Armies of Liberation

And they try to sell it to the west as clamping down on extremism.

SANA’A, June 21 — Member of Parliament Yahya Al-Houthi has accused the Sana’a regime of endeavoring to impose Salafi mosque preachers on Sa’ada governorate residents by distributing such preachers in area mosques.

In a June 19 message to President Ali Abdullah Saleh, a copy of which the Yemen Times received, Al-Houthi stated, “The war being waged these days on Al-Awasijah in Haidan in Sa’ada is the reason Al-Awasijah refused to listen to speeches of those accusing others of infidelity,” according to his account.

From his residence in Germany, Al-Houthi said the chases, confiscations and arrests still are continuing in Sa’ada and there are prisoners from Al-Jawf and Amran. He added that the authority is seeking by force of arms to compel Sa’ada inhabitants to discard their religious sect and embrace the Salafi sect. He considers the Sa’ada War a racist and sectarian one against the Zaidi sect and its followers and attributes its continuation to an influx of money.

The parliamentarian also said President Saleh promised to handle the Sa’ada War himself, saying that he didn’t need the governorate’s governor or any others and that he wants military termination.

Al-Houthi mentioned that armed forces units on June 19 actually attacked “our people in Farn Bin Zaid by using army tanks, armored vehicles and troops in the south of Haidan city, but our people there managed to repel the attack and destroy a military group, inflicting direct hits on the attacking soldiers, despite what the official media has propagated that the Sa’ada War ended and prisoners were released.” He said this was just a cover to avoid international pressure.

At the end of his message Al-Houthi said, “I call on the president to stop the war because it’s just destruction for the people and increases their suffering. I also call on him for genuine peace.”

The drama continues.

The GPC is apparently a paper tiger without Saleh. If Saleh sticks to his decision, it will envigorate the party system which was nearly dead, as is demonstrated by their immature reaction. They are acting like a cult of personality not a party.

The GPC could find one honest person I’m sure, one person who all along has been working in the public interest, maybe somebody who objected to that monsterous budget, and make him their candidate.

Yemen Mirror

Thousands of Yemeni people were pushed to protest against the decision of the president Saleh appealing accept the GPC nomination for the upcoming elections in September.

Abu Suhaib, an accountant in a drug company, told The Mirror that the administration of the company forced all the staff to protest in Al-Tahreer Square where thousands of people gathered from different ministries and institutions. “I don’t care if he run or not,” he said. “I had a lot of work to do.”

The majority of people surveyed by The Mirror after the speech of the president Saleh during the GPC exceptional conference said they felt the seriousness of his decision. However, some political analysts believe it is mere acting.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Faqeeh, Professor of Political Science at Sana’a University, told NewsYemen that the speech of the president was not serious enough. “I think President Saleh and Prime Minister Bajammal are of the most skilful movie stars in the world,” he said.

Al-Faqeeh added, “In the event President Saleh insisted on his rejection to the candidacy – which I do exclude at the same time – the country will be pushed into cataclysm, because it was built on this political system and the whole country was established accordingly.

“On the second hand, the friends of the President, officials of his party and relatives will not agree on another person. Everybody feels he is the rightful replacement for the monarchy.”

According to the professor, the opposition in obliged to nominate a strong candidate to seriously and strongly compete for several reasons, including that the GPC was summed up in the character of the President and there is no attempt to find alternatives.

WPH: Informed sources told United Press International that Saleh is determined not to reconsider his decision to stay away from elections, and that the extraordinary meeting was aimed at nominating the ruling party’s candidate for president.
The sources said Saleh issued firm instructions to Prime Minister Abdel Kader Bajamal to ban demonstrations and marches to press him to submit his candidature for another seven-year term. They also noted that Saleh rejected a request by a committee of Yemeni businessmen to meet with him in order to press for renewing his presidential candidature.
A member of the Popular Congress Party leadership said Saleh will conduct an open dialogue with senior party members to clarify the motives for his decision not to run for reelection and will defend his viewpoint, but the final decision remains in the hands of the party leadership.

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.”

More

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.

News Yemen:

The capital Sana’a witnessed on Tuesday rallies of citizens asking president Saleh to run the coming presidential elections, he decided not to run last July, 2005.
The demonstrations come a day before the General Peoples’ Congress (GPC) holds its exceptional conference to declare its candidate for presidency.
On the other hand, the Joint Meeting Parties (JMPs) condemned an appeal raised to president Saleh on behalf of all participants in the 4th conference of the Local Councils held in Sana’a early this week.
JMPs said it was not the right of the conference leadership to raise the appeal on behalf of all participants as the conference included leaders and members of opposition parties which till now refuse Saleh’s nomination for more term.
“We did not discuss the appeal and it has never been included in the conference’s agenda,” said a statement by JMPs.
The statement disparaged such behavior that it described as “indecent”, confirming that a conference held to discuss the future of decentralization should not be interested in internal problems of the ruling party.
The statement also criticized the final communiqué of the conference that it said did not meet aspirations.
“The report of the minister of local administration ignored many issues and obstacles that have faced local councils in the past period and it did not point to the level of implementing recommendations of previous conferences,” said JMPs.
It also said that the work paper related to enhancing decentralization experience overlooked the request of most members of the conference to directly and freely elect governors and managers of administrative units.
The JMPs also condemned the liquidation of the local council in Marib since it has been elected till now and preventing the council to distribute its statement at the conference hall, considering that as “black point in the decentralization experience”.
“The local councils could achieve some achievements by efforts of their members, but what we have achieved is not sufficient due to many obstacles such as lack of financial and administrative authorities,” said JMPs.

