Browny

OK so for what it is worth, not much probably, here are some of the key things that the conference should be considering and actioning:

1. Stopping direct flights between UK and Yemen is ridiculous – unless there is a REAL reason for doing it.

Terror threats isnt a real reason. There are only 2 flights to London from Sanaa a week. If there is a real reason such as upgrading technology and security infrastructure, why not be honest about it? Why not say: “we are having to stop flights until we put in place better security / technology systems”. Its better than using the ‘fear’ routine.

Stopping flights is stopping: innovation, business, tourism, money, families etc etc from reaching Yemen. This is not doing ‘The British’ reputation any good whatsoever.

Action – Start flights again.

2. Be honest about the AbdulMutalleb underpants bomb.

OK so it is ALLEGED that he said in an INTERROGATION that he was trained and given the bomb in Yemen. Alleged. Alleged. Is it really true that he managed to smuggle this between airports across several countries including Yemen, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana, Netherlands and multiple aircraft …… and then not detonate it correctly.

Lets get real – HE GOT THE BOMB IN WEST AFRICA.

Action – think before you speak

3. Relieving poverty and preventing Al Qaeda recruitment / stopping suicide bombers IS NOT CONNECTED.

OK so, the 9/11 attackers, the 7/7 attackers, the Bali, Casablanca, Madrid bombers were all westernised and not poor people. They were FUNDED by people with FUNDS. PLEASE KEEP IT REAL!! Poor people in Yemen are not going to blow up planes or chop off peoples’ heads. They ARE going to support CERTAIN GROUPS OF PEOPLE who can promise them a better future IN YEMEN.

HM UK Gov admit that there are 1000s of people in the UK, who are BRITISH, who could probably be suicide bombers. they were born and brought up in the UK.They are rich compared to their islamic brothers and sisters.

(Lets also note that there are not any Yemeni suicide bombers in the UK. The suicide bombers are mainly Pakistani and Saudi. Think about that for a second. Then wonder what the hell we are doing starting wars and sacrificing blood and treasure in Iraq and Afghanistan.)

Action – stop trying to fool people. Be honest about the real benefits of poverty reduction.

4. What Yemen Needs

OK, Yemen needs the following:

- training and education

- job opportunities through inward investment

- better IT infrastructure

- a countrywide electricity supply

- innovative water production technologies

- elimination of corruption

Unfortunately this conference will produce the usual diplomatic double talk involving promises of money but nothing substantial with regard to how the money will be spent and how the benefits of this investment will be measured.

A message to TIM TORLOT (UK ambassador to Yemen) – Tim, you are a nice guy and a smart guy. This is a time to make yourself a hero. This is your moment. Ignore the politics and global power stuggle and KEEP IT REAL for the Yemeni people who respect you and admire you.