SANAA: After the wise decision of the Interior Ministry to ban the use and carrying of weapons including the licensed in the major cities, citizens welcomed the decision hoping that it will truly lead to the abolishing of weapons in Sanaa and other main cities. However, not even one month has passed until we hear that the checkpoints and other weapon monitoring units were lifted. Citizens have shown great encouragement to the implementation of the law, but it has yet not been fully implemented. 

The speculations suggest that the latest incident (read more on report page) that resulted in the murder of Yahya Hameed Al-Kharashi, and another policemen was the last in a serious incident which made the government raise the white flag of surrender. Is the government giving up the efforts of disarmament in Sanaa? The weapon campaign could have been the most effective if it had also accompanied the banning of arms trade outside the capital. Measures to close all sources of weapons should go hand in hand with the abandoning of arm carrying. Yemenis are still having the hope that the Ministry of Interior is not giving up because of these pressures. The mission of disarmament has a noble objective. That is to secure a safe life for all our people by collecting the weapons in the hands of the ineligible, which we hope that one day, will be reached. 

Last Friday, 3 September, the two kidnapped, then released, French couple flew to France after a frightening experience of being in captivity in the hands of a Mareb tribe for more than two weeks. The safe release of Irenee Herbert and his wife Tara was a direct result of the efforts of President Saleh to release the abducted French Couple through the mediation of the prominent Sheik Mohammed Bin Naji Al-Ghader. The demands of the tribe were mainly to provide money ($41,667), heavy agricultural equipment (tractors, etc.) and the removal of army bases from the area. The two French diplomats arrived to Sanaa last Thursday evening after two weeks of captivity in the hands of the Al Jabr tribe, in the Al-Habab area, near Mareb city. Last week, the French couple threatened to start a hunger strike in an attempt to draw more attention to their case. 

Witnesses in the tribe stated that Mrs. Herbert began breaking the glasses of the room she stayed as an indication that she felt depressed because of the closed and unfamiliar atmosphere she and her husband were held in. The two diplomats were handed to the Embassy by the Foreign Ministry on the same day of regaining their freedom. The increasing pressure on the government to do something, especially after the statement of the kidnapped saying that they will begin a hunger strike if they are not released truly paid off. Besides relieving the French officials, including the French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin who said, "thanks to all those whose efforts made this happy climax possible." The safe release of the French also relieved Yemeni officials of this situation at a time when our country will witness its first direct presidential elections. 

TAIZ: The most significant factory of the Hayel Saeed Anam Group of Companies, the Tobacco Plant, had burnt last Friday morning because of what is thought to be an electrical short circuit. The fire spread rapidly eating away almost everything in the factory, including the machines. Fortunately, nobody was killed. However, several employees were injured because of the fire and the smoke. The Yemen Times Bureau Chief, in Taiz, was in the factory by coincidence, and was the first to rescue the employees who were trapped inside. The devastation is mainly going to disturb the government, which will lose around YR 2 billion, which it used to receive as taxes annually. 
The families of the 250 employees, who are now jobless, will also be affected by this accident. This is considered to be devastating for the Yemeni economy. However, the Hayel Saeed group, as Abdulwas'i Hayel states, "is too strong to be affected." We believe in this as well. 

Abdullah Al-Baradouni, a well educated intellectual, writer, and poet that all Yemenis loved, has passed away last Friday in his 70s. Born in Zaraja village of Al-Hadaa, he was one of the bravest and most talented Yemeni and Arab writers and poets of all time. 
We heard of murders happening here and there, and we said no problem. We heard of the City Center and the Bab Al-Yemen explosions, we also said no big deal. However, the true loss to all of this in this black month, is the loss of Abdullah Al-Baradouni. A man who has contributed a lot for his country, and in all aspects. Losing such a man is truly unfair, unjustified, and signals a loss to all Yemenis. Al-Baradouni was not just a poet, he was a noble man who feared no one when saying the truth. He was even imprisoned for his daring statements. He has rejected many positions in the government because of his honest attitude, which they didn't like. In short, he was the handicapped hero of the people. The huge number of awards, certificates, and achievements of Al-Baradouni indicate his true value. The funeral of Al-Baradouni was attended thousands of his beloved last Tuesday. 
Abdullah Al-Baradouni started composing poetry at the age of 13. With perseverance and sheer willpower, he was able to defeat his handicap (blindness) by studying at the Science House andgraduated as a teacher of Arabic literature. Known as a revolutionary poet, Al-Baradouni was able to enter the history by being the best Arab writer in modern poetry. 

The Presidential campaign is going as scheduled, despite all the incidents that are taking place. It seems that the authorities are determined to have this democratic process successful. The campaign of President Saleh has already started strong by visiting a number of provinces, including Hodeidah. 
The official media and press have started the campaign strongly through promoting President Saleh's achievements through the years, including accomplishing unity, and bringing the democratic process to life, etc. Prime Minister Dr. Abdulkareem Al-Iryani, Vice President Abdo Rabbo Mansour, Chairman of the Consultative Council, and Abdulaziz Abdulghani have all started their allocated duties in campaigning for President Saleh. 

However, Najeeb Qahtan Al-Shaabi seems away from the spotlight. His campaign is not evident. His posters are not available anywhere. His speeches, conferences, activities are not displayed on TV or mentioned in the written press. Many Yemenis are wondering what his campaign is all about. Where and when he is going to give his speeches, is still not known. 
In his last press conference, the President insisted that the elections will be done on time. But the signs of elections are not evident. Perhaps the recent incidents have diverted the attention of the people. Instead of looking after the elections, families are struggling to make ends meet in a difficult time.