Sanaa, Washington for more closeness

After Yemen was boycotted in 1990 by the US because of its support to Iraq during the Gulf War, the US started to resume interest in this country which enjoys a strategic position in the southern part of the Arab Peninsula.

Visits from US officials to Yemen have increased during the last few months following years of absence.

In a recent visit by a US official to Yemen, commander of the US troops in the Gulf region, Gen. Anthony Zinni, stressed the US determination to strengthen relations and military cooperation with Yemen.

Meanwhile, a US diplomat in Sanaa said that regular visits of US ships will become evident from now on, adding that the US intends to carry out joint maneuvers with the Yemeni troops. The first of these exercises were carried out in February with the participation of six US military-men.

Meanwhile, the US defense department has embarked on a three- to four-year program at a cost of US $5 million to dismantle land mines resulting from the civil war that erupted in Yemen in 1994, with the participation of US experts.