MPP gets $20 million from Italy [Archives:2002/28/Front Page]

The government of Italy decided Friday to relieve Yemen from its debts to Italy put at $20 million.
The minister of interior said that Italy decided to single out this loan to Yemen to the establishment of the Marine patrol police (MPP) meant to prevent the flow and infiltration of suspected terrorists to Yemen.
Yemen is currently establishing this project in collaboration with the U.S.A. and other countries like Germany, Saudi Arabia, Italy and Britain. The U.S.A. is concerned that al-Qaeda elements might infiltrate into Yemen, having a long coastline stretching over 2000 km.
The minister of interior, Dr. Rashad al-Alimi visited Rome last week. He said his talks with Italian officials focused only on the security cooperation in the field of countering terrorism, illegal immigration and the Italian technical assistance to the Marine patrol police. He said the two sides postponed the signing on a security cooperation protocol, till next October where the Italian president is expected to visit Yemen in response to invitation extended by president Saleh. The interior didnt give reasons for this postponement.
The protocol includes a program to promote cooperation and the technical assistance of Italy to the marine patrol.

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