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Yemen FM Mr. Abu Bakr Al Querbi |
Mogadishu, July 3 (HOL) – The Government of Yemen called baseless allegations that it supports the Union of Islamic Courts (UICs) who currently control Mogadishu and other key southern towns. US State Department recently named Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and Eritrea as countries aiding UICs in Somalia militarily and economically.
“The Government of Yemen has not provided any military assistance to the UICs in Somalia and the allegations from US State Department stating that Yemen supports UICs in Somalia are baseless”, said Yemen’s foreign minister Mr. Abu Bakr Al Querbi.
Assistant US Secretary of State for Africa Ms. Jendayi Frazer told reporters last week in Washington that Somalia’s UICs receive support from Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Eritrea.
Mr. Al Querbi, however, admitted to providing some military and other assistance to the interim federal Somali government when it moved from Nairobi [to Somalia] and that such support was intended for police forces but has not provided any assistance since then to either the interim federal government or the UICs.
Mr. Al Querbi added that it would have been preferable that Ms. Jendayi talk to us before making such accusations.
Mr. Abu Bakr Al Querbi added that peace can be restored in Somalia only if the international community in general, and Somalia’s neighbor in particular, create an atmosphere where the interim federal government and the UICs can have negotiations without foreign interference.
Original reporting: Salaad Iidow Xasan (Xiis)
Translation by: Mohamed Amin
amiin@hiiraan.com
Source: HOL, July 3, 2006
