US embassy cable - 04SANAA2863

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 002863 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2014 
TAGS: PHUM, PGOV, YM 
SUBJECT: JOURNALISTS ON KHAIWANI: NO RELEASE ANTICIPATED 
 
REF: A. SANAA 02498 
 
     B. SANAA 02725 
     C. SANAA 02790 
 
Classified By: DCM Nabeel Khoury for reasons 1.4 (b. and d.) 
 
1. (U) Summary.  Imprisoned opposition newspaper 
editor-in-chief Abdulkarim Al-Khaiwani was beaten unconscious 
on 11/05.  Interior Ministry officials have told several 
newspapers that they will investigate this latest incident. 
The Ministers of Interior and Information invited prominent 
journalists for an Iftar dinner 11/05 to discuss the 
situation.  Some EU embassies are also pushing for a 
statement condemning the ROYG for its handling of the case. 
Journalists are not hopeful and expect the ROYG to tighten 
its grip on press freedoms in the near future. End Summary. 
 
2. (U) Opposition newspaper editor-in-chief, Abdulkarim 
Al-Khaiwani was beaten unconscious at the Sanaa Central 
prison on Friday 11/05 after breaking his Ramadan fast.  This 
incident marks the sixth, and worse, reported occurrence of 
violence against Khaiwani since his imprisonment on 11/05 for 
several violations of the Yemeni Press Law including 
"supporting al-Houthi in his rebellion," "publishing reports 
damaging to the public interests," and "public humiliation" 
of the President, (refs A, B).  News reports quote unnamed 
ROYG officials promising to investigate the incident. 
 
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Khaiwani: Slowly Starting to Lose It 
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3. (U) Representatives of the Political Forum, a loose 
coalition of opposition journalists and party members who 
visited Khaiwani on Saturday 11/06 also told Pol/Econoff that 
Khaiwani,s condition is "deteriorating."  Other sources note 
that his morale has reached an all time low, but believe his 
condition is "non-life threatening." 
 
4. (U) Since 10/19 all journalists have been barred from 
visiting Khaiwani.  Prison authorities told representatives 
of the Yemeni Journalist Syndicate (YJS) that orders barring 
them from visitation came from, "higher officials." (Note: No 
one is sure who exactly is barring the visits. End note.) 
 
5. (U) Reports are circulating around Sanaa that the European 
Union embassies plan to visit Khaiwani in prison as well as 
petition President Saleh for his release, (Ref C).  An EU 
diplomat close to the issue has told Pol/Econoff, however, 
that despite meetings, they still have not agreed to a common 
message to issue. 
 
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Ministers to Talk to Journalists Tonight 
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6. (U) The Ministers of Information and Interior will hold an 
Iftar dinner on 11/09 for all local editor-in-chiefs, 
selected correspondents and representatives of the YJS to 
discuss the Khaiwani case.  Most Journalists tell Pol/Econoff 
that they do not anticipate much from the meeting citing the 
ROYG's tendency to justify its actions rather than enter into 
a serious dialogue on the matter. 
 
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ROYG Ready to Tighten the Noose? 
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7. (U) A Ministry of Information official confirmed to a 
leading journalist that the ROYG has indefinitely suspended 
issuing press licenses to new papers.  An independent 
journalist told Pol/Econoff that his colleagues believe that 
this is being done in anticipation of the ROYG,s effort to 
pass a new more restrictive press law.  Sources note that the 
law is being written "behind closed doors" and they expect 
the ROYG to railroad it through parliament.  (Note: To 
counter the new law some journalists have discussed drafting 
a bill themselves in order to lessen the anticipated blow. 
However, it does not appear that they will be able to garner 
enough support until after the Eid holidays.  End note). 
 
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Comment: Case Too Close to Call 
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8. (C) Comment.  Despite increased local and international 
pressure, journalists are not sure at this time if the 
President will interfere in Khaiwani,s case and grant a 
Ramadan Amnesty.  Our own sources tell us Khaiwani's name is 
not on any list of detainees to be released.  Several 
journalists and attorneys close to the case agree that 
although Saleh has a heightened sensitivity to being called 
to the carpet on this case, he is taking the matter of a 
perceived slight by Khaiwani very personally.  As such, 
speculation is that Saleh will not bow to any pressure to 
release Khaiwani anytime soon.  End comment. 
KRAJESKI