Via the Yemen Observer:

Tariq al-Shami, head of General-Secretariat of the GPC said that the decision reached at this exceptional conference will going to be binding on all GPC members including President Saleh. The decision will confirm the recommendation of the seventh conference held in Aden last year. He confirmed that President Saleh remains the sole candidate for the GPC in spite of his frequent refusal to stand for re-election. Abdullah A. Ghanim, the head of the political constituency of the GPC, assured that this unique round of the conference will treat one subject only, and that is to name the candidate of the GPC for the upcoming elections. Again he confirmed that the decisions of the round will be obligatory on the person that will be selected by members.

The general trend is going to be a confirmation of what was decided in Aden at last November’s conference: to name President Saleh as a candidate for the GPC. He affirmed that all members of GPC all over Yemen stand firm by their insistence on Saleh running in the upcoming presidential elections.

In a leak, the first of its kind, informed sources inside the Joint Meeting Parties state that there is a unanimous agreement inside the parties to select the independent Faisel Bin Shamlan, former Oil minister as the candidate of the JMP in the upcoming presidential elections of September 2006.

Despite the confidentiality that the JMP have around the name of its candidate, Abdul-Wahab Al-Aansi, Assistant-Secretary-General of the Islah Party in a statement to the Yemen Observer didn’t deny the naming of Bin Shamalan as the candidate of the JMP. He said, “The identity of the candidate is not important but I assure you that the JMP has agreed on one candidate.”

Yasin Saeed Noman, Secretary-General of the Socialist party refused to comment on Bin Shamlan’s presumed nomination as the candidate of the JMP and said there is no evidence of that, indicating that the parties are still fielding candidates. Media sources reported that anonymous leaders of the opposition in the JMP-Islah, Socialist, Union Nasserite, Peoples Forces, and Al-Huq parties agreed to name Bin Shamlan as their candidate to ease the deadlock that was threatening to destroy the main body of the JMP due to the sometimes sharply contrasting ideologies held by the parties of the JMP.

If nominated, I will not run; if elected, I will not serve.
William T. Sherman

This is such a shame, an electrical project shut down due to security concerns. Gee, maybe Ali Abdullah Saleh’s relatives *don’t* have some special hereditary talents bestowed at birth enabling them alone to run the security forces, because they are doing a very bad job.

UPI:

Security hazards and widespread arms possession among the population is preventing poor Yemen from going ahead with development and investment projects.

The latest casualty of this insecurity was South Korean giant Hyundai, which announced the suspension of an electricity project worth $64 million for supplying power to Sanaa and other provinces following attacks on its workers and an attempt to kidnap its director in Yemen, a Korean national.

Independent daily al-Nidaa said Monday that the “deterioration of security conditions and the dangerous and recurring attacks that targeted Hyundai led to the suspension of a strategic and vital project and resulted in power cuts in Sanaa and other large cities.

“Hyundai was forced to freeze its work lately until further notice due to security hazards, blackmail, robbery and kidnapping incidents, the latest of which was the aborted attempt to abduct the company director, Mt. Chin,” the paper said.

The company was in the process of building 600 high-voltage power poles from Maarab to Haziz, in Sanaa, which were supposed to be completed in two years at the cost of $64 million as part of a bigger project for operating a gas power plant in a joint venture with Germany’s Siemens and Iran’s Neesan.

The paper noted that Hyundai was forced to suspend work for two weeks in March, but was exposed to more violence after it agreed to hire 75 workers from the province of Sanaa. Attacks included office raids and firing on company workers.

The minister of electricity was informed of the harassment, al-Nidaa said, and he presented a memorandum to Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Rashad Alimi “complaining that such incidents would force investments out of Yemen.”

Now this doesn’t inspire much confidence: Project Manager Urgently Needed Yemen

Our client, a general trading and construction company have recently been awarded a large EPC project, building a Crude Oil Tank Farm (approx. USD25 million) north of Hodeidah, in Yemen. The project will be sub-contracted to a major international Engineering and Construction Contractor. This tank farm project is part of a new refinery development. The contractor will also sub-contract as well the construction of the buildings (EPC worth about 5 millions USD). They urgently require an experienced Project Manager, having managed construction of crude oil and petroleum products tank farms, on the contractor ’s side, not as a consultant.

