Almotamar Net -
Interview conducted by Abdul Nasser Mugali(the nation)
Upon his latest visit to Washington and the round of talks he made with the US administration and with President George Bush, the Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh uncovered causes behind hi announcement towards non nomination decision on 2006 presidency election. He declared in an interview with Chief in-editor of THE NATION Abdul Nasir Migeli that the Arab region is inflammable and might see deterioration soon, because of the absence of applying the international legitimacy resolution in an equal and just manner.
Q: Mr. President, would you please express causes and effects of your historical decision in the last September, towards giving back properties to AL Hameed Eldin’s Family. Was the decision taken to cut off any adventure that could have been taken place by remains of the Royal family, And do you still have impression that such adventure may take place after forty years of the revolution?
A: First we think that the Yemeni Revolution is as solid as mountains, it is protected by the Yemeni people, but for returning back the properties to the late Royal Family according to legal documents provided ; that decision was taken out of humanitarian aspects to show how much has the revolution got Noble targets and human objectives.
Q: Mr. President, you had repeatedly announced that “July Events” were deliberately made, while majority of opposition leaders did not accept such views, in other words, did you have material evidence confirming what you believe, And if those events were deliberately made… why didn’t you order to present main contributors to the court? Especially that you declared that such prosecution would be public?
A: All people whom caused those events, got forgiveness, and all whom were involved got released and this file was completely closed.
Q: what about your none nomination in 2006 presidency elections? Was it just for propoganda as opposition says, or was it aerial intention, as had been declared?
A: when we announced that we were and still mean it, the target was to push others for nomination, so that every one in our country get used to democracy and peaceful transition of power.
Q: Fine, but what about the alternative?
A: the alternative is the person whom would be elected by people through ballots.
Q: do you think that the opposition through its figures is capable to fill the gap, if you insist on your position.
A: this question must be directed to the opposition, but we call it develop leader ship that can hold responsibility.
Q: Openly, why did you declare that, though you were not obliged to do so? I mean was there a political necessity behind that announcement?
A: In order every one in our homeland learns principles of democracy and the peaceful transition of power, and in order to stabilize and develop multiple choices in democratic practice.
Q: Your answer leads me to ask the following questions: were there any kinds of pressure practiced against you from inside or outside, that pushed you to take that decision?
A: No pressures from any where had been taken place, further more, we do not accept and kind of pressure, but that came out of our national predicts, and our caution towards developing our democratic process, which depends on competition by means of political agenda, which in turn translated in to votes at the election ballots.
Q: What do you say to the opposition, whom started to throw doubts, that you will never leave power?
A: The opposition may have the right to doubt every thing, but for myself, I call on opposition to practice its role within limits of objectively, responsibility and country interests.
Q: Mr. President, it was noticed that the opposition has moving strongly against you outside of Yemen; what dangers these moves may effect stabilization and security inside Yemen?
A: We already chose multiple democracy based on freedom and human rights respect, and it was out of our national principles because democracy is the right selection of the twenty first century; we will work always to strengthen democracy, and I think the door is open for the opposition to practice the role inside our country, and has the full freedom to express various views and stands through all platforms that were widely opened in Yemen.
Q: You visited Japan … what consequences of that visit, Does it direct Yemeni interests towards the East?
A: Yemeni politics depends on establishing friendly relations, developing cooperation, and mutual interests will all countries all over the world. We have new developing ties with Japan whom always supports our democratic process and economic development. During our visit to Japan we conducted positive talks with Emperor Akhito and with Prime Minister Kwizoomi and other Japanese officials. Talks were concentrated on means for boosting relations, during which we welcomed Japanese investments in our country especially in the free zone in Aden, we hope a lot of Japanese companies to come and invest in Yemen; also Japanese government promised to increase support to our country; also talks are taking place that may lead Japan to finance a number of strategic projects in Yemen in different areas.
Q: What about France?!
A: French Yemeni relations are strong and good, they are relations depending on friendship and cooperation; my relationship with the president Chiraq are old and real. Our talks in Paris tackled economic, democratic, security and political issues; we talked on means for combating terrorism, in addition to latest regional and international developments of mutual interest, especially those in region. On outside we are satisfied with the escalating development of our relations with France, and the French role in stabilization in our area.
Q: Mr. President, what do you think of the Arab deteriorated situation either in Iraq which is already under occupation, or Israeli Palestinian conflict, in addition to the crisis in Syria and Lebanon in accordance with Melit’s report towards Hariri slaying?
A: The situation in the region is flammable and may explode at any moment, because of the crucial events and because of the absence of justice in executing the international legitimacy resolutions, regarding the Israeli Arab cause and the oppression on Palestinians by Israelis. No doubt the exit of this situation is to apply principles of just peace in the area, through which security and stability will be restored. That can be achieved by termination of Israeli occupation to the territories according to the international resolutions related, so the Palestinian State can be establish with Jerusalem as capital for such State.
