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NEWS ARCHIVE 2000
JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL-DEC | PREVIOUS YEARS

Note: the items on this page contain links to news reports which were available on the internet at the time of publication. Some sources (e.g. Reuters, BBC and ArabicNews) retain their content indefinitely; others remove it after a few weeks. If you have difficulty locating an original report contact us for advice. Archived AFP reports can be purchased at www.pressed.com.
JUNE 2000

SECURITY FORCES SHELL VILLAGE
Security forces and army units used heavy artillery to shell Misrakh village in Ta'iz province. The move came when people guarding a small plot of land against confiscation resisted arrest. First reports said at least five people were injured and eight houses were destroyed. Report: AP/Ananova

BORDER DEAL NEEDS MORE WORK
Both Yemen and Saudi Arabia have now ratified the border treaty which was signed in Jeddah on June 12. But the text of the agreement shows that the longest section of the border - between Jabal al-Thar and the Omani frontier - has not yet been defined. 

CZECH TANKS DEAL
The Czech Republic has dispatched thirty T-55 tanks purchased by Yemen. The remaining tanks in the deal will be sent in September and December. Report: BBC Monitoring

KIDNAPPER GETS 20 YEARS
A 25-year-old Yemeni has been jailed for 20 years for kidnapping. Other members of the gang are still at large. Report:
Reuters. Background: Yemen Gateway.

73,000 REFUGEES IN YEMEN
Yemen is sheltering more than 73,000 refugees, 93% of whom are Somalis. Report: ArabicNews

MURDERS CONFIRMED
German experts, called in the investigate the "morgue murders" case, have confirmed that two of the alleged victims were murdered. Report: Reuters

ITALIAN HOSTAGE RELEASED
Alberto Alessio, chairman of an Italian archaeology foundation, who was kidnapped in Marib city on June 16, has been released along with four Yemenis taken hostage at the same time.

ISRAEL BANS VISITS TO YEMEN
The Israeli government has warned that any resident who visits Yemen without a special permit "is committing a criminal act". Report: UPI

KIDNAPPED NORWEGIAN SHOT DEAD
A Norwegian diplomat has been shot dead in Yemen after he and his eight-year old son were kidnapped by armed men. Reports: Yemen Times, AFP, BBC

DEATH SENTENCES FOR KIDNAPPING
Seven Yemenis have been sentenced to death, and 21 others to jail terms of up to 15 years. Eighteen of the 28 people convicted - including the group's alleged leader - were tried in their absence. Report: Reuters

CALL TO END BORDER DISPUTE
President Salih began his historic visit to Saudi Arabia with a call to resolve the long-running border dispute. Report: AFP

TWO JAILED FOR BOMBINGS
Two men have been jailed for a series of bomb attacks in southern Yemen. Reports: Reuters, AFP

MAY 2000

CALL FOR EXECUTION OF "RIPPER"
A protest march by more than 10,000 students called for the "Sanaa ripper", who has confessed to raping and murdering 16 women, be executed. Reports: Reuters, AFP, Yemen Times

ROAD TO OMAN OPENS
The new road from al-Ghaidah to Shahn, linking Yemen and Oman, has been formally opened at a ceremony attended by Sultan Qaboos and President Salih. Report: Asia Pulse

ERITREAN REFUGEES ARRIVE
About 300 Eritrean refugees arrived in the Yemeni port of Mukha as war with neighbouring Ethiopia over a disputed border escalated. Report: Reuters

SALIH TO GERMANY
President Salih will make an official visit to Germany in June. Report: ArabicNews

JEWISH VISITS CANCELLED
President Salih says he has cancelled future visits by Israeli Jews of Yemeni origin, accusing Israel of trying to exploit the trips to split the Arab world. Report: Reuters

SALIH TO VISIT SAUDI ARABIA
President will shortly visit Saudi Arabia to discuss the border dispute. Report: Reuters, Yemen Times

15 BODIES FOUND 
Investigators in the case of the mortuary murders at Sana'a university have found the bodies of 15 women. Report: Reuters