A committee unlike any other, no more monitoring, more releases, freedom to travel inside and outside Yemen, al-Qaeda escapees may be in Iraq or Afghanistan already, attacks within Yemen unlikely,

Gulf News:

Sanaa: The Yemeni government has formed a committee to work for the rehabilitation of Al Qaida suspects if they pledge to renounce violence and extremism, a member of the committee said on Sunday.

The committee was formed after a group of former Al Qaida prisoners met President Ali Abdullah Saleh to discus the rehabilitation issue.

“We met President Saleh on June 15 to discuss the conditions of the prisoners and also those who are already released but still under surveillance or house arrest,” Rashad Mohammad Saeed, who attended the meeting, said in an exclusive interview with Gulf News. “The committee was made up of six people – we chose three from among us and three from the governmental concerned bodies,” said Saeed, who is also known as Abu Al Feda.

The 32-year-old Abu Al Feda went to Afghanistan in 1989 for Jihad against the former Soviet Union, stayed until 1992 and then returned to Yemen. In 1998, he went back to Afghanistan to fight with Taliban and Al Qaida until days before the September 11 attacks and came back to Yemen where he was arrested on September 26, 2001, and kept in prison for nearly two years and four months. bu Al Feda, who says he is still under surveillance since he was released in early 2004, said this committee is different from all previous ones.

“The difference now is that this committee was formed from both sides not only from the government side,” Abu Al Feda said. “Hopefully, during the coming days all those who are not sentenced will be released and those who are sentenced and have served two-thirds of their period, will be released by the president.

“Keeping these young people in prison is not in the interests of Yemen. I think they were put in prison only under international circumstances and American pressure,” he said. He pointed out to promises from authorities to solve the problems facing him and his colleagues after their release.

So far, the Yemeni authorities say they have released about 315 Al Qaida suspects for lack of evidence against them. “It was also agreed to cancel measures imposed on those who are released, like house arrest, the monthly signing of official register and taking permission if you wish to go another province in Yemen,” he said.

“The youth should be allowed to travel wherever they wish in the country and outside the country if they get visas like normal citizens.” He also said those who lost their jobs because of imprisonment would be returned to their jobs.

“I and my brotherly youth will be committed not to do anything that may undermine the security or damage the public interests of society,” he said. Answering a question as to what extent these promises can be realised, he said, “I do not look at them as promises. It is a duty of those responsible for the homeland and its sons, to solve their problems.”

“I expect that all these points discussed in the meeting will be implemented because of the seriousness of the President of the Republic and chairman of the Political Security Organisation. They are very interested in solving our problems.”

About those 14 prisoners still at large after the February escape of 23 Al Qaida suspects, he said, “If they went to Iraq or Afghanistan, then they have arrived at a place where they can do as they wish,” adding, that he is not worried about them.

He said, if they are still in the country, “I do not expect them to do anything against the country and it will only be a matter of time for them to go back.”

Rehabilitation and re-integration are very important issues, appeasement is another. How many appeasements does it take to equal support? Meanwhile, the US and the Brits are training the Yemeni Coast Guard. And Abizaid visits Saleh. There’s five or six known al-Qaeda in Somalia according to the US, “individuals suspected of participating in the bombing of the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998.”

Update from the Arab Times: Claiming the Kuwaiti Public Investment Authority has been paying $137,000 to President of Yemen Ali Abdullah Saleh, he said “Saleh usually spends this money to buy qatt, which he chews. As he has recently quit chewing qatt under doctors’ instructions Saleh has started using this money to buy alcohol.”

Original Post: The irony, the absurdity, the double standard: The Yemeni governmental media and associated attack rags are dedicated to insulting, villifying and threatening critics, intellectuals and oppositionists in the most outragous terms imaginable. Now the wegimes paw widdle feewings are hurt by insulting writers in Kuwait, awwww, paw widdle wegime.

They seem to have the impression that free and unfettered speech about Yemen is allowed no where on the planet, not in Kuwait, not in the US and certainly not in Yemen.

MC

Yemen officially protested to the Kuwaiti government on Saturday over what it called ‘frequent insults’ towards Yemeni political leaders by prominent Kuwaiti figures, Yemen’s state news agency Saba reported.

Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu-Bakr al-Qerbi, in a meeting with Kuwait’s Ambassador to Sana’a Abdul-Rahman al-Utaibi, informed him of his government’s ‘discomfort over the frequent insults to the leadership, government and people of Yemen by some Kuwaiti figures,’ the agency said.

Saba gave no details about the nature of the insults or the people involved. But the Yemeni government has voiced its anger in recent years over public criticism of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh by Kuwaiti journalists and opposition members of parliament.

