UK ambassador’s remarks disappoint southern transitional council’s hopes

SANAA, Jan. 31 (YPA) – British ambassador to Yemen Michael Aron’s recent statements on the attitude of his country’s government to Yemeni unity were disappointing to hopes of the so-called “Southern Transition Council”, which seeks the secession of South Yemen.

During an interview with Al-Jazeera TV Channel on Thursday, the ambassador stressed that Britain is with the stability of Yemen and does not support any move for the secession of south Yemen from the north.

“Our position is firm and united towards Yemen and its unity. This trend is not something that is managed in a secret manner,” said Aron. He pointed that he had told Aidarous al-Zubaidi, head of the southern transition council, about that during a previous meeting between them.

The ambassador indicated to the proposal submitted to the United Nations regarding the participation of parties that adopt the separation issue in Sweden negotiations, but the United Nations did not respond to that.

On the call for holding a referendum in southern Yemen on the unity of Yemen, Aron said that the political and economic conditions and the current unrest do not allow a referendum in this regard, stressing that “the solution in Yemen is to stop the war and pursue a political solution.”

Earlier in last year, al-Zubaidi called for a referendum on the secession of the south but to no avail. He expressed his displeasure at being excluded from the negotiations held in Sweden in last December, describing what had happened as disappointing.

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