TEN YEARS OF UNITY
Yemen celebrated 10 years of unification on May 22. Day of celebrations: Reuters. Theme of economic reform: AFP. New and looking forward: AFP. Background and analysis: Yemen Gateway

MURDER IN THE MORGUE
Police have arrested a Sudanese assistant at Sana'a University's medical school on suspicion of raping and murdering up to 16 women. There are reports that the man, who worked in the mortuary and taught students how to carry out autopsies, sold his victims' body parts to customers outside Yemen. Reports:
AP/CNN, BBC. Suspect "killed 11 more women in Sudan": BBC

HUMPING AROUND THE WORLD
Two Yemenis who are attempting to travel around the world on camels have arrived in Malaysia. Report: Straits Times

BORDER DEAL NEAR?
There is speculation that a settlement of the border dispute with Saudi Arabia will be announced to coincide with the tenth anniversary of Yemeni unification on May 22. Crown Prince Abdullah is due to make an unprecedented visit to Sana'a for the  celebrations. But tribal disputes in the north-west border area may delay a settlement. Reports: Yemen Times, Reuters. Background: Yemen Gateway

HUMAN RIGHTS DEBATE
The US embassy in Sana'a is to hold a public discussion on human rights in Yemen, following publication of the State Department's annual report. - ArabicNews. Full text of State Department report.

SUPPORT FOR NEWSPAPER
The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists has appealed to President Salih to drop charges against Hisham Bashraheel, editor of al-Ayyam newspaper, over an interview with Abu Hamza al-Masri. Report: Reuters

BY-ELECTION IN SANA'A
A by-election in constituency 242 (Alhayma district of Sana'a) is being held on May 13. Report: ArabicNews

DIJBOUTI DEFENDS PORT DEAL
The Djibouti minister responsible for ports has defended his country's deal for the Dubai Ports Authority to manage Djibouti port for 20 years. The deal has caused concern in Aden. Report: BBC

NEW U.S. AMBASSADOR
The new American ambassador to Yemen will be Marjorie  Ransom, a career diplomat as ambassador who is fluent in Arabic. He appointment is subject to Senate approval. Reports: AP, Reuters

AUSTRALIAN OIL DEAL
Yemen says it has signed an oil production sharing agreement with Oil Search of Australia and Al-Otaiba Group of the UAE. The initial exploration phase will be worth $9.5 million. The deal covers offshore block 15 in the southern Mukalla area. Report: Business Recorder

TWO DIE IN AMRAN FLOODS
Two people were killed and six injured in floods which damaged houses and farmland in Amran province. Report: Reuters

$60 MILLION AID FROM EUROPE
Yemen says the European Union has agreed provide $60 million for a variety of projects. About half the money will be used to improve food security and the rest will be used to support civil aviation, coastal fishing monitoring and a water and sewerage project in Aden. Report: Reuters

APRIL 2000

"SORCERER" IS A YEMENI
The Saudi interior minister, Prince Nayef, says the "sorcerer" arrested on April 23 is a Yemeni. The arrested man, Hussein Ismail al-Makrami, was imam of the Ismailis' main mosque in Najran, close to the border with Yemen. A Saudi security officer was killed when disturbances broke out following the arrest. Reports: AFP, ABC News

KIDNAP SUSPECT ARRESTED
The Yemeni authorities have arrested a man suspected of kidnapping foreigners. He is also accused of murder and armed assaults. The identity of the kidnap victims has not been disclosed. Reports:
ArabicNews, Reuters, BBC

FOUR DIE IN PRIVATE JAIL
April 24: Four men have died after being imprisoned by sheikhs Nasser and Ali al-Mikdad in Dhamar province. There are numerous tribal prisons in Yemen, though the government has attempted to close some of them. Report: Yemen Times

U.S. CRACKDOWN ON QAT
April 23: The American authorities are clamping down on Yemenis who chew qat in New York. Report: AP; background: Yemen Gateway

CALL TO BOYCOTT FILM
April 22: Yemen has called on the Arab League to boycott Rules of Engagement, the current top box office film in America, which shows Yemeni women and children firing rifles at the US embassy in Sana'a. Reports: Reuters, Boston Globe; review: CNN; SHAME! - Yemen Times

