) Although the new TSA procedures have not yet been
reported in the Yemeni press, Dhabbi's protestations suggest
that the guidelines are about to become a sticking point in
U.S.-Yemeni relations. The planned visit of an ATA team to
Sana'a International Airport to assist in upgrading the
airport's security procedures presents an opportunity to put
a better face on USG efforts to improve aviation security in
Yemen. END COMMENT.
SECHE