Saleh defends Yemen about missiles: All Arab states to have Iraq's fate
Yemen-USA, Politics, 8/26/2002

The Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh on Saturday defended his country's right to buy Skud missiles, noting that Sanaa was not exposed to the American sanctions because it backs the American war against terrorism.

After the Yemeni President had stated that Washington will find it difficult to "have a new Karazai" in Baghdad, he warned that other the Arab states will not be far from the target of the American schemes.

Just several days ago, American officials said that Washington imposed sanctions against a Northern Korean company for selling the components of Skud missiles for Yemen and noted that the Yemeni official "apologized" for Washington over finalizing this deal, stressing this will not be repeated.

In a speech he delivered before thousands of his party's members, the people's general congress, Saleh said "we have bought these missiles and this is a legitimate right for Yemen." He added, talking at the inauguration of a meeting for the ruling party that the US imposed sanctions on northern Korea and not Yemen because Yemen is collaborating with it in the war against terrorism.

According to the center for limiting armament in Monterey, California, Yemen owns 18 Skud missiles and few of these missiles were used during the civil war in Yemen in 1994.

The Yemeni president, on the other hand, renewed his country's rejection to the American threats against Iraq. He said "This is a serious phenomenon that a 'certain country' seeks changing the regime in any other country. This matter belongs to the people of this country."

Saleh considered that the US will find it difficult to find out a new "Karazai," -- a reference to the Afghanistani leader after displacing the Taliban leadership -- which the USA has said represents a similar situation to Iraq's -- adding that the "region is boiling politically and all the Arab states will have the same destiny as Iraq." He continued "What is happening to Iraq will happen to the neighboring countries: Iran. Saudi Arabia, Egypt and other countries."

Meantime, the Yemeni news agency Sabaa said that the people's general congress ruling party has established, on the 20th anniversary of its foundation, a court which will try its members who are involved in violations of its regulations and laws.

The agency explained that member of the general committee ( the political bureau) of the said party, Jafaar Basaleh, who is the deputy speaker of the parliament in Yemen will preside over the court.

Previous Stories:
  Sanaa apologizes for buying missiles parts from North Korea   (8/24/2002)
  Saleh in Saudi Arabia: No justification for US attack on Iraq   (8/19/2002)
  US military discussed coast guard operation in Yemen   (8/15/2002)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search