JAKARTA, Aug 30, 2002 (Xinhua via COMTEX) - Yemen is keen to strengthen friendly and mutually beneficial relations with Indonesia, Yemeni Ambassador to Indonesia Ahmed Salem Saleh said on Friday in a comment on a 4-day visit by Yemeni Vice President Abduraboo Mansoor Hadi.
"The visit by the vice president is making a great stride in forging closer bilateral relations," Saleh was quoted by the Antara news agency as saying.
He added that Indonesia and Yemen have established a long-term and stable relationship.
In 1998 Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh completed a fruitful and successful state visit here, resulting in the agreements on a wide range of bilateral cooperation, including the establishment of the Indonesia-Yemen Joint Commission.
"We hope the joint commission will hold its first meeting in the near future," said Saleh.
The Yemeni vice president has been visiting Indonesia since August 28 accompanied by Minister of Education and Scientific Research Yahya Ashaibi and Minister of Oil and Mining Toufik Noman. On the other hand, the visiting Yemeni Vice President said in Bandung of Indonesia's West Java province Friday that his government will consider buying Indonesia- made airplanes and military weapons.
Having visited state-run airplane industry PT Dirgantara Indonesia and military weapon manufacturer PT Pindad in the city, Mansoor said he will report Indonesia's technological advance to the Yemeni government, expecting a further cooperation will follow.
He also said he was impressed by the achievement in modern aviation technology made by Indonesia.
"I have heard and read about the growing technological development in Indonesia for many times. But only today I can see it before my very eyes," he was quoted by the Antara news agency as saying.
On the same occasion, PT Dirgantara Indonesia's director Edwin Sudarmo said the visiting vice president is interested in the company's fixed wing CN235 and N250 as well as helicopters. He affirmed a special team will be assigned to Yemen for further talks with its government.
The Yemeni vice president has been visiting Indonesia since August 28 accompanied by Minister of Education and Scientific Research Yahya Ashaibi and Minister of Oil and Mining Toufik Noman.
During his visit, the vice president has met some Indonesian government officials, including Minister for Religious Affairs Said Agil Al Munawar, former Foreign Minister Ali Alatas and Ambassador Yulwis Yatim.
His four-day visit is aimed at strengthening friendly and mutually beneficial relations with Indonesia, according to Yemeni Ambassador to Indonesia Ahmed Salem Saleh.
On the other hand, the embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Sana'a wished in a press release on 27 August that the Yemeni vice president visit would push the to develop and explore more opportunities of cooperation in various fields between the two countries and also to increase exchange of visits by officials of the two friendly countries.

It is expected that a committee of leading religious scholars will start this week a dialogue with and present advice to Yemeni Afghans.
The government announced last week the formation of this committee to help those extremist young men get rid of their fanatic and hostile views. Members of this committee will try to convince those extremists that their views have nothing to do with the true Islamic faith. They will also hold meetings, deliver speeches and lectures, and conduct debates with these people mainly those who came back from Afghanistan after the defeat of the former USSR.
The aim is to erase the extremist views those young men acquired during their stay in Afghanistan.
President Saleh announced the formation of the committee last week. He said that there are many people in detention since the Cole bombing incident and September 11 attacks. He is also convinced that some are still at large. He called upon them to surrender to the government. He promised them not to be extradited to the U.S. or any other foreign country. He said, while inaugurating the sixth General Congress of his party PGC, some of the people who are still on the run their names were mentioned while interrogating suspects in the Guantanamo military base. He disclosed that his government carried out contacts with those fugitives via tribal shieks. He pointed out that these fugitives were asked to give in and disclose any information they might have and they will be safe.
The president said "if you are not proved guilty, we will not try you or extradite to the U.S"
He said some of these are gullible and have nothing to do with terrorist acts.

YEMENI TIMES STAFF
Yemeni official sources said last week that a U.S. team of investigators was expected to discuss with Yemeni officials the closure of the USS Cole file and the trial of those held suspects. The sources said the file is now ready for being referred to trial, adding that there is no reason for delay of the trial. However, other sources denied the possibility of closing Cole's file. They said the team is coming to open this file and discuss information gathered from Guantanamo suspects as well as security cooperation aspects concerning the war on terrorism.
The U.S. government insisted every now and then that the case file should not be closed as information, which might be key to the USS Cole bombing, can be collected from the detainees of Guanatamo.
A number of NGOs and human rights activists criticized the Yemeni government for holding a number of detainees without any legal warrant or trial.
Some political observers view that U.S. intends to use the case as a means of pressure on the Yemeni government so as to gain more concessions and facilities in the war against terrorism.

