The New York Times
HONOLULU — The Obama administration will allow the embattled president of Yemen, Ali Abdullah Saleh, to travel to New York City for medical treatment, an administration official said Monday, after a vigorous internal debate over fears the United States would be criticized for appearing to provide a safe haven for a reviled Arab leader responsible for the deaths of hundreds of demonstrators.
Mr. Saleh could arrive at New York-Presbyterian Hospital as soon as the end of this week, the official said, for treatment of medical problems stemming from a near-fatal bomb blast in June at the mosque in his presidential complex. He would be the first Arab leader to request, and to be granted, admission to the United States since political unrest began convulsing the region a year ago.
Though officials had been concerned that the decision would anger the many Yemenis eager to see Mr. Saleh prosecuted, they decided that giving Mr. Saleh a way out of Yemen, even temporarily, could help smooth the way to elections next year and perhaps end a political crisis that has brought the government of the impoverished nation to the brink of collapse.
About This E-Mail
You received this message because you are signed up to receive breaking news alerts from NYTimes.com.
To unsubscribe, change your e-mail address or to sign up for daily headlines or other newsletters, go to:
http://www.nytimes.com/email
NYTimes.com
620 Eighth Ave.
New York, NY 10018
Copyright 2011 The New York Times Company