ROW OVER AIRCRAFT DEAL
Yemen is reported to have outbid Nigeria for the purchase Airbus A-340, causing a furore in Lagos. President Salih is said to have offered $90 million for the plane - $10 million more than Nigeria was prepared to pay. There have been claims that the plane is worth no more than $50 million. Reports: Nigeria Guardian; AfricaNews

YEMENI PLANE "VIOLATED NIGERIAN AIR SPACE"
A Yemeni airliner which had been detained in Kano since Saturday for violating Nigeria's air space has now been allowed to leave. Report: AFP

SALIH BRIEFS U.A.E.
President Salih has briefed the UAE on the results of his visit to Tehran. The UAE has a border dispute with Iran. Report: AFP

STUDENTS CALLED TO FIGHT IN CHECHNYA
Several Yemeni students say they have been offered large sums of money to fight in Chechnya. Report: Yemen Times

  • Bin Laden funding military training for British and Yemeni terrorists: The Times
  • Abu Hamza and the Islamic Army: Yemen Gateway

YET MORE ISRAELIS VISIT YEMEN
A third group of Israeli tourists has arrived in Yemen, and a fourth is reported to be arriving shortly. The parliamentary Speaker, Sheikh Abdullah al-Ahmar, says the authorities are making a "deadly mistake". Reports: ArabicNews, AFP

SALIH VISITS IRAN
April 17: President Salih is visiting Iran - for the first time since he came to power in 1978. Reports: AFP, Reuters

BRITONS' SENTENCES UPHELD
April 16: Yemen's Supreme Court has upheld jail sentences against seven Britons convicted on terrorism charges. Report: Reuters

SADDAM SENDS HIS REGRETS ...
April 12: Saddam Hussein will not attend celebrations to mark the 10th anniversary of Yemeni unification, but his vice-president will represent Iraq. Report: Reuters. Invitation to Saddam: Reuters

PLANS FOR MUKALLA 
April 12: An Iranian company has signed a memorandum of understanding for technical studies to develop Mukalla port. Report: ArabicNews

TWO EXECUTED
April 11: Two men convicted of murder have been executed in Dhamar. Report: AP

OIL EXPLORATION DEAL
April 11: A consortium which includes Occidental Petroleum, Adair International, a private Yemeni firm and a Yemeni state-owned company, has signed an oil exploration deal for Block 20 (between Marib and  Shabwa). Report: Reuters

GAS EXPORTS DELAYED
April 11: Yemen is to delay the launch of gas exports until at least 2004. Report: AFP

SALIH MEETS CLINTON
April 4: President Salih met the American president, Bill Clinton, at the White House. Clinton praised Yemen's "democratic achievements, including guaranteeing through its constitution women's right to full political and economic participation". They also discussed ways to encourage investment in Yemen and Clinton commended the relaxation of travel restrictions for Jews from Israel. Reports: Reuters,
AFP, AP. US and Yemen hope for lasting Middle East peace: Reuters   

YEMENI BEHEADED IN SAUDI ARABIA
April 3: A Yemeni convicted of kidnapping and sexually abusing a boy was beheaded in Najran, Saudi Arabia. It was the 15th beheading in Saudi Arabia this year. Last year, at least 99 people were executed. Report: AP

CALL FOR U.S. SUPPORT
April 2: President Salih, speaking in Washington, said that Yemen needs " comprehensive political, moral and development support" from the United States to ensure the success of democracy. Report: Reuters

YEMENI ON TERROR CHARGES
A Yemeni is among 28 people indicted in Jordan on terrorism charges. The authorities say the suspects are linked to Osama bin Laden. Report: UPI

MARCH 2000

SOCIALISTS DENY RIFT
The Yemen Socialist Party has denied that there is a dispute about party leaders who have been exiled since the 1994 war. Reports: ArabicNews,
Yemen Times 

CANADA BACKS YEMEN'S BID TO JOIN COMMONWEALTH
The prime minister of Canada has told President Salih that he will support the country's application to join the British Commonwealth. Reports:
Reuters, ArabicNews 

TWO EXECUTED
Two men convicted of murder have been executed by firing squad in Tai'izz. Report: AP

