Yemen holds back on Arab federation for strong AL reform; Settling security difference with Egypt
Yemen-Regional, Politics, 2/11/2004

The Yemeni President, Ali Abdullah Saleh, announced in Cairo that his country is ready to give up its project to establish an Arab federation that will be an alternative for the Arab League.

Saleh said following a meeting with the secretary general of the Arab League Amr Moussa that there are reservations by several Arab states to the project of the Arab federation in being unrealistic.

He indicated Yemen's readiness to adopt more realistic ideas to develop the Arab League and to give other serious proposals apart from what he called prejudice. Diplomatic sources in the Arab League stressed that the Yemeni project states to draw a new charter for the proposed organization similar to the project of developing the Arab League proposed by Libya.

The sources added that the AL chief prepared a project for development inspired, in particular from Egyptian and Saudi thoughts based on the need of preserving the AL and its charter, together with adding appendixes including mechanisms to develop joint Arab action.

Moussa explained that Yemen made several observations on the mechanism of boosting the AL but simultaneously stressed accepting the current reality, stressing the importance of approval of next steps.

Moussa stressed that the Yemeni President expressed readiness to accept what will be agreed on " during the meetings of the ministerial council of the Arab League and also during the forthcoming summit due to be held during the second half of March under Tunisia's Presidency."

Meantime, Saleh said that views are identical between Egypt and Yemen on all issues tackled, adding that talks dealt with the security file between Egypt and Yemen.

Previous Stories:
  Mubarak-Saleh summit to discuss regional scene; strong bilateral trade push   (2/7/2004)
  Egypt-Yemen relations boosted over coming period   (1/29/2004)
  Mubarak phones Saleh   (10/3/2003)
  Yemen calls for the foundation of Arab federation instead of the Arab league   (8/29/2003)

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