Sultan bin Abdulaziz to YT: Forces Withdrawal Will Take A Few Months [Archives:2000/51/Front Page]

In a press conference following meetings of Yemeni-Saudi Coordination Council, 12 round, held during 12-13 December 2000 in Madinah Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia, and in an answer to YT question, his Excellency Emir Sultan bin Abdulaziz, second deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Airforce, confirmed that the Saudi forces would be withdrawn to agreed points inside the borders within a few months. He also said that strives and opposition of some Yemeni tribes at the border-line would be resolved through bilateral and amicable means by the two countries.
He stated that the forces would withdraw to places agreed upon in the Jaddah treaty signed on 12. 6. 2000 maintaining that the Yemeni side should be sure about that.
In an answer to another question by YT about tribes sheikhs opposing the treaty, he said: This will be resolved by the two countries. Those who oppose the treaty are motivated by some self-directed interests, stressing that the treaty had seriously considered all the circumstances of tribes located on the borders and people residing there. This happens at a time some sheikhs of tribes located on the border-line including sheikh Mohammed bin Shajae, one of Waelah Sheikhs, Sheikh Amin al-Aqimi of al-Jawf and al-Shaif of Daham explicitly state their opposition to the latest treaty. They threaten to use force to prevent any Western companies entrusted to demarcate the new borders if the two countries do not heed to their requests which focus on al-Taif Treaty 1934 as the basis for solving the borders dispute to ensure the unity of tribal lands and to protect families from divisions between the two countries.
Of the important points that were discussed, but not included in the final report was the Saudi request to put off withdrawing Saudi forces from camps and military bases to at least two years from now. This was denied by the Saudi side indicating that the withdrawal would be resolved within a few months.
Some sources told YT that the Yemeni side has put down the Saudi suggestion to put off the withdrawal of the Saudi forces for that may set off problems and be in contradiction to articles of the treaty.
More information in economic page.

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