From: Biniam Tekle (biniamt@dehai.org)
Date: Fri Jan 15 2010 - 08:15:12 EST
"Regarding Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh's recent visit to Yemen,
al-Qirbi said the Minister's visit aimed at clarifying what media outlets
have published over the trafficking of arms to Yemen and the fact that
Houhti elements are being trained in Eritrea.
Over a question on his assessment of Yemeni-Iranian relations in light of
Iranian Foreign Minster's recent statements on an American-Zionist plot to
internationalize the problem in Yemen, he said the relations are friendly
(but) "we need a clear attitude from Iran on this group( the Houthis)"
Al-Qirbi: Yemen Depends on London Conference to Support its Development
By: Mahmoud Assamiee
Published:14-01-2010
SANA’A, JAN. 12 — Yemen has been suffering increasingly from economic
hardships since the early 1990s when Gulf support to Yemen dried up and
Al-Qaida began contributing more to these economic hardships, said Minster
of Foreign Affairs Abu Bakr al-Qirbi.
"Yemen expects to get support towards the country’s development and it’s
efforts in fighting terrorism from the upcoming London Conference" said
Minister al-Qirbi, in a press conference held at the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs on Tuesday.
The conference focused on the London Conference, which British Prime
Minister Gordon Brown has called for, in order to support Yemen's
development efforts to combat terrorism.
The Conference is scheduled to be held on January 27, in London.
"We also stress that we anticipate that the outcome of this Conference will
be to develop a strategy to help Yemen's economy," he affirmed.
While there are challenges over preparations for the Conference, al-Qirbi
said there are talks with the United Kingdom on ways of overcoming them.
"Yemen has been calling for international support to help build
infrastructure, combat poverty and create jobs."
Regarding the fate of the kidnapped German citizens and their British
associate, Minster Al-Qirbi stated that they are in Sa'ada and negotiations
regarding their release are ongoing.
On further assistance from the United States to help the country in
combating terrorism, he said, "The more support you get, the more success
you achieve."
Regarding sending US forces to Yemen to help the country in their fight
against Al-Qaeda and elements that support them, as well as the possible
backlash that could take place as a result of the people’s resentment about
this, he said the Americans are now convinced that fighting terrorism in
Yemen is best by carried out by Yemeni forces.
Despite Shiekh Al-Zindani's statements against the US, and his support to
Yemen’s stability he refused to denounce Osama bin Laden. Foreign Minister
commented on the Zindani’s position by saying: ‘There is a call to define
terrorism and we treat Al-Zindani as per our definition of terrorism; he is
only expressing his opinion. He is as critical about Yemen as he is about
the United States.’
Over talks that the London Conference will come out with recommendations
against Yemen and talks on stopping the war in Sa’ada, he said the issue of
the London Conference has evoked numerous articles, much analysis and many
doubts. The Government of Yemen will not allow to the Conference to touch on
Yemen's sovereignty.
"We will not accept any intervention to stop the war against the Houthis.
This is an internal affair and it must be concluded. They (the Houthis) do
not have any other choice but to accept the six conditions made by the
President."
On topics he will discuss with US officials during a visit to the United
States, he said the visit will tackle a number of issues in cooperation with
the United States including: efforts to gain membership for Yemen to the
World Trade Organization, political cooperation, the security dimension,
combating terrorism and promoting Yemen's capabilities to face piracy.
Over the recent threat announced by The Youth Mujahideen Movement in Somalia
to support Al-Qaeda’s elements in Yemen, he said the government has dealt
with this issue seriously and will take all necessary measures to prevent
this group from infiltrating Yemen.
He indicated that Al-Qaeda’s network has now become an international system
and fighting it requires international efforts and cooperation, indicating
that the threat of Al-Qaeda is not limited only to Yemen, but to the whole
world, including the United States which lists 550, 000 people as having
links with terrorists.
In response to a question that the government actually employs Al-Qaeda in
order to gain international support, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abu Bakr
al-Qirbi said this is propaganda by the opposition to defame the
government's efforts to combat Al-Qaeda and to claim that in creating this
crisis, the government will gain $200 million in support.
"The international community will not provide any support unless there is a
need to support Yemen to fight terrorism and enable its security forces to
play a more active role," he affirmed.
Regarding Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh's recent visit to Yemen,
al-Qirbi said the Minister's visit aimed at clarifying what media outlets
have published over the trafficking of arms to Yemen and the fact that
Houhti elements are being trained in Eritrea.
Over a question on his assessment of Yemeni-Iranian relations in light of
Iranian Foreign Minster's recent statements on an American-Zionist plot to
internationalize the problem in Yemen, he said the relations are friendly
(but) "we need a clear attitude from Iran on this group( the Houthis).?
On reasons for the sudden rise in Al-Qaeda's network recently and the
carrying out of raids against them, the Minister of Foreign Affairs said
there was a plot by these elements to hit interests and foreign embassies
and the government was forced to take action against Al-Qaeda.
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