25 - June 21th thru June 27th 1999,
Vol IX
I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Abdualziz Al-Saqqaf.
On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, and both the
American and Yemeni staff of the Embassy, I would like to express our sincere
condolences. He was a Yemeni patriot of many accomplishments, a friend
of the American people, and of all supporters of democracy and human rights.
His legacy will indeed live on, in the lives of the Yemenis he taught at
Sanaa University for nearly two decades, in his work in the Consultative
Council, and as founder and Editor of the Yemen Times, which we hope will
continue to represent the values of democracy and freedom of expression.
In all things he went the extra mile. He not only founded a newspaper,
but went on to receive the coveted Freedom of the Press Award in Washington
in 1995. He not only successfully completed his studies as an honored recipient
of a Fulbright scholarship, but went on to be the founding member and Secretary
General of the Fulbright Alumni Association of Yemen. In Dr. Al-Saqqaf,
we found not only sincere belief in democracy and human rights, but the
ability to create institutions in support of his belief, and not only Yemeni
patriotism in its most positive sense, but the ability to see beyond borders
and factions.
Like all of Yemen, so many Americans who worked with him over the years
share in your loss, and hope for the continuation of his legacy.
Sincerely,
Barbara Bodine
American Ambassador
___________
On behalf of the National Press Club, it is with profound regret that
we note the recent death of your founder and chief editor, Dr. Abdulaziz
Al-Saqqaf, the recipient of our 1995 International Freedom of the Press
Award. We posted a copy of your Online obituary on our bulletin board.
We join you in hopes that his soul will rest in peace and our deepest
condolences to his family.
Sincerely
Larry Lipman
President of the National Press Club
___________
On behalf of the Canadian Embassy and the Embassy Officers who have
had the privilege of knowing and working with your father, I would like
to express to you our sincerest condolences. We share with you and your
family a profound sense of grief for his tragic and unexpected death.
Your father was a tireless champion of democracy, human rights and
the building of civil society. He exhibited a selfless sense of patriotism
and succeeded in making Yemen a better citizen of the world. It was an
honour to work with him and support him in these efforts. He shared freely
his wisdom and counsel, enabling us to gain a better appreciation of the
tremendous challenges faced by Yemen. On a personal level, we all appreciated
his human warmth, sharp wit and sense of humour. He will be sorely missed
by all of us.
We understand that you will now continue your father's work as publisher
of the Yemen Times. This is a task of immense responsibility. Please be
assured that you will have our encouragement and support in pursuing this
endeavour.
Yours sincerely,
D. H. Hobson
Canadian Ambassador
___________
I hereby express my deepest condolences to the family of Dr. Abdulaziz
Al-Saqqaf in connection with his tragic demise.
Several members of this Embassy had the honour and pleasure to know
Dr. Saqqaf personally and we will truly miss a good friend
Svein Andreassen
Norwegian Ambassador
___________
With the deepest emotions of sorrow we received the news of the death
of your father, Publisher and Chief Editor of the Yemen Times, and the
Chairman of the NGOs and Human and Liberties Committee of the Consultative
Council, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Saqqaf 's, in an unfortunate car traffic accident.
The sadness and pain in our hearts and the hearts of all the people
who knew him well is devastating. He was a person who gained respect and
admiration locally and internationally.
At the same time, we express you our sincere condolences for this horrible
incident, which has shocked everyone and caused them depression and devastation.
We hope that you and your family can go through this with patience and
faith, and pass through these moments of grief and pain.
Akira Hoshi
Japanese Ambassador
___________
I came to know Prof. Abdulaziz Al-Saqqaf when I started my duty as the
ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Sanaa. I knew him as a well-informed
man and a person who worked for his beliefs with honesty and seriousness.
He was a faithful friend, and a man who was concerned with the issues
of his country, and all Arab and Islamic nations.
Losing this man is a loss for the whole Yemeni society. The pain increases
when understanding that the reason behind his death was carelessness and
neglect. May Allah's mercy be upon our friend and brother, Prof. Abdulaziz
Al-Saqqaf and upon all his family, and to his son, Walid whom we send our
deepest condolences.
Sincerely,
Murtadha Rahimi
Iranian Ambassador
___________
The sudden and horrible death of Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Saqqaf hurt us a lot.
Losing Dr. Al-Saqqaf is a great loss, which we will all feel. But the hope
is in his staff who could try to fill in the gaps after his death. We pray
to god to have mercy on him, and to inspire his family and lovers with
patience and faith. We belong to God, and to God we shall return.
Taha Yassin Al-Basri
Iraqi Ambassador
___________
With hearts full of faith and belief in fate, we learned of the unfortunate
death of Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Saqqaf, Member of the Consultative Council, and
Publisher and Chief Editor of the Yemen Times. He was an extremely honorable
reflection of a courageous and hard working Yemeni, working for the prosperity,
wealth, and democratization of his country, Yemen. He gained respect from
prominent international and Arab individuals, and he had excellent relations
with the Palestinian people and leadership.
On this sad occasion, all I can do is offer my condolences on behalf
of the Palestinian Leadership and people, praying to God to accept him
and inspire in his family and relatives faith and patience. We belong to
God, and to God we shall return.
Yahia Rabbah
Palestinian Ambassador
___________
Expressing my sadness and devastating loss of Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Saqqaf,
I sent a letter of condolence to you and to H.E. the Yemeni Minister of
Economy. I pray to God to give you the patience and strength to go on,
and to continue the great works of the publisher of Yemen Times with lots
of success.
Sincerely,
Arich Astather
German Vice Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development
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