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Al-Ahram Weekly 4 -10 February 1999 Issue No. 415 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 4 -10 February 1999 Issue No. 415
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Book Fair Economy Opinion Culture Features Living Travel Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Safer than ever?
By Jailan HalawiHow would you evaluate the current security situation in Yemen in the light of recent kidnappings and the trial of several suspected militants?
The security situation in Yemen is at its best. It is known that the media usually exaggerates events for the sake of a scoop. Some journalists try to reach the truth but others write as they please, disregarding the facts.I would like to assure you that the crime rate in Yemen is at its lowest. The number of crimes in 1998 was 11,172 which in comparison with neighbouring countries is low for a population of 20 million.
You have asked Britain to hand over Abu Hamza Al-Masri, head of the London-based Supporters of Shari'a group, over allegations that he is connected to the planned bombing campaign against US and British interests in Yemen. How did Britain respond to this request?
Until now we have not received an adequate answer, but complying with international law and acting on incriminating documents in our possession, we officially asked Britain to hand him over. We are still waiting for an answer.As a matter of fact, I do not believe that Britain is going to hand him over. Why? Because interrogation of the terrorists we arrested (they include Al-Masri's son) proved that they were trained, prepared and sent from Britain. Consequently, we believe that there may not be a serious intention to hand him over. Yet, it is our right to ask for him and we will continue to until he is handed over and fairly tried.
We will use every possible avenue to secure Al-Masri's extradition whether through Interpol, by preparing and presenting a criminal record, or through diplomatic relations with Britain.
Abu Hamza issued a threat a couple of weeks ago calling for the killing of Yemeni officials if the head of the group behind the fatal kidnapping, Zein Al-Abdin Al-Mihdar also known as Abul-Hassan, was condemned to death. He also repeated calls for Westerners to avoid the country, warning they faced the threat of further attacks. How do you respond to such statements?
I honestly believe that Abu Hamza has not got a base or any followers in Yemen. The best proof is that he sought the help of mercenaries from abroad. If he had a base in Yemen he would have used it. I do not think that he has an adequate base to carry out such operations.In Yemen we are not frightened by threats. We know how to handle such threats. What concerns us most now is to ensure a fair trial. If he (Al-Mihdar) is condemned to death we will not hesitate to carry out the sentence.
Has the investigation uncovered any links between the kidnappers and Saudi dissident Osama Bin Laden?
No. The only leader who directs and finances them is Abu Hamza. There may be links between Abu Hamza and other parties but we have not yet established whether this is the case.The United States dispatched 10 FBI agents to Sanaa to probe links between the kidnappers of the 16 Western tourists last month and Saudi dissident Osama Bin Laden. Britain also sent four officers from Scotland Yard to Yemen, three of them anti-terrorist experts. What were these investigations aimed at?
The people from the FBI and Scotland Yard came to Sanaa merely to get the results of the inquiry by the Yemeni security services and to find out about the killing of the four tourists who were among the 16 hostages. The investigators did not participate in the inquiry into the deaths of the four hostages.The group to which the kidnappers belonged was planning to bomb the British Consulate in Aden, a camp of American military experts, Aden International Airport, the offices of the United Nations as well as churches and hotels.