Yemen has yet to restore its once warm ties with Kuwait that were damaged by Yemen’s opposition to the international military action against Iraq after it invaded the oil-rich Gulf state in 1990.

‘Such insults aim at damaging the distinguished ties between Yemen and Kuwait,’ the agency quoted al-Qerbi as saying at the meeting with the Kuwaiti diplomat.

The Yemeni minister also asked the Kuwaiti government to ‘confront any act that could harm the interests of the two countries’ and to ‘take legal actions … to avoid any escalation that is intended to cause damage to the brotherly relationship,’ between the two countries.

The Yemeni government has “discomfort” so Kuwait should take legal action against the writers? Not satisfied with attacking their own journalists, the regime now wants journalists abroad arrested. How wimpy. They can dish it out but they can’t take it.

A meeting of the Joint Meeting Parties (JMP) in Aden was broken up by force on Friday by security troops, PSO, police units, and a fire brigade. Troops broke into the crowd and took away chairs. When the crowd refused to disperse, authorities used the fire brigade’s water hose causing several light injuries.

The political parties have issued protests to the violent reaction to the peaceful activity. The Aden security Department said only that the JMP did not get prior approval of security authorities for the gathering nor did they inform security of their gathering agenda. It denied any injuries.

This is Yemeni democracy.

Update: they are going to sue

al-Shawa 21/6/2006 Local and parliamentary leaderships sued security authorities in Aden

Local officials and parliamentary representatives in Aden announced that they will sue security authorities because that they were prevented to hold their festivals.
At après statement, a copy of which Sahwa net received, they demanded appeals prosecution in Aden for investigating in this case . Moreover, the representative described this act as irresponsible.

This is a great article. I read it three times. From the op-ed section of the award winning Yemen Times:

IN Yemen many have stood beside prisoners accused of being Al-Qaeda members because of the abuse to their legal rights. Likewise many stood by others who are in opposition with these groups, such as the Hothian Shiites . Respecting the law and dealing within its limits is considered a necessity.

The Iraqi occupation exposed the biggest of Arab illusions used to partition politics into right and left wings, beyond other modern classifications of antinationalist, leftists, and Islamists. The Arab world is really transferred into a state and citizens. The Iraqi disarray disclosed that doctrine and clan are still the decisive. Neither benefits nor political agendas are the binding links between community and its classes. Creed and faction proved to be the real link. It is true that occupation played a role in illuminating the darker sides; however, it did not create them. It has consciously or uncsociuosly contributed to a rekindling of the feelings of an environment saturated with grudges, and a country exhausted by splits. Iraq suddenly disintegrated to its most basic constituents, of Shiites, Kurds, and Sunnis.

Yemen shares many similarities and just as many dissimilarities to the Iraqi case. Yet despite the differences, Yemen is not safe. There is a fearful scenario of the Iraqi experience permeating through out the area. Two years war in Saada has brought the issues of doctrine and faction to the surface. It has witnessed wide political discussions in the media. The subject has many sides that require discussion and demand reconsideration. Yet discussion in itself does not affect national unity, if it found the appropriate environment. It is all a matter of distinct perspectives where some areas tolerate different points of view while others do not. Some matters need to be dealt with apart from any ideology, and according to the era’s facts. From this perspective we can discuss the situation of the Islamic groups in Yemen, whether they are from the brotherhood, Shiites or others.

The first stance is concerning the arbitrary arrest of the activists in contradiction to the law, whose rights are often abused and they are denied access to neutral courts. Such cases are dealt with regardless of the ideology and belief. However, these cases need consolidation of all political spectrum based on moral commitments and respect to human rights characteristic of the era. It is obvious legal rights should be observed and no one should be detained on illegal grounds. They should be referred to the independent judiciary. Yet this international culture that respects human rights was the very source which fueled solidarity for the detainees of Guantanamo and Abugraib. It is also the same incentive of the European and American press to disclose the scandals of American occupation in Abugraib and Guantanamo.

Yet this perspective is also the basis for the wider western protest movements in solidarity with the prisoners. It has nothing to do with the ideology of those prisoners or detainees. History is full of instances of solidarity with Islamic and leftist prisoners not because of their ideology, but because they were politically, racially or ethnically discriminated.

Consolidation is the right of everyone who is unfairly treated, regardless of their creed doctrine, ideology, or nationality. The value or importance of their ideology is not considered in these stances. In Yemen, to a wide extent there was a consolidation and human rights movement with those who were arrested for being Al-Qaeda suspects, and other Saada war related detainees. Al-Qaeda suspected detainees were imprisoned for months and years while the legal procedures provided that detention should have been according to punishable crimes. They have the right to be referred to courts immediately, and not be detained for long periods without charges. This behavior changes the State into a gang.

