Press Review - Issue 16

16 - April 19th thru April 25th 1999, Vol IX

RAY, issue 155, 13/4/1999.
Sanaa Weekly,
Mouthpiece of the League of the Sons of Yemen, Main Headlines:
- The League of the Sons of Yemen calls for the creation of a sound atmosphere for the success of the first presidential election in the country. A statement released by the League criticized the turning of the issue of the electoral committees distribution into a major problem, affirming that such a course reflects the absence of trust and a comprehensive national vision.
_ The Yemeni Organization for Human Rights Protection (YOHRP)denounces the ongoing human rights violations in Yemen.
- A group of Journalists visit the pillaged Saeed village upon request form Mr. Mohammed N. Allow, a lawyer and a member of the Yemeni parliament.
- Dr. Al-Iryani gives instructions for the security insurance of the Grand Mosque Manuscripts library, but too late.

The Editorial
The superficial handling of such a weighty issue as the presidential election, which is the first of its kind in the history of Yemen harms this young experience and exposes politicians in this country to all kinds of censure. The issue of the presidential election concerns our future and our national expectations and ambitions. To work towards this future we should see that these expectations are based on a firm and sound ground. The normalization of political life is therefore the first step to make this structure sustainable. The normalization of the political life can be realized through a real and effective political reform which can leave the past behind it and look forward to the accomplishment of a healthy political balance. It is only through this mechanism that all national assets can be exploited in every area of creation and achievement. Through this mechanism our national decision will be made by every one and for every one. Therefore the first step in the long-desired reform is to ensure a comprehensive participation in the decision making through a broadly-authorized local government.

Al-Belagh,
Sanaa Weekly, Independent
13/04/1999 Main Headlines:
- Sources in the Foreign Ministry and the Public Authority for Investment informed Al-Belagh that a number of Malaysian businessmen of Hadrami origins are applying to the concerned authorities for investment facilities in Aden's Free Zone and Sumatra Island. More than 35 Malaysian businessmen are applying for licenses for the construction of electronics and energy plants as well as tourist compounds and resorts.
-The joint Yemeni-Saudi boarders Demarcation committee has concluded a meeting held last week here in Sanaa. The meeting, the 14th between the two sides, discussed the Field Teams works as was directed by the two political leaderships.
- Diplomatic sources said that the Yemeni Foreign Minister is to visit Kuwait next month as he received a formal invitation from his Kuwaiti counterpart.
_ The World Bank credits Yemen $50 million to boost reform in the public sector. The loan is to be reimbursed in 40 years with a ten year grace period and at an interest rate of 0.75%.

The Editorial
What is happening in Kosovo is absolutely shocking and out of any human context. Although NATO is using the protection of the Kosovar Muslims from Milosevich's brutal genocide as an announced objective to strike at Yugoslavia, the appalling situation of the Kosovars has become much worse now than at any time before. The Yugoslavia forces are demolishing the region, raping women and murdering whoever comes their way. Thousands of refugees are now caught between homelessness and displacement on the one hand, and hunger and humiliation on the other. There is also fear that the NATO strikes on Yugoslavia might have other unforeseen objectives, one of which is to end the Muslim gathering in Kosovo. The United States and the West in general are apprehensive that the Muslim gatherings in Europe might in the future pose a dangerous problem for the Christian Continent. Hence the NATO strikes which resulted so far in the driving off of two million Muslim Kosovars from their homeland. However we sincerely hope that these fears are only hunches and the displaced Albanians will soon be back home. Till that happens, it is our human as well as religious duty to extend a generous hand of assistance to our Muslim brethren in Kosovo. The President's decree to create a Kosovars Relief Committee comes within this human and religious consciousness and we expect the business community in Yemen to positively interact with this initiative and donate whatever they can. This will at least comfort the afflicted Kosovars and make them feel that their Muslim bothers are not deserting them in this time of need.

Al-Wahdawi,
Sanaa Weekly,
Mouthpiece of the Nasserite Unionist Party, 13/04/1999
Main Headlines:
- The Party's Central Committee carries on arrangements for the Nasserite Unionist Party's 9th convention amid Arab and local interest.
- In Attweelah, Mahweet, Mohammed Kwakabany, 18 years old, was tortured to death by the office of security in the town. The head of the security office, criminal investigation officer and four security personnel were arrested to stand military trial for the charge of torturing to death Mohammed Kwakabny. The victim was tortured to confess to a theft, but he passed away in the process.
- The House of Representatives (the Parliament) commences the debate on privatization draft law and the MPs are asking the government to provide them with a clear feasibility study and reasons for privatization.

