[04/July/2010]
Edited into English by: Mahmoud Assamiee
SANA'A, July 04 (Saba)- President Ali Abdullah said he discussed with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin Yemen's debt of military purchases which exceeded USD 2 billion.
In an interview with TV channel Russia, which is broadcasted in Arabic, President Saleh said Putin comprehended Yemen's economic situation.
"We talked also about Yemen's deals of defense equipments Yemen bought two years ago from Russia," he said, adding that they talked about scheduling purchase contracts due to the country economic situation.
Over Yemen's relations with Russia, Saleh said the two countries maintain growing friendship relations and that Russia is a prime partner to Yemen in all fields, especially military.
On efforts of combating piracy in the Gulf of Aden, Saleh affirmed that Yemen is a main partner to the international family in combating piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the Somali coast and there is good understanding with Russia, Germany, the United States and France recently to limit it.
President Saleh stressed also that Yemen's unity has been created to remain and that there is no any threat against it. "What we hear here and there is only media exaggeration to what some, who lost their interests, do."
Regarding Iranian role in what is happening in Yemen; he said that Yemen has some information and accurate documents of interference by Iranian groups, especially some TV channels.
He also talked about exaggeration of Iranian role in the area and that this role might be only effective in Iraq as neighboring country but the case is different in the rest parts of the area.
In respect to the future of Arab League and the idea of the Arab Federation to replace it, he said the Arab League has become old and ineffective and the people want change. The idea of the federation comes from the need to improve the joint Arab work in the light of the recent international changes.
He explained that the Arab Federation will follow up the system of federalism in the United Arab Emirates to would unite Arab force and foreign policy.
Over Arab support to Yemen during military operations against Houthis, President Saleh said "in fact we depended on ourselves in the first place against Houthis in the north of Yemen, in addition to Arab moral and financial support, especially from GCC countries.
On Yemen's internal situation after beating Houthi rebels, Saleh said he called all political parties inside and outside the country to comprehensive dialogue. The dialogue will be for the interest of Yemen and to give people a chance to turn to development.
He said his decision on freeing all prisoners was based on the dialogue conditions but opposition insisted on releasing prisoners from southern movement and Houthis. Prisoners of southern movement are outlaws because they spread hatred culture in the south.
They are blocking roads, killing their brothers who come from the north and burn their stores. "They are criminal not politicians."
Regarding cooperation with Russia, he said they discussed investment and partnership in field of oil, minerals and minerals exploration. He said also that scholarships are still continuing to Russia in the framework of cultural cooperation.
Saba
