US embassy cable - 05SANAA2764

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 002764 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/13/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, YM, KWAC, COUNTER TERRORISM 
SUBJECT: GTMO NOTIFICATION DELIVERED, ROYG STILL UNSURE OF 
COMBATANTS' RETURN 
 
REF: A. STATE 167959 
     B. STATE 164152 
     C. SANAA 2490 
 
Classified By: DCM Nabeel Khoury for reasons 1.4 b and d. 
 
1.  (C) On September 13, DCM delivered notification on the 
continued detention of three Yemenis (ref A) to Deputy 
Foreign Minister Mustafa Noman. Noman accepted the names 
without comment. 
 
2.  (C) DCM also inquired on ROYG acceptance of an additional 
no-longer enemy combatant (ref B). Noman said he did not 
anticipate problems and would soon forward the name of the 
official responsible for accepting the detainee at the 
airport, likely the same official present during the return 
of the first no-longer enemy combatant (ref C). 
 
3.  (C) As for enemy combatants, Noman said the issue was 
"very complicated," as the ROYG could not deny the return of 
its citizens, but did not want to assume the burden of 
accepting potentially dangerous individuals.  In the end, 
Noman commented, the decision rests with the Political 
Security Organization, who will be responsible for the 
detainees, although "President Saleh will have the final 
say."  DCM commented that Saleh recently told Ambassador in 
passing that he would never accept enemy combatants.  Noman 
promised to follow-up with the President's office to 
determine if the comment was serious. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Krajeski