Sheik Abdul Majid al-Zindani, above, described by The New York Times as a "powerful cleric" "accused by the United States of having links to Al Qaeda" has called for an Islamic state to replace the government of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Readers may remember The New York Times previous description of President Saleh, as "a "strongman and key ally of the United States" (see post February 13). The Times today described a "remarkable" transformation in President Saleh's disposition toward America: "From Tunis to the sultanate of Oman [the Arab protests have been] managed by Tel Aviv and under the supervision of Washington," said President Saleh.
