Exclusive: Q&A with President Ali Abdullah Saleh
Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has ruled for the past 28 years, spoke with U.S. News's Kevin Whitelaw in a rare interview. Excerpts:
Do you trust America as an ally?
We have been dealing with the Americans for many years, and so far nothing has happened to create any misunderstandings between us and the Americans. For example, when we were in one camp in the fight against communism, there was complete agreement between us. The second stage is that we are also in complete agreement in the fight against terrorism. But I could imagine that America's alliances are based on self-interest rather than on principles. Interests come first, and principles do not overcome interests.
Why has Yemen chosen to work so closely with the United States on counterterrorism?
Our cooperation with the United States and the international community stems from our care and conviction in the Yemeni government towards counterterrorism and to contain its activities and to uproot it for the damage it has caused in the international relations and the split in the international relations. It has also damaged the economy, not only in our country but also the economies of every country in the world.
The conviction is firm in the Yemeni government to continue this cooperation. There is no halt. There is no backing away from the fight against terrorism.
Are you concerned about Yemenis traveling to Iraq, gaining experience in terrorism, and returning to Yemen?
When they go, they go outside our control and without the knowledge of the security apparatus, because it is the right of each citizen to travel wherever they like. Some of these evil elements may go to Iraq and receive training there. Therefore, when they come back, they pose a threat to our security. But our security is on alert.
After 9/11, many in Washington feared that al Qaeda would find haven in Yemen. Why hasn't this happened?
Not all American expectations are right in all cases. But it was very useful for us because it created some incentive for us and created a high alert among the security agencies.
Has your cooperation with the United States created a backlash?
Yes, we have domestic problems. For example, political forces inside the country do not wish a good relationship to exist between the government and the United States—so that they can say to the people, look, the government has bad relations with the United States because of the mismanagement of the government. But if they were in power, they would work to improve the relationship with the United States.
What do you think about the cuts in U.S. and World Bank aid?
It is true that the World Bank and some other donor countries have reduced their assistance according to misinformation that they received from the newspapers of the opposition parties, as well as from the leaders of these political parties, who want to create frustrations for the Yemeni government. They tried to spearhead a campaign against the government on the theme of corruption, as well as reforms, which have caused the World Bank and some donor countries to believe that this is true, but it's not true.
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