U.S. As Refuge or Medical Services for Leader of Yemen

The lead article in today’s New York Times, “U.S. Clears Path for Yemen Chief to Get Care Here,” describes a questionable decision by administration officials to let Ali Abdullah Saleh come to Columbia-Presbyterian in New York to receive medical treatment for wounds sustained during a bombing in June.

Mr. Saleh has already travelled to Saudi Arabia to get initial treatment but still suffers from extensive burns, shrapnel and an inner-ear problem that affects his balance. U.S. officials, after much debate, have decided to issue him a visa, provided he supplies his itinerary and avoids any efforts to use the visit to shore up his political position.

Mr. Saleh had already agreed to resign and hold new elections in February, but he is notorious for delaying tactics, and there are many indications that he plans to avoid giving up power, if possible. It may also be risky for the U.S. to appear to assist him; when the ex-Shah of Iran came to the United States for similar reasons, it led to the infamous takeover of the U.S. Embassy by outraged Islamic radicals.

There are some who say that it may prove useful to get Mr. Saleh out of his country as his mere presence tends to inflame the situation there. But that remains to be seen, and the trip is fraught with peril for the United States.