44 - November 1st thru November 7th
1999, Vol IX
 
Al-Ayyam, independent, daily:
1)The unemployed demonstrate:
Hundreds of unemployed Yemeni University graduates
expressed their anger for not getting jobs within the Government administrative
system or agencies, so that they can live with dignity in their homeland.
They demonstrated last Monday demanding that the Government provide them
with jobs and bring their sufferings to an end.
Al-Ayyam learnt that the demonstration went to the Council of Ministers
Building where they delivered a memorandum addressed to Dr. Al-Eryani,
the Prime Minister.
2)Dr. Abu Bakr Al-Saqqaf is back:
The prominent Arab thinker Dr. Abu Bakr Al-Saqqaf is back home from
Russia where he underwent some medical treatment after completing a period
of assignment at the Lyon University in France.
Al-Ayyam welcomes the return of Dr. Saqqaf to the homeland to continue
his enlightening mission with the University and the Media.
3)Al-Mahwit Attorney demands execution of Al-Tawilah's Security Director:
The Office of the Attorney of Al-Mahwit, demanded the heaviest penalty
(execution) on the Security Director of Al-Tawilah Province Ali bin Ali
Abdul Karim and a number of soldiers at the Security Department who are
accused of the killing of Ahmed Mohammed Al-Kokbani last June. Mr. Al-Kokbani
had been sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment and dismissal from office
by a first-degree court. Al-Mahwit Court of Appeal, headed by its Chairman
Judge Yahya Al-Mawiri, last Sunday was appealed by the Defendant's lawyer
to release him because the accusation is "baseless and he is innocent"
Representatives of all parties attended the hearings.
The defendant's lawyer, Jamal Al-Ga'bi said in his argumentation: 'It
will be very dangerous for any citizen to believe that walking into Police
Stations means coming out in a coffin".
4)Canadian-Yemeni Medical Symposium to be held in Aden:
The First Yemeni-American Medical Symposium was held during 24-26th
October in Sana'a. Dr. Abdulla Abdul Wali Nasher, the Minister of Health
said in a statement that it was excellent. He added that many research
papers were discussed. Participants, especially students at the Faculties
of Medicine and Yemeni doctors greatly benefited from the deliberations.
The visitors from America appreciated many researches that were done in
Yemen." He said that most of the studies concentrated on Cardiac diseases,
Bone diseases and Medical Care.
Dr. Nasher added that the Canadian-Yemeni Symposium on Heart Diseases
shall be held next March in Aden, while the 2nd Yemeni American Medical
Symposium as well as other similar events shall be hosted by Aden.
5)Prince Nayef: Extradition of Bin Laden doesn't concern Saudi Arabia:
His Highness Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz, the Saudi Minister of Home
Affairs confirmed yesterday that the Kingdom is not concerned with Usama
Bin Laden whose extradition was demanded by the U.N. Security Council before
mid-November. When asked whether Saudi Arabia might demand that bin Laden
is repatriated to that country, he said: ' I have repeatedly said that
he doesn't concern us. We are concerned with Saudi nationals, and he isn't
one."
The daily Alsharq Alawsat of London quoting the prince added last Tuesday
that the Prince referred about Al-Sayegh who was recently extradited to
Saudi Arabia by the U.S.A. and is accused of being linked to Al-Khobar
attack: ' He is similar to other accused persons, and we believe than no
one of the accused shall be given any privileges whatsoever, and Sayegh
isn't going to have any".
Prince Nayef also said on the "guarantor" system adopted by
Saudi Arabia for the residence of foreigners in the Kingdom as hinted by
His Highness Prince Abdulla, the Crown Prince designate: 'The system is
reviewed and it shall guard the rights of both sides: the Saudi national
and the incoming laborer"
6) American Delegation concludes visit to Yemen:
President Saleh received in attendance of Vice-President Hadi, the
delegation of the American Foreign Affairs Council led by Mr. Henry Sigman.
Yemeni-American bilateral relations, the Middle-East peace process and
the role of the Council were discussed. American investments in Yemen and
other issues of mutual interest were also dealt with.
