In interview with Russia Today: president urges parties to

SANA'A, Nov. 24 (Saba) - In an interview with the Russia Today TV
Channel, President Ali Abdullah Saleh renewed calls for all
political parties to participate actively in the upcoming
parliamentary elections.

In the weekly channel program of Decision Makers, President Saleh
said " We believe in multiparty democracy and that the ballot box
has the final say." " Anyone wins through vote either in local,
parliamentary or presidential elections has the full right to rule
the country and must assume the responsibility."

" We, the ruling party, welcome the opposition to stand in the
elections and wish they win large number of seats in the
parliament."

President Saleh confirmed that his ruling party is against the one
party appropriation of power, criticizing some parties seeking power
through violating democratic norms and rules.


President Saleh affirmed Yemen's continuous efforts in the war on
terror, saying terrorism acts affect the country's economy.

On the other hand, President Saleh touched on the distinguished
Yemeni-Russian relations and his upcoming visit to Russia which is
expected to add new broad horizons to the current developed
bilateral relationship particularly in the military and economic
areas.

Regarding the Arab situation, President Saleh expressed Yemen's
readiness to cooperate with the Arab countries overlooking the Red
Sea to protect the region from the soaring piracy.

However, he says piracy will not be completely eradicated unless
the international community brings a solution Somalia's problems and
help this war-torn country reorganize its institutions.

Over the Yemeni initiative to heal the rift between the rival
Palestinian factions, President Saleh said Yemen offered the
initiative within its interest to reconcile brothers and help them
strengthen their unity.

He said all the Palestinian factions showed satisfaction with the
initiative and he renewed his calls for them to be cautious of
external pressure and meddling that deepen their disagreement.

Although President Saleh expressed optimism that there will be
concrete changes to the US foreign policy under the leadership of
President-elect Barack Obama particularly regarding the Arab-Israeli
conflict, he called on Obama to adopt the file of the delicate issue
and to work to convince Israel.

" We don't say "throw Israel to sea" no.. we see the existence of
this country among us and that it really coexists with us, but we
say to Israel 'eliminate the separation wall, end extra settlement
and help to achieve fair peace in the region." President Saleh said.


He added that the pending Arab-Israeli issue is considered one of
the most important factors which fuel extremism in the region as
some extremist groups take the advantage of it to carry out
terrorist acts.

In reply to a question about his vision over the US support to
Georgia in its last attacks on Ossetia and Abkhazia, President Saleh
said they were not with the United States of America to encourage
Georgia to attack the two regions, because such SU moves never serve
international peace.

He said we don't like to experience more world hardships besides
those which are already existent in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine.
FR