The US envoy clarifies his position on external interference in the war in Yemen and financial support provided by the United States, and discusses the reopening of the US embassy in Sanaa.
Yemen
Yamanat – Sanaa
The Yemeni American Journal interviewed US Special Envoy to Yemen Tim Lenderking during his recent visit to southeastern Michigan, during which he attended a series of meetings with activists from the Yemeni American community, listened to the problems and proposed solutions to overcome the deteriorating situation in Yemen.
The interview covered a number of topics related to his mission and his vision of war and peacemaking, the position and role of the United States, humanitarian support, regional actors and other topics, during which he stressed that Yemen represents a priority for the United States, speaking of an international consensus to end the war there…
Below is the text of the interview:
Our first question: Since your appointment, what have been your priorities? What have you accomplished so far?
LENDERKING: First of all, thank you very much everyone for the opportunity to talk about Yemen. It’s a cause that is close to our hearts and really close to our hearts. I have felt so much emotion and passion for Yemen over the past two days, and this visit to Michigan has been very inspiring; So thank you really for giving me the opportunity to speak more.
I think the main thing we are doing with the support of the president, the secretary of state and the U.S. administration is to create a sense that peace in Yemen is possible. Of course, what we want to do is not war. We’re talking about all the other things, whether it’s increased humanitarian aid, a ceasefire, opening the ports, the airport, lifting the remaining restrictions, all of those things to improve the lives of the Yemeni people. That’s what it’s about. We know the situation is urgent and people are dying every day. It’s a tragic situation. I think the president feels that. I’m honored that he decided we should have an envoy for this issue, and that he chose me to do it.
-How would you describe your achievements so far?
Lenderking: You mentioned creating a sense of possibility that didn’t exist during the war. I think that’s number one. I think there is an international consensus on the urgency of ending the war, a consensus that did not exist before January. I think the Yemeni people felt it.
But I think with all the other issues going on in the world, the focus has been on other issues, whether it’s the region’s issues or COVID-19 or climate change. It was the president who made an announcement in February and said Yemen was a priority for the United States. And I think the way countries have responded to my appointment, coming together around a UN peace plan, if you will, is an important development. So, from Japan to the United Kingdom, via France and Germany, I think you are creating incredible momentum.
A new UN envoy will arrive in the next two weeks. He already knows the file well. It will be up and running and it will add to that momentum. By the way, we also, you know, I think we’re trying to lead by example, which is we’ve been talking about the importance of the humanitarian situation. Last week we announced $165 million in humanitarian aid to Yemen. It’s a small amount, but it will be a team effort. So we need other countries to step up their efforts.
– Is America part of the conflict, helping Saudi Arabia or does it have its own interests?
Lenderking: We have our own interests in Yemen and we are not here to represent another party. We do not represent the United Nations, nor the Saudis in the Saudi-led coalition. We do not yet represent the parties internally. What we’re trying to do, I think, is have the impact that we have, and I think it’s important. I think you will notice more pressure that we will put on the parties in the future. This will lead to an international solution to the conflict.
Ultimately, I think the only way to get Yemen out of this situation, not just out of war, but out of this pattern of war every few years, is to promote a negotiated settlement that will be implemented by the Yemenis themselves and will include the Houthis, as well as other groups. I think the bottom line is that you give the Yemenis a voice while we sit, and they will find solutions.
Is Yemen now being used as a proxy war between regional actors, as in the same case in Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq or Libya?
Lenderking: I think one of the problems that has emerged is that the longer the conflict goes on, the more outsiders are tempted to intervene to support one faction or another. The U.S. secretary of state said very early on, probably in February, that we needed to withdraw external forces from Yemen. This is not to say that we do not welcome generous humanitarian pledges. Qatar pledged $100 million a few weeks ago, and I mentioned our commitment. I think there will be more at the next pledging conference in New York at the end of September. We need everyone to be engaged. But our interest is actually to ensure that Al-Qaeda does not regain a foothold in Yemen or expand its presence.