ECONOMY GROWS 4.5%
The minister of planning and development, Ahmad Muhammad Soufan, says that Yemen's economy grew by 4.5% last year. Report:
ArabicNews

SHOCK FOR ADEN'S PORT
There are fears in Aden that the port will shortly face unexpected competition from Djibouti. This follows the disclosure that the Port of Dubai Authority is to take over the running of Djibouti's port. Report: Yemen Times

DISPUTE OVER "ISRAELIS"
There are now doubts over a report that Israeli passport-holders have been allowed to enter Yemen for the first time. The hotel where the 12 Jewish men are staying says they have British and American passports. Reports: Reuters, AFP

SALIH LEAVES MEETING EARLY
President Salih left a meeting in the US unexpectedly, and cancelled another one, after answering a question about Israeli visits to Yemen. Reports: Reuters, AP

SHEIKH MURDERED
Sheikh Hassan Mohammed Manna'a (a businessman and a prominent figure in the Islah party) was shot dead on March 25 while leaving his house in Sa'ada. A man has been arrested, but the motive for the murder is not clear. Report: Yemen Times 

TRIBAL BARRICADE NEAR MARIB
The Obaidah tribe has set up a road block 5 km from Marib because of a dispute with the Bani Hareth tribe over employment at the Janah Hunt Oil field. Report: Yemen Times 

BORDER TALKS "ON TRACK"
The Saudi defence minister, Prince Sultan bin Abd al-Aziz, says the border issue between Saudi Arabia and Yemen is "proceeding on the right track". Report: ArabicNews

RUSTING IRAQI SHIPS WORRY ADEN
The UN is considering a request from Yemen to remove three Iraqi oil tankers which were impounded in Aden harbour in 1990 and are now in danger of sinking. Report:
AFP

CLASH IN TAHRIR SQUARE
The son of "an influential man" was involved in an armed clash in Tahrir Square, Sana'a. Report: Yemen Times

COMPANY TO BE PROSECUTED
The government is to prosecute al-Monkid, the well-known investment company, for allegedly violating business regulations. The firm was recently accused of involvement in the kidnapping of an American oil worker. Report:
Yemen Times   

JUDGE SEEKS ASYLUM
A prominent Yemeni judge is seeking political asylum in the west. Report: Yemen Times 

MYSTERY OF MISSING STUDENT
A 22-year-old female student from the UAE has been missing in Yemen since last December. Her family believe she has been kidnapped. Report: Gulf News

YEMEN AND SAUDI "ON THE MOVE"
Geologists say a new ocean is forming as Yemen and Saudi Arabia struggle to break away from the African coast. Report:  AFP

SALIH CALLS FOR END TO SANCTIONS
President Salih has urged Arab states to close ranks and help lift sanctions against Iraq which, he says, are no longer justified. Report: Reuters

YEMEN SEEKS TO JOIN W.T.O.
Yemen is is to apply for membership of the World Trade Organisation before the end of this year. Report: ArabicNews

TRIBE RELEASES AMBASSADOR 
The Polish ambassador to Yemen, who was kidnapped on March 1, has been set free. Reports: Reuters, AFP, AP. Ambassador staged hunger strike - Reuters. List of foreigners kidnapped in Yemen since 1996: Yemen Gateway

DUTCH MAN SHOT DEAD
A Dutch man and a Yemeni working on a project to develop small industries have been shot dead by a colleague at their office in Sana'a. Reports: Reuters, UPI

SAUDIS IN KIDNAP TRIAL
Eight men, including two Saudis, have gone on trial, accused of plotting to kidnap foreigners and "obtaining money by fraud and forging official Saudi and Yemeni documents." Report: Reuters/ABC

BORDER COMMITTEE MEETS
The Yemen-Saudi border committe met in Riyadh to discuss the maritime boundary between the two countries. Report:
Reuters

ISRAEL CALLING ...
The Israeli embassy in Jordan has repeatedly to phoned the Yemeni embassy there, seeking to speak to the ambassador with a view to setting up a meeting between the prime ministers of both countries. Report: ArabicNews

AMBASSADOR KIDNAPPED
The Polish ambassador to Yemen has been kidnapped. Reports: BBC, Reuters, AFP, AP.

