Main Headlines: 
1- Attorney General demands closure of Al-Ayyam and punishment of 2 of its editors. 
2- Dr. Al-Baidhani sends an open letter to President Saleh complaining of slander in the weekly official 26 September newspaper. 
3- A presidential candidate asks the ruling party, the PGC, to help him secure 10% of the parliamentary vote. 
5- Citizens in Shabwah Governorate refuse to cooperate with election committees. 
6- Bandits seize a car from the tax office in Hawrah, Hadhramaut. 
7- The Yemeni government finally grants Yemeni emigrants the right to vote. 

-- The Issue's Editorial 
Though we inherently support democracy as an inevitable system for us, the manifestations of this human ideal comes in people's behavior through a number of practices. First among these is equality among citizens. Absence of such equality disturbs the peace of every one in this country. As John Locke, a great English 16th century philosopher, says " When the law is not in force, despotism reigns."In fact, there is fear that in our case, despotism has become a chronic disease as the law has no force. Anyone who keeps track of the alarming events occurring in our country will find that the law-breakers are powerful groups both in and out of the government. 
While we are unfamiliar with the real aims of such groups, we are unable to stand in their way, for fear of the power which they derive from their connection with the government. 
Internecine fighting, tribal confrontations, and other forms of violence regularly take place in many parts of Yemen. The inability of the state to put an end to all this is the hardest for our citizen to comprehend. Therefore, we believe that these burning issues will be among the top priorities in the campaign agenda of President Saleh. As the most important candidate in the race, President Saleh is the most qualified to win the race for social and political considerations. 
The 20 years of experience of President Saleh in leading one of the most unruly countries in the region, and his greatest achievement in re-unifying the country, make us hope that the new presidential term of president Ali Abdulah Saleh will begin with addressing the problems of lawbreaking committed by certain powerful groups which we believe are the source of all evil in Yemen. 

-- Issue's Editorial 
The effort of the Ministry of Emigrants Affairs in organizing the First Emigrants Conference is a positive step in the right direction, even though it reflects the slow growth of the Yemeni government's awareness of the Yemeni Diaspora. Also, the timing of the conference is very smart for two significant considerations: First, it comes concomitantly with the country's celebration of the 9th anniversary of Yemen's Re-unification. Surely, this everlasting anniversary inspires every Yemeni, inside or outside Yemen of the necessity to enhance his/her ties with the Homeland. Second, the event comes in the year 1999, which is an unusual year, as Yemen will experience the first presidential elections. Therefore, President's Saleh can use this event as a greet achievement to be added to his candidature assets. 
However, the objectives of the conference should not be restricted to the above considerations. Efforts should be focused to encourage the Yemeni emigrants to invest in their country. Before that, the government should strive to create a safe environment for the possible investors as we are familiar with the wobbly economic, political and security situations that dishearten capitalists to take the risks in investing in Yemen. Till that happens, we suggest that the Yemeni government should seek the assistance of the International Monetary Institutions to provide the Yemeni emigrants with guarantees that would reduce possible risks and end their apprehension. Given the good relations between Yemen and the World Monetary Institutions, it would be judicious to build mutual confidence between the immigrants and their country instead of waiting for the improvement of internal conditions. 

-- Issue's Editorial 
The remarkable organizational successes the PGC has been able to achieve during the three phases have opened the eyes of many observers inside and outside the PGC to the dynamic democratic processes in the PGC. This new achievement is another clear evidence of the PGC's momentous political presence and its competence in achieving practical steps that can effectively deal with the present and intelligently absorb any possible changes in the future. All this has been done through a genuine commitment to democracy and through devout organizational discipline which is embedded in the PGC. It is for this aspiring spirit that the PGC shall secure its leading place among the political parties. It is also through perpetual self-criticism and assessment that the PGC shall carry on the march towards a better Yemen. 

-- Issue's Editorial 
1- Many people in Yemen are often overcome with a feeling of hopelessness and frustration brought about by the state of sluggishness, if not decline, which is common in the government apparatus. This state of sluggishness is a natural outcome of the absence of information and planning or perhaps of the unawareness of the operation of the government offices. The government employees are often unaware of the purpose of their jobs and in many cases they go to their offices only to sign in their names or to take bribes from those who are in need of their services. This problem is even common at high levels. In short, government directors, deputy ministers and perhaps the ministers themselves are moving on the same direction. 
So far, we haven't heard that a certain minister has met with the leadership in his ministry in order to design policies or programs. It is hardly possible for anyone to be impeached by the minister for carelessness or job delinquency. The most important issue that's usually attended to with alacrity and hard work is the annual budget in this or that ministry, not for the good of the public, but only to see if they can lay hands on public funds. This is the naked reality of our government apparatus. To admit this fact is the first step to be taken in beginning a serious reform process. Anything short of this step is sure to end with certain failure. 

-- Issue's Editorial 
This year, the Yemeni people commemorate the 9th anniversary of the country's re-unification with less content, yet with more pride. However, the great expectations that came along with this extraordinary event have evaporated in our country's complicated reality. 
With more pride, because this exceptional dream would not have come true without the costly sacrifices which for long decades had been offered by the leading unionist forces of the people. In that glorious day of May 22nd 1990, the people of Yemen proved that the dream they had been waiting for was more than an illusion or a wild dream. It was right, as seen by the facts of geography and history. 

The historically unjustified geographical obstruction that fragmented Yemen before May 1990 had seriously distorted the balance of the National Character and it was only through Unity that this character recovered self-command and confidence. On that memorable day, the whole World witnessed a completely different Yemen coming out from humiliation to embark on shouldering its way with hope towards a promising future. However, if the two political leaderships who signed on the Treaty of Re-unification were unable to live up to the level of this greatest event, and only approached it with the lust of the looters, the ordinary Yemeni who is indeed the real beneficiary of Re-unification has remained firmly devoted to this dream which has restored to him his pride in his country.