26_September [Archives:2005/900/Press Review]

1 Dec.2005
Main headlines

– Yemen people celebrate the 38th anniversary of independence amidst great changes in various fields

– Pakistan president visits Yemen, Yemeni-Pakistani summit discusses bilateral relations and international developments

– America hands over 13 of its citizens imprisoned in Guantanamo

– Security source: 3 security men killed and 15 others wounded in an ambush in Sahar, Saadah

– Yemen takes part in conference on dialogue and Gulf security in Manama

– Strategic plan to establish free zones in a number of Yemeni governorates

– Specialized committee at the Shoura Council begins discussion of Press law

Columnist Nassr Taha Mustafa writes on the JMP recent statement on reform initiative saying at last after a long dialogue the JMP parties announced their program for political reform.

Mr Mustafa there is what deserves to think about and ponder in the program and he admits that those parties have the right to adopt what they believe satisfies their ambition and ideas.

Frankly speaking I do not support the clear excitability and sharpness that characterized introduction of the reformatory program of the opposition. I do not understand how there would be a dialogue between two parties on a paper including all that amount of spasmodic phrases and severe descriptions, unless the JMP parties meant by that to absorb resentment of their bases to their performance and to prove they are still able to stand up to the authority. Or in other sense if those parties are not interested in holding a dialogue with the ruling party on their program.

I think there are several political conclusions that can be read from the opposition reform program. First the program has, in my opinion, ended any possibility of government coalition in future between the ruling party and any party of the JMP. Second is that the parties of the JMP have been ken on appeasing one another in the program like the ambiguous indication on removing negative impact of previous disputes and wars and their results, including those of the events of 1978.

The third conclusion lies in wondering about the difference between the JMP program and that of the ruling party and its government regarding practical issues pertaining to administrative reform, fighting corruption, economic and financial reform, reform of cultural, social policies as well as reforming the foreign policy.

They appeared identical in many aspects. This leads to ask about the new things the JMP program has brought forth. The fourth conclusion is that the program has discarded one of the contradictions that appeared in an earlier program pertaining to a parliamentary regime and presidential elections.
——
[archive-e:900-v:14-y:2005-d:2005-12-05-p:press]