This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 003618 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/03/2016 
TAGS: PREL PTER YE COUNTER TERRORISM TERFIN
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR AND FONMIN DISCUSS ZINDANI, KIDNAPPINGS 
AND REFORM 
 
Classified By: AMBASSADOR THOMAS C. KRAJESKI, FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND ( 
D). 
 
¶1. (C)  SUMMARY:  In a January 2 meeting, FonMin Abubakr 
al-Qirbi told Ambassador that the ROYG had made a conscious 
decision to include UN-designated terrorist financier Abdul 
Majid Zindani in its official delegation to the Organization 
of Islamic Conference (OIC) meeting in Saudi Arabia, claiming 
it would help "moderate" Zindani's right-wing, extremist 
views.  Qirbi reiterated the ROYG's request for any evidence 
of Zindani's support for terrorism so that the Government 
could prosecute him within Yemeni law.  Addressing the recent 
spate of kidnappings, Qirbi said they were related to blood 
fueds that the tribes wanted to force the Government to help 
resolve, not protestations over lack of government services, 
as had been the case in the past.  The FonMin also raised 
Yemen's efforts to re-qualify for the Millenium Challenge 
Account (MCA) Threshold Program, asserting that it was "time 
to take action" on reform.  END SUMMARY 
 
--------------------------- 
ENLIGHTENING SHEIKH ZINDANI 
--------------------------- 
 
¶2. (C)  Ambassador told Qirbi that he could not emphasize 
enough the USG's frustration and anger over Zindani's 
inclusion in the ROYG's official delegation, headed by 
President Saleh himself, to the December OIC conference. 
Zindani was designated by the UN 1267 Committee as a 
terrorist financier, he said, and Yemen was obligated as a 
member state to freeze his assets and prevent him from 
traveling outside the country.  Ambassador noted that Qirbi 
had no doubt received a read-out of the meeting between 
Undersecretary Burns and Ambassador al-Hajri in Washington 
covering the same points. 
 
¶3. (C)  Qirbi said the ROYG saw Zindani's visit to Saudi 
Arabia "in a different light," arguing that because Zindani 
is "looked at as a man with rather extreme religious views," 
government officials thought it would be beneficial to 
include him in the ROYG's delegation.  "We thought attending 
the conference, especially with the paper it produced on 
'Enlightened Islam,' would help him re-think his positions as 
an extremist and right-wing scholar," he said. 
 
¶4. (C)  Ambassador noted that the USG was encouraged by the 
increased determination shown at the OIC conference to combat 
both the results and the root causes of terrorism, but 
reminded the FonMin that the issue of Zindani's travel was a 
legal one.  As we had explained to ROYG officials on several 
occasions, only Zindani himself could apply for de-listing 
with the Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Asset 
Controls, and unless a decision is made to formally remove 
him from the 1267 list, the ROYG must comply with its 
obligations as a UN member state. 
 
¶5. (C)  Qirbi complained that this procedure "complicates 
things," stating that "we exchange information all the time 
without individuals getting involved."  He argued that the 
Zindani issue was "hampered by a lack of progress" on the USG 
side, because the ROYG had asked several times for the USG to 
present it with whatever evidence it had about Zindani's 
support for terrorism so that it can "take action in 
accordance with Yemeni law."  Ambassador made the point that 
Zindani's application for de-listing or the sharing of any 
information were separate issues that could be pursued, but 
in the meantime, Yemen could not shirk its legal 
responsibility to freeze his assets and restrict his travel. 
 
------------------------------------ 
TRIBAL KIDNAPPINGS ON THE RISE AGAIN 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶6. (C)  Turning to the recent spate of tribal kidnappings of 
foreign tourists, Ambassador told Qirbi that this caused 
concern for the safety of foreigners in Yemen, and could 
adversely affect the country's recently revived tourism 
sector.  Qirbi agreed, stating that the ROYG "always seeks to 
protect kidnapping victims," and hoped to prevent future 
incidents by "mobilizing public opinion" against the 
practice.  He noted statements he and President Saleh had 
made on local television the previous day, saying he hoped 
the tribal leaders would "listen to the message."  Qirbi said 
these kidnappings were different from those that took place 
routinely several years ago, in that the tribes were no 
longer seeking services or money from the Government, but 
were trying to pressure the Government into intervening in 
tribal fueds or releasing tribesmen it had imprisoned. 
 
-------------------- 
REFORM: TIME TO ACT? 
-------------------- 
 
¶7. (C)  The FonMin then asked the Ambassador about the status 
of Yemen's MCA Threshold Program suspension, to which 
Ambassador replied that the major donors were working with 
the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation on 
specific steps that could be taken in order for Yemen's 
suspension to be re-considered in May.  Donor recommendations 
focused on good governance, among other areas, he said, and 
included concrete proposals such as rendering public the 
reports of the Central Organization for Control and Audit. 
Qirbi confirmed that the ROYG was "looking at" the proposals, 
and said it was clearly "time to take action" on reforms, 
particularly after the ruling party conference in December 
laid out a platform focusing on the subject. 
 
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COMMENT 
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¶8. (C)  COMMENT:  Qirbi's assertion that the ROYG pondered 
the possible beneficial results of including Zindani on its 
delegation to the OIC is a half-hearted attempt to come up 
with an ex-post facto explanation.  The reality is that 
Zindani probably made clear his desire to attend, and 
President Saleh found it difficult to back down, UNSC 
Resolutions notwithstanding.  The fact is that Zindani 
continues to wield a great deal of influence among Yemen's 
religious conservatives, and Saleh has made a calculated 
decision that it is easier for him - for now - to raise the 
ire of the international community rather than pick a fight 
with the Sheikh. 
Krajeski