Reeker: Fighting terrorism is Yemen’s primary responsibility [Archives:2003/693/Front Page]

Mr. Philip Reeker, former deputy spokesman of the US State Department said that the US Defense Department and other officials were working to quickly resolve the problem of al-Qaeda detainees at Guantanamo.
He said in a press conference held in Sana'a last Tuesday that he did not know about the list of the Guantanamo detainees, who would be released. He also said that he had no idea if some of the would-be released were Yemenis.
When asked to comment on the complain of Yemeni officials that the US is making more pressure on Yemen without any tangible financial assistance, he stressed that fighting terrorism a primary responsibility of the Yemeni government itself and that the US wanted to help as much as it can. “It is in Yemen's best interest to fight against terrorism,” he said.
However, Reeker also spotlighted the growing level of cooperation between his country and Yemen in fighting terrorism, adding “we all have to keep doing more.” He pointed out that the whole world should join hands to fight terrorism and that al-Qaeda is not merely targeting the US, citing examples of the terrorist operations that have hit Saudi Arabia and other countries. However, he also confessed that al-Qaeda still represented a threat and challenge to the US and the world at large.
Reeker said his visit of the region was part of the US administration's efforts to bridge the gap and misunderstanding between the US and Arabs. He briefed journalists on how the US deals with media and referred to the important role the media plays in conveying US policies to the people as well as listening to their comments. Reeker who had also visited Aden, is expected to leave Yemen today heading for the UAE and Oman.
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