Almotamar.net - Yemen Vice President (VP) Abid Rabu Mansoour Hadi received Tuesday in Sana’a the former US ambassador to Yemen Barbara Bodine.

The meeting reviewed a number of issues and subjects related to the economic and political situation in Yemen and the various challenges facing Yemen, mainly the terrorist acts by al-Qaeda organisation in addition to what the Houthi rebellion represents of impact as well as troubles in some districts of southern provinces, added to that the piracy acts on the Somali coast and Aden Gulf.

The VP pointed out the importance of the international waterway in this region, through which more than three million barrels of oil pass daily to Europe and different areas of the world.

Hadi indicated the necessity and significance of cooperation to enhance capabilities of the Yemeni Coast Guard forces to be able to confront different possibilities and protect the Yemeni coasts against terrorists infiltration across seas.

With regard to the democratic and political aspect, the VP referred to February 2009 agreement according to which the elections were postponed for two years and under request by the United States of America, the European Union and the Yemeni opposition represented by the Joint Meeting Parties.

The VP said unfortunately that postponement was cause for many problems with those that considered it weakness on the side of the state and some negative ramifications began. That postponement was restricted by certain points, among them paving the political arena and the electoral system. “During our meetings with the opposition Joint Meeting Parties we have agreed on many issues until we reached to the point of determination on implementing the democratic right for holding the parliamentary elections on the fixed date of 27 April 2011,” Hadi said.

He said, “Here the parties of the JMP began reshuffling the cards and violating the certain agreements. They had gone further to the point of reaching the constitutional vacuum which would lead to the loss of the state’s prestige and status. And that is an object of people’s and official rejection on the grounds that the elections are the essential ground for consolidating the democratic approach and political pluralism. “

Hadi has also called on the United States of America and the European Union for backing up Yemen politically and economically to overcome some of the economic problems and employ labour, as he youth segment in Yemen reaches at five million people, so that some of them would not be dragged to illegitimate acts.

The Vice President, on the other hand, praised ambassador Bodine’s efforts especially that she was the ambassador of the United States to Yemen during the difficult circumstances while defeating the conspiracy of secession.

Barbara Bodine has expressed her pleasure for visiting Yemen anew and pointed out that she found good circumstances better than before. She affirmed that the United States supports Yemen and appreciate the special circumstances Yemen is experiences. She said democracy in Yemen represents positive and important aspect and all have to preserve it, including the holding of the elections that represent the essence of democracy.