FEBRUARY 2000

JET FUEL PRICE GOES UP
Yemen has raised the price of jet fuel from 19 US cents a litre to 22 cents. Report: Reuters/ABC

PROTESTS AT BAN ON JOURNALIST
Yemeni journalists and an international press rights group have called on President Salih to quash a "life ban" imposed on a journalist. Report: AFP. Comment:
Yemen Gateway

MOWJ LINK TO BORDER DEAL
The Yemeni government is coming under pressure to accept a reconciliation with Mowj, the exiled opposition group, as part of a border settlement with Saudi Arabia. Report: Yemen Gateway. Background to the border dispute: Yemen Gateway

GOVERNOR IN GUN BATTLE
The governor of al-Dali' province survived an assassination attempt on February 15. His security men returned fire in a gun battle which lasted for about an hour. Reports: al-Ayyam (Arabic), Reuters

YEMEN TIMES TRACKS DOWN NADIA
Nadia Muhsin was just 14 in 1980 when her father sent her from Britain to Yemen to be married. The story has aroused great controversy ever since. Now, for the first time, she has given her own version of events. Far from struggling in poverty in a remote village, as often reported, she is living in a comfortable house in Ta'izz. Reports: Part 1; Part 2; Part 3 

U.S. ISSUES TRAVEL WARNING
The United States has revised - and hardened - its advice on travel to Yemen. Report: UPI

PRESSURE OVER ISRAEL
Yemen's foreign minister says the country is under pressure to establish relations with Israel. Reports: Yemen Times, ArabicNews

PLAN TO DESTROY LAND MINES
Yemen is to destroy a stockpile of 10,000 anti-personnel mines as part of its commitment to an international treaty banning the weapons. Report: Reuters

JOURNALIST BANNED
A Yemeni journalist has been banned from his profession for life after allegedly insulting the Saudis. Report: Yemen Gateway

KIDNAPPED AMERICAN IS FREED
The American oil worker who was kidnapped on January 26 has been released. Reports: Yemen Times, AFP, AP, BBC. A curious kidnapping: Yemen Gateway

GOVERNMENT RESHUFFLE?
There is speculation of a cabinet reshuffle in the run-up to parliamentary elections, due in April next year. Report: Yemen Gateway   

JAIL FOR BOMBING ATTEMPT
A 19-year-old youth has been jailed for three years for attempting to blow up Yemen's main oil pipeline. Report: Reuters

BIDS FOR DELAYED GAS PROJECT
Yemen is to invite bids in April for a liquified natural gas project which has been delayed because of the weak economies of potential customers. Report: Reuters

SALIH VISITS BRUSSELS
President Salih, visiting Brussels, has urged the European Union to play an increased role in the Arab world. Report: ArabicNews

TEENAGER ON SABOTAGE CHARGE
A 19-year-old youth has gone on trial, accused of attempting to bomb Yemen's main oil pipeline. Report: Reuters
   
JANUARY 2000

YEMEN BLAMES FOREIGN PLOTS
Yemen says "foreign fronts" are behind kidnappings and their aim is to damage the country's reputation and stability. Report: ArabicNews
      

PLAN FOR WOMEN MEMBERS
Yemen is considering a plan to allow women to join the Consultative Council (the appointed upper house of parliament). Report: ArabicNews

PIRATE ATTACK
An Australian woman was shot and wounded when she and her partner were attacked in their catamaran by pirates. Report: AFP

ISLAH LEADERS "BEHIND KIDNAP"
The government has accused leaders of the main opposition party, Islah, of being behind the abduction of an American oil worker. Reports: AFP, AP. American was snatched from his bed: Yemen Times. Kidnap Chronicle: Yemen Gateway

GERMAN-YEMENI TALKS
A German delegation is in Sana'a for talks on economic co-operation. Report: ArabicNews

ARMS GUARANTEES HALTED
Britain is to stop underwriting arms loans to a further 22 developing countries, including Yemen. Report: AP

.../headlines for July-December 2000

.../headlines from previous years

  

Last revised on 23 June, 2007