In fact, we do not want the war in Yemen to involve external interference from other actors. She also mentioned the very negative role that Iran plays in the conflict. This is a great opportunity for Iran to show a new face to the region and the world by engaging constructively in Yemen, rather than fueling the conflict.
– What financial support has the United States provided to Yemen? Is the support coming solely from the legitimate Hadi-led government in Riyadh, or from support for non-profit organizations operating under Houthi control?
Lenderking: Since the beginning of the conflict, the United States has been the largest donor to Yemen. We have distributed more than $3.6 billion. As an American, I am very proud of the fact that we are providing this level of assistance to Yemen. There are others who have been generous over time. One of the challenges we see is that countries come forward and promise humanitarian aid, but don’t deliver. The United Nations is therefore in constant need of financial support to implement many of its programs, which are really making a difference in Yemen, as they feed people who would otherwise starve. They create livelihoods. They work on sanitation. They are working to improve distribution networks and rehabilitate ports, largely with international funding. This funding has therefore increased. Much of our funding does not go directly to the Yemeni government. This does not go well with the Houthis. We support existing programs in all regions of Yemen, including areas controlled by the Houthis. It doesn’t have to be political, it’s money that will help people who need it.
– How was your visit to Michigan? What do you expect from Yemeni Americans to help you in your mission and help both the United States and Yemen?
LENDERKING: As you mentioned, you had two days of wonderful and very moving conversations on this particular issue. What can the diaspora community do? I am very grateful to everyone who helped organize the events that connected Yemeni Americans with us. We spoke with business owners from Detroit, Dearborn and Hamtramck. We played sports together and saw the power of sports as a way to mentor and discipline young people. We are sad because, as you know, it is difficult for children in Yemen to play football because of the ongoing war. I think the main thing that Yemeni Americans can do is twofold: One: Give us your ideas…I mean, you have a perspective, you have a family. I have been incredibly moved by the engagement of Yemenis here in Dearborn and Hamtramck regarding the situation in Yemen. It’s very inspiring. That’s what I think. A lot of ideas were given to our team, to me, to think about what people thought were the best solutions, and we really pushed our audience to not just tell us about the problems. We are drowning in problems, we need solutions. And there are some common themes that I think we came out with afterward.
I think it’s very important to engage with Congress. Congress plays a very important role in Yemen and continues to provide support to resolve the conflict and guide us when, you know, we move forward in a way that is considered unproductive. And I think the fact that right-wing Americans, as I see them, are holding more positions in public life, which is great, and running for office, like for key positions, is a big development. I think this helps keep Yemen in the spotlight.
– How do you see America’s relationship with Yemen in the next five years?
Lenderking: We simply want Yemen to once again become an integral part of the Arabian Peninsula, fully operational and a source of stability for its region. We want to return our embassy to Sanaa. We haven’t had an ambassador or diplomats in Sanaa for years. We want to be there. We want to reopen our embassy there, we want to have a normal diplomatic relationship with them and work on all the things that we are working on with other countries. Person-to-person programs, economic support, commercial support, defense relations, security. Many of my colleagues served in Yemen. I also went to Yemen. But many of my colleagues served in Yemen in better times. A wonderful country, ancient heritage, many important religious sites, a land of physical beauty. I mean, Yemen has a lot to offer. I believe the world will appreciate it and not associate Yemen with war.
– Is there anything last you would like to say or extend to the community?
LENDERKING: Again, the sense of passion and commitment that we’ve heard from the people of this city, and the very helpful suggestions about what we can do to work together. I think that’s the inspiration. Also, like you said, loyalty, I think that’s what people in Yemen and the United States think about. It’s a powerful combination. I believe that by combining the voices of this vibrant community, our political interests and those of the United States, we can help restore Yemen. This is my hope, this is my commitment.
Source: Yemeni American
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