Discussions believed to be underway US ships are not to refuel in Aden yet [Archives:2002/13/Front Page]

SANAA — Yemen and US governments are discussing arrangements for American ships to refuel at Aden port, according to Yemeni sources.
It would be the first time US ships have been in Aden since the October 2000 bombing of the USS Cole, an American ship, in the port for refueling.
The sources say a U.S. military team of 15 members arrived in Sana’a recently to lay the groundwork for such refueling operations.
An unnamed government official said this decision comes as a result of the better stability in the country and tightened security measures Yemeni government has taken.
A CNN report, however, says American officials deny they will begin refueling their ships again in Aden.
It says the USCentral Command, which directs forces in the region, will make the final decision in consultation with the US Navy.
Yemen is still a dangerous place, was the comment of one unnamed American official. He also said returning ships to Aden carries a psychological effect for American troops.
The CNN report said that while the US Navy considers Aden a useful port, officials say the American military has other options in the region which are just as reliable, such as the French naval base in Djibouti.
Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department said last week that U.S diplomats at its embassy in Sana’a can bring their families back to Yemen.
The U.S. diplomats sent their families back to the US after the September 11 attacks on America.
While it says diplomats families can return, the State Department maintains that the level of threats against U.S. interests is still high in Yemen, and its advising non-diplomats to avoid coming to the country, particularly after the March 15 attack on the US embassy.
It pointed out that terrorists linked to al-Qaeda may be plotting to carry out terrorist acts against US interests and has warned US citizens in Yemen to be on high alert.
Sameer Yahia Awadh, a 25-year-old student, threw grenades at the U.S. embassy on March 15, but caused no damage.
He is expected to be charged with terrorism, exposing people’s lives to danger and illegal possession of explosives.
Yemeni police said his family confirmed he was psychologically disturbed, but he will be shown to a specialist to make sure of this.
Other sources said that Awadh bought the grenade from Jehana weapons marketplace and carried out this act to express resentment over the US stand towards Israel and its threats to attack Iraq.
Sources also said that Awadh is a policeman at the Central Security Forces.

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