US embassy cable - 05SANAA2531

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 002531 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/30/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, MASS, ENRG, YM, MARITIME SECURITY 
SUBJECT: DCM VISITS MUKALLA, ENCOURAGES SUPPORT FOR COAST 
GUARD EXPANSION 
 
REF: A. SANAA YM 311523Z 
     B. EAST BAHRA 050639Z 
     C. SANAA YM 071445Z 
 
Classified By: DCM Nabeel Khoury for reasons 1.4 b and d. 
 
1.  (C) On August 30, DCM visited the eastern port city of 
Mukalla to encourage regional support for the planned 
expansion of the Yemeni Coast Guard (YCG).  In meetings with 
the Hadramaut governor, MOI Chief of Security, and Eastern 
Military Region Deputy Commander, DCM stressed the importance 
of establishing new Coast Guard bases within the next several 
years as a means to combat smuggling and encourage economic 
development in the Hadramaut governorate.  While voicing 
support for increased YCG operations, regional leaders also 
expressed concern that opposition from well-connected 
individuals could hinder expansion.  Office of Military 
Cooperation (OMC) Chief, a UK navy representative, and a 
senior YCG official also accompanied DCM. 
 
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Hadramaut Governor: Coast Guard Urgently Needed 
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2.  (C)  Governor Abdulqadir Hilal expressed support for YCG 
expansion into the Hadramaut region, saying an increased 
security presence was needed to combat pervasive SA/LW 
smuggling along the mostly unregulated coastline.  Currently, 
he continued, we must rely on voluntary information provided 
by fishermen to monitor illicit activity.  Hilal hoped the 
YCG bases could be completed in the near future. 
 
3.  (C) DCM thanked him for his support and explained that a 
technical assessment would be the next step to determine 
suitable base locations.  Hilal expected the public would be 
receptive to a YCG presence, but anticipated certain 
"technical problems" with establishing the bases and 
expanding patrols.  DCM anticipated political challenges 
could be overcome, stressing that President Saleh already 
issued direct orders to MOI and MOD to support base 
construction.  The YCG expansion plan must be implemented, he 
continued, and should not be derailed by vested individual 
interests.  (Note: "Technical problems" was a tongue-in-cheek 
reference to the powerful Eastern Region Military Commander, 
BG Mohammed Ali Mohsen, who is reportedly opposed to YCG 
expansion (ref A.) 
 
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MOI Security Director: We Want Boats Now! 
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4.  (C) Hadramaut Director of Security BG Ahmed Mohammed 
Al-Hamdi looked forward to YCG's arrival, saying limited 
resources prevent the control of pervasive SA/LW smuggling 
and illegal immigration.  Al-Hamdi agreed that the expansion 
plan must be implemented and assured the DCM that YCG would 
have his full support.  Hadramaut is ready now, he added, 
saying the governorate could would welcome the immediate 
deployment of ships instead of waiting for the technical 
assessment to be completed.  The Navy warships currently 
patrolling the area are "too heavy," Al-Hamdi complained, 
saying that light YCG patrol boats would greatly improve 
coastal security. 
 
5.  (C) Royal Navy Representative Giles Hatch stressed the 
need for coordination between all security authorities, 
saying any successful attempt to thwart smuggling requires a 
unified effort between coastal and land based security 
forces.  Al-Hamdi expressed satisfaction with the current 
state of coordination with the Navy, citing the success of 
joint operations during the May national day celebration in 
Mukalla.  He also said the presence of representatives from 
the various military and civilian organizations tasked with 
security at the MOI operations center in Mukalla helps 
facilitate information sharing.  (Note: While national day 
celebrations were held without incident, the joint YCG-Navy 
security operation was marred when the Navy, according to 
sources, intentionally rammed a YCG vessel.) 
 
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Deputy Regional Commander:  Welcome CG Brothers, but .... 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
 
6.  (C)  Deputy Commander of the Eastern Military Region, BG 
Naser Al-Thahry, a last minute replacement for Commander Ali 
Mohsen who traveled to Sanaa, said the military welcomed 
cooperation with the YCG and would provide any assistance 
necessary to establish new bases.  "We will support YCG," he 
said but pointed out the "excellent" security measures 
established by MOD to safeguard the Canadian Nexen terminal 
in Mukalla (ref B) following the October 2002 Limburg attack. 
 Al-Thahry said MOD did not oppose YCG expansion, but warned 
that weather conditions created "real" problems with 
completing the plan.  (Note: MOD officials are jealous of the 
foreign assistance to the YCG (under MOI leadership) and 
worry about having additional scrutiny of some of their own 
illegal activities on the coast.) 
7.  (C) DCM emphasized the importance of completing the 
expansion plan, saying the security of the country was too 
important to allow bureaucratic or personal interests to 
block the plan's implementation.  No one organization can 
protect the border alone, he continued, making coordination, 
not hoarding of authority, essential.  OMC Chief promised to 
work with the Regional Commander and MOD to improve the 
Navy's capacity as well. 
 
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Comment 
 
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8.  (C)  DCM's trip followed a successful OMC visit to Shabwa 
governorate, another proposed site for YCG expansion.  Given 
past experience with local opposition to new YCG bases in 
Hodeida (ref C), the trip provided a valuable opportunity to 
demonstrate the seriousness of USG support for the expansion 
plan.  While the positive reception was encouraging, the 
reported opposition of Commander Ali Mohsen, a powerful 
political player with vested economic interests across the 
region, will likely be the biggest potential roadblock to 
expanding the YCG's responsibility for maritime security. 
 
9.  (C) Post will continue to push the ROYG at the highest 
levels to secure MOD support for YCG expansion. An increased 
YCG presence along the largely uncontrolled Hadramaut 
coastline would be a significant step forward in stemming 
SA/LW smuggling.  In addition to smuggling, a secure 
coastline is essential to protecting the oil rich region from 
an economically devastating terrorist attack, especially with 
the planned construction of a LNG terminal 150 km west of 
Mukalla. 
Krajeski