webmaster
© Copyright DEHAI-Eritrea OnLine, 1993-2010
All rights reserved
From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Tue Nov 16 2010 - 11:53:32 EST
Asharq Al-Awsat Talks to Yemeni Envoy to the UK Abdullah al-Ridi
16/11/2010
By Mohammed Jameh
London, Asharq Al-Awsat- Abdullah al-Ridi, Yemeni ambassador to the United
Kingdom, has said that his country has been the target of an extremely
unjust campaign following the dispatch of two suspect parcels from Yemen
that were discovered at the Dubai Airport in the UAE and the East Midland
Airport in Britain. He said that several states have taken unfair measures
regarding shipping and travel from and to Yemen, measures against the Yemeni
Airlines, and other measures, which he described as unjust.
In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat held in his office in the Embassy of
Yemen in London, Al-Ridi said that the parcels were discovered based on
intelligence information and the explosives detection and scanning machines
had nothing to do with uncovering the contents of these parcels. Regarding
the American cleric of Yemeni origin, Al-Ridi said he is wanted by the
Yemeni security services, a warrant has been issued for his arrest, his
trial in absentia has begun in Sanaa, and Yemeni tribes are helping the
government to pursue elements of the al-Qaeda Organization. Al-Ridi said
that security coordination is taking place between Yemen and Saudi Arabia at
the highest levels. He also affirmed that the Yemeni-American cooperation in
the war on al-Qaeda is based on security and intelligence coordination and
the training of Yemeni anti-terrorism forces. He said there was no truth to
reports that American aircraft fly over Yemen searching for elements of
al-Qaeda. Ambassador Al-Ridi also talked about measures that Yemen had taken
following the increase in al-Qaeda-related operations in Yemen.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] What is the story of the suspect parcels sent from Yemen
that disturbed the world in recent weeks? Why the Yemeni security services
were unable to discover these parcels before they left its airports?
[Al-Ridi] All I have on this subject is that these parcels were not
discovered by explosive-detection instruments or any other devices installed
in the airports in which they were seized. Security agents discovered them
after receiving intelligence reports from Arab and international
intelligence agencies, and these reports prevented a catastrophe from taking
place. The reports specified the type of the parcels and their bill of
lading number. Despite finding the two parcels, discovering that they
contained explosive materials was a difficult process at the Dubai Airport
and the East Midland Airport. In Dubai, it was not possible to discover
these materials when they were put through a regular scanning machine and
through explosives-detection machines. Even when they brought trained police
dogs, they were unable to discover or detect them. They discovered them
after a manual examination and the dismantling of the toner cartridge.
Therefore, it was not because of negligence on the part of the Yemeni
security services at the airport that these parcels left Yemen, but because
of sophistication in terrorist activity, which no airport security was able
to detect. Therefore, intelligence and the speed of communication are
essential in combating such cases. The security reports reaching Dubai,
Greece, and Britain, as I said, were the factor that contributed to seizing
these parcels. If it was a matter of explosives-detection instruments,
Yemeni airports are equipped with the most modern detection devices. But
these machines could not detect these parcels neither in Yemen nor in the
other countries. As we know now, the highly explosive materials were placed
in liquids that prevented their discovery by the scanning machines, and this
was the reason they passed easily through the airports without being
detected.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] What is your explanation to the clamor raised in the world
following this incident?
[Al-Ridi] I think that Yemen, in general, has been the target of an
extremely unjust campaign on the al-Qaeda issue. Several countries have
suspended air cargo from Yemen. The Yemen Airways was punished by preventing
its aircraft from landing at British airports. The German government has
also banned flights from Yemen. The Lufthansa Airline Company suddenly
decided to suspend its flights to Yemen without prior notice as demanded by
international air regulations and rules, and justified this suspension by
security reasons. We think these measures will help al-Qaeda, which is
trying to isolate Yemen internationally to make it possible for it to carry
out its plans to undermine peace and stability in the region and the world.
Let me give you one example. In the incident involving the Nigerian Umar
Farouk Abdul Mutallab who tried to explode an American aircraft over Detroit
on Christmas day last year, although Yemeni airports or the national carrier
had nothing to do with this incident, although he traveled through other
airports and not through Yemeni airports, except several months before that,
and although Umar Farouk studied in more than one country and passed through
more than one international airport before the incident, the bombing attempt
was directly associated with Yemen, despite the fact that the man only spent
a few months in Yemen.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] The information you talked about was reportedly sent from
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. What is the extent of the security coordination
between Yemen and Saudi Arabia?
[Al-Ridi] Coordination between the two countries exists on the highest
levels. The security coordination between them has produced good results in
the war on the al-Qaeda Organization and in other fields, such as smuggling.
