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| 'Gulf Arabs must help Yemen, Pakistan against militants' |
| 2009-05-05 |
| Gulf Arab countries should help Pakistan and Yemen bolster security in the face of rising militant violence that could spread their way, the European Union's anti-terrorism chief said on Monday. Gulf authorities should also tighten control on possible transfers of funds to militant groups through Pakistani and Yemeni expatriates living in the oil-exporting region, Gilles de Kerchove said. "It's a question of knowing if we can together work with Gulf countries to try and avoiding Pakistan and Yemen becoming what we commonly call 'failed states' and gradually safe havens for Al Qaeda organisations," he said on the sidelines of a conference on terror financing. Yemen is battling a new wave of Al Qaeda attacks over the past year as well as secessionist sentiment in the south which led to clashes this week that provoked a rare call by the United States for the parties to act to keep Yemen united. Sanaa also faces a Zaydi Shia rebellion in the north and rebellious tribes who reject central authority, forming fertile ground for militant groups to operate. Neighbouring Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, has said it fears instability in Yemen could allow it to become a launching pad for a revival of a 2003-2006 campaign by Al Qaeda to topple the US-allied ruling Al Saud family. De Kerchove said Gulf countries needed to 'do more' to combat money laundering that could benefit militants. As of June 2007, travellers to and from Saudi Arabia are required to declare cash amounts, transferable monetary instruments or precious metals exceeding $16,000. Control: He said Saudi Arabia should tighten control along its long and porous border with Yemen, as well as offer Pakistan financial support to train its police force in counter-insurgency methods. "Much of the anti-terrorism campaign has been led by the Pakistani army, an army that has not been adequately trained to deal with an insurgency," he said. "In Yemen, there is a huge amount of work to be done (and) a weakening state apparatus." |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 Gulf Arabs must help? What an interesting concept.. Have they run it by a study group that includes Gulf Arabs? Do they know how to help? |
| Posted by: 3dc 2009-05-05 22:16 |