The second sitting of the trial of the five UK nationals and one French citizen was held in Aden on Saturday, January 30th. A number of journalists, lawyers, UK diplomats, relatives of the accused, and other interested individuals attended.

In the first sitting of the court, on Wednesday, January 24th, the accused individuals took off their shirts and brandished signs of beating and electrification on their backs. There were also visible signs of bruises on their arms. They claim to have been subjected to various forms of torture during heavy-handed interrogation by the authorities. The officials, while categorically denying the charges, could not explain the bruises.

The six individuals are charged with plotting to sabotage law and order. The authorities presented several mobile phones, lap-top computers, and other electronic gadgets as evidence. They also showed various weapons such as bazookas, RPGs, explosives and light firearms which they say were found in the possession of the accused persons.
Media statements by extremist religious elements implicate this group with an international terrorist network based in the UK.

In the meanwhile, the authorities announced that they have captured in Shabwah six more individuals who are alleged to be part of the same network.
At the same time, trial of another group is now underway in Abyan. This is the group that was responsible for the kidnapping and murder of Australian, UK and US tourists on 29th December, 1998.

By: Yusuf Sherif,
Aden Office, Yemen Times.

After the many brutal attacks on the Yemen Times, and its chief editor, Professor Abdulaziz Al-Saqqaf, and after the so many aimless accusations from the "26 September" and "Al-Mithaq," newspapers, Yemen Times decided to take this issue to the world. It decided to authorize the following four organizations to take its case to the courts.

1- International Organization for Journalists, (IOJ) - Regional Office;
2- Federation of Arab Journalists, Head Office, Cairo;
3- Reporters Sana Frontiers, Paris;
4- Committee to Protect Journalists, New York.

"26 September" is an official state organ speaking on behalf of the military establishment and is managed by the Press Secretary of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. "Ali-Mithaq" newspaper is the mouthpiece of the ruling People's General Congress party, headed by President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
The two papers have accused the editor of the Yemen Times Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Saqqaf of being an agent of Western imperialism, of representing the interests of international zionism, of being sponsored and groomed by the Unification Church, and of spreading the message of the international Christian messianic movement.
The Yemen Times had published articles demanding accountability for the actions and decisions of the state officials, and asked for better respect for human rights and press freedom.

 

Egypt's Ambassador in Sanaa, Dr. Mahmoud Murtaza, told the Yemen Times that the coming meetings will be a watershed in the bilateral relations. "Our two countries enjoy a special historic bond. Social, cultural, political and economic relations must develop to reflect the special association between the two peoples and nations."

Notwithstanding the optimism of the ambassador, the various rounds of official top-level talks have so far resulted in little substance. During the last round, for example, several agreements were signed, but none have been implemented. The two nations had sought to strengthen economic ties. Towards that end, they signed an agreement to set up a joint bank capitalized at US$ 100 million. They also called for the establishment of a joint holding company which will supervise joint investments in various fields. One year later, neither project has been launched.

Government officials blame the private sector for not following up their lead. But the private sector in both countries has its own agenda and priorities. "We do not need government officials to lead the way. We actually want them to stay out of our way," reflected a Yemeni businessman.
Even in the field of information exchange regarding terrorists and religious extremists, cooperation has been minimal. That in spite of a bilateral agreement and the visible threat to which both regimes are exposed.

Dr. Iryani is expected in Cairo around the middle of February, 1999. The specific dates have yet to be pinned down, although the visit itself, it has been agreed, will take place within 2 weeks. Accompanying the prime minister's multi-minister official delegation will be an entourage of a dozen businessmen.
"Although we have become a routine addition to the delegations headed by the president and prime minister to foreign lands, we are not seen as equal partners. We are not involved in the preparations for such visits, or even in the programs. We are just a useful addendum," complained a senior official at the Yemeni Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

 

Many international companies operating in Yemen have regularly complained of problems associated with customs clearance at Sanaa International Airport.
The Yemen Times took the initiative to contact Mr. Hafez Me'yad, Director-General of the Customs Authority at Sanaa Airport, who expressed immediate interest in meeting with people who have complaints. "We are willing and ready to look for ways to reduce procedures and streamline the paperwork," he assured.

As a first phase, Yemen Times decided to invite oil-sector companies to a meeting with the director-general of the airport customs authority and his assistants. This will take place at the Yemen Times at 10:00 AM on Thursday, February 11th. Also attending will be MOMR officials.
The meeting is expected to last for about two hours. Ideas will be floated on ways to simplify airport customs clearance. Companies interested in attending are kindly asked to call 268-661, ext. 301 to confirm.