US undersecretary of state to visit Yemen [Archives:2005/819/Front Page]

Paula Dobriansky, US Undersecretary of State for Global Affairs, is expected to arrive in Sana'a today February 24 for a short official visit to Yemen, a source at the US embassy said.

Mrs. Dobriansky is going to meet with President Ali Abdullah Saleh and other high-ranking officials during her visit. According to the source, Dobriansky will be discussing the reform program in Yemen, particularly in human rights, press freedom, and economic reforms along with bilateral cooperation and agreements.

It is worth noting that many American activists and human rights defenders in the USA have called upon the Yemeni regime to halt the unprecedented attack against the free press in the country.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalist had issued continuous appeals to the President to stop the deterioration in press freedom in the country and prevent closure of newspapers and imprisonment of journalists.

A press conference will be held on this occasion at the Sheraton Hotel in Sana'a, which is to be attended by Abdul-Karim al-Eryani, President's Political Advisor along with the US ambassador to Yemen Mr. Thomas Krajeski.

Mrs. Paula J. Dobriansky was nominated by President Bush on March 12, 2001, was unanimously confirmed by Senate on April 26 and sworn in as Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs on May 1.

Mrs. Dobriansky is responsible for a broad range of foreign policy issues including democracy, human rights, labor, counter-narcotics and law enforcement, refugee and humanitarian relief matters and environmental/scientific issues.
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