Saleh to US
Updated: quarter of a billion in financial support
AM: The president said the total American annual assistance to Yemen is to amount to $254 million and it will have positive reflections with regard to consolidating the partnership and cooperation relations existing between the two countries at various political, economic security levels as well as efforts of fighting terror.”
On his return to Sana’a on Thursday wrapping up a successful state visit to the United States of America the president added ” We are satisfied regarding results of the talks we held in Washington and president Bush and American officials confirmed in our discussions with them their commitment to stand by Yemen and support it in its efforts exerted in areas of democracy, development, reforms and fighting terror and it was agreed to offer a sum of $35 million from the Challenge of the Millennium Fund at the threshold stage to be raised to $100 million annually in addition to an amount of $59 million to support the military and security establishment in addition to other assistance.”
26S : In this regard, President Saleh said that the Millennium Challenge Corporation agreed to grant Yemen USD 94 million, $35 million to civil sector and $59 million to support the security and military sector in Yemen,” said president Saleh in a statement to Saba upon arrival.
The charge d’ affairs of US embassy in Sana’a said that the invitation of president George W. Bush to president Saleh aims to “offer appreciation for achievements and changes that reinstated the eligibility of Yemen to participate in the Millennium Challenge Corporation and to encourage Yemen to go ahead in this direction”.
Nabil Khori said Saleh will discuss changes in Yemen with several US officials in Washington including the House speaker Nancy Pelosi and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Yemen has achieved reforms that no one can ignore, said Khori in an interview with NewsYemen, explaining that the Yemeni-US discussions will focus on future US support for Yemen to achieve more reforms and make its pledges for Yemeni people.
Asked if the decision of MCC to reinstate Yemen’s eligibility for its assistance based on good relations between Yemen and United States, Khori said the decision based on “indications offered by different international organizations that have concerns about development and democratic change, not on foreign policy and relations between countries”.
He said the MCC has clear selection criteria related to political, economic and judicial reforms and fighting corruption and encouraging investments.
He said that any drop off in reforms indication in Yemen would have negative impact on Yemen’s relations with Millennium Challenge Account. He said that reinstatement of Yemen for MCC’s assistance enables it to get more grants for development and infrastructure projects than what it gets from other donors.
Regarding security cooperation between Yemen and US, Khori said president Saleh might brief what is happening in Saada and Yemen’s vision. He also expected that his country reconfirms its support for Yemen to impose law across the country.
“It is unreasonable for any country to allow an armed rebellion to fight the state forces,” said Khori. “Yemen has the right to crack down this rebellion, but US advices Yemeni government to seek peaceful solutions to avoid human and material losses.”
However, Khori said that Yemeni-US talks will concentrate on bilateral cooperation between Yemeni and US corporations and that the US support for Yemen regarding events in Saada has not any special agenda.
Khori commented on weapons phenomenon in Yemen and said there was always contact between United States and Yemen in this regard. He said officials in US and Yemen believe that security looses in Yemen and the region will remain as unregulated weapons trade continues.
Khori praised the government’s decision to close weapons shops and markets, but said the most important is to prevent the weapons smugglers.
Lunch with Bush on Wednesday, a visit with Condi, and the head of the IMF came to call:
26Sept: President Ali Abdullah Saleh President of the Republic of Yemen received today in Washington President of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Rodrigo Rato, where confirmed that Yemen will continue its efforts in order to complete implementation of national agenda of economic financial, and administrative reforms ,encouraging investments and creating an environment attractive to investors.
Mueller
WASHINGTON, April 30 (Saba)- President Ali Abdullah Saleh received Monday at his residence in Blair House director of Federal Bureau of Investigation, Robert Mueller.
In the meeting, cooperation between Yemen and USA in fields of security and combating terror were discussed. The meeting also reviewed successes Yemen has achieved in combating terror.
President Saleh valued the technical support provided by the USA for developing the capabilities of Yemeni Coast Guard as well as
qualifying some Yemeni cadres in the field of combating organized crimes and terror.For his part, Mueller praised Yemen’s achievements in the field of combating terror within the international partnership in this field, pointing out to the improvements Yemeni security apparatus and Coast Guard have reached. He indicated his country’s keenness on
continuing security cooperation with Yemen.
Moyyad and Zindani discussed
almotamar.net - President Ali Abdullah Saleh has reiterated Yemen’s request from the American authorities to release Sheikh Mohammed Ali al-Mouayad and his companion Mohammed Zaid who are imprisoned in the United States of America and to hand them over to Yemen.
During the president’s meeting on Monday at his residency in Blair House in Washington with director of the FBI Robert Miller he asked lifting the name of Sheikh Abdulmajid al-Zindani from the list of those accused of supporting terror.
