[24/November/2008]
SANA'A, Nov. 24 (Saba) – In an interview with the Russia Today TV Channel, President Ali Abdullah Saleh renewed calls for all political parties to participate actively in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
In the weekly channel program of Decision Makers, President Saleh said " We believe in multiparty democracy and that the ballot box has the final say." " Anyone wins through vote either in local, parliamentary or presidential elections has the full right to rule the country and must assume the responsibility."
" We, the ruling party, welcome the opposition to stand in the elections and wish they win a large number of seats in the parliament."
President Saleh said that his ruling party is against the one party appropriation of power, criticizing some parties seeking power through violating democratic norms and rules.
President Saleh affirmed Yemen's continuous efforts in the war on terror, saying terrorism acts affect the country's economy.
On the other hand, President Saleh touched on the distinguished Yemeni-Russian relations and his upcoming visit to Russia which is expected to add new broad horizons to the current developed bilateral relationship particularly in the military and economic areas.
Regarding the Arab situation, President Saleh expressed Yemen's readiness to cooperate with the Arab countries overlooking the Red Sea to protect the region from the soaring piracy.
However, he says piracy will not be completely eradicated unless the international community brings a solution to Somalia's problems and help this war-torn country reorganizes its institutions.
Over the Yemeni initiative to heal the rift between the rival Palestinian factions, President Saleh said Yemen offered the initiative within its interest to reconcile brothers and help them strengthen their unity.
He said all the Palestinian factions showed satisfaction with the initiative and he renewed his calls for them to be cautious of external pressure and meddling that deepen their disagreement.
Although President Saleh expressed optimism that there will not be concrete changes to the US foreign policy under the leadership of President-elect Barack Obama particularly regarding the Arab-Israeli conflict, he called on Obama to adopt the file of the delicate issue and to work to convince Israel.
" We don't say "throw Israel to sea" no.. we see the existence of this country among us and that it really coexists with us, but we say to Israel 'eliminate the separation wall; end extra settlement and help to achieve fair peace in the region." President Saleh said.
He added that the pending Arab-Israeli issue is considered one of the most important factors which fuel extremism in the region as some extremist groups take the advantage of it to carry out terrorist acts.
In reply to a question about his vision over the US support to Georgia in its last attacks on Ossetia and Abkhazia, President Saleh said they were not with the United States of America to encourage Georgia to attack the two regions, because such SU moves never serve international peace.
He said we don't like to experience more world hardships besides those which are already existent in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine.
FR
Saba
