FM: What is happening in the south is paid work By: Sawsan Abu Hasan Edited into English by: Mahmoud Assamiee

SANA'A, May 29 (Saba)- Foreign Minister Abu Bakr
al-Qirbi described
what is happening in southern governorates like demonstrations is a paid work.
"Movement leaders are making use of the economic situation and the millions of
dollars they took from the 1994 civil war to spend on the demonstrations," he said.
In an interview with Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper, Minister al-Qirbi stressed that
some people work with the movement to gain money only not for the desire of the
separation.
He talked about Yemen's relations with countries of Gulf Cooperation Council and
described them as positive. He noted that Sana'a looks for a new chart to the Arab
League
instead of maintaining the old one for the interest of joint Arab work.
He said President Ali Abdullah Saleh has communicated with Arab leaders about
Yemen's attitude with them over the country's diplomacy. "President's communication
with Arab
leaders and his speeches he is directing to the international community affirm
Yemen's ability to present initiatives and solutions to solve internal issues." He
said that
the president's speech in the eve of the celebration of the re-unification ceremony
and his call to dialogue and discussing all issues reflect political readiness to
solve
all problems accompanied the unity, besides his readiness to form coalition government.
Over Yemen's relations with Iran, al-Qirbi said they are normal and there is still
contact between the two countries as their embassies are still open.
On Arab assistances to Yemen to overcome its current crisis, he talked about the
need of creating work mechanism helps in realizing balanced economic growth in the
region.
He talked about importance of utilizing Arab funds to enhance Arab joint interests
and investments.
"If the 20 percent of Arab funds transferred to outside employed in Arab countries,
they would contribute in solving security and economic situations these countries
suffer
from." However al-Qirbi said that Yemen's integration with GCC economies will not be
the solution to Yemen's crises but the solution lies in these countries' vision
towards
Yemen and the importance of standing with the country to face its security and
economic challenges.
He explained that providing support Yemen needs to achieve development and create
work opportunities as well as open the doors to Yemeni laborers to work in Gulf
markets
is more important step before integration.
He praised GCC support to Yemen in London Conference held in 2006 saying:" GCC
countries provided nearly 65 percent of the total support committed by donors in
the conference."
This support is estimated at USD 2, 7 billion reflects there is new vision to GCC
countries to create partnership with Yemen.
Foreign Minister Abu Baker al-Qirbi affirmed that Yemen does not want crises
because these crises have their high costs. Southern movement and al-Qaeda
affected Yemen's
economy which is already has been affected by global financial crises and the
reduction of oil production and prices.
Over military training Israel and Iran are currently carrying out and expectations
of a hot summer, al-Qirbi said indicators do not bring good news and "I think that
Israel
wants to punish Hezbollah.
Last year reports say that Israel plan to hit Hezbollah and I believe that if Israel
risks a new war, it will face the same fate it faced in 2006." Over Arab-Iran
dialogue
for the interests of Arabs as Yemen has been already affected by Iranian support to
Houthis, Minister al-Qirbi said starting a dialogue between Arabs and Iran will
serve
the interests of both to define the two parts relations to discuss solving issues
between Arabs and Iran like Iranian interference in the United Arab Emirates and
Iraq.