Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab: there are many more like me

Here is the official statement from the Yemen Foreign Ministry about the Nigerian well-heeled, educated, would-be bomber:

Embassy of the Republic of Yemen Washington, DC Office of Media & Public Affairs

Press Statement -- December 28, 2009

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Yemen has issued a statement condemning the recent attempted terrorist attack by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the Nigerian national charged with attempting to blow up an American aircraft on route from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Detroit, United States of America.

Yemen has long suffered from terrorism and condemns such criminal acts that kill innocent civilians. Yemen is and remains an active partner of the international community in the war against terrorism. Efforts of Yemeni security agencies to continue ongoing operations and prosecutions against terrorist operatives from Al-Qaeda will not falter.

The Immigration and Passport Agency has confirmed that Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was in Yemen during the period from early August to early December 2009 after obtaining a visa to study Arabic at a language institute. He has previously studied in the same institute. His passport had a valid U.S. visa and other foreign visas. There was nothing suspicious about his intentions to visit Yemen, especially considering he had also visited the U.S. in the past.

The statement reasserted that investigations are being conducted by Yemeni Security Agencies to identify any other individuals who may be linked to him, and immediate action will be taken against any accomplice(s) determined. The outcome of the investigation will be shared with the appropriate U.S. authorities. Indeed, the scope of US-Yemen bilateral law enforcement cooperation has been substantial and continues to deepen.

The statement reiterated the importance of international cooperation in the areas of intelligence sharing amongst nations; particularly for those linked to combating terrorism. Furthermore, the official statement expressed the crucial need to enhance security procedures at airports and border posts to prevent terrorist operatives from carrying on their destructive plans that could undermine global security and stability.

December 28, 2009
Ministry of the Foreign Affairs
Sana'a, Republic of Yemen

Yemen says attack suspect was in countrySAN'A, Yemen -- The Yemeni government said Monday that the Nigerian accused in the Christmas Day attack on a U.S. airliner visited Yemen this year. In a statement, the Yemeni Foreign Ministry said Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was in Yemen from August until early December after receiving a visa to study Arabic in a school in Sana'a. Monday's statement said Mr. Abdulmutallab had previously studied at the school, indicating it was not his first trip to Yemen. The ministry said authorities are investigating persons whom the suspect contacted while in Yemen.