Al-Harithi and his companions were fugitives; killing them outside the judiciary was an unjustified crime. Lawpersons and, people within and outside Yemen stood by their side even when they did not share them their belief. They even condemn their methods of killing and subversion.

Jarallah Omer was assassinated by Ali Al-Sa’wani, but this did not prevent human rights, civil society organizations, and politicians from consolidating the Islamic detainees of Al-Qaeda suspects. The members of these organizations could be victims to those whom they stood by their side if they found opportunities of free movement. However this should not be an excuse to rid oneself of the humanitarian responsibility, to the extent that one should support their arrest in contradiction to the law. This contradiction between respect for human rights and security precautions became an international debate ever since the 9/11 incident. The Americans refused to give president Bush any extra mandate for detention and wiretapping used as the pretext for defending them against terrorists. Giving up this historical right will be triumph to the terrorists.

Many Yemenis also united in solidarity with Judge Noman, clerics Yahia Al-Dailami and Mohamed Miftah and other detainees of Saada war. This solidarity has nothing to do with their political belief nor their faith. The second level that should be distinguished in discussing the ideological creeds is the Saada war. Many political, legislative and civil servants, writers, presspersons, politicians and lawyers along the political spectrum, expressed their condemnation to the Saada war. Their justifications were quite different from that of the Hothian Shiite warmonger’s point of view.

The state should in the first place resort to a political perspective to resolve things. Backward ideological thought should be faced through education. The government should seek alternative methods in dealing with the costs of war. Some mistakes will be at the expense of, and sometimes undermine, other areas such as national unity, investment and tourism. There should be research and analysis on the prospects, impact and development of any problem, which will result from a particular decision.

Three factors influenced Saada war: The Shiite ideology (Zaidi creed is no longer Zaidi but a Shiite). The other two influences were the tribal fanaticism and the spread of arms; both factors contributed to prolong the war. This is in addition to other mistakes and apparent differences within the ruling authorities. The third distinction was free discussion over beliefs, be they Shiite, Wahabi or mainstream Islamic. Differences of opinion on these matters is likely to happen, but let us leave the Shiites aside now. The Islamists are divided into two groups. Eighty percent of their size is a political stream represented by Islah party. The other 20 percent of the group are salafis. These have to get out into the light from their place under the table and discuss their agendas openly. Whatever stance one has towards these salafi groups, it is clear that violence is the favorite method of the Jihadists who went to Afghanistan, and not the political ones. The Islah’s agenda in Yemen promotes democracy. The development of this Islamic stream leads to development of democratic opportunities. It is known that salafis are a joint Yemeni-Saudi agenda to direct a blow to the Muslim brotherhood, but this project was aborted by 9/11 incidents.

President no longer the head of the judiciary. That’s good. What is the proceedure for this position now, appointment by the president? And the term? Who has the ability to replace the SJC in the event of malfeasance, not to cast disbursions on any of these judges, but the proceedures should be in place. Is it Parliament, the other judges?

SANAA: Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh yesterday appointed a senior judge to replace him as head of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), the country’s highest judicial body, the official Saba news agency reported.

The move comes a few months ahead of the presidential elections and follows calls by local and foreign rights groups to guarantee an independent judiciary beyond the president’s power. Saba said Saleh issued a republican decree appointing Supreme Court Chief Justice Essam al-Samawi as head of the SJC, a post Saleh has been holding since the council’s formation in 1982.

In December 2004, Saleh announced a plan to bring about reforms to the country’s weak judicial system that observers say is being severely hampered by corruption and interference from the executive branch. Saleh announced last year that he would not run for presidential elections next September to pave the way for the peaceful transfer of power. But he is expected to be nominated as a presidential candidate by his General People’s Congress party in a conference later this month. – DPA

News Yemen The president Ali Abdullah Saleh appointed Abdul-Wahab al-Samawi as president of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC). According to the appointment, the SJC will also include judge Hamoud al-Hitar, head of the Dialogue Committee with militants, judge Ali Nasser Salim, judge Khamis Salim Ahmad al-Deeni. Al-Samawi, who heads also the Higher Court, will be the first judge to replace president Saleh according to the latest amendments in the judicial system.

More: Most of corruption takes place in commercial courts; therefore a computer network is set to connect all commercial and regular courts in 7 governorates to the Judiciary Inspection Authority in Sana’a. The targeted governorates are Sana’a, capital trust, Aden , Taiz, Hudeidah, Al-Jawf and Hadramout.

The 100 computer network will enable the Judiciary Inspection Authority to monitor the court sessions whether they are really held at the scheduled time or not. There will be access to the judgment in each case in any court. The inspection authority will be able to receive citizens’ complaints. The network tender has been announced and the project will be functional by September 2006.

“Two judges have been suspended and sent to the Accountability Council due to corrupt practices,” the minister added. “188 administrative personnel at the Judiciary have been sent to retirement.” Serious steps and major changes will be made to restructuring the commercial courts and increasing the number of judges from one to three in each to help speed up people’s cases. Public Fund courts will be included in the reform program by appointing specialized judges with intensive training.