As for what you said that the brothers in Saudi Arabia had passed the
information to some Arab and foreign countries, I think that the Saudi
brothers had obtained the information after the parcels had left Yemen.
Still, I think that foiling the attempt and saving lives was the objective,
and since the objective was achieved, this is what Yemen and the other
countries wanted. As for those who are claiming that Yemen was not informed
about these parcels, I think they are trying to disrupt the excellent
relations between Yemen and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which are historic
relations based on coordination on all economic, security, and diplomatic
levels.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] We have noticed an increasing British interest in Yemen
against the background of the increasing security tensions in the country.
What is the significance of this from your standpoint as the ambassador of
Yemen to Britain?
[Al-Ridi] The Britons were the subject of many al-Qaeda attacks. The British
ambassador and other members of the embassy faced an assassination attempt
by this organization. One of the parcels was found in Britain. Britain
believes al-Qaeda elements are clearly targeting it. The organization often
connects the United States and Britain in many of its threats that appear in
recorded tapes from time to time. It is natural for Britain to be concerned
and to stand in the forefront of the camp confronting this organization.
Since Yemen has been afflicted by the presence of members of this
organization on its territory, the Britons are seeking to expand the
security cooperation between the two countries, which have been the target
of al-Qaeda.
Recently, the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London organized a
symposium in which the participants discussed the problems facing Yemen and
ways to address them. Alan Duncan, British Secretary of State for
International Development, attended part of these meetings. In his speech,
he talked about some of the fears that the British government has of the
al-Qaeda Organization. He also talked about the role Britain is playing to
help Yemen in the economic and security fields. Britain is also an active
member of "the Friends of Yemen" group. It is providing various forms of aid
to Yemen. Britain will play a role in an upcoming meeting in Riyadh in
February next year that will be attended by representatives of more than 20
countries, within the framework of "the Friends of Yemen" , to discuss ways
to spend the aid allocated to Yemen. The attendees will also discuss the
establishment of a fund to support development in the country. Economic
development is the key to solving many of the problems facing Yemen,
foremost the problem of al-Qaeda. Furthermore, Yemeni-British relations are
old and the cultural and social interaction between the two countries is
noticeably evident.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] What about Anwar al-Awlaqi who has called on Muslims to
fight the Americans without asking for a fatwa from anyone? How will the
government deal with him in the light of American demands to arrest him and
hand him over to the Americans or kill him?
[Al-Ridi] Anwar al-Awlaqi is wanted by the Yemeni authorities. A warrant has
been issued for his arrest, and his trial in absentia has begun in Sanaa.
Al-Awlaqi, as we all know, was born and raised in the United States. He
acquired his ideas there. He is an American citizen, and this is why the
Americans have demanded that he be turned over to them. There is today a
clear position by the members of his tribe, the Al-Awaliq, toward him. They
announced their renunciation of all forms of terrorism and those who stand
with him, even if they were members of the Al-Awaliq Tribe. I think that
this position would greatly weaken al-Qaeda's dependence on the protection
of the tribes.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] Recent reports indicated that the United States has
deployed drones over Yemen to pursue al-Qaeda fighters on Yemeni territory.
What is the Yemeni government's position on this move?
[Al-Ridi] President Ali Abdullah Saleh underlined Yemen's position at his
recent news conference following the incident of the two parcels discovered
in the UAE and Britain. This position is based on rejecting any interference
in our internal affairs. There are no piloted or pilot-less aircraft in
Yemeni air space. Still, Yemeni-American coordination exists, and American
support to Yemen is in the form of intelligence information and the training
of Yemeni security forces. The Americans also provide economic and cultural
aid to Yemen.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] After all the damage inflicted on Yemen because of
al-Qaeda's actions, what steps would the government take to limit the damage
caused to Yemen's reputation in the region and the world?
[Al-Ridi] The security campaigns against elements of this organization in
some areas in the country have not ceased. Cooperation with the tribes and
the warning against sheltering these elements has taken place simultaneously
with the security campaigns and with instructions to mosque preachers to
maintain moderation and call for the renunciation of violence and terrorism.
With regard to other measures, postal parcels are now examined completely by
hand and using the explosives detection machine after they pass through the
scanning device. New conditions have been placed on air cargo agents. Local
and international control over them will continue. The license of any agent
that does not meet the conditions will be withdrawn. The security measures
at the airports on individuals and their luggage will be strengthened.
Preparations are underway now to establish a modern unit for airport
security attached to the central security authority whose task would be to
protect the airports against any acts of sabotage or terrorism. We are in
the process of launching an intensive media campaign to clarify the true
image of Yemen and the Yemeni people and the tolerant nature of the Yemenis
and their love for security and coexistence with others.
----[This List to be used for Eritrea Related News Only]----