1- Military rule in Hadhramaut, the Constitution in abeyance, and public
liberties suspended
2- Aden Oil Refinery workers threaten to strike if their demands for
annual allowance are not met.
3- Demonstrators in Moodia, Abyan, protested persecution of opposition
figures and ill-treatment of prisoners accused of Aden explosions.
Article Summary:
Scenes from Trial of Saboteurs
The trial of the 27 men accused of the Aden bomb explosions was opened
on November 24th. Confessing to the charges, the Syrian prime suspect refused
to be transferred with other prisoners to the Mansoura Prison, and demanded
to remain in the PSO jail. He also refused to have defense lawyers, whether
appointed by court or volunteers. The court building was guarded by 1000
soldiers, plain-clothes PSO personnel, and an anti-aircraft battery. Journalists
trying to cover the proceedings were intimidated and some photographers
had their films confiscated. The defense lawyers were not allowed to meet
their clients.
AL-WAHDAWI: Sanaa weekly, 2-12-97.
(Nasserite Unionist Party)
Main Headlines:
1- Foreign Minister failed to persuade Saudi Arabia to make some compromises,
especially on its conditions regarding internal Yemeni affairs
2- Syrian prime suspect in Aden bombings was in direct contact with
Saudi deputy minister of interior
3- Nasserite MP denounced government for taking part in Doha conference
4- Armed confrontation over shop leases in Ibb town center led to one
man killed and two injured.
Article Summary:
Tourism by Ali Al-Saqqaf
The Italian newspaper Republica has classified Yemen as one of the
most dangerous areas for tourists, alongside Algeria and Bosnia. The Courier
de la Sierra also published a black list of countries to be avoided by
Italian tourists. They include Yemen, Somalia and Iraq. Both newspapers
relied on Saudi information about the increasing number of foreigners kidnapped
in Yemen. The Saudi motive is to harm the Yemeni economy and tourism industry.
AL-JAMAHEER: Sanaa weekly, 4-12-97.
(Arab Ba'ath Socialist Party)
Main Headlines:
1- Parliament is to question the general prosecutor and the ministers
of justice and the interior regarding their handling of the recent bomb
explosions in Aden
2- American rabbi, Noah, entered Yemen as a tourist to try to persuade
Yemeni Jews to leave for Israel
3- Sanaa merchant is tried for attempting to swindle Central Bank of
$150,000
4- Dispute between two rival teachers' union in Abyan worsens, one
is Islah and the other is PGC affiliated
Article Summary:
Environmental Pollution
Local sources have indicate that the Hunt Oil Company is burning large
amounts of natural gas in the Safer oil field in Mareb. The reason given
is the continuous stoppages experienced by the gas plant compressors, GCR1
and GCR2 which often last for 4 to 5 hours a day. The 10 electric generators
all work at a lower capacity than what the refinery needs. Nine gas fires
are burning all day long, causing a lot of smoke. People have complained
of a rise in the area's temperature and the spread of a skin disease that
was unknown before. Crops in the area are also badly affected by the smoke.
AL-THAWRI: Sanaa weekly, 4-12-97.
(Yemeni Socialist Party)
Main Headlines:
1- YSP Secretary-General: "The war is still on in Yemen."
2- After more than 20 days of internment without formal charges, opposition
figures jailed in Hadhramaut start an indefinite hunger strike
3- Chief of Political Security in Lahaj threatens journalists who report
his assault on a YSP member
4- Representatives of international organizations attend trial of alleged
Mahara saboteurs
Article Summary:
Failed Assault
The deputy secretary-general of Al-Haqq Party and the well-known writer,
Mr. Mohammed Al-Maqaleh became the subject of a failed assault attempt
by a "dabbab" or minibus driver. He got into a dabbab that stopped
near him. After a short distance, the driver tried to stab Al-Maqaleh with
a metal skewer. Passersby hurried to the scene and saved Al-Maqaleh. Police
are still looking for the dabbab driver. Al-Maqaleh is an outspoken journalists
who had recently written a number of articles critical of the government.
26 SEPTEMBER: Sanaa weekly, 4-12-97.
(Yemeni Armed Forces)
News Review:
1- Addressing Ibb mass rally, the President: "I tell all those
who remain abroad, the country is big enough for all. Let's forget the
past and make a new start."
2- The President stresses the importance of close financial scrutiny
of public spending and the need for decentralization.
3- Yemeni-Cuban committee signs youth and sport cooperation agreement.
4- New contracts are signed to sell Yemeni oil in European and Asian
markets at ›10 per barrel higher than current price from beginning of 1998.
Article Summary:
Cache of Arms & Explosives Uncovered
A senior security source has on December 3rd in Aden announced the
discovery of a large cache of weapons and explosives as well as a car loaded
with explosives ready to be detonated. The cache consisted of 13 boxes
of T.N.T each weighing between 25kg and 30kg. Security information indicated
the presence of other such caches, the source said.
