So the Obama administration just yesterday had this State Department Briefing about Yemen: (transcript from C-SPAN) a video is at this link: c-span.org/video/?323915-1/state-department-briefing (Transcript) January 21, 2015 - State Department Spokesman Jen Psaki briefed reporters and responded to their questions on a variety of international topics. Q - Can we talk about Yemen? Jennifer R. Psaki - Sure. Q - So whats the latest on the security situation around the embassy? Have you had any change of heart about a possible evacuation? Whats the security... Jennifer R. Psaki - Sure. Well, as you know, Justin, the safety and security of our men and women serving overseas is a top priority for the president, for the secretary... Jennifer R. Psaki - Were continuing to not only monitor, but, I think, youd all expect, to discuss internally the situation on the ground in Yemen, as well as developments... Jennifer R. Psaki - As you also know, following the -- the embassy has been operating with reduced staffing and heightened security since an ordered departure happened... Q - So, whats your assessment of whether or not a coup has actually occurred? Do you feel theres been a shift in power? Is it too difficult to say?... Jennifer R. Psaki - The legitimate Yemeni government is led by President Hadi. We remain in touch with him. He is in his home. Jennifer R. Psaki - Clearly, weve seen a breakdown in the institutions in Yemen, and obviously theres a great deal of violence and tension on the ground. Were certainly... Q- Do you think the president has lost control? Do you worry that he will? Because there is this -- the question is, if he loses control, will you lose your counterterrorism ally in the region? Jennifer R. Psaki -Well, thats getting a few steps ahead of where we are at this point in time. Jennifer R. Psaki - I would say that throughout the last several weeks and days, and long before that, our ongoing counterterrorism cooperation with Yemen has continued. Jennifer R. Psaki - As you know, we believe that its in our national security interest to have a presence there, and a strong presence there, which is one that we continue... Jennifer R. Psaki - But obviously we weigh the safety and security of our personnel as, you know, very highly in this internal discussion. Q- Dont you think its a bit disingenuous to say President Hadi is in his home? Jennifer R. Psaki - Well, were continuing... Q - Hes in his home because hes surrounded by Shiite rebels who are -- may or not want to kill him. Jennifer R. Psaki - And he remains the legitimate president of the country and we remain in touch with him, Matt. Q- Well, all right. But, you know, theres a -- there are cases where legitimate leaders are not in a position to actually exert their legitimate authority... Q - So, I mean, I fear that were leading down a path where you guys are gonna start twisting yourself into pretzels again, like in Egypt, over whether... Jennifer R. Psaki - President Hadi remains the legitimate leader of the Yemeni government. Q - Right. Does he actually have authority? Jennifer R. Psaki - He remains -- Q -Can he -- Jennifer R. Psaki - -- the legitimate leader, Matt. Q - -- if he gives an order, do you think that -- that the government or the military will carry out his order while hes under -- while hes -- Jennifer R. Psaki - Matt, clearly -- clearly -- Q - -- relaxing at home, as you seem to suggest? Jennifer R. Psaki -- clearly, Matt, this is a very fluid situation on the ground. Its a -- its a challenging situation on the ground. As I mentioned, the parties... Q - Does the administration see the hand of Iran in whats going on? Jennifer R. Psaki - Well, weve talked in the past about -- you know, the fact that we believe the Houthis have concerning relations with Iran. And were certainly aware... Q - And then this is just -- takes it a little bit more -- makes -- brings it -- in a little broader perspective here -- Jennifer R. Psaki - Mm-hmm. Q - -- given the testimony that was on the Hill from Deputy Secretary Lincoln this morning. You see -- you have -- you say you have concerns about an... Given the fact that -- that you believe Iran to be a bad actor, if thats the right word, why on earth would you possibly think that Iran can be trusted... Jennifer R. Psaki - Well, Matt, its never been about trust. As you know, the nuclear negotiations are about the nuclear issue. If we reach an agreement, it doesnt mean... Soooo. Yemen is one of Obamas great successes in Foreign Policy and in detooothing AlQaeda? If it is, WE ARE IN REAL DEEP POOP!
Posted on: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 05:12:34 +0000
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