The United States does not expect to deploy combat troops in Yemen to hunt down al-Qaida terrorists, but it will help the government with training and other assistance. On a visit to the Yemeni capital of San'a that lasted only a few hours, Gen. Tommy Franks said he met President Ali Abdullah Saleh to discuss military and security cooperation. "I was impressed with his view and the active approach he is taking to the problem of terrorism, both in the region and certainly here within Yemen," Franks told reporters at a brief news conference. He said that Saleh had not asked for U.S. combat troops but was interested in military training and assistance in creating a coast guard to help the Yemenis guard their 1,500-mile coastline.
At least two terror suspects believed to be in Yemen, Qaed Salim Sunian al-Harethi, allegedly a top al-Qaida official, and Mohammed Hamdi al-Ahdal, are wanted by the United States for the Cole attack.
Is it my imagination, or does the Yemeni government seem more grown up than it did a year or two ago? What's changed? |