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Yemen Police Attack Protesters, One Dead

   VOA News  March 12, 2011
   Anti-government protesters carry an injured an injured person into the
   yard  of  a  Mosque  for  help following clashes with Yemeni police in
   Sana'a, Yemen, March 12, 2011

Photo: AP

   Anti-government protesters carry an injured an injured person into the
   yard  of  a  Mosque  for  help following clashes with Yemeni police in
   Sana'a, Yemen, March 12, 2011

   Protesters  in  Yemen  say  one  person  was killed and about 300 were
   wounded  Saturday,  when  Yemeni  police  stormed  an  anti-government
   sit-in, in the capital, Sana'a.
   Tens  of thousands of anti-government activists had gathered Friday in
   what was described as one of the biggest demonstrations of its kind to
   date.
   The  crackdown  came  despite  Yemeni  President  Ali Abdallah Saleh's
   promise  in  a  speech  Thursday  that he would protect demonstrators,
   whether they were for or against his rule.
   The  president  also  pledged  Thursday  to hold a referendum on a new
   constitution  to  foster democratic reforms.  The opposition rejected
   the offer, saying it was too little too late.
   In  the southern port of Aden Friday, witnesses said police fired tear
   gas  and  warning  shots  to  disperse  protesters trying to tear down
   pictures  of  Saleh.   There  were  also reports of protests in other
   parts of Yemen. Â
   Protesters  say  they are frustrated by rampant corruption and soaring
   unemployment.   Yemen  also  faces  other  problems, with water wells
   drying out and oil resources diminishing.
   In  Washington, a top White House aide called Saleh Friday to say that
   the  U.S.  welcomes  the  president's  offers  of talks to resolve the
   political  crisis  in  Yemen.   Counterterrorism adviser John Brennan
   also called on the opposition to work with Saleh.
   Saleh  has been in power since a military coup in 1978 and has said he
   will not step down until 2013, when his term is due to end.
   According  to Amnesty International, around 30 people have been killed
   in Yemen since the protests began weeks ago.

   Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.

   Â
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References

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