U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney Thursday won Yemeni support for Washington's drive against terrorism and to stop Al Qaeda forces regrouping in this country.
After a two-hour meeting at a military air base next to Sanaa airport, President Ali Abdullah Saleh said he had agreed with Cheney that "the fight against terrorism is paramount and should continue".
Yemeni officials said under a deal reached earlier this month, Washington would send some 100 military advisers in three separate batches to train Yemeni security forces.
"This was an important stop on my current swing through the region," Cheney said. But he declined to answer questions on whether the two leaders agreed on the stationing of the U.S. military trainers.
But Yemen told Cheney it opposed any U.S. military action against fellow Arab nation Iraq for fear it would undermine regional stability, said an adviser to Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
"We don't want more oil on the fire," the advisor told reporters. "We need to solve the Palestinian question."
Cheney confirmed that Iraq should comply with resolutions of the international legitimacy, especially the resolution no. 687. He said that Iraq should accept the return of international inspectors of the mass destruction weapons.
Before departure to Oman, Cheney told reporters: " I'm delighted to be here today and have the opportunity to exchange views with our best friend President Saleh here in Sana'a. We had excellent meetings in Washington some weeks ago and he had the opportunity to visit with President Bush and members of our administration. I am happy to stop here on my swing through the region and have the opportunity to solicit the views of President Saleh. As he said we discussed a wide range of issues including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the continuing war on terror, and the situation with respect to the UN Security Council resolutions and Iraq. We have in recent months developed very close relations between the United States and Yemen and we are cooperating in many areas. I am deeply grateful for the friendship and the hospitality shown to me today by President Saleh."
Later Thursday, Oman’s Sultan Qaboos bin Said received at Al Husn palace US Vice-President Richard B. Cheney. Qaboos hosted a dinner at Al Husn palace in honour of the US guest.
Cheney arrived Oman on a two-day working visit. The visit will be followed by a private visit as part of his tour in some countries of the region.
The vice-president, on a Middle East tour to rally support for the global fight against terror, was expected to travel to the Omani capital Muscat Friday, before heading to Saudi Arabia Saturday. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
