16 - April 19th thru April 25th 1999, Vol IX
Second International Al-Shaam Conference on IT
The Second International Al-Shaam Conference on Information Technology focuses on identifying information technology with high impact potential on the socioeconomic development of developing countries. It also looks at both the methods and requirements of implementing the technology. The conference addresses policies, resources, skills and the management of change, and includes papers, panels, round table discussions, workshop, demonstrations exhibits, teleconferences and a symposium held by the UNDP.
Dr. Jassim M. Jirjees, from Sana'a University is taking part in the conference. In his paper, he is discussing the role of technology in media (Internet), using the Yemen Times Online website (www.yementimes.com) as an example.
Hael Saeed Anaam Award for Science and Art
A press conference attended by Mr. Ali Mohammed Saeed Anaam, Chairman of Board, The General Secretariat of the of the HSASA, general Manager of HSASA of Saeed group of companies was held to honor the winners of the Hael Saeed Anaam Award for Science and Art. A mistake occurred regarding the data of the officials decision on the works result and the arbitration committee. Nothing was mentioned regarding the prize for Environment and Agricultural science for the year 1998 to Dr. Abdul Rahman Ali Mohammed Thabit for his research on the dangerous effects of insecticide on environment. Other areas, such as medical, economic, social and Islamic sciences were correct. We hope that a correction of such information will be made soon.
General Zinni's Visit to Yemen
The Commander of the U.S. Central Command Force, General Anthony Zinni, is expected to arrive in Sana'a in April the 26th, 1999 on an official visit. He is expected to hold many talks with senior Yemeni officials over the two days, as well as inaugurating the new building of the Demining Center, located near the American Embassy in Sana'a.
On the 27th of April, General Zinni is expected to inaugurate the new building of the Demining Center in Aden - Dar Saad area. The American Commander will observe the training process of the military forces who will take part in demining operations in the planned areas.
Also, the Commander of the Marine Forces of the Middle East will arrive in Sana'a on the 1st of May on a short visit to Yemen for the purpose of overseeing the new training course of the project. The training team will be based in Aden, besides overseeing the task of demining in the planned areas.
A Journalist Harassed
On April 14th, the office of the Yemen Times received a fax message from Mr. Khaled Muhssen Dallak, Chief Editor of Hagarn newspaper, member in the former Journalists Syndicate. Copies of the fax massage were also sent to a number of senior officials in the
government including the Prime Minister Dr. Al-Iryani. In this massage Mr. Dallak is appealing to the concerned parties in the government and in the NGOs to "promptly interfere to put an end to the frequent acts of violation and harassment against my freedom, financial dues, personal belongings and employment," as he puts it in his letter. Mr. Dallak accused Brigadier Ali Al-Shater, Chief Editor of the weekly 26 September newspaper, as the person behind it. The dispute, as Mr. Dallak points out, arose for financial reasons when Khaled Dallak, a former staff member in the 26 newspaper, was denied his financial rights for the services he rendered to the paper during his employment with the paper. He said that after successful assignments, he was charged with promoting the paper's advertisement policy along with performing the paper's technical editing. It was agreed between the two sides that Dallak should get a 30% interest in case of a rise in the paper's financial gains resulting from his new assignment. However, when results began to appear, he was denied the percentage increase previously agreed upon. Instead, he was fired, and charged with fabricated and insubstantial accusations. He was also subject to illegal detention several times , with no legal proceedings being taken against him. And finally, his personal car and a $1000 camera were taken away from him. Mr. Dallak concludes his message by asking that his dispute with Brigadier Ali Al-Shater should be settled through a court of law that can establish a fair and honest justice. Is he asking too much?!
Hijacking a United Nations Vehicle in Sana'a
On Tuesday, April 13th,on Djibouti Street, only a few meters from the World Bank building in Sana'a and near the Central Office of the Political Security, a group of armed men attacked the driver of a 'Land Cruiser' Model car belonging to the National Council of Housing and Population, a division of the UN mission to Yemen. They stole the car and ran away. The UN Office immediately informed the Security Forces. Within less than an hour the forces surrounded the building in which the car was parked, an incompleted building that belongs to a Minister in the current government.
Sources say that the gunmen were hosted by the building's guard. They say he assisted them in changing the vehicle's plate number into a military plate number.
The security forces confronted the thieves and one of the armed men was killed, while two others were seriously injured. Two civilians who were passing through that area at the time were wounded.
Yemeni delegation Arrived in Iran
Official talks between Iran and Yemen took place in Tehran on the 17th of April. The Yemeni delegation, lead by Vice Minister Abdulqadir Bajammal will be discussing issues of mutual interest with Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Kamal Kharazi and other top ranking Iranian officials. Political observers see this visit as a preparation for President Ali Abdullah Saleh's visit to Iran, which is expected to occur next month. Iran and Yemen are known to enjoy political, historical and cultural ties which could serve as a prelude to expansion of the already excellent relations between the two countries.
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