10 - March 8th thru March 14th 1999, Vol IX
Al-Belagh
Sanaa, Weekly, Independent.
02/03/1999
A: Front-page Headlines:
1. Cancellation of 12,000 Jobs.
2. Teachers Prepare for Nationwide Strike.
3. Arrest of Sellers of Stolen Travellers' Checks.
4. Ministry of Interior Intensifies Campaign Against Illegal Residents.
5. Expired Goods Enter Yemeni Market Illegally.
6. The President in an Interview with Al-Mustaqillah TV: "The Americans don't want the Arab Summit to be held, and our relations with them are okay."
B: Issue's Editorial:
Everyone has the right to express their views. This has been guaranteed in the constitution, and it was ordained by our Islamic Sharia. In our present democracy and political pluralism, it is the right of all parties to express their ideas and vision.
At the same time, any splinter groups within parties also have the right to express their views. The arbiter in such differences should be the courts, after the correct investigations are done through the Political Parties Committee (PPC) and the Ministry of Information.
Therefore, the decision of the Ministry of Information to close down the two Al-Shoura newspapers (the original and that of the splinter group), was wrong. It should have asked the splinter group to issue their publication under a different name, or asked them to go to the PPC or the courts.
The Ministry has always referred such disputes to the courts. We hope it will continue in such course. Therefore, we expect the minister to go back on his decision to stop the two Al-Shoura newspapers so that he remains neutral in the on-going dispute.
Al-Mithaq,
Sanaa, Weekly,
Mouthpiece of the PGC.
01/03/1999
Main Headlines:
1. The General Committee Launches Today the Elections of the Branch Conferences.
2. Elements in Nasserite Party Try to Kill a PGC Activist.
3. Dr. Iryani: Technical and vocational education is the best ways to fight unemployment.
4. Elections Are the Best Ways to Choose PGC Leaders.
5. Moudiyah Court Continues Trial of Kidnappers/Assassins of Foreign Tourists.
B. Issue's Editorial:
The People's General Congress will remain the true representative of the of democracy and pluralism which is the practical means of the new life in Yemen given the circumstances. Thus, the institutional plans which were launched today by the General Committee in the meeting chaired by President Ali Abdullah Saleh, Chairman of the PGC, is a true manifestation of our democratic orientation. The PGC bridges the gap between words and deeds, and offers yet another model of the values of democracy.
The new launch is destined to re-structure the PGC's cadres in the preparations towards the Sixth Convention of our party. We keep up with the changes in search of the national interest, to strengthen the democratic climate of our country, and to correct all imbalances in our political, social and economic life.
It is at this level of responsibility that the PGC proves that it is really the party of the present and future. This explains the attraction of so many new members, and the live interaction of our people with it. That is why it would be worthwhile for the other parties to follow the PGC model in their internal democratic practices and to avoid all posturing which offers no solutions to our problems or offer support in building the modern Yemen.
Al-Wahdawi
Sanaa, Weekly, Mouthpiece of the Nasserite Unionist Party.
02/03/1999
A: Front-page Headlines:
1. A Secret Agreement between the Authorities and the Al-Mihdhar Group.
2. Our Party Commemorates the 1st Anniversary of the Passing Away of Ahmed Tarboush.
3. Hunt Oil Co. Threatens to Stop Its Activities in Yemen.
4. Libya Celebrates Anniversary of the Launch of Jamaheery System.
5. Reports on the Meeting of Iryani with an Israeli Official.
6. US State Department on Human Rights in Yemen.
7. The Opposition Warns Against a Clamp-down on Writers and Journalists.
B: Issue's Editorial:
For the authorities to beat up a or arrest another journalist, has become something expected. For the authorities to clone a newspaper and issue a twin copy, unfortunately, is not something new. It has sort of become part of their job. But for the Ministry of Information to join this dirty game is something really bad.
The decision by the Minister of Information to close down the newspaper of a legal political party is not something of which the minister can be proud, and he is a man who commands the respect of the people who work in the field.
It would have been better for the Ministry to confiscate the clone (forged) copy of the newspaper of Al-Shoura. Everybody knows the issuance of the duplicate copy is an attempt by the authorities to undermine the Federation of Popular Forces and its legitimate leadership. We see this as a prelude to the limitations that are expected to follow on political and partisan activities.
Al-Ummah,
Sanaa, Weekly,
Mouthpiece of Hizbul-Haq
4/3/1999.
