US embassy cable - 05SANAA2806

S E C R E T SANAA 002806 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA DAS GRAY, S/CT COORDINATOR, AND EB/TFS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/19/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, YM, COUNTER TERRORISM, TERFIN 
SUBJECT: ROYG REQUESTS ZINDANI INFORMATION 
 
REF: A. SANAA 2791 
     B. SANAA 2151 
     C. SANAA 2115 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Thomas C. Krajeski for reasons 1.4 b and d. 
 
1. This is an action request.  Please see paragraph seven. 
 
2.  (C)  Summary:  In a September 18 meeting with Ambassador, 
Foreign Minister Abubakr Qirbi provided a written request for 
detailed evidence on Abdul Majeed Zindani's financial support 
to terrorists groups (ref A).  The letter states that the 
ROYG will take necessary legal action against Zindani if 
given proof of his illegal activities.  If USG cannot provide 
proof, then the letter requests assistance with removing his 
name from the UN terrorist financing list.  End Summary. 
 
 
3.  (C) Text of Letter: 
 
The Government of the Republic of Yemen presents its 
compliments to the Government of the United States of America 
and avails itself of this opportunity to reiterate its 
interest in promoting bilateral cooperation in all fields in 
a way that embodies the joint desires of the countries' 
leadership to advance these relations. 
 
While reiterating its interest to move forward with the 
bilateral relations and strengthen them, the Government of 
the Republic of Yemen would like to inform you that the 
charges the U.S. Government used to put the name of Sheikh 
Abdul-Majid Al-Zindani on the unified list of the UN Security 
Council committee, formed by resolution no. 1367, could be 
based on mistaken information published by some of the Yemeni 
parties' newspapers that want to bring down Sheikh Al-Zindani 
as a result of the political conspiracies and press wrangles 
among the Yemeni parties.  Although the Government of the 
Republic of Yemen has requested the UN Security Council 
committee and the U.S. Embassy in Sana'a to provide any 
evidence that proves the charges against Sheikh Al-Zindani, 
it has not received any kind of evidence that proves the 
conviction of Al-Zindani. 
 
In order to maintain the good atmosphere of the bilateral 
relations and not let any party make use of it, the 
Government of the Republic of Yemen hopes that the esteemed 
Government of the United States of America interferes and 
removes the name of Sheikh Al-Zindani from the UN Security 
Council list of terrorism in order to give Sheikh Al-Zindani 
the freedom of movement or, otherwise; provide the Government 
of the Republic of Yemen with any evidence that convicts 
Sheikh Al-Zindani in order to review that evidence and take 
legal action according to Yemeni law. 
 
End Text 
 
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Comment 
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4.  (C) Comment: This is not the ROYG's first request for 
evidence of Zindani's financial support to terrorist groups. 
President Saleh has said he does not believe Zindani conducts 
financial activity in Yemen (ref B).  On several previous 
occasions, Yemeni officials informally requested information 
on his activities before agreeing to freeze his assets or 
prosecute.  Following verbal requests to post, ROYG formally 
approached the Security Council for information, but was told 
only the country submitting Zindani for inclusion on the list 
could release the evidence. 
 
5.  (C)  The ROYG request follows increased public pressure 
for Saleh to resolve Zindani's case, along with the case of 
Sheikh Moayad (ref C), during his November Washington visit. 
Zindani himself approached Saleh for support and the 
consultative Shura Council recently issued a public statement 
requesting Saleh defend Zindani against the charges. 
 
6.  (C) ROYG understands its commitment to adhere to UNSC 
requirements, but is unlikely to take further action without 
some additional evidence of Zindani's activities.  End 
Comment. 
 
7.  (C) Action Request:  Post requests release of information 
and evidence on Zindani be made available to ROYG. 
Krajeski