US embassy cable - 05SANAA3349

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 003349 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/22/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, PARM, YM, COUNTER TERRORISM 
SUBJECT: MOD SHOWS INTEREST IN WEAPONS INVENTORY CONTROL 
SYSTEM 
 
REF: A. STATE 207948 
     B. SANAA 3231 
     C. SANAA 269 
 
Classified By: DCM Nabeel Khoury for reasons 1.4 b and d. 
 
1. (C) Summary:  During a November 21 meeting, Office of 
Military Cooperation Chief and DATT briefed Minister of 
Defense MG Abdullah Ali Aliwa on a proposed weapons inventory 
control system.  OMC Chief explained the basic concept of the 
system and reiterated USG willingness to assist in its 
implementation.  Aliwa accepted the brief with interest and 
promised to soon provide post with an official response.  End 
Summary. 
 
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Building Upon Saleh's Washington Visit 
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2.  (C)  Seeking to reinforce the message President Saleh 
received during his recent visit to Washington on the 
importance of stemming the proliferation of SA/LW (ref A), 
OMC Chief met with Aliwa on November 15 to encourage the 
immediate implementation of a weapons inventory control 
system.  Such a system, he explained, is crucial to 
preventing officially procured weapons from ending up in the 
hands of terrorists.  Aliwa requested additional information 
on how such a system would operate. 
 
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What is a Weapons Inventory System? 
----------------------------------- 
 
3.  (C)  In response to the request, OMC Chief briefed the 
Minister on the proposed system during a November 21 meeting. 
 He explained that the system uses standard inventory control 
software and barcodes to track weapons and parts.  The system 
would allow MOD to closely monitor the quantity and location 
of weapons, helping prevent slippage from official stocks. 
 
4.  (C) Aliwa asked if such a system applied to American 
weapons and spare parts only.  OMC Chief explained that the 
system would be capable of inventorying any supply item, from 
weapons and spare parts to boots and cots.  The system would 
not only give MOD a clearer picture of its weapons stocks, 
but would also allow them to plan for the adequate 
procurement of spare parts and ammunition needed to complete 
missions. 
 
5.  (C)  As a first step, OMC Chief suggested that Foreign 
Military Financing (FMF) funds  be used to install an 
inventory system at one major unit, such as the Yemen Special 
Operations Forces (YSOF). (Note: The YSOF Commander is 
Saleh's son and post has already established a relationship 
with the unit through FMF-funded training program.)  After 
YSOF proves a successful test case, the system could then be 
expanded to all the armed forces.  DATT encouraged Aliwa to 
use the upcoming visit of CENTCOM Commander (ref B) to 
formally agree to an inventory system, thereby demonstrating 
the ROYG's commitment to strengthening security cooperation 
following Saleh's visit to Washington.  Aliwa promised to 
soon provide post with an official response. 
 
 
6.  (C) Comment:  Ultimately, the decision to implement a 
weapons inventory system rests with President Saleh,  who 
must muster the political will to end the well-established 
practice of using legitimately procured SA/LW for political 
patronage (ref C).  While ROYG officials clearly understand 
the threat an inventory system poses to this lucrative 
practice, it is also evident that officials like Aliwa have 
little understanding of what an inventory system really 
entails.  The concept of electronically monitoring 
procurement and distribution processes is a novel one, even 
for basic official supplies, let alone weapons.  Working with 
MOD officials to demystify the technical aspects of an 
inventory system should help facilitate its implementation, 
once Saleh gives the go-ahead.  End comment. 
Krajeski