Press Release
His Excellency, Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh
Conducts Official Visit to the United States
November 25-27, 2001
His Excellency, Ali Abdullah Saleh, President of the Republic of Yemen, visited Washington, D.C. on November 25-27, 2001, at the invitation of President George W. Bush. The highly anticipated visit was greatly welcomed by the U.S. Furthermore, it was a sign of increased cooperation between the two countries. During the visit, President Saleh met with President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Colin Powell, and other senior officials of the Administration. In his meetings, President Saleh was accompanied by Mr. Abubaker Abdulla Alquirbi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Abdullah Ali Aliwah, Minister of Defense, Mr. Ghaleb M. Al-Gamish, Chairman of Central Organization for Political Security, Mr. Abdaullah Hussein Al-Basheri, State Minister Secretary General of the Presidency, and H.E. Ambassador Abdulwahab Al-Hajjri.The President’s visit came during a critical time, following the September 11th terrorist attacks on the U.S. and as part of the international efforts to combat terrorism. It also came to reflect the commitment of both governments to work closely together to improve bilateral relations.
President Saleh reiterated Yemen’s condemnation of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the U.S. and Yemen’s denunciation of all forms of terrorism. He also emphasized that the terrorist attacks on the U.S. had a negative impact on the world community. The two parties discussed continued security cooperation between Yemen and the U.S., their joint efforts to combat terrorism and Yemen’s role as a principal partner in the coalition against terrorism. The U.S administration commended Yemen for it’s invaluable assistance in the ongoing investigation of the U.S.S. Cole bombing and it expressed its appreciation for Yemen’s efforts to uproot terrorism.
The two sides discussed topics of mutual interest and concern such as the recent developments in Afghanistan. President Saleh expressed his concern and hope that the military action in Afghanistan does not exceed its borders and spread to other parts of the Middle East, igniting further instability in the region.
On the topic of the Arab-Israeli conflict, President Saleh praised the U.S.’s support of theestablishment of an independent Palestinian State. He emphasized the importance of establishing a timetable and a mechanism to ensure the implementation of all U.N resolutions (regarding the conflict) as well as the Mitchell Plan, in order to reach a just and lasting peace. Such peace, he stated, will promote stabilization in the region and thus prevent the use of this conflict in the recruitment of future terrorists.
Both sides exchanged views on Iraq and discussed the current situation of the Arab and Islamic communities in the U.S. since September 11th.
The President received at his place of residence FBI director Mr. Robert Mueller and Director of the CIA Mr. George Tenet. During the meeting the two sides discussed the joint cooperation in the U.S.S. Cole investigation and how to improve cooperation between the two sides in security and intelligence issues.
During his visit President Saleh met Mr. Wolfensohn, President of the World Bank and Mr.Horst Kohler of the IMF. They discussed economic and development projects to Yemen. Yemen was praised for the steps it has taken in its economic reform program. The World Bank and IMF will continue to work with Yemen in a number of areas such as Yemen’s implementation of the economic and financial structural reforms, the establishment of a Yemeni stock market, debt reduction and poverty eradication to name a few. In addition President Saleh and his delegation met with representatives of American and Canadian Oil Companies currently working in Yemen as well as those interested in setting up operations in Yemen.
He also met with a delegation representing the Arab American and Islamic communities in the U.S as well as representatives of the Yemeni community. He discussed with them the state of affairs in the Middle East following the Sept 11th terrorist attacks, the war in Afghanistan, issues faced by the community after September 11thand how to address them.
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[09/12/01: A Letter from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Yemen to the Secretary of State of the United States of America]
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