Indonesia Prepares Evacuation Plan for Its Citizens in Yemen

Antara News, Fri, February 04 2011

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government is preparing the evacuation of its citizens in Yemen in case the political turmoil gets worse in the country as what had happened in Egypt, a minister said.

Marty M Natalegawa. (ANTARA)

"Our embassy in Sana`a is now re-counting around 3,000 Indonesians working there so if the situation gets worse, we are ready to evacuate them," Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa said here on Friday.

As to the evacuation of Indonesians from Egypt, the minister said more aircraft will be sent to Cairo to pick up Indonesians there after the first group had arrived safely in Jakarta on Jan 2.

"Today around 12.30 west Indonesian time, the second group of evacuees of 430 Indonesians will arrive in Jakarta," Marty said adding another 400 more in Cairo had been registered and ready to leave for Jakarta using the next flights.

More than 20,000 Yemenis filled the streets of Sana`a on Thursday (Jan 3) for a "Day of Rage" rally, demanding a change in government saying that President Ali Abdullah Saleh`s offer to step down in 2013 was not enough.

Further anti-government protests were anticipated across Yemen, which Saleh has ruled for over three decades, and supporters of the president were driving around the capital urging Yemenis through loudspeakers to join the pro-government counter demonstrations.

But by early morning, anti-government protesters had already gathered in big crowds since a wave of protests hit the Arabian Peninsula state two weeks ago, inspired by protests that toppled Tunisia`s ruler and threaten the Egyptian president.

"The people want a change in the regime," protesters shouted as they gathered outside Sana`a University. "No to corruption, no to dictatorship."

Saleh, eying the unrest spreading in the Arab world, indicated on Wednesday he would leave office when his term ends in 2013, and promised his son would not take over the government, among a host of other political concessions.

It was his boldest gambit yet to stave off turmoil in Yemen, a key ally of the United States against Al Qaeda, as he sought to avert a showdown with the opposition that might risk sparking an Egypt-style uprising in the deeply impoverished state.

Wael Mansour, an organizer of the Thursday rally, said Yemenis were not satisfied with Saleh`s concessions.

"Today will bring more, fresh pressure on President Saleh, who will have to present further concessions to the opposition," he said, without specifying what those concessions might be.

The risks are high for Yemen, on the brink of becoming a failed state, as it tries to fight a resurgent al Qaeda wing, quell southern separatism, and cement peace with Shi`ite rebels in the north, all in the face of crushing poverty. One third of Yemenis face chronic hunger.

Editor: AA Ariwibowo