The delegation expressed its admiration for the 'Democratic Path' policy
adopted by the Government of Yemen, which rests on the respect for human
rights, freedom of the press multi-party system and plurality. President
Saleh confirmed the stand taken by Yemen for the development of the peace
process saying that ' Just and comprehensive peace can only be achieved
when Arab rights are regained and the Israeli occupation of lands in Palestine,
South Lebanon and the Golan Heights is brought to its end. The President
emphasized the role of the U.S.A. in the peace process and made reference
to the importance of interlacement of interests of states and peoples in
our world.
Al-Tagammoa', weekly, Y.U.G.:
1) They are angry with the President:
A big number of tribal dignitaries and politicians
are still angry with the President due to his remarks at a press conference
that hinted that those who had some links with Saudi Arabia as a result
of previous conflicts in Yemen, continue to receive payments from the 'Big
Sister' despite the fact that the circumstances in which these payments
were decided don't exist now.
The angry dignitaries consider that the remarks despite being nondirect
still revile them. They seem unaware of the fact that remarks touched many,
including those who are very near to the authorities.
2)Sheikhs to be searched in future:
Semi-confirmed reports say that the relevant authorities have conveyed
to tribal Sheikh circles through a number of means that from now on, Sheikhs
shall be dealt with when leaving or entering the country in the same way
as others. No exceptions or privileges shall be given. 'The sooner they
accept that as a fact of life the better", they were told, 'and in case
of any kind of resistance or objection they shall be responsible for the
results".
The warning comes in the aftermath of the recent Sana'a Airport incident
with Sheikh Al-Shayef, and the events following it including violent clashes
between the regular Armed Forces and the Sheikh's men which resulted in
an undeclared number of casualties. The clashes stopped only after the
interference by Sheikh Abdulla Al-Ahmar the Speaker of Parliament.
Some Sheikhs are known to have pledged their support to the new rules
on condition that Sheikhs shall be equally subject to the rules, hinting
at a very prominent Sheikh and his sons who have in a number of cases broke
the laws or just defied the rules.
The stories about the Sana'a Airport Al-Shayef incident are many, but
all of them indicate some sort of disregard to the rules, and a slap to
(or shooting at) a security officer.
The public, however, received the news of toughness of the authorities
with joy. Though they consider the level of law enforcement as mild, they
believe that it is only the beginning of a series of moves, if the authorities
are serious.
3) Decision Emerges as a Big Lie:
The decision banning foreign diplomats' contacts with Yemenis came
out as only a big lure that opposition circles readily swallowed and publicized.
However, during the days in which the false news was spread, it was noticed
that contacts did really decrease between foreign diplomats and the natives.
The first to uncover the truth were the diplomats themselves. Currently
foreign diplomats' Qat diwans are receiving those belonging to the opposition
and the Government.
4)More Women High Officials Appointed:
Observers believe that the appointment of Ms. Asmaa' Al-Basha as a
Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Planning comes as an indirect
reaction to the fierce campaign being waged against Dr. Ms. Raoofa Hassan
by the forces of darkness in Yemen.
They expect that a number of additional resolutions shall be adopted
during the next few weeks by which a number of political, economic and
social women activists shall be appointed or promoted to higher posts.
Ms. Amat Al-Aleem Al-Susuwa is one such activist who is nominated as an
Ambassador to a European country.
Dr. Hasan had left the country for Holland for good unless the campaign
against her resides and the foolish shut up. The campaign against her reached
a level at which even non-Yemeni Arab mosque imams participated. A large
number of worshippers are very angry and ask openly that the stupidity
be stopped in favor of Yemen's dignity and the sanctity of mosques.
5)A Resolution with Clear Borders:
In the aftermath of the campaign against private prisons that belong
to some Sheikhs and/or other very influential dignitaries in Ebb Governorate
there were no news about similar campaign(s) against more fiercely anti-human
rights prisons that belong to other Sheikhs and/or influential dignitaries
inside Sana'a, the capital itself, and in other Governorates.
Al-Ra'y Al-A'am, independent, weekly:
A New and an Old Idea:
Oh God!! What is the wisdom in making the official
duration of work-hours seven hours instead of six while there is no work
to fill up the six-hour working day? In addition to that Thursday is given
as a holiday. DidnÕt our Council of Ministers know that Yemen is
a part of the World, which has become a small village? Contacts and dealings
with the World are a daily affair. If Yemen is on holiday on Thursdays
and Fridays, and the WorldÕs holidays are Saturdays and Sundays,
which days of the week remain for dealings with the outside world? Only
Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays??