TAIZ-Ministry of Tourism and Environment, the Local Council of Taiz governorate, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Taiz, are to sponsor during the period of September 30 to October 3 at Sofitel Hotel in Taiz a symposium on tourism promotion in Yemen.
Faisal Saeed Fara'e the General Manager of al-Saeed Foundation for Sciences & Culture told the Yemen Times that nine working papers are to be presented during the symposium.
"The working papers will focus on two standpoints, the first one is to highlight the fundamental role of the tourist sector in the process of development. The working papers will focus also on the social, economical and cultural role towards promoting the tourist sector. The second standpoint is related to the tourist attraction in different Yemeni cities including, Taiz and Ibb," Fara'e noted further.
Sadeq Salah, the Chairman of Tourism Office in Taiz said that a tourist exhibition would be organized on the sidelines of the symposium. "The exhibition aims to include tourist establishments such as, agencies, hotels, and other tourist activities.
Different cities will participate also in the symposium including, Aden, Lahj Taiz, and Ibb.
The symposium is to be organized by the al-Saeed Foundation for Sciences & Culture.

By reading out its final statement, the sixth conference of the General People's Congress (GPC) came to an end on Monday August 26 in Sana'a. The conference which was chaired by the President of the Republic and Chairman of the GPC, Ali Abdullah Saleh, lasted for three days with the participation of 4,892 members. Out of these number is 650 female participants.
The statement confirmed the importance of the commitment to the religious and national norms of the country, the choice of democracy, multi-party system, peaceful transfer of power, and respect of the freedom of the press.
The statement considered all these principles the concrete base for political stability and democratic development in the country. It also called for fighting terrorism by every means possible, considering it a national task and stressed on the role of mosques in enlightening the public and spreading decent values among them.
Furthermore, the statement confirmed the GPC's commitment to continue the economic, administrative and financial reform program, encouraging technical education and the establishment of a social security network. In regards to public freedoms and human rights, the statement emphasized on the protection of citizens' freedoms, human rights, supporting civil organizations and developing professional journalism by encouraging journalists to play their required role in enlightening the society by presenting factual information to the public.
The statement focused on improving conditions of intellectuals and employees in education, culture and information. Participation of women in different labor arenas was among the very important recommendations of the conference. The statement pointed out that being half of the society, women should be given the opportunity to participate in the construction of the country.
The statement assured the ultimate support to the Islamic and Arab issues including the Palestinian struggle for independence. The statement expressed Yemen's total refusal to a US-led attack against Iraq or changing its regime by force. It expressed Yemen's clear stance in solidarity with all Arab states amid growing dangers of a possible threat to the region. It supported Saudi Arabia and Egypt against the media barrage launched at the two countries in particular and at Arabs and Muslims in general. It also referred to the good relations between Yemen and Gulf countries and praised the step taken by Gulf countries in accepting Yemen's access to some of the GCC organizations.

The governmental cabinet headed by Abdulqadir ba Jammal discussed in its weekly meeting last Tuesday a memorandum by the Prime Minister on the restructuring of the Supreme Economic, Oil and Investment Council. The memorandum called for the merge of eight councils and committees into one council. The new council's task will be to look after economic and energy matters and to utilize the so far fruitful results of the economic, financial and administrative reforms.
The memorandum emphasized the need to have integrated functions, which should neither duplicate nor conflict with the mandate of other organizations. The memorandum was approved by the cabinet and was referred to the Ministry of Civil Service and Pensions to formulate it into a legal and organizational structure.
In the light of the discussions and debates of cabinet on the memorandum, a decision was also made to assign the Ministry of Civil Service and Pensions to come up with new organizational charts for all concerned ministries and agencies to accelerate the pace of government performance and to achieve the target objective of a smaller government with a greater impact.

ADEN- The Governor of Aden Taha Ghanem filed a lawsuit last week at the Seera Court of First Instances against Member of Parliament Insaf Mayoo for defaming men and women of Governorate of Aden in an interview to a local newspaper. The governor requested a compensation of one hundred million Yemeni rials from to the MP, who is affiliated to the Islah party.
A session at the court was supposed to be held last Saturday but was postponed for one week because of the absence of the defendant.
It is worth noting that many Yemeni citizens and intellectuals all over the country have expressed their resentment towards the defamation of the MP and a campaign to signature signatures in Aden has started so as to lift the MP's diplomatic immunity so as to have legal action taken against him.

Abu Walad biscuits festival has been inaugurated in Huban, Taiz last week. The festival was held to announce the winners of the weekly prizes in the form of gold bullions. The competition continues until the 244th of September and until then every Tuesday, the winner will be receiving ten gold bullions.
Abu Walad biscuits are a product of the YCIC Company belonging to the Hayel Saeed Group of Companies. This festival, which is part of a yearly tradition held by the company, also includes various cultural and musical activities.

