The topic of the proposed constitutional amendments has captured most attention of this week's Yemeni press in form of articles, analyzes and discussions. All that in addition to other domestic and Arab themes. Some newspapers supported the amendments while others have either shown objection or abstained from giving their opinion.

Main Headlines:

-President: Political Pluralism, Multi-Party System Replace Tribalism & Fanaticism
-Yemen's Opposition Coordination Council, Rejects Principle of Constitutional Amendments
-Official Mobilization on Implementation of Local Authority Law, Kicked Off
-Nine Development Projects, Get Support from British Embassy
-On Reema Children Case: Two Options for Carrying Out Appeal Verdict Against Health
-Morgue Murder: German Report Confirms Bones Recovered from Medical College Morgue Belong to 115 Corpses
-Pornography Films Licensed By Information Ministry
-Attempted Blasting of '' Ihyaa Al-Arabi'' Weekly Offices, Cowardly Act
-A Yemeni Ring of Father and his Three Daughters Arrested in Egypt
-Violent Tribal Clashes In Shabwa
 

RAY WEEKLY
Organ of Sons of Yemen League Party
In one of its articles RAY weekly has dealt with the initiative launched by Sons of Yemen League party concerning the proposed constitutional amendments. The article stressed that RAY party's visions and proposals as alternatives included in its recent initiative, was a fresh indication that the party was endeavoring to establish a constructive opposition working for the homeland, not for subjective interests or for the opposition itself. The writer expresses astonishment regarding the unprecedented negative response the initiative has received, despite its significance and objectivity. The article has said it is not strange to abort any future initiatives because the authority would not accept any positive and mature initiatives on part of the opposition. The authority wants only an obedient opposition that does not possess an initiative of this kind. It (authority) knows that such a development means the first step for creating a strong opposition, alternative to this aging authority. More strange is the negative stance of other opposition parties towards RAY party initiative, the article concluded.

Al-Umma
weekly of 31 August 2000
An article in Al-Umma was on the constitution and the proposed amendments. After the unity, it has been propagated that our constitution in Yemenis among the inflexible state constitutions. This means that any amendment necessitates holding public referendum to carry it out. In fact the course of events has proved that it is rather flexible. It can be amended and skipped over it and its establishments, particularly the parliament. The parliament can be dissolved pursuant to a decision taken by the president of the republic, putting all its 301 members, elected by the people, under the mercy of one person.

According to the proposed amendments, the Parliament's term would be six years and the present parliament's period would gain an extension of two more years in reward for its approval on the constitutional amendments. The other measure of extension is that of the president's tenure for seven years. While the French have found that 7-year presidency tenure is too long, a controversy has erupted among us in Yemen on whether this tenure is the first or the second, and then the problem has developed to considering that the presidency term as a short one.

Al-Balagh
weekly of August 29 2000 
In his column ''Viewpoint'' on the constitutional amendments, the editor in chief has affirmed that it is out of justice not to give a judgment on the amendments in gross. The chief editor article says that to be true with one's self and with the homeland, the process necessitates a realistic vision based on discussing the amendments, one article after the another. The article argues that proceeding from this basis the constitutional amendments need first to conduct examination of the period of time during which the present constitution has been practiced. Such consideration would single out the aspects in it, if there are any. By pinpointing such aspects, we would come to the full realization of the extent of agreement between the amendments and the aspired for objectives.

On the other hand, there must be a careful and deliberate study of what consequences the amended articles would produce and extent of their effectiveness in attaining the strategic aims we want reach. To initiate the discussion, there must be a revision of the parliament's role during the elapsed period and whether free elections had led to selection of its members. In studying the parliament elections and the role it has been performing, we would find out that it is necessary to set up a consultative council grouping talented and experienced personalities complementing the parliament's role. Then we come to study the constitutional text pertaining to elections of the local councils. Thus we should tackle each item of those related to extending the parliament's term and the presidency tenure. The most important thing is that the homeland's supreme interest should be the target behind any amendment and behind any rejection of any amendment.

Al-Mithaq
weekly, organ of PGC party, 28 August 2000.
The newspaper's political editor has tackled this week the hottest political subject in Yemen, i.e., the draft constitutional amendments. The editor says the constitutional reforms, approved in principle by the parliament, have created a political activity in Yemen reflecting indications on the people's genuine belief in the democratic option. the ongoing political stands versus the amendments, whether supportive, reserved or refusing, reflect the democratic momentum out country is entertaining. 

