Changless Face of U.S. Policy in Yemen

Today the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) released a statement condemning the use of heavy weapons against peaceful protesters in Yemen, while simultaneously calling for a "peaceful and orderly transition of power." The Obama administration claims to be "perplexed" by Saleh's return, however U.S.-KSA-GCC actions continue to unfold in synchronization. The State Department's latest statement copies the GCC to the letter:

The United States takes note of the Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) September 23 statement and joins it in expressing deep concern about the current situation in Yemen. We again express our sincere condolences to all those who have lost loved ones as a result of recent violence. We urge all parties to cease violence and exercise maximum restraint. We support the GCC’s call for the formation of a committee to investigate events that resulted in the deaths of innocent civilians. Too many Yemenis have lost their lives and each day that passes without a peaceful and orderly transition is another day that the Yemeni people are forced to live in an unstable environment that threatens their security and livelihood.

The Yemeni government must immediately address the democratic aspirations of its people. The Yemeni people have made clear their desire for a peaceful and orderly transition that is responsive to their calls for peace, reconciliation, prosperity, and security.

We again urge President Saleh to initiate a full transfer of power without delay and arrange for presidential elections to be held before the end of the year within the framework of the GCC initiative. The Yemeni people have suffered enough and deserve a path toward a unified, stable, secure, and democratic Yemen. We will continue to work with the GCC and others in the international community to support the Yemeni people's aspirations.

The GCC's initiative is rejected by the majority of Yemen's revolutionaries, who are stepping up their international awareness campaign against a thick media blockade. But like Saleh himself, they have generally stopped listening to the Obama administration.