Francs in Yemen discusses means of chasing al-Qaida suspects
Yemen-USA, Politics, 9/21/2002

American sources have unveiled that the American ambassador to Yemen Edmond Halle and the commander of the American central leadership Tommy Francs are discussing with Yemeni officials means of chasing persons who are involved in "terrorist acts."

Meantime, the Yemeni "September 26th" paper said that the Yemeni authorities received from Arab states some 19 Yemenis who fled from Afghanistan during the American military campaign against that country, denying Yemen to have been converted to a resort for al-Qaida fighters.

The paper, which is the mouthpiece of the Yemeni armed forces, quoted a security official as saying that "Only a group of 19 persons returned back to Yemen from Afghanistan after the war delivered from 'brotherly countries'." The official which the paper did not mention his name added "they are now detained for investigation." The Yemeni official commended the Yemeni- American cooperation in the field of fighting terrorism saying "such cooperation proceeds in a good way, satisfactory for the two sides."

He added "there is cooperation between the two countries in the security field and the exchange of intelligence cooperation regarding the two countries' efforts to fight terrorism." A Yemeni high ranking official denied on Wednesday his country to have had given consent for the American forced to enter its territories to chase members suspected to have links to al-Qaida organization, and that the Yemeni forces will continue its campaign to chase these elements." The said Yemeni official who asked not to be identified added "Yemen's position has not been changed, and our systems are the ones which are doing the search for the suspects inside the Yemeni territories."

The statement of the Yemeni official came in reply to a report to news on Tuesday that special American forces left from Djibouti towards Yemen in order to carry out operations against terrorist suspected to be in Yemen.

The high ranking Yemeni official added that the Yemen- American cooperation is limited to training and technical support for the capabilities of the special Yemeni forces as well as exchange of information.

Meantime, American officials in Washington told the press that Halle and Gen. Francs are currently making talks in Yemen on means of chasing persons suspected to be members in al-Qaida organization, and how to carry out the secret operations and who will implement them. The likely possibility is that joint American- Yemeni forces will do that.

A Yemeni officials who refused to be identified confirmed the negotiations. He said that Yemen is being exposed to American pressure in order to permit the American forces to carry out an effective role in chasing persons suspected of being members of al-Qaida organization.

Previous Stories:
  US, Yemeni secret plan in search of al-Qaida members   (9/19/2002)
  Washington: al-Qaida organization is in Yemen   (9/13/2002)
  Saleh defends Yemen about missiles: All Arab states to have Iraq's fate   (8/26/2002)

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