"We are now negotiating with the Russians who have inherited these debts and we may reach an agreement that would forgive 90 percent of them," Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh told the Al-Siyassah newspaper.
Saleh said the debts were loans to Yemen and weapons purchases made by the Socialist Party that ruled South Yemen before its 1990 unification with North Yemen. Saleh his nation spent $11 billion battling southern secessionists during this year's civil war.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.