The idea is not new, but an old one suggested by former Prime Ministers.
When they considered it carefully, it was discarded because it was found
unsustainable by prominent economists and administrators. What a foolishness?!
Oh God, Relieve us of foolishness!
Al-Ummah, weekly, Al-Haq party:
1) Burial of the Dead:
Our Sources report that the body of Usama Al-Masri
who was killed during the kidnapping of foreign tourists in Abyan Governorate
at the end of 1998 was laid to rest. Four British and Canadian tourists
were killed in the kidnapping incident.
It is reported also that the body of Galal Al-Khadher, a leader of the
Aden-Abyan Islamic Army, who was killed during the same event, was delivered
to the next of his kin.
These moves come after the announcement that Abu Al-Hasan Al-Mihdhar
the leader of the said Aden-Abyan Islamic Army was executed.
2)After the Saudi Rejection, What's New?
The Saudi-Yemeni relations are back to their previous status of thickness
and secrecy in the wake at the aftermath of the Saudi rejection of the
visit of Dr. Abdul Karim Al-Eryani, the Prime Minister. Official Yemeni
press had last Thursday confirmed the visit. He was to carry a letter from
President Saleh to King Fahd ibn Abdul Aziz and meet other high officials
of the Kingdom and discuss the Saudi-Yemeni border issues in a way that
leads to an accepted and final solution.
The news of the visit came after a recent round of meetings of the
joint border committees at which it was announced that 200 border posts
were specified and that a very small number is pending.
Media sources attributed the Saudi refusal to the haste of Yemeni diplomacy
in announcing the visit before being fully sure of Saudi agreement. Observers
consider the Saudi refusal to receive Dr. Al-Eryani as an indication that
a satisfactory solution to the border dispute was not reached; although
Yemen- as previously claimed by high Yemeni officials- had made many concessions
to the Kingdom. Some observers anticipate that this situation might lead
to a degree of tension in relations, which improved since the last meeting
of President Saleh and King Fahd in Spain a few months ago.
Al-Sahwa, weekly, Yemeni Islah Party:
1) The Liquidation of the Industrial Bank:
Economic circles are puzzled by declaration that
the Industrial Bank was liquidated. While some sources attribute the reason
to the BankÕs inability to retrieve the debts given to prominent
and influential personalities, the situation continues to be very vague
especially regarding the true reasons and the details of the BankÕs
status before its liquidation.
Some circles urged for disclosure of the real reasons and a policy of transparency
of information in such important issues that directly affect the state
and national economies.
2)Islah Welcomes Dialogue, Demands Corrections:
Dr. Abdul Rahman Ba Fadhl, Chairman of the Islah Parliament Caucus
told Al-Sahwa that the dialogue between the Islah and all main parties
is open and continuous. He said Islah welcomes any serious or fruitful
discussions between all political parties in Yemen for the general interests
of Yemen.
He added in an interview with 26th September eddition of the newspaper
that Sheikh Abdul Majid Al-Zindani didn't intend to be nominated a candidate
in the last Presidential elections.
As to the lifting of subsidization of food materials Dr. Ba Fadhl pointed
that he himself, when he was the Minister of Supply, called for lifting
the subsidization of wheat and flour. His call was, however, on the condition
that the amount of money used for that purpose should be given to him,
and shouldn't remain in the pockets of the those spoiled so that a disaster
isn't multiplied.
Dr. Ba Fadhl wondered about the fate of $700 which was previously used
for that purpose and was lifted.
Al-Ehya'a, weekly, Ba'ath Party (Iraq):
An Yemeni patient at the Military Hospital
cut off his tongue in protest against the ill treatment the Doctors showed
him.
Sources told our newspaper that the patient was
taken ten times into the operations room and every time his operation was
postponed till the next day. They added that he had protested several times
before, but to no avail. So he cut off his tongue with his own hands.
A witness told us that the patient said since nobody heard his loud complaints
he cut his tongue to protest against such callousness.
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