FM calls to assist Yemen reconstruct Sa`ada

By: Abdul-Satar Hatita Edited into English by: Mahmoud Assamiee SANA'A, Feb. 24 (Saba)- Minister of Foreign Affairs Abu
Bakr al-Qirbi
called on brotherly and friendly countries to contribute in reconstructing Sa'ada
governorate after the announcement of stopping the war.
He revealed that there were groups in gulf countries supporting Houthis, "Shiite
groups in the gulf helped rebels in the northeast of the country against the
central government."
He expressed his country's concern to establish Yemeni-Saudi border security
relation to secure border against weapons and drugs trafficking, raising unrest and
instability
between the two parts.
In interview with Al Sharq Al Awsat Newspaper in Sana'a two days after announcing
ceasefire between the government and Houthis, al-Qirbi said one of the committees
supervising
ceasefire has been assigned for border affairs to ensure implementing the condition
regarding borders an Houthis withdrawal from Saudi lands and replacing Yemeni
solders
deployment on these areas.
Whether the next period would witness more security cooperation between Yemen and
Saudi Arabia over the two sides of the borders, particularly on the area has
witnessed
Houthis rebellion, he made it clear that security cooperation between Yemen and
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was there even before the erupting of this war. "We and
Saudi Arabia
are in real partnership in facing al-Qaeda and as a result, there is security and
intelligence coordination between the two countries." He added that all of us are
aware
that Yemen and Saudi Arabia have to cooperate to secure border for the safety of the
two countries and over talking with Saudi part on this issue, he said this is
important
part of coordination between Yemen and Saudi Arabia.
On a question whether stopping the war includes more sovereignty of Yemeni
authority on borders with Saudi Arabia in the area witnessed rebellion, Minister
al-Qirbi said:"
What we are talking about is permanent stop of the war not mere ceasefire." " By
stopping the war, we will return to settling all conditions in Sa'ada and practicing
all
state's sovereignty in the whole Sa'ada, including border area," he said, indicating
Yemen's concern on establishing Yemeni-Saudi border security ensuring not using
Yemeni
border to smuggling weapons or drugs, evoking unrests and insecurity on border and
surrounding areas.
He further said banning Houthis infiltration into Saudi borders is one of the six
conditions set by the government to stop the war.
"What is a threat to Yemen's security is a threat to Saudi security and vice versa.
Houthi elements broke into Saudi lands as a result the kingdom interfered in the war
within the limits of its borders and in coordination with Yemeni government.
Consequently, it was necessary to include border issue in security solutions as a
part of the
agreement with Houthis," said al-Qirbi.
He refuted circulations that there are hidden hands for some countries supporting
Houthi rebellion started in 2004, saying that these countries provides assistance
to Yemen's
development but some Shii groups in gulf states are those who support Houthis.
"I refute any support from Gulf States to Houthis but some Shii groups in some Gulf
countries have provided material support to Houthis. Gulf states all contribute
with
60 percent of development support to Yemen so that they are real partner to Yemen's
development," he asserted.
He called on brotherly and friendly countries to contribute in reconstructing
Sa'ada, saying that after ending the fifth war with Houthi rebels in July 2008, the
government
established a fund for Sa'ada reconstruction but sorrowfully, eruption of the sixth
war in August 2009 has hindered many projects.
The foreign Minster added that the government's financial pledges will be greater
but this does not exempt it from continuation of reconstruction process and
defining its
priorities as well as asking the brotherly and friendly countries to assist Yemen in
reconstruction process.
Whether the ceasefire could be permanent and changed into lasting peace in the area
of the rebellion, al-Qirbi said:" This is what all Yemenis, led by the president,
hope
to reconstruct Sa'ada and revive development in the governorate.
Over if there is still hope despite Houthis's recent violation of the ceasefire,
Dr. al-Qirbi said any ceasefire is always followed by violations from here and
there." No
ceasefire without violations here and there. This is natural in wars and the nature
of elements fighting (the army) and because of the disputes they might be exist
between
them but I do not think it (violation) is posing a problem in the process of
realizing peace." On Yemenis fear of that Houthi rebels could exploit the ceasefire
to re-arm
themselves and arrange their fronts as it has happened during the fifth war, the
foreign Minister said: " If we embarked on doubt on wills, there will be no peace in
the
whole world not only in Yemen. So that we are embarking on trusting wills from
Houthis part as they are from ours that this war will be the last." He added that
Houthis understand
that the havoc they left and the Yemeni bloodshed has no justification as the
government always circulates it is ready to cure legal demands of Sa'ada citizens
and of all
the Yemeni people according to the law, the constitution, the unity and the republic.