Yemen: holding next Arab summit in Beirut a must
Yemen-Regional, Politics, 1/12/2002

In two separate and exclusive interviews run by Ibrahim Nafie, chief editor of Al-Ahram, both Yemeni Prime Minister Abdel Qadir Ba Jamal, and Foreign Minister Abu Bakr Al-Qurbi stressed the profoundness of historical relations between Egypt and Yemen, and the necessity of investing the distinguished and brotherly relations between Presidents Hosni Mubarak and Ali Abdullah Salih.

Excerpts:

The events of 11 September had a negative impact on the Yemeni economy, due to the drop in petroleum proceedings.

The concept of terrorism would change with the beginning of the US presidential elections, when the US public opinion will be diverted to the home affairs.

The Americans put the war on terrorism within the framework of international cooperation, and proved that terrorism is a world phenomenon.

The entire world has to assume responsibility in combating terrorism. The USA can't do it alone.

The Arab summit must be held in Beirut, irrespective of any sensitivities, even if it didn't come out with concrete results. We have at least to calm the excitement and observe the psychological dimension.

The regularity of Arab summit is very important, as it represents the concept of endurance and permanence.

The Arab moves to activate the West public opinion shouldn't be limited to the official framework. For example, the Yemeni boxer Nassim Hamid can do like Mohamed Ali Clay in respect of Vietnam, and thus can create a public opinion.

Also, the Egyptian Nobel Prize Laureates can affect the public opinion as they have become world-renowned figures.

* Time has come to move the Palestinian cause, but its final solution is not available in the near future.

We have to create an Arab, Mideastern, Gulf, Economic lobby in order to be on equal footing with Israel. It is only that matters would be in our favour, i.e., to the favour of peace and justice.

* The Egyptian-Yemeni relations are distinguished, and is one our tradition in the feasts to visit the tombs of Egyptian martyrs. This asserts that our relation in very strong.

* It's true that the trade exchange is within US $ 4 million only, but this is the problem of the traders, not the governments.

* Yemen has taken steps against terrorism, even prior to 1 September. Egypt also was subject to terrorist acts, but the problem of Khol put Yemen in a direct confrontation with the USA.

* The USA cooperate with Yemen, as well as other countries in order to reach all cells of Al-Qaeda or terrorism.

* The issue of Somalia is too complex, and the solution is not war, but rather the establishment of a real and powerful government.

* The worst form of terrorism is the state terrorism as practiced by Israel.

* The events of 11 September opened the stage of settlement of accounts, and most countries like Indian, China, and Indonesia, joined the war on terrorism, without any consideration to the ethics and principles of international law.

The call of President Hosni Mubarak to hold an international conference to attain a definition to terrorism is indeed a very essential and fundamental issue.

Previous Stories:
  Yemeni president calls for convening an international conference to find regional, international solutions   (11/6/2001)
  Saleh calls for convening an emergency Arab summit   (9/27/2001)
  Moussa to visit Yemen very soon   (8/8/2001)

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