Saleh Aide says return to Yemen inevitable

Sanaa/London, Asharq Al-Awsat – A source within the Yemeni presidency claimed that Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh “will return to the country following the period of recuperation that has been specified by his doctors.”

In this regard, Abdel-Hafiz al-Nahari, deputy head of the media department of the ruling General People’s Congress Party, told Asharq Al-Awsat that “the people of Yemen are awaiting the return of the president to exercise his constitutional duty.  His return is not the subject of debate, rather the General People’s Congress party and the Yemeni people are eagerly awaiting the return of the president, for his return is necessary to manage the crisis [taking place in Yemen], because [Saleh] represents the safety valve for all [Yemeni] factions.”

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat in a telephone interview from Yemen, al-Nahari added that “what has been circulated by some media outlets with regards to rumors [that Saleh will not be returning to Yemen] are nothing more than unsubstantiated claims.”

As for the US position on the return of President Saleh to Yemen, al-Nahari stressed that “the US position today towards the situation in Yemen is more understanding than at any time before, and they are aware that the return of the President is part of the solution, not part of the problem.  The Americans also understand that change must take place on the basis of the [Yemeni] constitution and the people’s will.”

Al-Nahari denied knowledge of undisclosed negotiations reportedly taking place in Riyadh between the Yemeni regime and the opposition.  He said “we in Yemen thank our allies for their efforts to preserve Yemeni unity, security, and stability.  However we are not aware of any undisclosed negotiations taking place.  He added “even if this were proven to be true we are afraid or concerned about this, because negotiation and dialogue are the only way to bring about change.”

On Tuesday, diplomatic sources claimed that the United States was pressuring Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh not to return to Yemen but rather to remain in Saudi Arabia, where he is recovering from injuries sustained in an attempt on his life two months ago in Sanaa.   According to a Reuters report, diplomatic sources claimed that the US conveyed a message direct to Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh not to return home from Saudi Arabia, after he emerged from hospital in Riyadh on Sunday.  The sources did not indicate whether Saleh had accepted this request or not.

Yemeni sources had confirmed that the US and Saudi Arabia were putting pressure on Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh not to return to Yemen.  The Associated Press quoted Yemeni officials who – speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the subject – claimed that Washington and Riyadh had warned Ali Abdullah Saleh that his return to Yemen would likely spark a “civil war.”  The Yemeni officials also claimed that Saleh continues to run the country with the help of family members, and that the Yemeni President – who has spent the past two months in Saudi Arabia – is in daily contact with tribal chiefs and army commanders.  The sources claimed that “the president reluctantly caved in to American and Saudi pressure to stay on in Saudi Arabia…he will continue to listen to them until he makes a full recovery from his wounds and then he will decide what to do.”

US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said it was Saleh’s decision whether to stay in Saudi Arabia or return to Yemen, stressing that regardless of what happens in this regard Yemen must witness an immediate transition of power.  Toner said “all we can do is continue to press our belief that this transition needs to happen immediately and cannot wait until a decision is made about his [Saleh’s] future.  He added “what we’re working on, through our embassy and our ambassador, is trying to move the process forward now, rather than wait.”

In this context, US ambassador to Yemen Gerald Feierstein also urged Saleh to remain in Saudi Arabia and step down from power.  Speaking to Arabic-language broadcaster Radio Sawa, Feierstein said that “we believe…dealing with political, economic and security problems in Yemen cannot happen without a transfer of power in the country, and the arrival of new leadership.”

Feierstein called on Saleh to sign the Gulf Initiative and transfer power to his deputy, Vice President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi.  He revealed that “I have met with Hadi 12 or 13 times since 3 June, and we are confident in him, he has met with a number of US officials and I believe he enjoys the complete confidence of Washington, not just to accomplish the transition of power, but to lead Yemen during this transitional period.”

Speaking to Radio Sawa, Feierstein stressed that “the Yemeni president must implement a peaceful transition of power immediately; whether he is in Yemen or abroad” stressing that “what is important is that he begins the procedures to transfer power immediately.”  The US ambassador to Yemen added “we do not believe that it is possible to wait any longer, and we have complete confidence in [Yemeni Vice President] Hadi to complete the transition of power, all that we are waiting for is for President Saleh to sign the Gulf initiative.”

As for preparations in Yemen for this transitional phase, the Joint Meeting Parties has announced that the first meeting of the National Council of the Revolutionary Forces will take place on 17 August.  The opposition stressed that this council will act as “the national guardians of the [Yemeni] people’s revolution.”  A statement to the press issued by the Yemeni opposition claimed that the National Council “will establish an assembly to command the forces of the revolution and complete the process of revolutionary and political change and meet the aspirations of the Yemeni people, most importantly the revolutionary youth’s aspirations for a modern civil state, a state of laws and equality which will allow the people of Yemen to fulfil their aspirations, God willing.”