US embassy cable - 05SANAA179

S E C R E T SANAA 000179 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/31/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, KJUS, YM, COUNTER TERRORISM 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S 1/30 MEETING WITH INTERIOR MINISTER 
ALIMI 
 
REF: A. STATE 9866 
 
     B. STEINGER-ROBERTS 1/31 EMAIL 
 
Classified By: DCM Nabeel Khoury for reasons 1.5 b and d. 
 
1. (C) Summary.  In a January 30 meeting, Ambassador and 
Interior Minister Rashad al-Alimi discussed the dangers 
caused by Yemeni foreign fighters traveling to Iraq, the 
ROYG delegation to the Riyadh CT conference, and the Jaber 
al-Banna case.  Alimi's update on two recent security 
investigations are covered in ref B email.  End Summary. 
 
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Iraq 
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2. (C) Alimi expressed his concerns over the travel of Yemeni 
fighters to Iraq to join the insurgency and perpetrate acts 
of violence.  The Interior Minister told Ambassador he is 
highly engaged in efforts to stem this dangerous flow.  It is 
next to impossible to stop it, he continued, as they take 
convoluted routes though different neighboring states in 
order to conceal that Iraq is their intended destination. 
Alimi also shared that he had 
"significant worries" about the CT threat to Yemen once these 
fighters, armed with new operational abilities, experience 
and connections return to Yemen.  Ambassador assured Alimi 
that we share this concern. 
 
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Yemeni Delegation to Riyadh CT Conference 
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3. (SBU) Contrary to what post was previously told, Deputy 
Foreign Minister al-Dhabbi and not Foreign Minister Qirbi 
will lead the Yemen delegation to the February 5-8 Counter 
Terrorism conference in Riyadh (ref A).  Alimi said he would 
not be part of the delegation, which would include 
(sub-Cabinet) ROYG officials from the PSO and other security 
agencies.  (Note: a list of participants will be sent septel 
as soon as available.  End Note). 
 
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Jaber al-Banna Case 
------------------- 
 
4. (S) Ambassador asked whether or not the custody of dual 
U.S.-Yemeni citizen Jaber al-Banna had been passed from the 
PSO to the office of the Attorney General for potential 
prosecution.  Alimi responded positively.  (Note:  Contrary 
to what Alimi told us, the AG's office confirms that it has 
not yet received al-Banna or any of his case files, but 
expects to in "the next few days, inshallah."  End Note).  As 
for the possibility of extradition of al-Banna to stand trial 
in the U.S., Alimi reiterated that extradition is 
prohibited by the constitution, but then raised the 5 million 
USD available for al-Banna under the rewards for justice 
program.  Ambassador explained (again) that the reward money 
cannot be paid directly to a state actor, and in any case 
would not be paid to anyone prior to the arrival of al-Banna 
into U.S. custody.  (Note: Legatt has had repeated 
discussions with the ROYG officials on the possibility for 
some sort of monetary or assistance compensation for the 
handing-over of al-Banna. End Note).  Alimi said that if the 
AG's office determines there is not enough evidence to try 
al-Banna under Yemeni law, he would be released. 
 
5. (C) Comment:  According to Yemeni law, once al-Banna is in 
custody of the AG's office, the AG has a maximum of 180 days 
to bring him to trial or release him.  MOI recommended, and 
post will arrange, a session with the AG to discuss an FBI 
team working with the AG's staff on the al-Banna case to see 
what legal options are avialiable.  We fully expect 
bargaining over reward money to be part of this discussion. 
End Comment. 
Krajeski