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Dr. Abdul-Kareem Al-Iryani, Prime Minister of the Care-Taker Government, called on the media to accept a new partnership. "We all share the same objective of helping evolve an active and strong media. It is towards that end that I extend an offer for a new partnership with the government," he said.
Speaking in the inaugural session of a seminar sponsored jointly by UNESCO and the Yemen Times on the occasion of May 3rd - World Press Freedom Day - Iryani acknowledged that Yemen's good press law has not been optimally implemented.
"We all share in the blame - the government, political parties, media, and the journalists' syndicate. We can and should work together to push ahead in our country's transformation," he added.

Also speaking in the same session, Information Minister Abdul-Rahman Al-Akwa', insisted that he was interested in contributing to its growth. "I urge journalists to interact positively with us in building a viable national media." Regarding the journalists' syndicate, he said, "We don't want to interfere. We do want it to come to life. That is the challenge ahead of us."
In his welcome address, Prof. Abdulaziz Al-Saqqaf, Editor of the Yemen Times, pointed to the wide gap separating the letter of the press law and the practices. "While we do have a good law, there are many visible obstacles facing journalists," he said. However, he went on to show that Yemen does enjoy a relatively better environment of press freedom than all the countries of the neighborhood.

Mr. Najeeb Fraiji, the Director of the UN Information Center in Sanaa delivered a statemnet on behalf of the UN Seceretary-General, Mr. Kofi Anan.
Seven experts gave papers assessing the present situation and proposing steps for the future. The Yemen Times will run summaries in its issue next week.

Last week, one more chapter in Yemen's volatile politics was closed. The resignation of the government of Dr. Faraj Bin Ghanim was accepted by President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The search for a new team is on.
What is all this about?
There is a serious squaring off between the good guys and the bad guys. Unfortunately Yemen is paying the price.
President Ali Abdullah Saleh is definitely a highly capable man. He understands Yemenis and Yemen and he handles them well. That has allowed for some sort of 'stability' in the country. But it has not been enough to create a prosperous Yemen. To create a better future, the president needs to enlist the services of capable, clean and strong Yemenis.
Dr. Bin Ghanim represented a chance for Yemen. It is really doubtful whether the President can find a better prime minister. Now, Dr. Bin Ghanim is out. The man has lost very little. Actually, his prestige and popularity among the public has hit an all-time high. But it is the country that has lost a lot.
Indignant frustration among the people is visible all around. Yet, public opinion in Yemen is unimportant. The leaders of this country are more concerned with the unsatiable demands of powerful individuals and groups. That explains why the president follows a careful balancing act between the past and future. At the end, this approach is a recipe for disaster.
The options now open to the president in forming the new government are clear. He needs to open up and take in new blood, which the country badly needs. He needs to come out in favor of the future.
The new government offers an opportunity for the president. He can use it to slowly move the balance in the right direction - towards a brighter future for the nation. Will he do it? Many people are counting on the man's wisdom and his ability to maneuver.

The Consultative Council (CC) started yesterday, Sunday, May 3rd, debates regarding the issue of kidnapping and hostage taking in Yemen. This step comes in response to a letter from president Ali Abdullah Saleh that the CC discuss this matter and propose solutions.
A few days earlier, the Vice Minister of Interior, Mutahhar Al-Masri, wrote a letter to the House of Deputies asking it to look into the problem of kidnapping. Al-Masri gave the parliamentarians a list of 150 tribes, regions and persons who are wanted for kidnapping.
By throwing the ball to the legislature, the executive authority will first try to involve the law-makers in the problem and seek possible remedies; and second, buy time in finding solutions.
There are an average of 30 kidnappings a year in Yemen. Usually disgruntled tribesmen take foreigners as leverage in their disputes with the central authority.