Interview with the delegate of Saudi Arabia in the Yemeni peace talk committee

During the morning committee meeting on the second day of the Yemeni peace talk, the importance of a ceasefire for negotiating the potential federal system in Yemen caused disagreements between many delegations. Mostly Saudi Arabia does not accept talking about the ceasefire, since the Houthis government often broke the ceasefire before.  

Do you see any progress during the committee of Yemeni peace talk?
The delegate of Saudi Arabia can see progress in negotiations, however, it causes difficulties during negotiations when certain delegations do not reflect on their scope of power. The delegate of Saudi Arabia doesn’t see a possible solution for the agreements on a ceasefire, if Saudi Arabia is not open for negotiations at this point, since Saudi Arabia is the most important power on the table.

Since Saudi Arabia considers itself as the leader of this conflict and empowered to make decisions, why are you involved in the discussion?
Although the decision lays on the shoulders of Saudi Arabia, it seeks negotiations since it is a Nation of Islam and with that prefers peace above war. Saudi Arabia has recognized, that at this point the Houthis government has gained a majority, that must be recognized with the attempt to find compromises. Saudi Arabia hopes for an agreement, that all parties can sign at the end of this committee.

What are the conditions of Saudi Arabia to agree on a ceasefire?
Saudi Arabia requests a buffer zone in order to give up heavy weapons. This is important since a ceasefire was often violated by the Houthis government. However, the Houthis government does not accept the conditions of Saudi Arabia, even though as the delegate of Saudi Arabia puts it: “it is not their choice”. So with that, the delegate of Saudi Arabia requests all delegations to reflect on their scope of power in these negotiations in order to find possible agreements.