Bush demands Yemen enforce UN resolution on Al-Zindani [Archives:2006/926/Front Page]

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March 6 2006

Mohamed Bin Sallam
SANA'A, Mar. 4 ) U.S. official spokesman Adam Erly denied in a press conference last week that the U.S. asked Yemen's government to arrest Sheikh Abdulmajeed Al-Zindani. He explained that the U.S. demand was limited to insisting Sana'a prevent Al-Zindani from traveling abroad and freeze his assets under a UN resolution, which does not include Al-Zindani's capture.

Erly said, “What I can say is that we explained more than once to the Yemeni government via high-ranking officials that Al-Zindani must respond to the UN's decision. As a UN member, Yemen has a list of obligations to fulfill, one of which is taking steps to pass the UN resolution on Al-Zindani to prevent him from traveling abroad and freeze his assets. The UN Security Council stipulates these two main actions, but the resolution mentioned nothing about capture.”

Erly continued, “For us in the U.S., it was unclear why the Yemeni government never has passed the UN resolution.”

In response to a question by Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper about why the U.S. did not demand Al-Zindani's capture since it considers him a terrorism supporter, Erly answered, “In our demand, we focused on passing the UN resolution on Al-Zindani. If Al-Zindani violates Yemeni laws, it is the Yemeni authorities' responsibility to capture him or not. This matter does not concern us.”

On Saturday, September Net published President Bush's letter to President Saleh protesting his accompanying Al-Zindani to last year's Mecca Islamic Summit. The letter also protested Yemen's receiving Hamas political head, Khaled Mesha'al.

Bush wrote in his letter to Saleh, “We were pleased to welcome you to the White House once again in October when we had a fruitful meeting. Ambassador Krajeski told us it was a good visit for you. We jointly committed to consolidate cooperation between our countries, but I was disappointed when I learned that you included Sheikh Al-Zindani – listed by the UN as having connection with Al-Qaeda Organization – in Yemen's delegation during the Mecca Summit, an event designated for condemning terrorism, combating extremism and enhancing forgiveness.”

The letter continued, “I cannot understand your decision to accompany Al-Zindani to the summit and my concern heightened when I learned that you warmly welcomed Hamas leader Khaled Mesha'al at the beginning of the month. As far as I am concerned, meeting those with links to terrorism undervalues international efforts to fight terrorism. Moreover, meeting Mesha'al harms Palestinian President Abbas, who exerts extensive efforts to establish security, stability and democracy in the Palestinian Authority.

“Your close relationship with the aforementioned parties causes us to cast doubt on your commitment to the war on terrorism,” the letter added. “The method by which you can confirm that you are an abiding partner is to fulfill Yemen's international obligations, freeze Al-Zindani's assets and prevent him from traveling abroad in the future. I urge you to break relations with Hamas and its leaders. Your cooperation in the war on terrorism is important. I hope to rely on your leadership to defeat terrorism.”

According to September Net, the U.S. demanded Al-Zindani be arrested in a Wednesday telephone call by U.S. Advisor for Terrorism Affairs, Farwan Panobid, to President Saleh.

Dozens of defense advocates assembled Saturday at the Capital East Court, whom, according to media, Al-Zindani summoned to prosecute newspapers and journalists accused of republishing the Prophet Mohammed cartoons.

The journalists' defense advocates said, “We found some people fueling the issue, inciting public opinion and collecting donations to appoint lawyers against journalists, as Al-Zindani currently is doing.”

They added that the journalists had intended to defend the prophet, but “We have never known what Al-Zindani does, nor in whose favor he confronts Yemeni media personnel.”

On a relevant front during the last few days, Sheikh Abdulmajeed Al-Zindani head of Al-Islah Showra Council and director of Al-Iman University met with two life-threatening accidents on two separate occasions. The first was on his way to Friday prayers two weeks ago in Amran governorate when the rear tire of his car suddenly exploded. The other accident took place Saturday morning 3rd of March when his car again had serious problems as the front tire suddenly disconnected causing the vehicle to dangerously divert from its route on his way to Al-Iman University.

Consequently, Sheikh Al-Zindani complained to the ministry of interior and criminal investigation about the incidents. As reported in September.net news service a group of investigators were designated for the task by the relevant authorities and actually started off on their mission. The investigation will include interrogation of the Sheikh's bodyguards and persona security although many view them as unlikely suspects.

Another news source that demanded anonymity explained that there are technical investigations taking place in the case especially that there had been a number of similar accidents that had taken the lives of Yemeni personalities such as Yahya Al-Mutwakil and Mujahid Abu Shawarib.

In a press statement, Sheikh Al-Zindani explained the recent incident by saying: “I was on my way to the University and in one of the less crowded streets the front left tire suddenly fell off. I checked the bolts and links connecting the tire to the vehicle body and realized that it was messed up with deliberately.”

Sheikh Al-Zindani refused to accuse any particular party indicating that he has already reported these attempts to the presidential office and deputy prime minister who requested the Sheikh to present an official complaint to the concerned authorities.
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