Monitor them to see if they are really in session, thats good, they could use webcams and listen too. Two suspended and 188 judges retired. JIA receptive to citizen complaints, thats very important, the judiciary is supposed to serve the interests of justice not the elite. And there is yet more:

Moreover he said that the property disclosure law is before the Parliament and is expected to be issued soon. “There is a package of measures and procedures for uprooting corruption and recently we are discussing a unanimous proper mechanism for fighting corruption,” said Minister Al-Arhabi, in response to a question by Yemen Observer. Mr. Al-Arhabi added that the first awareness campaign against the dangers of corruption was launched and other similar campaigns are to follow. The common objective is to raise the public awareness of corruption. Another objective is to involve more people, including the press, in the fight against corruption.

The World Bank decided to decrease 36% of its assistants to Yemen and recently poured US$ 40 million to development and service projects in Yemen. Al-Arhabi said that the World Bank always assess its projects in different parts of the world to decide whether to increase or decrease its assistance. “However, as a result if its ongoing assessment,” said the minister. “The World Bank has realized the great practical reforms adopted in the country, which led to 24% increase its funds to Yemen.

Requiring the disclosure of financial statements of government (and military) officials is key. This is all actually very encouraging. An independent , neutral and empowered judiciary is the the key to so many issues like foreign investment, employment discrimination, land disputes, government harassment, corruption. civil rights.

UNICEF says: Maternal mortality ratio – Annual number of deaths of women from pregnancy-related causes per 100,000 live births. This ‘reported’ column shows country reported figures that are not adjusted for underreporting and misclassification.

Maternal mortality ratio† , 1990 – 2004*, reported 370

Maternal mortality ratio† , 2000, adjusted 570

UNDP says: Estimates of maternal mortality vary widely (some have been as high as 1,400 per 100,000 live births which is among the highest in the world); the officially accepted figure is 351.

But then there’s this: Naseem Ur-Rehman, head of information and communications for UNICEF in Yemen, “About 42 percent of women at the reproductive age lose their lives in the process of giving birth.” No, that is supposed to be 4.2% Thats probably a typo. Not that I figured that out by myself.

This is exquisite timing considering the US just made its proposal to Iran.

SANA’A, June 15(Saba) – Minister of Foreign and Expatriates Affairs Abu Bakr al-Qirbi said Yemen will seek to convince the region
countries toestablish a regional authority for peaceful purposes of nuclear energy.

Al-Qirbi made the statement while heading along with a delegation for Azerbaijan on Saturday to represent Yemen in the 33rd round of the IslamicConference Organization (OIC) Foreign Ministers.

Al-Qirbi said the advantage of the authority would be common and the confidence between the region countries would be stronger.

The Minister said that the Yemeni initiative emerged from its belief that all countries have the right to use the nuclear energy peacefully. Yemenbelieves in the significance of joint researches to serve the development in the region,” said al-Qribi.

Al-Qirbi pointed that the OIC round in Azerbaijan would discuss issues related to reforming the OIC, activating Mecca summit’s decisions in additionto dealing with economic cooperation and establishing an Islamic Joint Market.

He added that the conference would also discuss the latest developments in the Islamic world, particularly in Iraq, Palestine, Sudan, Somalia and the importance of the Islamic role to enhance the peaceful solutions and reconciliation.

Keep in mind the Iranian nuclear negotiatior just left Sanaa a few days ago where he engaged in high level talks with Yemeni regime officials. The bilateral relationship has shown quite enhanced cooperation in the last six months.

The Prosecutor request’s the court to find Zindani’s lawyers don’t have standing in the case against Al-Asadi and two other editors.

SANA’A – Press and Publication Prosecutor requested the court, looking into the case of Mohammed Al-Asaadi’s editor-in-chief of the Yemen Observer, to reject the case filed by two groups of private lawyers.

Prosecutor Mohammed Sahl said it is a violation of the panel code to accept their interference in the case as long as the Public Prosecutor has filed the case against the newspaper. “They can interfere only in case they were personally affected by the publication,” he explained.

Two different groups of lawyers, 11 of them are commissioned by Sheikh Abdul-Majid Al-Zindani, Chairman of Islah Shura Council, joined the press prosecutor against the Yemen Observer with civil and personal claims. They demanded compensation from the newspaper for psychological damage occurred on them by the republication of three obscured stamp-sized Danish cartoons last February.
Sahl did not object their interference in the case late February, when they filed their cases. The move came in support to the continuous demands of the defence lawyer Khalid Al-Anisi.

The press and publication prosecutor denied in his response to the defense bill last Wednesday that he described the republication of the cartoons as an infidel’s act. However, it was implied in his accusation last February.