As political forces, we are presently requested to interact with the draft constitutional reforms in a manner characterized by a sense of responsibility and a civilized way, away from political cunning and attempts of fishing in troubled waters.
Against this reality it is the right of all to object, reserve or approve, but it is not our right to call for inflexibility of our constitutional rules that regulate our life. The responsibility for the constitutional awareness is a patriotic one, all political parties and organizations are held responsible for spreading among the public opinion circles.

ATTARIQ
weekly of 29 August 2000.
In one of its articles the author discusses he term and concept of democracy from quite a different angle. He says democracy has always been as local, Arab and international premonition many peoples yearn for. The article says that democracy has not built the man and life, and has not produced the development and construction for which we all long.

Man was created on this Earth for aims and purposes much nobler than ''democracy songs''. Man's creation is meant for building the world and stabilizing justice, love and peaceful coexistence. One can live without democracy but he can't live without justice and truthfulness of the self.
The article maintains that justice means life, democracy, modernization , construction, development, dignity and security. Under justice we can have political parties practicing their activity without any fear. Under justice, writers are safeguarded against ideological and political terrorism. Peoples' and societies' life would be balanced and stable under the umbrella of justice. Therefore, let's consolidate the principles of justice, for without it the ''game of democracy'' would continue undermining our life.

Al-Wahdawi
weekly of 29 August 2000
Al-Wahdawi devoted its editorial to the recent events of the Palestinian resistance. The editorial stresses that the recent events of resistance in occupied Palestine prove clearly that the Arab entity is live and healthy and rejects that alien body implanted in Palestine. The brave resistance by Hamas and Islamic Jihad movements and all honorable people is an indication that the Arab body is healthy and pure and does not respond to the uncleanliness that tarnished it since the calamity of 1948.

Arab history cites many examples when the Arabs have shown that they are the most capable to overcome their missteps. The Crusaders had many times invaded the Arab land and stayed in their holy land many years. But the Arabs managed to defeat them and liberate their land. Al-Wahdawi editorial has concluded that now the Palestinians are following the path of strife to revive the feats of their forefathers.

Ath-Thawra
daily of 31 August 2000
Al-Thawra devoted its editorial on democracy in Yemen and future parties. The editorial says that concerning the question of political parties' practice of activity and their right to democracy seems to have found encouragement and impetus at president Ali Abdullah Saleh's role and attitude. He has been calling on all parties to restructure their organizational building and normalize their practices in compatibility with the democratic foundations of their principles and peaceful traditions based on man's free will of expression.
President Saleh called on them to initiate that with working by a program for the presidential elections. He called for the political parties to adopt party election of the personality to be nominated as representative of his party or that for running the presidential elections race. The daily's editorial cites the peaceful transfer of power as the most outstanding gain in the democratic experiment during president Saleh's tenure.

26 September
weekly, mouthpiece of YAF, 31 August 2000
The newspaper's political editor has devoted his article to deal with the Somali latest developments. He has affirmed that installation of the new Somali president Abdilqasim Salad through elections by various Somali political and social forces at Arta peaceful conference, Somalia has taken a step forward towards the establishment of peace. 

Out of its sound geopolitical comprehension, along with its humanitarian dimension in the first place, Yemen's efforts played a significant role towards solving the Somali problem. It has contributed to bring viewpoints closer together and recruited its efforts and regional and Arab weight to push for finding solutions to the Somali crisis. Yemen sees that establishment of stability in the region is something possible and the region's peoples should realize that this is in their hands.

Al-Ihya'a Al-Arabi
weekly, organ of the ABS Party, 28 August 2000
A column in it dealt with the question of civilian flight embargo on Iraq. The article affirms that Arab and non-Arab regimes neighboring Iraq have been applying more strictly the so-called resolutions of ''International legitimacy''. These states insist on not allowing flights to and fro Iraq in their air space, although they are quite aware of no existence of resolutions banning flights to Iraq. Indicators suggesting this fact are:
-Iraqi, Jordanian and Russian flights continued normally to and fro Iraq even after the declaration of ceasefire in 1991,
- the UN special commission confirms non-existence of a UN resolution preventing air flights to and fro Iraq, in its reply to Saudi authorities inquiry regarding their permission to Iraqi planes carrying Iraqi pilgrims to the holy places.
- following the Venezuelan president's recent visit to Iraq a UN official confirmed that the council had not issued any resolution banning the going to Iraq.
-The Russian government has expressed actual readiness to begin its civil flights to Iraq. One has to take into consideration that Russia is a permanent member state of the UN security council.