Political and diplomatic relations between Yemen and the United States date back to 1946. These relations were reinforced in 1959 with the establishment of the first U.S. resident mission in the city of Taiz.

The USA was one of the first countries in the West, to recognize the proclamation of the Arab Republic of Yemen of (1962). The John F. Kennedy Administration announced its support for the new republic on December 19, 1962.

The crisis of 1967's Arab-Israeli War resulted in a cooling of diplomatic relations between the United States and all the Arab countries, including Yemen.

Relations were re-established on July 1972 on the occasion of an official visit to Sana'a of the then secretary of State William Rogers.

In December 1967, Washington recognized the independence of South Yemen from Britain and announced its intention to open a resident mission. Washington's plan to establish a resident mission in Aden was discarded given the political tendencies that prevailed in Southern Yemen at that time.

American relations with Yemen continued on a positive and progressive course. In less than 20 years, Americans had begun to take more notice of Yemen. From 1979 to 1991 Officials from both sides exchanged visits. One of these significant visits was taken by the then Vice President George Bush in April 1987. His visit coincided with the official announcement of the Oil discoveries in the fields of Mareb by Hunt-Texas Oil Company. Under Bush's Administration, relations between the two nations were at an all time high.

In January 1990, HE President Ali Abdullah Saleh made his first official visit to the USA just a few months before the proclamation of the Yemeni Unity. The visit contributed to the progressive character of our bilateral cooperation.

But once again, regional events would cause a temporary set-back in the budding relation.

The emergence of crisis and confrontations during the second Gulf War overshadowed the development of Yemeni-American relations. The position taken by the Republic of Yemen regarding the occupation of Kuwait by Iraq was misinterpreted. Consequently, in the years that followed, Yemen Intensified its diplomatic efforts to clarify its position and reverse the distorted image that hindered its relations with the U.S. during the Gulf Crisis.

In mid-nineties the Yemeni-American relations overcame the Gulf Crisis. Washington demonstrated favorable intentions concerning Yemen. That became evident when the U.S. fully supported the Yemeni unity against the failed Separatist attempt in the summer of 1994. The U.S. also acknowledged Yemen for its efforts regarding democratic orientation, freedom of the press, parliamentary elections of 1993-1997 as well as its manifest backing of Economic and Financial Reforms with the cooperation of the IMF and the World Bank.

The late nineties witnessed significant intensification of the bilateral interest of both countries. Senior officials from the State Departments, Defense Departments, and parliamentarians from both countries exchanged visits.

American governmental and non-governmental institutions such as the National Democratic Institute for International relations (NDI), the International Foundation for Elections Systems (IFES), have developed a relation of partnership with the Yemeni Government in order to support its democratic experience.

As a culmination to to these efforts Yemen was selected in 1999 to host the first international conference of Emerging Democracies (Click for more information) under the patronage and support of NDI, USA, Britain, Japan, Holland and the UN. The conferences demonstrated the seriousness of Yemeni Emerging Democracy.

April 2000: A historical visit of the Yemeni President to the U.S.

The second working official visit of H.E. Ali Abdullah Saleh to the USA from 3/30 to 4/4/2000 constituted a historical step in the process of cementing the strong Yemeni-American cooperation. During the visit, which came after an invitation from President Clinton, H.E. the President was hosted at the American official guest residence, the Blair House.

The President had fruitful talks with President Bill Clinton, and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. And was received at the Organization of American States where he addressed its General Assembly on developments in Yemen and the Middle East. H.E. also visited the World Bank headquarters and met with Mr. Wilfonson, President of the World Bank.

During his working official visit, H.E. Ali Abdullah Saleh met with leaders from the American Congress, the administration, and the defense department. He also discussed with the director of the CIA means of cooperation between the two countries in fighting terrorism.

The White House released a statement on the visit (Click for more information), expressing its support for the Democracy and economic reforms in the Republic of Yemen. The American administration confirmed its appreciation for Yemen's continuing efforts to contribute to peace and stability in the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa.

The United States commended Yemen for guaranteeing through its constitution women's full political and economic participation.

November 2001: An important visit by the Yemeni President to the United States 

His Excellency, Ali Abdullah Saleh, President of the Republic of Yemen, visited Washington, D.C. on November 25-27, 2001, at the invitation of President George W. Bush. The highly anticipated visit was greatly welcomed by the U.S. Furthermore, it was a sign of increased cooperation between the two countries. During the visit, President Saleh met with President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Colin Powell, and other senior officials of the Administration. In his meetings, President Saleh was accompanied by Mr. Abubaker Abdulla Alquirbi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Abdullah Ali Aliwah, Minister of Defense, Mr. Ghaleb M. Al-Gamish, Chairman of Central Organization for Political Security, Mr. Abdaullah Hussein Al-Basheri, State Minister Secretary General of the Presidency, and H.E. Ambassador Abdulwahab Al-Hajjri.

The President’s visit came during a critical time, following the September 11th terrorist attacks on the U.S. and as part of the international efforts to combat terrorism. It also came to reflect the commitment of both governments to work closely together to improve bilateral relations.

President Saleh reiterated Yemen’s condemnation of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the U.S. and Yemen’s denunciation of all forms of terrorism. He also emphasized that the terrorist attacks on the U.S. had a negative impact on the world community. The two parties discussed continued security cooperation between Yemen and the U.S., their joint efforts to combat terrorism and Yemen’s role as a principal partner in the coalition against terrorism. The U.S administration commended Yemen for it’s invaluable assistance in the ongoing investigation of the U.S.S. Cole bombing and it expressed its appreciation for Yemen’s efforts to uproot terrorism.

The two sides discussed topics of mutual interest and concern such as the recent developments in Afghanistan. President Saleh expressed his concern and hope that the military action in Afghanistan does not exceed its borders and spread to other parts of the Middle East, igniting further instability in the region.
On the topic of the Arab-Israeli conflict, President Saleh praised the U.S.’s support of the establishment of an independent Palestinian State. He emphasized the importance of establishing a timetable and a mechanism to ensure the implementation of all U.N resolutions (regarding the conflict) as well as the Mitchell Plan, in order to reach a just and lasting peace. Such peace, he stated, will promote stabilization in the region and thus prevent the use of this conflict in the recruitment of future terrorists.
Both sides exchanged views on Iraq and discussed the current situation of the Arab and Islamic communities in the U.S. since September 11th.

The President received at his place of residence FBI director Mr. Robert Mueller and Director of the CIA Mr. George Tenet. During the meeting the two sides discussed the joint cooperation in the U.S.S. Cole investigation and how to improve cooperation between the two sides in security and intelligence issues.

During his visit President Saleh met Mr. Wolfensohn, President of the World Bank and Mr.Horst Kohler of the IMF. They discussed economic and development projects to Yemen. Yemen was praised for the steps it has taken in its economic reform program. The World Bank and IMF will continue to work with Yemen in a number of areas such as Yemen’s implementation of the economic and financial structural reforms, the establishment of a Yemeni stock market, debt reduction and poverty eradication to name a few. In addition President Saleh and his delegation met with representatives of American and Canadian Oil Companies currently working in Yemen as well as those interested in setting up operations in Yemen.

He also met with a delegation representing the Arab American and Islamic communities in the U.S as well as representatives of the Yemeni community. He discussed with them the state of affairs in the Middle East following the Sept 11th terrorist attacks, the war in Afghanistan, issues faced by the community after September 11thand how to address them.