Committee attacks Annapolis, criticizes Yemen’s participation [Archives:2007/1107/Front Page]

By: Yemen Times Staff
SANA'A, Nov, 28 ) The Yemeni Committee for Resisting Submission and Normalization with the Zionist Enemy criticized Yemen for being a participant in the Annapolis Conference, which deals with the Arab/Israel conflict. The committee considered Yemen's participation “a retreat from adhering to and supporting Palestinians.”

A statement released by Hatim Abu Hatim, chairman of the committee, stated, “The follow-up summit was responsible for pointing out the submissive Arabs who participated in the Annapolis Conference, organized by the U.S. administration to distort the Palestinian cause in favor of the Zionist enemy. The committee considers the conference an open attempt to cover up the struggle of the Palestinian people, after a group of attempts which failed earlier.”

The committee also disapproved of the participation of Arab countries in the conference, confirming that it will maintain its solidarity and support for the Palestinian people and Palestinian resistance forces. It further hailed the heroes who they claim were sacrificed for the sake of Palestinian justice.

Yemen received an official invitation from the U.S. government to participate in the International Peace Conference in Annapolis, which was on Nov. 27.

Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu-Bakr Abdullah al-Qirbi stated before leaving to attend the conference that Yemen's attendance does not mean automatic normalization of relations between Israel and the Arab world.

Qirbi made the remark upon his arrival to take part in a meeting of the Arab follow-up committee, noting that the Annapolis meeting is only a beginning and that normalization of relations between Israel and the Arab world could only be realized if Israel is committed to achieving just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

Some 49 countries, institutions and individuals, including select Arab states and other key nations with a stake in the Mideast peace process, were invited to the international meeting.

The Arab summit following up the Mideast peace process included Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen as well as representatives from the Palestinian territories.
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