GPC Conference Day One: Saleh Refuses to be Nominated
Update: it was all political theatre, he’s “running” in the elections. Seemed too good to be true, a dictator who voluntarily relinquishes power, and it was.
Original Post:
But Ba Jammal says he has to agree.
Official Saba news agency reported from the GPC extraordinary congress that President Saleh asked the party to hold a closed session to to nominate its candidate for the coming presidential elections. He said in the address “I told the general secretary that I reject any political shows and theatre plays”.. let Yemeni people bear their historic responsibility..
“I’m not unable to carry on with this responsibility” Saleh said, but “my achievement of unity and comprehensive development is urging me to preserve such achievement by handing over power peacefully to Yemeni people”..
“Yemeni people are full of loyal and honest men, the country is stable and secure.. no fears are there for unity , democracy, and development”..
He added that he’ll keep his constitutional tasks until Yemeni people elect a president.” we have state institutions that would lead the country ..” , Saleh resumed. He told his party members “Do not claim that you or the people were surprised by my decision, I already told you 11 months and 4 days ago that I am giving up power”..
Ba Jammal, also talking to the congress and the president said that the 7th congress shad already nominated you, and this one comes to complete the steps.. “your candidacy is not a matter of personal will, but rather of country wide national demand”..
Gee, he sounds…serious.
Mirror: President Ali Abdullah Saleh announced that nominating him for the elections is not the right thing. “It is not a play,” he stressed. “It is not a political game.”
He confirmed that he wants to hand over power to the people of Yemen in a peaceful and democratic manner. The President made the announcement during the extraordinary general meeting being held now in the capital Sana’a for the General People’s Congress (GPC) nominee.
“I put the responsibility today to the General People’s Congress and all political parties and organizations and all groups of people,” he said. “We believe the GPC is a great party.”
The President confirmed that he announced that he will not rerun for a second term before 11 months and four days. He warns the Secretary-General of the CPG of any play or game.
“I will not nominate myself for the coming presidential elections and relinquish power voluntarily today. The responsibility is on the people of Yemen to choose a new President of the country,” he asserted.The President went on saying “I am not sick or unable to assume responsibility. “I served to 28 years if it was success it is a good thing but if it was failure I ask forgiveness from the people of Yemen.”
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News Yemen: As the General Peoples’ Congress (GPC) started its exceptional conference on Wednesday recalling president Ali Abdullah Saleh to run the coming presidential election.
The secretary-general of GPC Abdul-Qader Ba-jammal delivered a speech in which he appealed president Saleh to run presidency elections “for the sake of Yemen and to complete the development process he has stared”.
“We are here to tell you that Yemeni people, all syndicates, civil society organizations, scholars, intellectuals and writers appeal you to run for more term not in favor of the country but because you have proved in the past period that you are able to lead the country efficiently, said Ba-jammal.
“So we call you on behalf of all to hear the calls and to run the country in the coming democratic era,” said Ba-jammal.
However, president Saleh addressed nearly 5000 attendants confirming that his decision in July 2005 “was not a play, but a chance for all to practice peaceful power succession”.
“Thanks for Yemeni people and all who trusted me before and trust me now. I am not unable to lead the country according to the constitution that gives me that right, but we called for this exceptional conference not to discuss the future of Ali Abdullah Saleh but to discuss the future of Yemen,” said Saleh.
” I do not agree with those who say that if there is one able to lead the country we will elect him, but I say that Yemen is full of honest individuals who can powerfully lead the country to get to a safe shore,” Saleh said.
If I could perform well in the 28 years of power so that was good, but if I failed to reach some achievements, I seek the Yemeni people pardon,” Saleh added.
When the attendants were embarrassed for the speech of Saleh, he called the GPC to a close session “to choose the GPC candidate for presidency and discussing issues related to the future of the country in this democratic change”.
More: businessmen threaten to withdraw money and tribes take trucks hostage.
from the YO:
President Ali Abdullah Saleh addressed his supporters last Wednesday and sincerely reaffirmed that he has no intention in participating in the upcoming elections. “I want to hand over power peacefully and democratically,” the President said.
He also addressed rumors that his refusal to run is merely political posturing. “It is not a theatrical performance, nor is it a political game.” Saleh said that he wants to pass on the responsibility to the Yemeni people starting with the GPC (General People’s Congress), the other political parties, and other sectors of the Yemen population that is the representation of all parties.
Amid interrupting shouts for him to change his mind, the President said, “I warned the Secretary General of the GPC of any theatrics or games. I declared 11 months and four days ago, that I wouldn’t run for the upcoming Presidential elections, and I will transfer power over peacefully.”
The President went on to say: “I am neither sick nor incapable to take the responsibility. I ruled for 28 years. If I have been successful that is a good thing, but if I have failed in some aspects, I beg the pardon of the Yemeni people.”
As the roar grew louder, Saleh said: “I am speaking to you quietly, confidently, and without agitation. I want my achievements to be crowned with the transition of power following the country’s unification, securing of borders, and development of the country. The one thing remaining is to hand over the power to the people. Let them decide the future of Yemen but not the future of the President.”
Following his address was a closed session of GPC leaders. It was held to address their opinions amid expectancies that Saleh will apologize for not bowing to the demands of the people. He is expected to renew his insistence on establishing a democratic model in Yemen and to suggest possible names for standing in the elections on behalf of the party.
Well-informed sources said the President issued tight orders to the Prime Minister Abdul-Qader Ba-Jammal to ban any demonstrations calling for his re-election. Yesterday, Saleh refused for the second time in a row to attend a special session that was held by a committee of Yemen’s businessmen demanding the President seek re-election. The attendants of the conference are 6,850 members and 600 women.
Really it would be a historical move that would settle his legacy.
