Almotamar.net - The United States new ambassador to Yemen Gerald M. Feierstein Hs said Monday the United States of America is committed to work with the government of Yemen and its people for overcoming al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula in order to secure the Yemeni borders. He added that his government would continue training the Yemeni antiterrorism forces and providing equipment for them so that to get rid of the direct threats al-Qaeda poses against “our entire security.”

In a press conference he held at the headquarters of the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate (YJS) on Monday, the US ambassador said his government realises that its security cooperation individually could not achieve its objectives in overcoming the violent extremism. He added his country realizes the complication of challenges in Yemen and it is inevitable to exert long-term efforts for building a future full of hope for the Yemeni people, a future free from frustration and political disputes from extremism springs.

He added that his embassy’s creation of a new security section has no relation to combating terror but rather to support and qualify Yemeni forces and help them in fighting drugs.

The US ambassador has also affirmed his country’s backing of the national dialogue in Yemen between the ruling party and the opposition. regarding dialogue with al-Qaeda the ambassador pointed out that his country opposes any dialogue with al-Qaeda big leadership but it does not object a dialogue with new members in a way helping them get rid of ideas of extremism and violence, affirming that it would not be done but through supporting Yemen’s efforts in economic development.

The ambassador pointed out that his country’s assistance to Yemen amounted to $150 million in security and economic aspects and the humanitarian assistance.

The ambassador affirmed that his country’s relations with Yemen government were very strong and would continue, praising statements of President Ali Abdullah Saleh in which he confirmed commitment of the Yemeni government to taking all suitable measures against extremists, terrorists and against financial and administrative corruption, saying they welcome those statements and would do all they can to support the measures indicated by President Saleh.

While indicating that his government was working side by side with the Yemeni government and its security bodies for facing the danger of al-Qaeda he said he believed that the Yemeni authority and the people have become aware of the danger of that threat earlier and therefore they have suitable opportunity for that in Yemen to confront that threat and thus “ our efforts are focused on assisting the security bodies but we understand that solving this problem must also be done via economic development” whether through bilateral cooperation or via Yemen Friends Group.

In response to a question by Almotamar.net on
Supporting Yemen’s coast guard, the ambassador said any changes took place in this regard were purely by chance and that they support Yemeni security bodies for facing violence and they would work on developing capabilities of the Yemeni security bodies and they have distinguished relations with the coast guard and antiterrorism unit, the special forces and military units and they would continue side by side with them for developing their capabilities and potentials.