US officials have informed the Yemeni opposition that President Ali Abdullah Saleh will soon return to the nation from neighboring Saudi Arabia. The news comes despite John Brennan’s visits to the region to try to convince Saleh to resign.
The news of Saleh’s impending return sparked angry reactions from the opposition political leadership, as well as the student pro-democracy movement, who blamed the Obama Administration for backing Saleh for years and now not convincing him to stand out.
For the students the ouster of Saleh was meant to give rise to free elections, but the Obama Administraiton’s efforts to that end have all come with the assumption that Saleh is simply no longer an effective strongman and that Major General Hadi, his current deputy, might have better luck in the role.
Though US officials did not specify a date for Saleh’s return, officials within his government have repeated suggested Sunday as a likely date – it is the 33rd anniversary of his original seizure of power.
The oft used "threat" of Saleh's coming back, is to "soften" the opposition and make them accept whatever conditions have been put in front of them. General so-and-so is nothing more then an empty suit, as Saleh's sons, nephews, brothers and uncles are still holed in Sana'a with their "Republican" guard doing all the talking. General Hadi is not worth mentioning, as he was and is nothing more then a fig leaf. Being from the South, the illusion he was going to project is the one of southern acquiescence to Saleh's rule. He never had any power, and never will. If the opposition is not accepting the deal, the only inducement would be to have "him back". However, the bluff may not be worth it. Since "he" is rulling effectively through his family, bringing "him" back will only clarify for everyone where they stand. The wishy-washy deal involving the "general" and "his" regime in effecive control, never satisfied anyone. So, the charade goes on, and people are dying.
The true owner of Yemen has spoken. Let the drones reign in.
This seems like a situation that the US government should definitely be invloved in.
Like pretty much all situations anywhere in the known universe.