The British-Yemeni Societys Delegations impressions about their Visit to Sanaa [Archives:2000/51/Focus]

Prof. Abdulla A. W. Nasher;
May I thank you and the Yemen-British-Friendship Society, and, I suspect, Abdulwhab Thabit in particular, for their overwhelming hospitality just prior to our leaving the Yemen after our most successful tour.
As I think we said at the time, we met nothing but friendliness and a great welcome wherever we were in the country, and from all levels of society and from persons of all ages. Whatever political problems may be affecting British/Arab relations elsewhere in the world, they were certainly not evident in the Yemen!
As you will know, the average small boy is a very good barometer of public feeling should ever discord arise. At no time did we find anything other than the friendliest of greetings. We made no attempt to disguise our origins and we all wore our BYS badges in Arabic and English for ready identification.
We noted particularly the very high degree of cleanliness in Sanaa and in many other towns, and aesthetics apart, I am sure that this can only be an encouraging example in other health areas.
From the security point of view, we were especially impressed by the marked improvement in efficiency amongst the various security organisations. Checkpoints had become alert and efficient; guards at various sensitive points were effective; and the roving police patrols gave the impression of being well briefed and in control, without being obstructive.
There are all points that we shall be bringing to the attention of our Foreign Office in our attempts to have the Travel Advice amended to show what we believe to be the true position in the Yemen, where subject to common sense and to the heeding of current advice, travel is no more a threat than elsewhere in the world. Indeed, we would suggest that it is a lot safer than many other places, perhaps even including the UK!
I do not have Abdulkhaders fax number, so I would ask that you would be kind enough to let him know how grateful we are. Perhaps you would also be kind enough to pass on those remarks concerning security to fellow Ministers.
Alan DArcy

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