World Bank Last Quarterly Report of the year 2001 on Recent Political Developments in Yemen [Archives:2002/05/Law & Diplomacy]

The tragic events of September 11th, and their aftermath, dominated the political scene in Yemen in the last quarter of 2001. Immediately after the attacks, the government, political parties, civil society and media representatives denounced the horrifying terrorist attacks and expressed their solidarity with the US government and citizens. Yemen itself experienced a terrorist attack in October 2000, probably by the same suspected group (al-Qaeda), which led to the killing of 17 US sailors and damaging of the USS Cole destroyer.
President Saleh was among the first Arab leaders to visit the US and to meet with President Bush to discuss global efforts to fight terrorism among other issues. He also repeatedly condemned terrorism in all its forms and emphasized that Yemen had suffered a great deal from it as it gravely impacted the countrys tourism and FDI prospects. A statement was issued by the National Defense Council emphasizing the need to combat terrorism in all its forms and to fight those who engage in terror.
US officials underscored on several occasions that Yemen is a partner rather than a target in the effort to destroy al-Qaeda network. They also expressed their appreciation for the good cooperation with Yemen regarding USS Cole investigations and Yemens current efforts to fight terrorism. Indeed, Yemen took several measures before the attacks on the US. Since 1996, Yemen expelled many Arab Afghan veterans. In 1998, old passports were replaced with new computerized ones that are difficult to fake, and the religious institutes were abolished in 2001.
After the attacks on the US, the Yemeni authorities took more security measures including: (i) enhancing security presence around foreign companies and embassies; (ii) deporting suspected foreigners and detaining Yemeni Afghans suspected to be affiliated with al-Qaeda; (iii) tightening visa requirements (visas are no longer granted at the airport); (iv) freezing bank accounts of a number of people and groups; and (v) increasing intelligence cooperation and pursuit of suspects.
Further measures were taken to round up suspected ”terrorists” in Marib, Shabwah and al-Jawf governorates. Some tribes in Marib were requested to hand over men believed to be affiliated with al-Qaeda network (one of them is on the US wanted list). The Special Forces captured some people suspected of sheltering ”terrorists” and a military offensive was launched in some of the suspected hideouts on December 18th. The military operation, however, resulted in the killing of few soldiers and civilians. The security forces, however, continue to chase suspects.
With these bold actions, Yemen has made a momentous shift in the war against terror which was acknowledged by the US and its coalition partners and may obtain financial assistance for its current efforts. According to the Washington Post, the Bush Administration may offer Yemen a financial package security enhancement and development projects.
The military assault took place mainly in Marib. The governorate is believed to harbor kidnappers and individuals who frequently attack the oil pipeline. The kidnapping episodes witnessed since mid-1990 created a serious ”terrorism” problem for Yemen, even though most of those kidnappings ended without major harm to kidnapped foreigners ( with the exception of the 1998 incident).
Other Political Developments
1- The Yemeni government rejoices the statement of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)’s in its 22nd session regarding the acceptance of Yemen to join some GCC non-political bodies.
2- The draft law of General Elections and Referendum was introduced to Parliament and, as expected, was ratified on November 12. Following its approval President Saleh endorsed it into a law and issued a republican decree appointing 7 members for the Supreme Elections Committee (SEC).
3- The education law of 1992 which stipulated annexing of religious institutes to the ministry of education was effectively implemented in November 2001.
4- Many military and civilian opponents who fled Yemen after the secessionist war in 1994 have recently returned home.

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