More here. In other news about Zindani, He is quite content with Saleh as President and will most likely not support any candidate endorsed by his party, Islah, an Islamic reform party. One could extrapolate that the reasons go beyond Saleh’s support of Zindani in the face of US claims that he is financing terror groups and the UN’s 1267 designation that requires Yemen to freeze his assets and restrict hie travel, which Saleh has not done.

Is this good or bad? A few months ago, it was bad. Is Somalia paying for the plane loads of weapons? And to who, is the money going in some one’s pocket or back to the budget? Three plane loads of tanks and other assorted sundries can be pretty expensive.

(SomaliNet) Reports from Baidoa town, which is temporarily capital of the transitional federal government, say military batches have been delivering in Baidoa airport for the last three nights, where heavily guarded by militiamen loyal to President Abdulahi Yusuf Ahmed. It is in violation of the UN embargo on Somalia in 1992.

Reliable sources say that military cargo plane branded with Yemen’s flag has landed the airport of Baidoa where it unloaded military supply including sophisticated tanks and sorts of heavy and light bullets.

It is the second time that Yemen government donated military supply to the government of Abdulahi Yusuf to enforce his power in Somalia. Sources close to president say that Mr. Yusuf wants to strengthen his military force to prevent against Islamic courts’ union who now ensures to extend its power parts of Somalia and likely to be heading to Baidoa town where the government is based.

Islamic courts had taken over on Wednesday the control of Jowhar town some 90km (55miles) north of the capital from the militia loyal to Mohamed Dhere who is member of anti terror alliance and now away for Ethiopia after hours of bloody battle outskirt of Jowhar town.

The Islamic movements is rapidly widening to Somalia and this might increases a great concern on Ethiopia government which sees the Islamic insurgence in horn of Africa is eminent risk to whole region.

Its quite feasable weapons originating in Yemen are in the hands of all three sides of the conflict. A good backgrounder on Somalia here including this: “Two dozens of Al Qaeda operatives, most of them coming from Yemen, are said to be in Somalia. ”

Update: Islamic Courts not happy about Yemeni weapons shipments to Somalia, wonder if offer of negotiation is a political trick.

Reuters “Informed sources said the leadership of the Somali Islamic Courts has informed our country that it is willing to come to Sanaa to carry out direct talks with President Yusuf and the interim Somali government to stop the bloodshed and restore calm and stability,” said the September 26 site (www.26sep.net).

VOA: In a three-page letter (from Islamic Courts to USG) dated Wednesday, Sheik Sharif Ahmed says Somali Muslims have been subject to years of terrorist-like activity from warlords and criminal gangs. He says his community opposes terrorism, and will assist international efforts to keep Somalia from becoming a transit route or hiding place for terrorists.

Contact group led by US reaffirms support for transitional govt, Islamic Courts not monolithic. More on current US position:

MC : A group of nations, the International Somalia Contact Group that includes Tanzania, Norway, the United States, Britain, Sweden, Italy and the European Union, on Thursday called for international efforts towards a viable government in the East African country….’The Islamic Court Union is a heterogeneous group. So it’s very likely that there are elements within it that may be more extremist and others that are more moderate,’ Frazer told reporters in Washington. ‘The situation is very dynamic, and we have to reserve judgment about what the ultimate intent of the Islamic Court Union is in this phase,’ she said. The ICU has sent two letters to the US government saying it has no intention of taking over the Somali government and was not supporting terrorists.

Update: Its the Millennium Challenge Account. The MCA criteria are based on three categories: rule justly, invest in people, and encourage economic freedom. He said that Yemen came close to meet the MCA criteria so as to be a candidate country, because it has the political will for reform and for ensuring real development. Gee thats an odd thing for the USAID director to say. According to the MCA website itself, Yemen experienced “deep slippages” in almost all catagories.

Original post:

That’a a nice carrot. “Implementation not declaration,” thats the ticket.

SANAA, Yemen, June 15 (UPI) – U.S. annual assistance to Yemen might be increased if Sanaa implements political and economic reforms requested by the international community. Mike Serhan, USAID chief in Sanaa, said Thursday the assistance could be increased significantly, to half a billion dollars, “if Yemen went on with the agenda of political and economic reforms.”

“We believe the assistance, which will reach between $400 and $500 million, will help Yemen achieve development,” he said. Current U.S. annual assistance to the Yemeni government does not exceed $45 million. Serhan was quoted by pro-government daily September 26 as saying that “since I have been residing in Yemen, some five months ago, I have seen tangible reforms and progress at the level of decisions and commitments and we have also seen interpretation of words into deeds.”

He stressed that “practical implementation is what Yemen needs, not only declarations, and that there is a lot of problems and difficulties that still obstruct the path of development in Yemen.” Serhan, however, expressed optimism over the future of Yemen’s reforms and development in line with a specific agenda of badly-needed economic and political changes.

