US embassy cable - 04SANAA2699

S E C R E T SANAA 002699 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/16/2014 
TAGS: PTER, PREL, PINR, YM, DEMARCHE, COUNTER TERRORISM 
SUBJECT: RAMADAN RELEASES DEMARCHE DELIVERED, ROYG AGREES 
TO PROVIDE ADVANCE NOTICE TO EMBASSY 
 
REF: STATE 223261 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Thomas C. Krajeski for reasons 1.4 b and d. 
 
1.  (S)  Summary. On October 16 Ambassador delivered reftel 
demarche to Foreign Minister Qirbi and called on the ROYG to 
live up to its CT commitments (reftel).  Ambassador stressed 
that ROYG failure to provide the USG with prior information 
on Ramadan releases of terrorism-related security detainees 
would be a major step backward in our GWOT partnership. 
Several hours later, Deputy FM Mustafa Noman informed 
Ambassador that the list would be provided October 17.  End 
Summary. 
 
2.  (S)  Background.  In an October 14 meeting, Minister of 
Interior al-Alimi informed Ambassador that the ROYG plans to 
release security detainees in a traditional Ramadan amnesty. 
Alimi said some of the individuals were associated in the 
past with al-Qaida, but all had been successfully 
"reeducated."  Ambassador urged Alimi to provide the USG a 
list of the individuals for our review well before any 
releases.  The Minister of Interior promised to provide with 
a list as soon as possible, adding that previous releases 
were "very successful" and that as in the past, individuals 
released would be subject to "constant surveillance" and 
prohibited from traveling outside of Yemen. 
 
3.  (S)  Characterizing the potential release of 
terrorism-related security detainees an issue of urgent 
concern, Ambassador delivered reftel demarche to Foreign 
Minister Qirbi on October 16.  Ambassador told the FM that 
Interior Minister Alimi committed to providing the Embassy an 
advance list during an October 14 meeting "as soon as 
possible."  In addition to names, Ambassador requested 
photos, dates of birth and other identifying material for 
review and comment.  Qirbi replied that he believed the ROYG 
would be able to comply with our request, and would consult 
with Minister Alimi and Political Security Organization (PSO) 
officials.  Ambassador stressed that failure to provide this 
information in a timely manner would be a major step backward 
in the our cooperative CT relationship with the ROYG. 
KRAJESKI