In statements he made as he wrapped up a one day visit to Yemen, Mr Edward S. Walker, U.S. assistant secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs described the results of his visit as “ very profitable,’’ He also said that the talks he had with President Ali Abdullah Saleh and other officials were very successful and that he will take the results of talks “ back and they will be taken very seriously as we develop our policies in the future.’’ 

At a February 14 press conference in Sana’a  Mr Walker expressed appreciation of the democratic process in Yemen describing it as “encouraging’’, while noting that “There are always complications and difficulties. I think it exhibits a great deal of courage and strength that the Government of  Yemen is moving in this direction.’’ 
Mr. Walker has also expressed pleasure over the continuation of economic growth and the economic reform process in Yemen, hoping that his country will be able to help in this process. 
In response to a question on the reason behind the slow flow of American assistance to Yemen, ambassador Walker said  “We value very greatly the support Yemen has given us in the region’’, expressing hope that they will be successful this year in moving a resumption of the aid program through  the congress and be able to move forward with additional assistance in the future. Ambassador Walker added that there were additional funds available to help in the process of developing democracy. 

On the relations between Yemen and Saudi Arabia, Mr Walker expressed the hope that both countries would reach an agreement on their border issues and that America was in favor of that for many years. “But this is something that will have to be decided by the two sides amongst themselves.” he added. In reply to a question on the bilateral resolution between Yemen and Saudi Arabia regarding the border issue, Mr Walker said there are a number of mechanisms for solving this problem, there is bilateral negotiation and there is arbitration.  He added that it was up to the parties themselves to decide what is the best mechanism for them and the important thing was that the discussions should continue. 
On the pressures the Yemeni government is saying are being exerted on it to normalize relations with Israel, Mr Walker said there was no pressure on anyone to do anything that would be against their own interests or their own desires. He added that in the course of events it would be the natural thing for the countries in the region to normalize their relations over time and it would be a natural outgrowth of a successful peace process. 

In a recent extensive interview with the Yemen Times  the Yemeni prominent opposition leader Abdul Rahman Al-Jifri has denied having any recent contacts with the President, saying, “If they have ever occurred, I would not cover them up because they are legitimate, even desirable. I lead a solemn  opposition and offer thoughtful views and I certainly chart a peaceful course of action, consequently I harbour no personal enmity against any person.’’ 

On his understanding of the democratic atmosphere in Yemen, Mr Al-Jifri said “What has been going on in our country falls somewhat short of the true democratic path. In fact, it takes on the form but removes the essence of democracy, and there are really no grounds  to regard our experience as worthy exemplary status  in democratic practice.’’ 
Mr Al-Jifri confirms that contacts with leading figures from the PGC, the Islah, the Opposition and the other national independent leaders, have never been interrupted, adding that they were held in public without secrets. He has asserted that they have not been official meetings for dialogue, although dialogue is the very thing we have been calling for. On the return to Yemen from exile, Mr Al-Jifri has said it is conditional on the realization of favourable atmosphere to play an active role in nation-building. He insists that the return should have political rather than humanitarian character. 
As for the recently endorsed Local Administration Law, Mr Al-Jifri commented by saying ‘’ Regrettably, the government persisted on endorsing a Local government law, which envisages no authority to the administrators themselves or the local communities.’’ 
Text of the interview

In a statement issued by the Coordination Council of the Opposition Parties in Al-Dhali’a, on the 19th of February, it stated that the Governorate is exposed to security measures that are too excessive and that the local residents of the Governorate are finding it extremely difficult to live normal lives, not to mention the fear of seeing a lot of military hardware, and repression from the various enforcement agencies of the government. It is worth noting that the Governor of Al-Dhali'a’ Mr. Saleh Al-Juneid denied that he was subjected to an assassination attempt.   Security and military officials refuted all charges and claims that there is  not too much of a security presence in the area, claiming these to be the efforts of those who exaggerate normal security operations that all the governorates of the republic are subjected to.  Many of the residents claim that the Dhali’a Governor is liked by the people and that there are security and military interests that wish to create tensions there because they do not want him there because he responds favorably with the people’s needs. Some sources claim that there are around 160 arrests due to confrontations between the security forces and the residents and all due to roundup of who security officials presume to be suspects.  They claim that such arrests occur without due process of law. 

Tawfeeq Al-Khamiry was the victim of a violent assault last Saturday at around 9:30 pm in Al-Zubeiry Street, near the Chinese embassy. He was followed by a car carrying a group of men from Murad tribe, from the Governorate of Marib,  who opened fire on his car and the cars of accompanying bodyguards. They were said to be at least 6 men fully armed with automatic rifles.  He was hit his right thigh while at the same time four of his bodyguards were seriously injured. In the exchange of fire that ensued, one of the attackers was seriously injured and was taken to Al-Thawrah Hospital, another was arrested  and the rest fled. and the the place. Soon later, not about to ignore their captured friend, another group from, who it is said, come from the  same tribe assaulted the Criminal Investigations Jail seeking  to release their captive accomplice.  But his attempt was futile free the captive but failed. 
Al-Khamiry was soon taken to hospital, and is not in serious condition. It is worth noting that Mr. Tawfik Al-Khamiry is a son in law of the Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Abdulla Hussein A-Ahmar.  The incident may have been an attempt to seek blood revenge.  Mr Al-Khamiry’s brother Nabil0 was once kidnapped and released after payment of a large  ransom said to be in the tune of US $ 500,000. 

The US Embassy in Sana'a confirmed in a press release that the Government of Yemen has granted "no objection" for the nomination of Ms. Marjorie Ransom as  the next Ambassador to Yemen. The Embassy clarified that Ms. Ransom must still be formally nominated by President Clinton and, more importantly, must under their Constitution, receive the consent of the U.S. Senate. The release indicated that there was no way to predict how long this process may take and it was inappropriate for them to speculate and that US ambassadors were the representatives of the US President; the senate's role was that of confirmation only. 
If she is confirmed by the Senate, Ms. Ransom will be expected to arrive sometimes the coming summer to replace 

Ambassador Barbara Bodine whose normal tour of duty is tentatively scheduled to end this summer. The release confirmed that that was normal and expected and that all career diplomats serving as ambassadors around the world who arrived at their posts anytime in 1997 were scheduled to be transferred this summer. The release came in response to a 26th September Newspaper article which had announced the Yemeni Government approval of the new Ambassador before, in fact, the formalities had even been finalized in the USA.