Monday, December 26, 2011
Ex-Yemen President requesting U.S. Medical Treatment
Ex-Yemen president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, has requested President Obama's approval to enter the country in order to receive medical treatment. Saleh relinquished control to his vice president on Friday, but the Obama administration is still unsure about the political controversy that will ensue as a result of allowing Saleh into the country. The U.S. has continued to reiterate its support and approval of Yemeni people's rights. So my question to all of you is do you think Obama should allow Saleh into the country? Or, do you think this is a politically dangerous move for Obama considering the fact that Saleh had an oppressive thirty three year rule over Yemen?
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4 comments:
Personally, I believe obama should allow this Ex-Yemen president because first of all, he's in a vulnerable state, seeking medical attention from the U.S. His motives seem pure and as fellow humans, I think we should have some sympathy given that he's willing to humble himself to request help.
I don't think Obama should let Saleh into the country for medical treatment because of what has happened in the past. In 1979 Jimmy Carter allowed the Shah of Iran to enter the U.S. for medical treatment. This angered the Iranians and they took 52 Americans hostage in the American Embassy in Tehran for 444 days. The only reason they let the hostages go was Reagan took over as president. Obama should learn from the past and not give Saleh medical treatment.
In a perfect world, it would seem natural to forgive Saleh's deeds and give him the medical treatment he needs. However, as many Yemeni are understandably irate and continue to stage protests, Obama must tread a fine line. If justice demands a trial and/or punishment for any crimes Saleh may have committed, so be it; however, withholding medical attention seems unjust, unless Saleh poses a serious threat to the security of the United States.
I think that the easiest solution to this would to not let him but send doctors to him instead. If we are supposed to help people, he is still human so should we not help him even though he has done terrible things? Another thing to do would be to let him, then have the UN arrest him for humanitarian and prosecuting reasons. We can help but he still gets his just desserts.
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