Ubeid’s fate shrouded with mystery [Archives:2004/731/Community]

Mohammed bin Sallam
Security dossier between Yemen and Egypt was closed after latest visit by the president to Cairo. Following the visit news reports mentioned about exchange of persons wanted by the two countries.
Accordingly, Egypt received a number of persons charged terror However, it has not been revealed what number of the wanted have been handed over to Yemen. Mr. Ahmed Salem Ubeid, a Yemeni citizen living in Egypt since 1994, has disappeared in Egypt a few days after the Yemeni president visit to Cairo, and news indicated he was among those included in the wanted extradition process.
The case of Salem Ubeid disappearance has not receiv ed due official concern by Yemen, and in an attempt to get some information about the fate of Mr. Ubeid, we met his son Nashwan in Sana'a and conducted with this interview, perhaps some of the mystery of his father's disappearance could become known.

Q: Could shed some light on what you know about the disappearance of your father from his place of residence in Egypt?. And what is the authority you believe is behind his disappearance?
A: My father disappeared on 18 February 2004 from one of the streets of Cairo during heading the Yemeni Club located on “Mosadeq” Street. On the same day, my father called home and said that he was a friend who had encountered a diabetic attack and said that he would be late. It was noticed that the telephone number was shown on the telephone set.
I then called other friends who confirmed that my father did not show up at the club on that day. I informed the Egyptian related authorities and the Yemeni Embassy in Cairo. Four days later, my father called back asking for medical names of medicine he is taking. When asked about his where about, he replied by saying he was with “good friends”. Once again the telephone number was not shown on our telephone set.
There is one note I would like to point out. A week prior to the disappearance of my father, two claimed to be representatives of Population Census visited our house and were asking questions, which had nothing to do with their job. After they left our house, we asked the neighbors in the building we live in who confirmed that no other house was visited by the two.
As far as the authority I believe is behind the disappearance of my father. According to reports by some media organizations about a security exchange between Yemen and Egypt during which six of Egyptian terrorists were rendered to Egypt, I suppose my father was rendered to the Yemeni Authority in the return. But till now, there is no official statement issued by either the Egyptian or Yemeni authorities confirming or denying this.

Q: Could you tell us about the political directions of your father?
A: My father had occupied several posts in the former Republic in South Yemen. He was a minister of information, deputy minister of defense and an ambassador to Ethiopia. He was the commission's official working on coordinating the Yemeni unification. He was the official on the merging of the two military corporations following the unification of the country. He was the advisor of Minister of Defense until 1994. My father was a member of the Yemeni Socialist Party until 1986. After the war of 1994, my father joined the opposition party (MOJ). During his stay in Egypt, my father did not practice any political activity, which would lead to tension between relations between Yemen and Egypt. His activities was limited to social aspect.

Q: What are conditions leading your father to reside in Egypt in spite of his good relation with Yemeni authority?
A: My father was among the leaders moved to Cairo after the war of 1994 in Yemen. He chose Egypt because he went to high school and university there. He loves Egypt as second home country. I have to mention here that there are no accusation against my father and he is not wanted by any country, on the contrary he was a friend to all.

Q: Does your father own an apartment in Egypt and where?
A: Yes, my father owns an apartment in Al-Mohandseen region, Egypt.

Q; Why do you believe your father has been rendered to the Yemeni Authority? What is your evidence? Could it not be possible that your father has a problem with the Egyptian authority or any other authority?
A: There are some indications to believe that my father has been rendered to Yemen. There is no reaction from the Yemeni authority in Yemen or in Egypt in spite of our call. There is just no official reply from them. The Yemeni Authority does not also deny the report about the security exchange between Yemen and Egypt. Our efforts to convey a letter to Egyptian Consulate in Aden have been hindered.
And as I stated previously, my father has no political agenda, which could lead to being threatened.

Q: Where is your father receive his monthly allowance. Was the Yemeni Government supporting him?
A: My father, just like other opposition available in Egypt was receiving support from Saudi. This support was suspended about two years ago. My father does not receive any financial support from the Yemeni Government.

Q: What are the authorities you believe are benefiting from disappearance of your father
A: As I previously stated, my father has no enemies in any part of the world, nor any judicial sentences against him.

Following this interview, the wife of Brig. Ahmed Salem Obeid also spoke out, and stated that she holds the governments of both Yemen and Egypt responsible for the disappearance of her husband. In a statement to the press broadcast by a number of news agencies, the wife said that the Egyptian government is responsible because he disappeared on its soil and should have been protected. The Government of Yemen is also responsible since he is a Yemen citizen and the government should be concerned to search for him. Furthermore, she reaffirms that her husband has not engaged in any political activities between his departure from Yemen and his disappearance
The Egyptian judiciary has announced that it will look into the case filed by an Egyptian Human Rights Association concerned with prisoners against the Egyptian Ministry of the Interior and the Yemeni Embassy in Cairo on May 11, 2004, in connection with the disappearance of Mr. Obeid.
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