SANA'A-The Urban Cultural Heritage Strategy and Management Program launched in Sana'a on yesterday September first its national awareness campaign for the Protection of Urban Cultural Heritage in collaboration with the authorities concerned in the government of Yemen led by the Ministry of Culture.
The opening ceremony took place at the Cultural Center under the auspices of the Prime Minister Abduqadir ba Jammal. The ceremony was attended by a number of ministers, parliament members, NGO representatives, media individuals, and diplomats.
The objective of the National Awareness Campaign is to inform the public about urban cultural heritage, its importance, beauty, and dangers it faces. The campaign which was launched under the motto "Revitalize the historic cities for a prosperous future" is to last for two months and will include a number of cultural activities including painting, theater plays, and photo contests plus small workshops. The event will also include an exhibition on urban cultural heritage.

SANA'A-On the occasion of advent of the 40th anniversary of the 26th September revolution, preparations are in full swing to inaugurate the First Syrian Products Exhibition to be organized during September 3-31 at the Apollo Expo in Sanaa. The event is to be organized by the Apollo International Exhibitions in collaboration with Assalam Company for Exhibitions of Syria.
Around twenty five Syrian companies operating in the fields of office supplies, perfumes, men and women clothes, carpets, curtains, foodstuff, and house-ware will take part in the exhibition.
Omar Annehmi, the Marketing Manager of Apollo International Exhibition said, "Holding this exhibition comes within the framework of strenuous efforts made by the governmental bodies of both brotherly countries to improve bilateral trade relations. The private sector in this respect is also encouraged to take part in this exhibition," he said.
Holding this exhibition will activate the exchange of trade between the two Arab countries towards achieving the ultimate goal of establishing the Arab common market and to find a healthy competition of industrial products for the benefit of the people of all Arab countries.
A Syrian businessman participating in the event said, "As part of the exhibition's activities, a number of joint meetings between Yemeni businessmen and their Syrian counterparts will also be held."
"Those meetings are aimed at exchanging experiences and finding possibilities of making use of holding future meetings in coordination with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, "Annehmi added.
Annehmi called upon Yemeni businessmen to make use of this activity with their Syrian counterparts to pave the way for negotiating possible agreements and signing contracts.

In cooperation with the Yemen Standards & Quality Control Organization (YSQCO), the Yemen Times is intending to issue the Standards and Quality Guide 2002. Mr. Ahmed Al Basha Thabet, General Manager of the YSQCO, said that publishing this guide resembles a positive step which would be of positive effect on many aspects of industry and trade in Yemen.
The Guide will aim at promoting the Yemeni national products and warns of smuggled and forged goods. Furthermore, the guide will include valuable instructions for consumers on the criterion of selecting foodstuff, medicine, medical goods, and agricultural products based on the different local and International standards.

Under the motto "Because of you Malaysia", the Malaysian Embassy headed by H.E. Malaysian Ambassador to Yemen, Mr. Datin Thalasiah Azman, celebrated in a reception held at Hadda Hotel in Sanaa last Saturday the 45th anniversary of the national day of Malaysia which is signaled on the last day of August of every year.
The reception, which was held in a hall that was decorated with a Malaysian style, was attended by a large number of ambassadors of European and Arab countries plus a number of Yemeni and foreign intellectuals and prominent figures.

BY MOHAMMED AL-MASANI
YEMEN TIMES STAFF
SANA'A-Organized by the Yemeni Insurance Federation in collaboration with the Kuwait Reinsurance Company, a two-day symposium focusing on energy risk insurance was held at the Sheraton Hotel in Sanaa during 25-26 August.
During the opening session of the symposium, Saad I. Makki, Assistant General Manager of the Kuwait Reinsurance Company placed great emphasis on the significance of holding such symposiums on oil and energy insurance in Yemen and the region.
?This symposium will be of great importance to insurance companies in informing individuals working in those companies about energy insurance matters that may emerge in the future.
The Kuwait Reinsurance Company has been operating since the 1970s and has a good share in the Yemeni market. Cooperation fields between the Kuwait Reinsurance Co. and the Yemeni Insurance Federation are heading for a better and brighter future. This has manifested itself in holding symposiums and in exchanging visits with the aim of enhancing cooperation and relations with our brothers in Yemen," said Mr. Makki.
"We hope that the Kuwait Reinsurance Co. will constitute a link between the Yemeni and international markets. We are glad that we have signed contracts with most of the Yemeni insurance companies during the 1970s and 1980s," Makki added.
Ali Hashem, the Chairman of the Yemeni Insurance Federation said that one of the priorities given to the federation was represented by raising the level of insurance awareness among those who work in the insurance field in particular, and among the Yemeni public in general.
Participants during the symposium dealt with the risks in energy insurance, and specifically in gas and oil insurance.
Tariq Abdulwas'i Hayel, the General Manager of United Insurance Company made it clear that the symposium basically aims at establishing relations with international insurance companies. "A number of oil companies and some of the Yemeni businessmen and investors have been invited to participate in this symposium with the objective of getting aquainted with oil insurance and establishing stronger relations with international insurance companies." he said.
The Kuwait Reinsurance Company was the sole sponsor of this activity.