Article Summary:
During the opening session of the Consultative CouncilÕs Hearings on the Yemeni Emigrants last Saturday, an officer in the Political Security office threatened to arrest a member of the council. Why? Because the member did not clap hi hands when the name of the President was mentioned. The officer insulted the member and threatened to make him a ÒguestÓ at the political security compounds. Now the question is: Is it compulsory to clap? Is the Political Security authorized to keep an eye on those who donÕt like clapping!Ó

Al-Thawry,
Sanaa, weekly,
Mouthpiece of the Yemeni Socialist Party, 15/4/1999
Main Headlines:
_ Mr. Ali Saleh Obad, the YSP Secretary General, has pointed at a constitutional problem preventing the opposition parties form nominating their candidates for the presidential elections. Mr. Obad said that according to the Constitution, the candidate becomes legal when 10% of the Parliament votes for his nomination, an impossible requirement for many candidates in the opposition. Mr. Obad recommends a constitutional amendment to solve the issue.
_ Most electoral registry committees are in the control of one party.
_ The YSP has refuted the statement of the "official security source" related to the assassination of the YSP Central Committee member, Sheik Abu Nashtan, and affirmed that Abu Nashtan was killed for his political character.

Article Summary:
Acts of violence and terrorism have become unacceptable everywhere in the world. Backward societies in the Arab and Islamic world are apropos for such unwelcome behavior. In our country violence and terrorism can find a place for a number of reasons. Paramount of all is the economic hardships suffered by the majority in this country. Second, the fragile structure of the state and peopleÕs lack of respect for law and order. The unbalanced concoction of the state structure, largely made up of tribal and family groups, is also a major factor for the dominance of violence in our society.
In recent years our country has experienced more acts of violence. It started with political assassinations which targeted some opposition parties of democratic orientation. The Yemeni Socialist Party was a main target given its leading role in the reunification, democratization and modernization of Yemen. The process continues and is taking on new forms. Kidnapping and group massacres committed by the state against its citizens in Dhala'a, Mareb, Al-Jof and other parts in the country.

Al-Sahwa,
Sanaa Weekly, Mouthpiece of
Islah Party, 15/4/1999.
Main Headlines:
- Following the President's instructions, the Election Supreme Committee is to begin the correction of the voters' charts with cooperation with the Islah Party and the other opposition parties.
- Privatization Draft Law raises hot debate in the parliament due to the Government's headstrong position against any amendments to the Law. Many MPs are voting against the privatization of service sectors which are closely related to the basic needs of the people.
- A widespread concern in Attaweelah district, Mahweet, over the ongoing investigation of police brutality leading to the death of a citizen.

Article Summary:
In a side line of the current debate on the draft law of privatization, one of the MPs referred to some dispute between the Minster of Communication and the Minister of Planning over the selling of the General Corporation of Wire and Wireless Communication. It is said that the corporation will be sold for $ 100 million at a time when it is engaged in executing a $ 50 million project in Aden. Also, the cost of the corporationÕs machinery is over $ 100 million, let alone its assets and buildings scattered all over the country.

Al-Mithak,
Sanaa Weekly, Mouthpiece of
the People's General Congress, 12/4/1999
Main Headlines:
- During his meeting with Arafat, the President of the Republic reiterated Yemen's solidarity with the struggle of the Palestinian People to establish their Independent State over their National territories with Al-Qods Jerusalem as the capital.
- In an interview with the paper, the Djibouti President Elect expresses his country's desire to further promote the relationship with Yemen to a more comprehensive stage of cooperation.
- In a statement to the Paper, Ba-Jammal says that the international decision to close the Yemeni Human Rights File renders any relevant accusations null and void.
- Expressing her appreciation for our country's efforts in Human Rights protection, the US Ambassador to Sanaa hails the democratic atmosphere in Yemen.

Al-Ayyam,
Aden 3-Weekly, Independent,
14/4/1999 Main Headlines:
- Mr. Douglas March, a US Professor who recently visited Aden, describes Aden's commercial future as promising and growing. However, he affirms that real development will not take place unless the law is respected by everyone.
- A press report says that Cairo is to open a court file under the name "Coming from Yemen" in reference to the "fundamentalists" handed over to Egypt by the Yemeni Authorities.
- Writers and intellectuals in Yemen's Union of Writers call for correcting the situation in the Journalists Syndicate. The Union describes the current division in the Syndicate as a negative phenomenon.

Article Summary:
Real and not formal democracy can never be realized, nor can it become a way of life without being practiced openly, and embraced and respected by an open society. In other words, freedom is the only answer to turn democracy into a road of social and cultural growth.

26 September,
Sanaa, Weekly, issued by
Yemen Armed Forces, 15/4/1999
Main Headlines:
- In a press interview with the Bahrain's Al-Ayyam newspaper, the President of the Republic says that Aden's Free Zone will become an important ground for the national economy. In a reference to Yemen's relationship with the Gulf countries, the President describes this relation as excellent expression of Yemen's appreciation for the resumption of diplomatic ties with the State of Kuwait.
- A Yemeni Relief airplane flew to Tirana, Albania, carrying 40 tons of food stuffs to be presented to the Kosovar refugees from their Yemeni brothers.
- The Cabinet of Ministers approves $25 million to finance a Sanaa Water and Sanitation Project. The loan is credited by the International Development Authority.
_ Mr. Abdulla Barakat, Chairman of the Supreme Election Committee says that the SEC has finalized the necessary procedures to begin with the revision and registry of the voters charts.
_ The Minister of Defense meets separately with the Ambassadors of France and India and discusses with them aspects of mutual cooperation. The meeting also touches on enhancing the relationship between the Yemeni Army and the Army in the two friendly countries.