A: Front-page Headlines:
1. A Wedding Celebration Turns Into Mourning.
2. Abu Hamza Threatens with Flying Bombs, and the Authorities Negotiate with the Jihad.
3. Wide Support for UIttihad Al-Qiwa Al-Sha'abiyah, and Condemnation of Blocking of Al-Shoura Newspaper.
4. Armed Groups Levy Taxes at Mahabishah Area.
5. Two Killed in Aden, and Blasts in Dhale' and Shabwah.
B: Issue's Editorial:
Our nation is planning presidential elections, which are going to be on a direct popular vote for the first time. In preparations for that important event, there are many signals that have been released by the authorities.
Take the following examples:
- The Supreme Elections Commission has embarked on an effort to distribute quotas in the election committees, thus showing it doesn't really understand its job.
- The SEC is also proposing some changes to the law, as tailor-made to the desires of the majority party.
- The Ministry of Information has shut down Al-Shoura newspaper.
- The Political Security Organization has embarked on an arrest spree mainly against journalists and editors.
While such pressure mounts on civil society organizations, the authorities have opened talks with the Jihad group. What is the message from all of this?
At the same time, the new price hikes are expected to bring more suffering and hardship on our already wretched people.
If the above are some precursory measures, we don't want to know what will happen during the heat of the elections. We hope the President will judge these matters wisely.
Al-Thawri,
Sanaa, Weekly, Mouthpiece of the Yemen Socialist Party
4/3/1999
A: Front-Page Headlines:
1. Objections Continue Against Splintering of Parties and Cloning of Newspapers.
2. The YSP Pays Homage to Abdul-Warith Al-Ibby.
3. PSO Arrests Kutbi and Al-Ghareeb, and the Prosecutor Summons Bashraheel and Al-Odaini.
4. Launching of the National Committee to Defend Victims of Non-Agression.
5. The Government's Party Prepares for a Journalists' Conference which it Controls.
B: Issue's Editorial:
The Yemeni Journalists' Syndicate is undergoing lots of pressure these days. Some journalists who work for the government, or who are supported by it, are trying to undermine the independence of the YJS. They want to control it in order to remove it from its true job.
Some people were pushing political compromises, and they even used the name of the YSP in their literature to confuse the position of our party.
We hereby re-affirm that the YSP has always believed in open democratic processes. We have to fight together against the hegemony of any single party or person on our syndicate. Towards that end, we feel that corrective measures are needed first, and before any elections can take place. This means that the forgeries of membership which were used in the branch elections must first be corrected.
The YSP stands by its agreement signed between the opposition parties in the Supreme Coordination Council and the Islah party on January 1st, 1998. That agreement demands that all political parties stop meddling in the affairs of syndicates and other NGOs. We also demand that the agreement between the Federation of Arab Journalists and Dr. Abdul-Karim Al-Iryani be honored by clearing the membership of forgeries.
Al-Sahwa,
Sanaa, Weekly, Mouthpiece of the Islah Party.
A: Front-Page Headlines:
1. Consultations among the Leaders of Islah Party.
2. Parliamentarian Report Condemns the Agricultural Credit Bank and Accuses it of Violations of the Rules.
3. In a Letter to the Government, Parliament Asks the Reasons for Issuing 30 Laws during Its Recess.
4. Abrogation of the Quran as an Independent (Separate) Subject in Primary Schools Certificate.
5. Parliament Again Puts the YR 27 billion Violations in Its Agenda.
B: Issue's Editorial:
The other day while I was in a dabbab (minibus), an on-coming passenger threw a book at me, saying, "See what they are doing?"At first, I was annoyed with the intrusion. Then I was absorbed by the book. It was one of the Hilal series, and its contents are distorted Bibles.
So, as you see, the new attack is coming via Aden. Why in Aden? The reasons are obvious.
The city suffers from a distorted cultural heritage, it is backward, poor, weak religious learnings, absence of model behavior, etc. At the same time, the doors of the city are wide open - no checks, no controls.
The doors of the church there are open. Close to it is a 'charity' business, and still close to it is a place for youth activities.
You can see the beginnings of the new drive. Rotary clubs are moving, at the university, women are asked to take off their veil, and evangelical movements in the poor neighborhoods. The satellite TV channels offer satisfaction to people's base desires and make our youth drift away from upright Islamic teachings.
Thus come the distribution of bibles to our youth. And I ask the question, "Who will stand up to this evangelical proselytizing?" This is an honest plea to our rulers. They should fully take up their responsibility towards God and our people.
Ray,
Sanaa, Weekly, Mouthpiece of Rabitat Abna Al-Yaman.