He said Yemen has the political will to introduce reforms but has a large and dense population, albeit one which is skilled and able to achieve the aspired development. Serhan also praised the government’s efforts to confront corruption, including intensified campaigns to combat the trend.

Amal al-Basha

The active civil writer, Amal Al-Basha has been subject to verbal assault and instigation from one of the yellow papers working in Yemen. The general-secretariat of the writers Union expresses its full solidarity with Al-Basha, who has honored Yemen in many regional and international events in human rights issues. She has also set up a great example for women as an activist in human rights.

The general-secretariat demands that the state, civil society organization, at the top the Yemeni journalist syndicate, and Ministry of Information denounce and condemn this assault. This is in addition that legal procedures and actions have to be taken against committers of such practices that are far from ethics and the code of the profession and journalism.

Sumayya Ali Rajja

A presidential candidate charged Wednesday that the authorities waged a media campaign aimed at tarnishing her image before Yemeni voters. Sumayya Ali Rajja said she was sued for issuing a bouncing check, a matter that she denied and explained as an “attempt for blackmail” on the part of the authorities. Rajja denounced the measures taken against her which she described as “illegal and a clear misleading of justice.” She said “these measures are considered as an act of defamation and slander, especially at this time that precedes shortly the legal period for election campaigning.”

Abed Al-Mahthali

Abed Al-Mahthali, editor of Al Diyar weekly, was beaten up by the security personnel on duty in the Movenpick Hotel Sunday. Al-Mahthaly, who reported the incident to the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate (YJS), was attending a press conference in the hotel. He was stopped by the security from distributing copies of his newspaper. The YJS issued a statement on the same day demanding that the security apparatus carries out an investigation and punishes those responsible. Marwan Dammaj, head of rights and freedoms committee at the YJS, told the Mirror that they still have no idea whether the political security or other forces attacked Al-Mahthali.

Update: here we go, I can always tell the hot issues by what they beat the journalists up for: Al-Mahdari pointed out that he had recently written an article asking, “Will the son of President Ali Abdallah Saleh stage a coup against his father and become a president?” Al-Mahdari was reportedly released after being told to avoid such contentious issues in the future.

Mohammed Al-Athraie

Reports mention that popular artist and member of the opposition Islah party, Mohammed Al-Athraie, was arrested last Tuesday by Political Security members while returning from participating in a Joint Meeting Parties (JMP) festival in the capital city’s eighth constituency. Sources close to Al-Athraie reported that an armed group identifying itself as being from the political security apparatus led him to a white car bearing a temporary customs permission plate. AlSahwa.net quoted sources as saying that the group threatened Al-Athraie and his colleagues with weapons when they inquired about the arrest warrant. UPDATE: freed after three days.

This is very good:

Sana’a, June 14, (BNA) The technical Team in Yemen resumed its meetings for the third day with the GCC General Secretariat during which they discussed technical preparations for London Donor Countries Conference, due next November, which aims at raising the necessary funds for the rehabilitation of Yemeni economy to make it keep pace with those in the GCC countries.
The meeting reviewed the general framework of the activities, proposed by participants from the GCC Secretariat General and Gulf development funds, to be concomitantly held with London Conference. These activities aim at shedding light on the main economic and social developments witnessed by Yemen over the last years as well as the country’s funding needs, the investment opportunities it offers and the future visions for a partnership with GCC countries. The participants in the meeting also came out with a preliminary vision of the ideal media scheme that will cover these activities and the conference and discussed the mechanisms of implementing and following up the projects to be funded.

The GCC has the ability to exert real influence in Yemen.

On the subject of external affairs, continued enhancement of bilateral relations with Iran who is going to offer advice on judicial reforms. Otay. Also roads and housing. as well as increased investment and cooperation. Yemen has said all countries in the region should have access to nuclear technology for peaceful purposes and future challenges.

Yemen offers to mediate and foster reconsiliation between the Islamic Courts and the Transnational Government in Somalia. Apparently the US is going through Sudanese contacts.

In a happy development, Dr. Hamza, victim of corporate terrorism has recieved his gate pass after a month. And that’s good. I’m going to have to keep an eye on him and see how things go from here.

In related news: Yemenia honors productive travel agents.

There’s an interesting interview with Foreign Minister al-Qirby regarding Somali refugees at EagleSpeak, who wonders if its time to engage in weapons and refugee interdiction. I would say yes, either Central Command’s Horn of Africa’s Joint Task or the Yemeni Coast Guard.

The Marines are doing some searches. Yemen has plans for a coastal radar system, funded by Italy for 24 million dollars. The coast guard has forty boats and needs 150 to cover the coastline. According to all reports, the Yemeni Coast guard being trained by the US gets high marks and has been described as fearless. But according to other reports, some of the weapons trafficking is done with knowledge and sometimes facilitation of some military officials and other influential persons.