Yemeni President, Powell Hold Phone TalksYemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh Monday evening held phone talks with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell on the latest developments following Tuesday's terrorist attacks on the United States.During the phone conversation initiated by Powell, the two sides also discussed the international and regional issues of common interest, the Yemeni News Agency reported. Powell expressed the U.S. government's appreciation to the Yemeni president and his government for offering their condolences to the United States after the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, which have caused the death of thousands of innocent people. He also thanked Yemen for its condemnation of the terror attacks and all acts that endanger the world security and stability, according to the YNA. Powell spoke highly of Yemen's "positive and effective cooperation" in the current investigations into the attack against the USS Cole destroyer in southern Yemen, noting the importance of international concerted efforts in fighting against terrorism, the YNA said. The attack on the USS Cole missile destroyer took place last October when an explosive-laden rubber raft ran into the destroyer, docked in the Red Sea port of Aden in southern Yemen for refuelling, killing 17 U.S. sailors and wounding several others. For his part, the Yemeni president renewed the condolences on behalf of himself, the Yemeni people and his government to the victims of the terrorist attacks in the United States. He also reiterated the Yemen's condemnation of all forms of terrorism. Meanwhile, Saleh noted that Yemen was consulting with other Arab countries to hold an emergency Arab summit in a bid to adopt a unified Arab position towards terrorism and find ways of enhancing world security, peace and stability. |
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