Yemeni radical cleric warns of foreign occupation

[unhappycamper]

Yemeni radical cleric warns of foreign occupation
By LEE KEATH
Associated Press Writer
Jan 11, 8:43 AM EST

SAN'A, Yemen (AP) -- Yemen's most influential Islamic cleric, considered an al-Qaida-linked terrorist by the United States, warned the government on Monday against allowing "foreign occupation" of the country in the growing cooperation with the U.S. against the terror group.

Sheik Abdul-Majid al-Zindani's comments reflected a deep mistrust among Yemenis of Washington's intentions as it ramps up counterterrorism aid and training for San'a to combat al-Qaida's offshoot here.

Al-Zindani, a radical cleric who once associated with Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan, is highly influential among Yemenis and the government is careful to maintain at least his tacit support.

"We accept any cooperation in the framework of respect and joint interests, and we reject military occupation of our country. And we don't accept the return of colonialization," al-Zindani told reporters.

"Yemen's rulers and people must be careful before a (foreign) guardianship is imposed on them," he said. "The day parliament allows the occupation of Yemen, the people will rise up against it and bring it down."


Rest of Stripes article at: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/ML_YEMEN_AL_QAIDA?SITE=DCSAS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2010-01-11-08-27-50