US embassy cable - 05SANAA2956

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 002956 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/05/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, MASS, PARM, YM, MARITIME SECURITY 
SUBJECT: CJTF HOA COMMANDER GHORMLEY VISITS ADEN 
 
REF: SANAA 1338 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Thomas C. Krajeski for reasons 1.4 b and d. 
 
1.  (U) Summary.  On October 1, visiting Combined Joint Task 
Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) Commander MG Timothy Ghormley 
and Ambassador traveled to Aden for meetings with the 
Governor of Aden, Yemen Coast Guard (YCG) and regional 
military commanders.  MG Ghormley and Ambassador also 
participated in a dedication ceremony at YCG headquarters for 
four USG donated quick-response boats.  Yemeni officials 
expressed gratitude for USG assistance to the YCG and lauded 
its positive impact on Aden's economy.  End Comment. 
 
------------------------------------ 
Yemen Coast Guard Receives New Boats 
------------------------------------ 
 
2.  (U)  MG Ghormley and Ambassador attended a dedication 
ceremony for four 25-foot Defender Class Boats provided to 
the Yemen Coast Guard through the Foreign Military Financing 
(FMF) Program.  The new boats, identical to ones used by the 
U.S. Coast Guard, will significantly improve YCG's ability to 
respond quickly to security threats. During a well-attended 
press conference, Ambassador congratulated YCG officials for 
creating a competent and capable force aimed at reducing the 
threat of terror and improving border security.  Brigadier 
Ali Ahmed Rassa, YCG Chairman, thanked the USG for its 
"positive role" in supporting his organization's development 
into an active partner in the fight against terrorism. 
(Note: Since 2002, FMF has provided over $18 million to 
establish, develop, and train the Yemeni Coast Guard). 
 
------------------------------------------- 
Aden Governor: Coast Guard Good for Economy 
------------------------------------------- 
 
3.  (U) Governor Shuabi credited the YCG for improving 
maritime security and helping make Aden port attractive to 
investors. He expressed confidence in the port's economic 
future, saying insurance companies recently lifted the risk 
premium placed on ships following the 2000 attack on the USS 
Cole.  Shuabi was also confident that Dubai Ports 
International (DPI), which recently won a 35-year concession 
to operate and develop Aden Port and Aden 
Container Terminal (reftel), would dramatically increase port 
capacity and fuel economic growth. 
 
4.  (U)  Shuabi hoped port improvements would attract more 
than just ships, saying only the central government benefited 
from increased fees and customs.  An improved business 
climate and more jobs is what the region really needs, he 
continued, to meet the challenges of providing for a 
population that has doubled in the last ten years. Ambassador 
hoped that Parliament would soon pass a new law giving local 
governments the authority to collect revenue, rather than 
rely on payments from the Ministry of Finance. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
Military District Commander: YCG Doing Well, but... 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
 
5.  (C)  MG Ghormley thanked MG Madhi Maqwala for the 
military's support in the GWOT and looked forward to 
increased cooperation on security issues, including stemming 
the flow of small arms/light weapons.  Maqwala acknowledged 
the important role the YCG plays in improving border 
security, but requested increased assistance for the 
military's efforts to achieve full control over the borders. 
Office of Military Cooperation (OMC) Chief commented that 
embassy officials were working with MOD staff to focus 
security assistance on shared priorities. 
 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---------- 
District Navy Commander:  We Want a Closer Relationship 
--------------------------------------------- ---------- 
 
6. (C) MG Ghormley thanked BGen Mohammed Ali Ibrahim for the 
Navy's commitment to combating terrorism and encouraged 
increased cooperation with YCG officials.  "The region 
needs Yemen to have a strong navy," Ghormley said, adding 
that the USG stood ready to support its development. 
Ambassador stressed that maritime security was essential to 
providing the conditions under which Yemen can achieve its 
development goals. 
 
7. (C)  Ibrahim said the Navy wants to strengthen its 
relationship with the USG and see "more tangible results" 
from that relationship.  "We need money too," Ibrahim 
commented,to support counter-terrorism operations. OMC Chief 
commented that the USG provided $4 million over the last year 
to improve the Navy's maintenance capability.  Ghormley 
introduced the new U.S. military maritime liaison officer for 
Yemen and looked forward to helping the Navy focus its 
funding priorities. 
 
8.  (C) Comment:  MOD forces frequently complain about USG 
assistance to the YCG, even though the Foreign Military 
Financing (FMF) program has provided millions of dollars to 
support the military, including the Navy.  Envy still runs 
high, however, as MOD has not yet learned to utilize the FMF 
program as effectively as their MOI and Coast Guard 
counterparts.  The Navy remains the weakest of all the armed 
forces and is frequently unable to even move their ships out 
to sea due to poor maintenance. End Comment. 
 
 
Krajeski