The newly-appointed British Ambassador to Yemen, Michael Aron, said that the public opinion in the West has forgotten the reason that had started the war because of the worsening humanitarian crisis.
Stressing the deployment of strenuous efforts to alleviate the sufferings of the Yemeni population, Aron noted that the war started with a coup perpetrated by a small group of Yemenis, in reference to Houthi militias, adding that there was no need for an Iranian role in Yemen.
The ambassador said he believed that efforts initiated by the new UN Special Envoy, Martin Griffiths, would yield “real results to resolve the Yemeni crisis this year,” adding that the envoy would travel to Sanaa and Aden this week to listen to the opinion of the different sides before returning to New York to attend a Security Council session on April 17 and meet with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
On the Saudi role, Aron said: “I think it was clear in the visit of the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Britain that the Saudis want a solution to the problem and, in my opinion, the Saudi role is very important in this regard as Saudi Arabia supports the solution and the political process but cannot accept to live under the threat of ballistic missiles from a neighboring country.”
“They also want security along their borders, and they reject any role for Iran in Yemen and we support them in all these concerns, and it is very important to agree on these matters,” he added.
Asked about the guarantees that would make the militias accept a new peace initiative, especially with the outcome of the Kuwait negotiations, where the legitimate government signed the international peace agreement and offered many compromises, while the Houthis rejected the agreement, the British ambassador stressed that Yemenis living in areas controlled by Houthis would not accept the continuation of war.
“So I believe that with the efforts of the Special Envoy and the help of the international community, the problem can be solved this year,” Aron stated.
He emphasized that the Yemeni file was a priority for the British government, which he said was helping the UN efforts and the special envoy.
He noted that Griffiths, of British nationality, was an independent employee who has been appointed to assume this post due to his technical expertise.
“We support his efforts… I am optimistic and I think the opportunities in the coming months are real and not just words,” Aron said.
The British ambassador presented an overview of his country’s humanitarian support to Yemen.
He said that during the 2017-2018 fiscal year, Britain has offered 205 Million GBP in aid, which makes the country the second largest donor of financial aid.
He also underlined British support to the efforts of the United Nations, expressing satisfaction with the appointment of Lise Grande as the new UN humanitarian coordinator in Sanaa.
“We are working with the Coalition and neighboring countries to bring aid through the port of Hodeidah. I believe that easing sanctions on the Houthis could be a confidence-building step and would allow the distribution of aid to all Yemenis without any sanctions from both sides,” Aron noted.
The British ambassador highly valued the humanitarian plan launched by Saudi Arabia to support the Yemeni people and the central bank. He also praised efforts deployed by the Yemeni legitimate forces, backed by the Coalition, to fight terrorism on Yemeni territories.
Asked about Iran’s negative role in Yemen, Aron said: “I do not think there is a need for an Iranian role in Yemen. I spoke to the Yemenis and they do not want any role for Iran in their country. The relationship between the Houthis and Iran is new, and is not welcome by Yemenis.”
“So if the Iranians say they want peace in the region and Yemen and they are sincere in that, they should withdraw and stop their military assistance to the Houthis, which is an important part of solving the problem,” he stated.
