President: Gulf institutive needs mechanism to implement it

From Okaz Newspaper SANA’A, May 22 (Saba)- President Ali Abdullah Saleh said the Gulf initiative needs time and serial mechanism for implementation and to be successful, adding:” we see the initiative as complete agreement, indivisible and concrete .” In an interview with Saudi- based Okaz Newspaper, Saleh confirmed that he would not allow riots and overthrowing the constitutional legitimacy. He revealed that foreign plots are targeting Yemen’s security. He made it clear that what is happening in Yemen is within a wave of creative chaos took place in the Middle East and Yemenis imitated what happened in Tunisian and Egypt. He pointed out that the opposition, the Joint Meeting Parties, have all gathered against the regime because they are unable to present something fruitful to people. ” We have dealt with this created crisis patiently for three months and half. We still exert efforts to lay aside the homeland the sedition and bloodshed,” he said. On the ongoing protests calling for regime change, Saleh said what is happening in Yemen is within the wave that struck the region in the framework of creative chaos. Joint Meeting Parties or the opposition in Yemen have imitated what happened in Tunisia and Egypt. These parties, despite their different ideologies and differences, have joined together demanding regime change. But we have dealt wisely and patiently with this crisis to avoid bloodshed. Saleh said he called these parties several times for dialogue but they refused. Over the effect of the crisis on the homeland’s unity and stability, the president said the unity is deep rooted and that the people will not allow anyone to harm it. However, some people employee the current situations to harm Yemen’s unity and security. This will not only harm and affect Yemen but also the whole region, we see the example in Somalia. In respect to Gulf initiative to hand over power during a month to solve Yemen’s crisis, President Saleh said they welcomed efforts of Gulf countries and confirmed positive dealing with it as complete agreement. But there are vague conditions need to be clarified such as ending protests, ending political and security tension, ending rebellion in some military units and expelling parties of the crisis transitionally so that the new government will be able to perform its duty as required in its limited period. Over the fate of the protests if they will end, Saleh said these types of protests have created chaos and caused damages to people in the area and they are exerting efforts to get rid of the crisis and repair everything. He said that there are exterior agendas targeting Yemen. Regarding Yemeni- Saudi relations, the president said these relations are improving everyday and hailed the role of the custodian of the two holly mosques in helping Yemen and supporting its security, stability and development is great and all Yemeni people respect this role. He also said he is elected president and that power transition must be peaceful and in the framework of the constitution. He said he would return to the street as opposition and would work on bringing the government down. On claims that Saleh’s inner circle is behind his refusal to step down, he said he announced several times that he is ready to hand over power to honorable hands chosen by the people via democracy and in the framework of the constitution because there are people who want to overtake power away from the constitution and polls. He accused the opposition of standing behind the crisis and pushing people towards civil war in the country because they do not respond to initiatives and peaceful solutions. But he confirmed that the army will not involve in confrontations with the protesters and will protect the homeland. Regarding internationalizing Yemen’s crisis, the president Said they will not allow this to happen and that the crisis will be solved only by Yemenis with patronage from the neighboring countries. Saleh said he refused Gulf initiative because it is illegal and against democracy. But he said if he leaves power by democratic means, he will return to political activity as a chairman of the General People Congress, the party he established in early 1980s. Responding to the question on the size of al-Qaeda in Yemen, Saleh said the network is exit in Yemen as the case in several countries. Al-Qaeda utilizes riots and unrest to expand in unstable countries. He also said Islah party in Yemen supports al-Qaeda. Over a questions on losing control over some governorates and deteriorating economic situations, Saleh denied losing control on these countries. He further said the crisis created by the opposition has affected the national economy such as deterioration in tourist investments and producing oil and exporting it. saba