Iraq may get peace and stability through restoring it’s sovereignty under participation of all Iraqi factions and sectarian groups, who must rebuild a new democratic, free and independent Iraq.
Regarding Syria, we already call for dialogue between Syria and all parties concerned, in order to avoid any kind of escalation in the region which may expose the whole area to chaos. Also Syria should cooperate with the international investigation committee headed by Melit’s to uncover circumstances behind slaying Rafik Al Hariri.
Q: Israel proclaimed that there is a kind of cooperation with most of Arab Countries, “Cooperation” means here establishment of diplomatic relationship, or at least readiness to accept such relations, what about Yemen?
A: Yemeni chance towards this point is clear and solid, we are not against Judaism as a religion, we are not against any religion, but naturally, relations with Israel is too hard to exist, unless just and comprehensive peace takes place in the area and after giving the Palestinian people their legitimate rights, especially establishing a Palestinian State with Jerusalem {Al Quds} as a capital. If all this happen, Yemen then will behave in accordance with the Arab United decision concerning this matter.
Q: How do evaluate Yemeni relation with the gulf cooperation council, and how things with Saudi Arabia are.
A: Our relations with brothers in Gulf Cooperation council are good and developing, either bilateral relations or with the G.C.C itself, also we have good brotherly and solid ties with Saudi Arabia. Cooperation with Riyadh is in excellent levels, we are happy with that especially after demarcation of the borders agreement that took place in Jeddah.
Since then our relations have seen strength in all fields have of cooperation towards serving interest of both Yemeni and Saudi peoples.
Q: It is well known that Yemen is a major partner in Combating terrorism, is it real partnership or just you conduct what Americans decide as a consequence of what happened to the U.S.S. “Koal” barge in the Gulf of Aden, and other consequences?
A: Combating terrorism is a Yemeni demand before considering it an American demand, because Yemen was affected by terrorism prior to September 11 attacks, suck as the attack on U.S.S. Koal is Gulf of Aden, and the attack on the French ship “Lambourge” and on Mukkala shores, in addition to other terrorist events.
Yemen is effective partner with the international community against terrorism, because it is dangerous “disease” threatening security and stability of the whole world; Yemen has achieved tangible successes in fighting terrorism either through our security forces military action against “AL-Qaeda” activists whom involved in terrorist attacks in Yemen, or through dialogue with those whom had been jeopardized but did not commit terrorist deeds; it was positive practice and could be taught to others.
Q: If it were a matter of partnership and cooperation, why then United State arrested the Yemeni citizen and the member of “Shura Concil” at Al-Islah party, Mohammed Ali Al-Muayad who is at a U.S. prison, just for probable accusations lacking evidence. Did you discuss that with the U.S administration?
A: Yes, we discussed that with the U.S. administration and asked to deliver Mohammed Ali AL-Muayad and Mohammed Hussain Zayid to the Yemeni government; we also asked to talk out Sheikh Majeed Al-Zandani’s name from the black list of people whom accused of supporting terrorism. This came out of our Concerning towards every one of Yemeni people, whom may be arrested in Arab and foreign Countries, whatever the cause is, we are also Concerned towards Yemeni immigrants any where in the world, this is our responsibility and duty.
Q: What about Yemeni detinees at Guantanamo?
A: As I told you before, we Confirmed our concern towards following up affairs of Yemeni detinees in every brother and friend Countries, whatever the reason behind their detention, we also confirmed our readiness to receive any detinees that might be released, we always have contacts with governments who detain Yemeni citizens and ask them to avail proper trails and solid evidence, this applied on detinees at Guantanamo, we follow up their affairs, we will receive a number of them, and they will go under Yemeni laws.
Q: How do you evaluate relations between your Country and the United States, now a day?
A: Our relations with the United States are good, and the cooperation between us has been escalating development in political, economic, security and anti terrorism aspects…
United States is a great Country and has its effective role on the international arena, so we have to boost our relations with it, in order to achieve peace and stability in our region and the world.
Our latest visit to Washington and our talks with the U.S with the officials, especially with president George Bush came to boost our bilateral relations and partnership, and strengthening the existing cooperation between the two countries for the interest of both American and Yemeni people.
Q: If things go within such context… why then the U.S ambassador to Sanaa’ lately declared that democracy in Yemen is in jeopardy?
A: Democracy in Yemen did not stop, instead it is in a continuous development, there is no other way to follow rather than democracy, it is our national way for building up our country, it was not imposed on us by others.
Further more Yemen is leading pioneer in democratic practice, lots of brothers and friends testified on that. But for the U.S ambassador’s announcement you might hear of his reversal stands, he said that his sayings were translated in wrong way, he added that democracy in Yemen is a model in the region.
This is really what we hear by American officials.
Regarding results of our latest visit to Washington, you can follow up its results out of what have been declared; especially that it will open new horizon for bilateral relation that may support our partnership and democratic, economic, security and anti terrorism scales, in addition the U.S support to the democratic process and development in Yemen.