U.S. mulling Saleh's request to seek medical treatment in America
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Xinhua, December 28, 2011
The U.S. government was still considering the request by the outgoing Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh to seek medical treatment in America, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said on Tuesday.
"We're continuing to consider President Saleh's request to enter the country for the sole purpose of seeking medical treatment," Toner told reporters at a briefing.
But he stressed that contrary to some media reports, "that permission has not been granted yet."
Earlier in the day, the New York Times reported that the U.S. government has decided in principle to allow Saleh to receive medical treatment in America, subject to certain assurances.
The report came after Saleh, who was severely injured in a deadly bomb attack against his presidential palace in June, announced on Saturday that he would travel to the United States for medical check, without giving the specific date of his departure.
Toner also noted the importance of moving forward the power transfer deal brokered by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) which will "lead to the next election."
"We need to see that process continue regardless of where President Saleh is," he said.
Saleh and the opposition signed the GCC initiative in Saudi Arabia on Nov. 23. Under the deal, a new opposition-led coalition government was formed earlier this month and early presidential elections are set to be held on Feb. 21, 2012, while Saleh will retain the title of honorary president for 90 days before his resignation and will enjoy immunity from prosecution afterwards.
Violence has intensified recently in Yemen after the opposition launched massive protests, demanding Saleh's prosecution. The Obama administration also fears that the approval for Saleh to enter the United States could face sharp criticism from those who blame him for being responsible for the political chaos and deadly violence in Yemen.
The impoverished Arab country has been in the grip of months long political crisis triggered by mass protests demanding ouster of Saleh. About 2,000 people have been killed and thousands of others injured since the protests began in late January.
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