US-Yemeni Relations After Cole Incident [Archives:2000/46/Focus]

Hamoud Munsar
The blast incident of USS Cole destroyer at Aden seaport has raised many questions about the operation itself and future of the Yemeni-US relations that are witnessing remarkable development. Aden entertains a strategic location for international navigation and trade. Its position represents a meeting point of three strategic areas full of US vital interests, namely, Asia, Africa and the Arab region, the strategic oil reservoir.
Most of the questions are awaiting results of the under way investigations into complications of the incident. Future of Yemeni-US relations will inevitably depend upon the nature of the results produced by investigations. However, At all events Yemen is the first place the targeted side. It is, as president Ali Abdullah Saleh has confirmed, aimed at harming the Yemeni-US relations and Yemens economy, especially that Aden is a promising Free Zone representing a future foreign investment attraction area.
No doubt Yemen is well aware of this damage, therefore it is clear and justifiable that the Yemeni side is very cooperative and helpful in these investigations out of its keenness on fighting terrorism, defending its security and sovereignty and protecting its vital interests, including the relations with the US, which are an essential factor for Yemens openness policy to the world. US relations with Yemen have in the recent years been given much interest out of the strategic location of Yemen, its population weight in the Arab peninsula, and for its remarkable political and economic change.
The strategic location of Yemen provides multi-dimensional logistic support for the American strategy based on decreasing elements of danger on the US presence and movement in the region. Besides, there is the importance of getting supply facilities provided in Aden port which saves the US big expenses. Therefore, it is certain that whatever the results of investigations are, the two sides will try to enhance and strengthen relations, specially in economy, military and security. As a great old port, free zone and the nearest meeting point to international navigation routes, Aden is the focus of Yemeni-US future cooperation.
However, both sides should understand that Aden today is different from Aden in 1839 when the British colonizers claimed that the people plundered their ship and then took that an excuse to launched a military invasion of Aden.. Aden today is the economic and commercial capital of 18 million people. Moreover, the national, regional and international reality, makes Aden the outstanding symbol of national sovereignty and independence. Aden is the gate of Yemen to the outside world in the third millennium. It hosts and welcomes all guests. There is no harm if it becomes the interest of investors and foreigners. It is no harm for Aden to be a station for exchanging interests. However, the point that should be emphasized is that it is the heart of Yemen and its window on the outside world.

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