US embassy cable - 04SANAA662

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 000662 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/21/2014 
TAGS: PHUM, YM 
SUBJECT: 03/21/2003 DEMONSTRATION -- GETTING THE FACTS 
STRAIGHT 
 
REF: A. 03 SANAA 573 
     B. 03 SANAA 574 
     C. 03 SANAA 576 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Edmund J. Hull for Reasons 1.5 (b,d) 
 
1.  (C)  Summary:  On the anniversary of the start of the war 
against Iraq, Yemeni opposition newspapers are recalling the 
March 21, 2003 demonstration near the U.S. Embassy that 
resulted in several persons killed and injured after clashes 
erupted between armed demonstrators and ROYG security forces. 
 Press reports are claiming demonstrators were fired upon 
without provocation and printing inflammatory quotes. Embassy 
eyewitnesses (refs) and the 2003 Country Report on Human 
Rights for Yemen both noted that armed demonstrators clashed 
with police.  In response to inaccuracies, Embassy will 
discuss balancing professionalism in journalism with the 
right to press freedom with both ROYG and newspaper 
interlocutors.  End Summary. 
 
2.  (U)  The al-Shura weekly, mouthpiece of the Popular 
Forces Union Party, published 3/17 several reports, op-eds 
and interviews with the families of those killed in an 
anti-war demonstration they dubbed "Bloody Friday" near the 
U.S. Embassy 3/21/2003.  One report included a quote from the 
brother of one killed, "one day I will avenge the U.S. 
Embassy and George Bush."  Several so-called witnesses were 
quoted saying the demonstrators were entirely peaceful and 
the ROYG forces were prepared to commit a "massacre" that 
day, although Embassy eyewitnesses noted that demonstrators 
came armed (refs).  One op-ed piece stated the Embassy's 
security "turned the demonstration into deadly 
confrontations," despite only ROYG forces and not/not Embassy 
security being involved.  In fact, the march was stopped by 
police several blocks from the Embassy, so Embassy security 
had no interaction with demonstrators.  The reports also 
quoted sources as saying the ROYG reached a settlement with 
the families to pay them blood money on the condition the 
families must "give up any other demands." 
 
3.  (U)  Al-Sahwa weekly, mouthpiece of the Islah party, also 
reported 3/18 that the 3/21/2003  demonstration was a 
peaceful one with "no intention of causing any troubles." 
The article criticized the security forces for "overreacting" 
and losing patience. 
 
4.  (U)  The 2003 Country Human Rights Report on Yemen 
characterizes the incident.  Referencing Section 1.a:  In 
March, security forces killed and injured demonstrators after 
a gunfight broke out between demonstrators and security 
forces protecting an embassy.  Security forces used tear gas 
and shots in the air to disperse demonstrators.  A policeman 
and 11-year old male citizen reportedly were killed during 
the shootout (see Section 2.b).  Amnesty International (AI) 
reported that police detained dozens of demonstrators and 
subjected some to beatings upon arrest (see Section 1.d). 
The Government had previously allowed several peaceful 
anti-war demonstrations (see Section 1/b);  however, in this 
instance, the demonstrators, led by pro-Iraqi politicians, 
initiated violence aimed at an embassy (see Section 2.b). 
Several members of the security forces were also injured. 
 
5.  (C)  Comment:  The inflammatory reporting appears to be 
trying to re-write the history of last year's demonstration. 
The aim is apparently to place the blame on the ROYG security 
forces and secondarily on the ROYG in general for its 
cooperation with the U.S.  Deputy FM Noman informed the 
Ambassador on 3/18 that the ROYG was considering action 
against al-Shura newspaper for being supported by U.S.-based 
financier Ibrahim al-Wazir (Note:  Foreign financing of 
Yemeni newspapers is against Yemeni law.  End Note.)  Embassy 
reminded MFA of human rights considerations in terms of press 
freedom.  (Note:  The Country Report on Human Rights in 2001 
noted previous ROYG action against al-Shura newspaper.  End 
Note)  Ambassador plans to discuss the reporting and 
responsibilities of professional journalism with persons 
affiliated with al-Shura on 3/24.  End Comment. 
HULL