The president discussed also with the FBI official areas of cooperation between Yemen and the US especially in security and combating terror. Mr. Miller praised the successes Yemen has achieved in fighting terror and supporting international efforts in this area. He affirmed the US keenness on boosting its relations with Yemen especially in security field in the way serving their joint interests and enhancing security and stability in the region and the world.
The president indicated also the existing partnership between the two countries at different levels among which the field of security and fighting terror, confirming Yemen’s keenness on consolidating Yemen’s relations with the United States of America.
President Saleh considered terror as dangerous international plague necessitating the joining of all international efforts to confront it.
And the Senate Intelligence Committee
Washington, May 01 (26 Sept.net)- President Ali Abdullah Saleh has met here a number of US Parliament’s members in the intelligence committee.
During the meeting, President Saleh talked with MPs on mutual relations and terms of joint cooperation in addition to the current partnership between Yemen and the USA,
particularly in field of fighting against terrorism.The US MPs greeted president Saleh praising the successes made by Yemen in fighting against terrorism and supporting the international efforts in this side.
They affirmed the US interest to enhance collaboration with Yemen in terms of military, security and fighting terror.
The talks reviewed the latest developments in the Middle East, mainly in Iraq and Somalia as well.
It is expected that President Saleh will meet on Wednesday in the White House the US President George W. Bush to discuss ways of increasing cooperation between the two countries and concerns about Palestine, Iraq, Lebanon and Somalia.
Saleh arrived at Andrews Air Force Base Sunday night on an official few-day visit to the United Sates after Yemen had achieved progress in some areas and could gain the trust of donors and the Millennium Challenge Corporation that recently reinstated Yemen for its assistance.
America And Our Allies Are Training Local Forces To Conduct Counterterrorism Activities In Their Own Regions.
We are helping key nations – including Indonesia, the Philippines, and Yemen – stop terrorists from establishing safe havens inside their borders.
CIA
WASHINGTON, May 01(Saba)- President Ali Abdullah Saleh received Tuesday in his residence at Blair House in Washington the US
Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Gen. Michael V. Hayden. They discussed bilateral relations and cooperation aspects
between Yemen and USA, especially in security and terror fighting, as well as number of issues of common concern.They have also discussed the latest situations in Palestine, Iraq, Somalia and the African Horn.The US official praised Yemen’s efforts in the field of combating terror and its support to the international efforts. He pointed out that Yemen is an active partner to USA, confirming his government keen interest for enhancing bilateral relations with Yemen in different fields.
Pelosi
WASHINGTON, May 01 (Saba)- President Ali Abdullah Saleh held on Tuesday talks with US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on the mutual
relations and terms of joint cooperation in addition to the current partnership between Yemen and the USA particularly in field of
terrorism fighting. They also talked over the regional and international latest developments of common concern such as the situations in Palestine, Iraq , Lebanon , Sudan and Somalia, in addition the Iranian unclear file.
They also discussed the Arab peace initiative and means for achieving the peace in Middle East as well as the outcomes of the last visit of Pelosi to Middle East.
Saleh expressed his pleasure to enhance and extend the cooperation relations with USA, wishing USA to play active role in compelling
Israel to accept the Arab peace initiative which presented by the Saudi King in Lebanon Summit. He confirmed that achieving the peace
in the area and supporting the Palestinians build their independent state would support the efforts of fighting terrorism, confirming
that Yemen interested to enhance its relations with US in different arenas that serve the common interests. For her part, Pelosi
welcomed president Saleh, expressing her congratulations for the success of local and presidential elections, hailing the democratic
regime in Yemen and the active participation of woman in the political life. She pointed out to the Yemeni positive achievements in field of reforms and fighting terrorism. She said that Yemen is an active partner for USA in field of fighting terrorism.
Sec of Defense
WASHINGTON, May 02 (Saba)- President Saleh met in his residence in Washington on Tuesday the US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
During the meeting, mutual cooperation relations between Yemen and US, especially military, security, combating terrorism cooperation fields, horizons of strengthening and improving them were discussed.
Talks dealt with the latest developments in the Middle East region, mainly developments in Palestine, Iraq, Lebanon, Darfur in Sudan,
Somalia and Afghanistan in addition to Iranian nuclear issues.The US Defense Secretary expressed appreciation for efforts being exerted and successes achieved by Yemen in fighting terrorism in
partnership with international community.He considered Yemen and US are partners in war on terror as the two are confronting a common enemy.
President Saleh expressed satisfaction with the growing Yemeni-American cooperation relations, aspirating for more mutual
cooperation in future.
buzy buzy buzy
SANA’A, May 01(Saba)- Director of US National Intelligence Michael McConnell said on Tuesday that Yemen is an active partner with the United States and international community in fighting
terror.During his meeting with President Ali Abdullah Saleh, McConnell highlighted efforts of Yemen in war on terror, expressing comfort for the level of cooperation between security bodies in
both countries to serve security and stability in the region.They discussed aspects of the security cooperation between Yemen and the USA as well as current development in the region, especially in Palestine, Iraq, Darfur of Sudan, Somalia, Afghanistan and Lebanon, in addition to the nuclear file of Iran.