2/3/1999
A: Front-Page Headlines:
1. Explosion at the Republican Presidency Office and the Security Arrests the Preacher of Al-Saddeeq Mosque.
2. The Government Will Implement a New Price Hike.
3. MOWJ Carries Letters to the European Capitals.
4. British Lawyer Unleashes Attack on Yemeni Security Apparatus.
5. Negotiations between the Political Parties and the Supreme Elections Commission Reach a Dead End.
B: Issue's Editorial:
Everyday, more and more indicators point to the fact that our region is undergoing a new historic re-structuring. Look at these facts:
- New escalation in the military confrontation in Lebanon that could spill over.
- The Arab Gulf is like a moving military barracks, with fiery letters carried by the military maneuvers, especially in the Iran-UAE border dispute.
- The Horn of Africa remains ablaze, as the Eritrean-Ethiopian war and the Somali civil war rage on.
- The Iraqi problem grows more complicated, and the scene is being prepared for more violence.
- Oil loses its glare, and drifts to the background of international influence and political decision-making.
Thus, all indications point to new developments and re-drawing of the map of the region.
Yet, our authorities are busy arresting a mosque preacher, breaking the pen of a journalist, or sharing the quota of electoral committees.
It is indeed a pity that the huge resources and potential of Yemen, and its glorious history are not employed in creating a better present and more promising future.
Attariq
Aden, Weekly, Independent.
2/3/1999
A: Front-Page Headlines:
1. Ba-Aum Says: "The regime still works to divide Hadhramaut."2. Al-Jafri Asks the Prime Minister of Britain to Mediate with Yemeni Authorities to Carry Out National Reconciliation.
3. Ba-Jammal: "Yemen succeeded in stopping media campaigns between Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Iraq."
4. RSF Objects to the Closing Down of Al-Shoura, and the Arrest of Its Chief Editor.
B: Issue's Editorial:
Mr. Abdul-Bari Taher, Chairman of the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate, decided to freeze his syndicate role last week. He said he had reached a dead end in his efforts to correct the forgeries before the second conference of journalists. That in spite of many meetings of the general secretariat, central council and even joint meetings with a delegation of Federation of Arab Journalists.
We regret the conditions to which the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate has fallen to. We had hoped that the YJS would have overcome its difficulties and act as an independent and professional organization.
The most important issue is not whether a conference is held or not. The more important issue is how journalists can build a professional and independent organization that defends them and their interests. Our syndicate should have a presence- internally and internationally.
Al-Gumhuriyah,
Taiz, Daily, Official,
4/3/1999
A: Front-Page Headlines:
1. The President Discusses with Japan's Ambassador Bilateral Cooperation.
2. Council of Ministers Approves Policy for Water Use in Agriculture, Establishment of Media Training Institute, and Privatization of Yemen Drug Company.
3. The Speaker of Parliament Receives the Ambassadors of Cuba and Russia.
4. The Prime Minister Receives Jordanian Trade and Industry Minister.
5. Ba-Jammal: The Aden Free Zone will Move the Yemeni Economy from Isolation to Integration with the World.
B: Issue's Editorial:
The Council of Ministers discussed yesterday the consumption of water in the country. We have seen how wasteful use has depleted our underground reservoirs.
One of the solutions has been building dams and cisterns.This has helped, but it is not a final solution.
The final solution lies in the way we use water. The solution is with the citizens. The Cabinet has taken the first steps in the ultimate solution to this problem.
Al-Ayyam,
Aden, 3- a-Week, Independent,
6/3/1999
A: Front-Page Headlines:
1. Parties, Political Organizations, International Circles Condemn Violations of Freedom of Expression.
2. Interrogation of the Chief Editor of Al-Ayyam.
3. Continued Imprisonment of Kutbi and Al-Ghareeb.
4. Following Armed Conflict, New Violence in Je'ar.
5. Night Patrols to Pursue Refugees.
B. Issue's Editorial:
If there were any one merit to totalitarian systems, it is its clear policy of intolerance of political pluralism and democracy. Such systems refuse press freedom, and use terrorism and violence to silence any dissent.
It remains a clear policy which is consistent with itself. Those who do not like the system have no choice but to leave.
But our Yemeni state says in its political agenda that it is democratic and that it believes in political pluralism and it allows liberty to reign. But its practices on the ground are far different.
As preparations continue for holding the journalists' conference, we find measures that should stem only from a totalitarian state. How can we explain a chief editor of a newspaper and a columnist who are in jail at the Criminal Investigation Offices in Sanaa and Aden, even if what the two journalists had written is punishable by law?
It is clear from the duration and place of imprisonment that the aim is not to try them in court, but to demean and humiliate them. This is something we cannot accept for any citizen, whatever his/her place in society. We hope that all sides can learn to refer their grievances to the courts.
|