Washington, DC –
U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD),
a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) and Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland Security, met with Yemeni Foreign Minister Abubaker Abdullah Al-Qirbi and released the following statement:

“My colleagues and I had a constructive dialogue with the Yemeni Foreign Minister, highlighting how Yemen and the US can work together in our global approach to combating al-Qaeda and other violent extremists. Our common goal is to stem the economic and humanitarian crises facing this nation so that we can keep it from becoming a failed state.

“This afternoon’s meeting and the earlier SFRC hearing on
‘Yemen: Confronting al-Qaeda, Preventing State Failure,’ were opportunities to draw attention to the important concerns about the severe security and development challenges Yemen currently faces.  It is vital that the United States work with the Yemeni people, their government, and the international community to address the many facets of this burgeoning crisis.  

“The origins of the failed December 25
^th attack on a US airliner were rooted in Yemen. This reality underscores how instability, poverty and extremism halfway around the world can affect Americans at home. It is incumbent upon Congress to continue to support the President’s strategy to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al-Qaeda wherever they seek refuge. But we also must continue to shine a spotlight on the specific situation in Yemen to ensure we are keeping all Americans safe.”

Last month, the Senate unanimously passed S. Res. 341, which Senator Cardin authored with Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), expressing concern over the prospects of Yemen becoming a failed state, unless the United States and international community act to solve the economic and humanitarian crisis in their country.