[19/November/2009]
 

From Al Ahram Newspaper

Translated by: Mahmoud Assamiee

SANA'A, Nov. 19 (Saba)- President Ali Abdullah Saleh stated days ago that Sa'ada war started only two days ago, did he mean that what happened during the past months was only an alarm to Houthis and that the real war started by infiltration to Saudi borders and cities?

Will Saudi involvement in the war- by their big force- end Houthi threat- supported by Al-Qaeda- to the Kingdom and their dangers on Yemen as well as their future greed in regional countries?

Al Ahram Newspaper met the Yemeni Minister of Foreign Affairs Abu Bakr al-Kirbi and conducted with him the following interview about the real situation in Yemen:

Q: Houthi media sources stated Saudi Arabia provides big military assistances to Yemen, was not this include an alarm to Saudis that they will infiltrate to their lands and aggression against Saudi citizens?
A: In the beginning, we considered these talks mere try to Houthi rebels to get foreign sympathy. Houthis started through a group of thoughts embarked on defending Zaidi ideology, then these thoughts have been deviated into political agenda for the sake of getting acknowledgement. They got some acknowledgement from scholars and Shei' supporters who do not know what is happening in Yemen.

Q: Some believe that Iran wants to exploit Houthis to press Yemen, judging that Yemen is a follower to the west and the United States, what is your comment?
A: I do not consider this analysis correct because Iran knows well that Yemeni decision is a Yemeni in the first grade and that Yemen is so keen to respect its relations with Iran and all countries in the region and the world. In these relations, the country embarks on the Yemeni interest in the first grade. It can not establish relations on the expense of another, we are a country enjoying complete sovereignty and have leadership respects the region's security and stability. Furthermore, Yemen is keen in maintaining its relations with her neighbor.

Q: Weeks ago, President Ali Abdullah Saleh received US President Assistant for Security and Combating Terror Affairs John Bert, did you ask for security and military assistances from the United States?
A: What the US affirmed and also the European Union stand and attitudes of GCC's countries and of all Arab countries are keen on preserving Yemen's unity and stability because all of them know very well that Yemen's security affects the whole region. In fact we have security cooperation with the United States, especially in field of combating terror. There are also Bahraini, Russian and Iranian force in the Gulf of Aden and the Arab Sea to fight pirates. Consequently, countries have navies, including Iran, try to coordinate with us because what is happening in the area concerns Yemen directly.

Q: But, did Yemen ask for military assistances from the United States?
A: No, we did not. What is always needed from the United States is a support related to fighting terrorism.

Q: Do you consider what is happening in Sa'ada and infiltrating Yemeni-Saudi Border terrorism?
A: Of course, it is terrorism and aggression. I think Houthis will pay high price. But on the other hand, we find that Yemen's area and its geographical nature as well as the wide area of joint borders with Saudi Arabia all this represent real challenges before realizing complete security. Joint cooperation, however, will organize all things.

Q: Is the support from Iranian parts you mentioned before still continuing?
A: Yemeni intelligence is investigating involvement of some non- state Iranian elements who support this rebel group. Iran itself will not allow to any group to carry arms in its territories against the state so that I think Iranian media will not put Iran interest before it in supporting these saboteurs. In addition, in a telephone call between me and Iranian foreign minister, he showed his country's readiness to interfere and exert diplomatic efforts to end conflict in Sa'ada. We informed him we want change in the attitude of Iranian media first to reflect the government's stance not to reflect desires of other bodies.

Q: Up to now, does the Yemeni government present real proof on Al-Qaeda's involvement in what is happening in Yemen?
A: There is no certain information, but there is sympathy and moral support. All of us heard statements to Al-Qa'ida leaders supporting them. Separatists in the Yemeni south also support Houthis. In addition, the high level of armament and arrangement as well as funds hints to exterior support to Houthis.

Q: Where was the Yemeni state during those years when rebels were grouping and collecting weapons until they have become a force posing a threat to Yemen and its strong neighbors like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia?
A: After Unification and beating separatists, we were hoping that the country focus its efforts on development and building institutions managing Yemen's interests according the government policies. Sorrowfully, this matter was difficult for many reasons led by the economy which hindered all the government's plans whether in the framework of development or imposing the state's power on all governorates. That issue was complicated and the government is not responsible on the whole issue, oppositions parties must share the government's responsibility of on development and political issues.

Q: Among the suggestions made by opposition to solve the current crisis was is implementing the federalism system, what is your opinion?
A: My opinion is that, brothers in the opposition make suggestions they themselves are not satisfied with them but they made them only in the purpose of increasing demands but it is political game they do not aware its dangers on the country. If we put this argument before tendentious analysts, how will they see the profit of the federalism system if it is applied in Yemen in these conditions and political problems? Will Yemen benefit under the current situation or will it deteriorate more? I also think that opposition, instead of putting their opinions in media outlets, have to set first what they have in internal dialogue.

Q: Mentioning separatists, there was a speech to Mr. Ali Salem al- Biedh- the former vice president- in which he called the United Nations to interfere to expel the Yemeni army from the south of the country and described the army as occupier. How does Yemeni government see such calls?
A: I want to advise Ali Salem al-Biedh to choose certified consultants who understand the international law and the UN charter and its role. He also must to read precisely the security council's decisions, 94,95 to avoid repetition of those sayings that reflect ignorance of international law and the UN role.



Saba