Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Asnag
SANA’A– Media sources are beginning to see signs of tension in relations between Yemen and Saudi Arabia, Raynews reports.
Al-Quds Al-Arabi newspaper reports a diplomatic source as saying that recent movements in government positions indicate to a strain in relations, pointing to President Saleh’s unscheduled visit to the kingdom at the end of last month, the Saudi Minster for the Hajj’s suspension of ‘Umrah visas for Yemenis, and the recent request by Yemeni authorities for Saudi Arabia to extradite the former Yemeni foreign minister, Abdullah Al-Asnaj.
No Hajj visas?
YT: According to the web site of the pro-government newspaper September 26, official memorandums from the interior and foreign ministries were delivered to the Saudi authorities, encouraging them to honor their “brotherly ties, cooperation and good neighborly relations” in the interest of regional security and stability. In addition was the demand of the extradition of Al-Asnj, since he “is carrying out activities hostile to Yemen….The accusation came after Al-Asnj’s announcement of launching an opposition TV channel that was scheduled to start on September 14. He got some Saudi parties to support launching this channel from London.
Thats a really good idea, the TV station. Non-violent poltical dialog with the people is too threatening for Saleh. He’s worried the people will agree.
Saba Assistant Saudi Interior Minister Prince Mohammed bin Naif arrived in Yemen Sunday and handed a letter to President Saleh from Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz.
The letter is concerned with the cooperation between the two brotherly countries and issues of common concern.
Dear Ali, stop running drugs, guns, and counterfeit money into Saudi Arabia, signed King Abdullah
