accept it. Be aware not to give offense to a man who offers you something.”
Right. Especially if he’s carrying an AK-47 and offers to blow your head off.
Buck informed us, “Women are mostly exempt from the rules of hospitality.” He advised us, “Read the handouts on these subjects.”
Buck continued, “The Yemenis tend to be creative with the truth, which is a diplomat’s way of saying they lie.”
Right. I remembered having to deal with the authorities in the central jail where the Cole suspects were imprisoned. I didn’t mind the prisoners lying to me, but when the cops, jailers, and translators all lied to me, I had to wonder if the whole country wasn’t pathological liars. I recalled, too, getting into screaming matches with the above assholes, and a few times I thought we were headed for a shoot-out.
Buck said, “They lie to each other, so don’t feel you’re being singled out because you’re a Westerner.” He added, “The truth is hard to come by for someone trying to do a job there, and basically you should trust no one. Having said that, you will get the truth if the truth will serve the person you’re speaking to. As an example, if someone wants to betray someone else, he’ll tell you where you can find that person. The problem is, you have no way of knowing if you’re being given good information, or if you’re being set up for a kidnapping—or worse.”
This was true, and didn’t even need to be said, but it’s good to be reminded. Also, Buck apparently knew we had other duties in Yemen beyond evidence recovery and legal attaché.
Buck continued, “Yemen is a land of distrust, which in a way removes any ambiguity. Trust no one and you won’t be betrayed or misled. If a government official is assigned to assist you, he is not there to assist you. All informants lie, even the ones you pay. If an ordinary man begs you to get him a work visa to the States in exchange for information, he is working for the government or for Al Qaeda, and he just wants to get close to you and obtain your trust. Why? You’ll find out the hard way. Any questions?”
I thought of Nabeel and said to Buck, “Same with the Mideastern guys I talk to here.”
“Then you understand.” Buck continued, “The tribes. They make up the majority of the population, and they live mostly in the highlands in the north, though there are also tribes in the south. Some tribes are nomadic Bedouin, but most live in small settlements. Some tribesmen have emigrated to the towns and cities, but the individual retains his loyalty to his tribe.”
Sounds like Kate’s family.
Buck continued, “The tribes are led by sheiks or chieftains who are usually elected, but sometimes inherit the title.” He added, “We sometimes call these sheiks or chieftains warlords, though they may consider that a derogatory term.” He advised us, “If you should happen to meet one, address him as sheik.”
I had the feeling that Buck was giving us a mission briefing and that a sheik was in my future.
Buck went on, “The tribes distrust the central government, and they distrust one another, though they will form alliances of convenience, even with the government, but these are shifting alliances and it’s hard to keep score on who is allied with whom on any given day.”
Sounds like 26 Federal Plaza.
“The tribes have a primitive, pre-Islamic code of honor, and in many ways they are chivalrous. If you are their guest, whether by invitation, chance, or kidnapping, they will show you extreme hospitality. They have no particular animosity toward the West, but they’re not presently happy with the American officials in Yemen, who they see as propping up their government, which they hate.” He reminded us, “The friend of my enemy is my enemy. That said, if you should somehow wind up as guests of a tribe, you aren’t automatically dead. But don’t try to pass as innocent tourists. Be up-front about who you are. But be sure to criticize the government in Sana’a.”
“That’s easy.”
“And it may save your life.”
“That’s good.” I reminded him, however, “We’ll be working in Sana’a and Aden. No tribal lands on the agenda.”
He didn’t reply to that and said, “You’ll be briefed more fully on these subjects when you arrive.”
Kate asked, “What is the tribal attitude toward Al Qaeda?”
“Mostly negative,” replied Buck. “Al Qaeda doesn’t fit into the social or political matrix of tribal society. Neither did