Britain to restore power in south Yemen

The port of Aden in southern Yemen Sanaa - Ali Rabea Yemeni governmental sources revealed to Arabstoday British efforts to restore its controlling power in South Yemen through the strategic entrance of Aden port. The source claimed that Britain has expressed its intention to take over the administration of the port against other offers presented to the Yemeni government. Aden Port restored its internal administration just two months ago after taking control from a Dubai holding company. Now Britain is trying to make a deal with the Yemeni government to restore Aden’s oil refineries with half a billion dollars pledged by donors at Riyadh and New York conferences supporting the Yemeni Economy last September. Furthermore the Yemeni governmental source (who wishes to remain anonymous) confirmed that "Yemeni transportation minister Dr Waad Badheeb is exerting strong pressure on the Yemeni government to convince them to accept the British offer. Dr Waad Badheeb believes that it will enrich Aden’s port and restore its position of worldwide prominence. However members of the government are afraid of committing amidst fears that Britain may not abide by its pledges to the project. The Yemeni Government is not in complete agreement of the conditions offered by Britain, in addition to the long implementation period of the contract, which Britain is proposing lasts 50 years. Official Yemeni sources confirmed on Monday that a meeting was held between the executive director for the Aden oil refinery company Dr Naguib Al Oug and the governmental advisor for Britain’s international development ministry Danny Shemen. The ministry’s economic advisor Tomas Alan discussed the development methods which the Yemeni government is intending to implement in the coming period.  Sources revealed that the British delegation has held a similar meeting with the chairman of Aden gulf ports institution Captain Samy Saied Farea, discussing cooperation and methods of supporting the port in the future. The Yemeni official news agency reported that Captain Farea stated: "The British delegation visit emphasises the importance of reinforcing cooperation between Aden Gulf ports and British Marine companies which are leading the Marine industry." South Yemen was under the British occupation for 128 years before leaving it in 1967 after a long period of struggling for independence. During occupation Britain built oil refinery mills and maintained controlling of Aden’s strategic port which is considered an important trading point between east and west.