Analysis from the Yemeni side:
SANA’A, May 2 — As President Ali Abdullah Saleh began his visit to the United States on Sunday, observers and analysts criticized Yemen’s keenness to receive foreign funding.
Saleh’s visit follows the 19th Arab Summit held in Riyadh in late March and the recent investment conference in Sana’a. His visit also comes amid fierce confrontations between Yemeni armed forces and followers of Shi’ite leader Abdulmalik Al-Houthi in Sa’ada governorate.
Sana’a University political science professor Mohammed Al-Dhaheri observed that Yemen is requesting additional funding at a time when its wealth is being wasted uselessly, adding that if the nation would utilize its resources well, no foreign support would be necessary.
It’s important for Yemen to fight corruption and use its human resources, which can be achieved by providing a political well for the regime, Al-Dhaheri told al-sahwa.net.
Fellow political science professor, at the same university, Abdullah Al-Faqih indicated that the Yemeni president will ask the U.S. for “bountiful” support on both the economic and military sides, aljazeera.net reported.
“It’ll be difficult for President Saleh to convince the U.S. to provide military support to Yemen. The Sa’ada war, which Yemen is describing as a war against Iran in order to gain U.S. support, will be a point of weakness, especially amid efforts by regional and international parties to portray [the war] in a specific way,” Al-Faqih observed.
Hafedh Al-Bukari , president of the Yemen Polling Center, said the future of Yemen’s system of governance remains unclear because “There are no real institutions to rely on in Yemen.” Additionally, he wondered how the U.S. can ally strategically with a country such as Yemen, where decisions are contingent upon one individual, i.e., the president.
Fighting terrorism
In discussing with U.S. officials the fight against terrorism, President Saleh demanded the United States release Yemeni Sheikh Mohammed Al-Moayyad and his colleague Mohammed Zayed, who have been detained on charges of funding terrorist activity.
In a meeting Tuesday with director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Saleh also demanded the U.S. drop Yemeni Sheikh Abdulmajid Al-Zindani from the list of terrorists.
Saleh also met with U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates to discuss military cooperation, namely fighting against terrorism. Gates expressed appreciation for Yemen’s role in combating terrorism, professing that the two nations are partners in this regard.
The purpose of Saleh’s visit to the U.S. is for talks on how to enhance bilateral relations. Arriving at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, he was greeted by its base commander, the chief of protocol for the White House and various representatives of Yemeni diplomats serving in Washington.
“We plan to discuss with President [George W.] Bush and officials in the U.S. administration ways to enhance bilateral relations and cooperation between our two countries in all fields,” Saleh told reporters upon his arrival, adding that such discussions will include both regional and international issues.
This is Saleh’s fourth meeting with President Bush since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S. President Saleh also received U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
WASHINGTON, May 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The following is a transcript of remarks by President Bush and President Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen after meeting:
Oval Office
11:44 A.M. EDT
PRESIDENT BUSH: It is my honor to welcome the President of Yemen to the Oval Office. I have gotten to know the President over the past six years of my presidency. I feel comfortable saying, welcome, my friend.
I had the privilege of calling President Saleh after the elections of Yemen. I told him, I said it was a remarkable occurrence that his great country had a free and open election. I’ve had a chance to congratulate him and thank him in person today.
We had a very good discussion about the neighborhood in which the President lives. And we spent a lot of time talking about our mutual desire to bring radicals and murderers to justice. And I thanked the President for his strong support in this war against extremists and terrorists.
So I’m glad you’re here.
PRESIDENT SALEH: (As translated.) Thank you very much, Mr. President, for the good reception and hospitality, and also for the excellent and fruitful talks that we had. I’m very pleased for the limitless support by President Bush and the United States for Yemen in the field of combating terror. Yemen is an essential partner of the United States of America and the international community in combating terror. We will continue in this path, on this track.
We had the chance to discuss a number of issues with Mr. President, including a number of issues in the Middle East region, the Palestinian- Israeli problem, the situation in Somalia, the situation in Iraq, Lebanon, Afghanistan. We found a complete understanding on the issues that we have discussed with Mr. President Bush. We also discussed the bilateral relations between Yemen and the United States.
I would like on this occasion to highly express my gratification and my appreciation for the brave position taken by President Bush since the first moment he took power in this country, since he expressed his belief in the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, side by side with the state of Israel. And I wish that His Excellency would pursue his effort and will continue his effort in implementing the Arab initiative which was adopted in the summit of Beirutto maintain peace in the region. I am sure that adopting such initiative would end 70 percent of the problems in the region.
Of course, you will be in history if you can be successful in establishing the independent Palestinian state before leaving the White House.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Shukran.
END 11:50 A.M. EDT
SOURCE White House Press Office
