Letters to the Editor [Archives:1999/38/Letters to the Editor]

Dear Editor,
Greetings Yemen Times and readers.
It is altogether obvious what is going on with only kidnapping foreigners; any Yemeni knows that he would precipitate revenge and bloodshed immediately by kidnapping another Yemeni! It is really an act of great ignorance and cowardice to prey on outsiders-how could any self-respecting Yemeni justify this sort of behavior? It destroys the development of tourism, prevents the understanding that could develop when strangers encounter the authentic friendliness native to most Yemenis, and keeps the nation locked in a prison of medieval isolationism. If tourism is dismissed as unimportant, remember that through tourism strangers begin to develop every other attitudes, based on personal encounters. Does anyone think any business, investments, development, or aid will be possible in a country that can not guarantee basic security?
I was in Yemen briefly and have rarely seen such a beautiful place or met such warm, friendly people. It is really painful to contemplate that I can’t think of returning any time soon because of the foolishness of desperate tribesmen -who would see my skin color and feel free to abuse me as a pawn in their extortion directed at a corrupt, detached government. I’ll keep track of the news-as soon as it’s safe. I’ll be planning to return…but this may be a fantasy waiting for a new government!
A Suits St Louis – USA
Dear Editor,
I just wanted to say that I am an avid reader of your issues and you guys are going a great job at it. I’m also living here in Sana’a and your paper is mainly what I read to get the top news stories around the area. I only want the paper to succeed because I think it is a good thing for Yemen and it’s future. So, I have come up with a couple of ideas to other newspapers, especially the ones in the States have to enhance their own news. First, I want to commend to you all on the great job you did on the Hadda Bombing, the picture was indeed a one of a kind. Keep it up.
Second, Abdulrahman Al-Mikhlafi, you did an excellent job on your article. I am also at that age of yours and I am in the same position. Why not keep it up on all of the issues, by asking what Yemen’s future is among the teenage adults (19-25?). What they think about those things which include, where Yemen is going. Remember that they are our future, and many are interested in education instead of qat, I hope. Also, you would get a lot more of those same youngsters buying the paper. The crossword puzzle was an ok idea, but make sure it has the answers of last week. Your articles are great, but on the Important Numbers section, if you can add the e-mail addresses if possible, to the banks, airlines, etc,. Another idea I had in mind was to add a World News section. This only is because with me being here, I had to look at Time magazine about the Turkey Earthquake, when I would have preferred to read it in your paper to help support it. Thus, if any other ideas come to mind, inshaallah, I will give you all a ring. Again, you guys are doing great, and to help with suggestions and ideas; think, what would not only the mature adults want to read about, but the post-teenagers too. I’ve seen so many of them, Arabic-English speakers, you’d be surprised. Good luck to you all.
Sadig Algazzali email- [email protected]
Dear Sadig,
Thank you for your suggestions. We are working on some of the things you mentioned. ÑThe Editor
Dear Editor,
I would like to thank the editor and stuff of the Yemen Times. I am originally from Yemen, but I live in the NYC,USA. Your newspaper makes me feel like as if I were in my own country. What bothers me a lot is the latest blast in the City Center supermarket. I hope that the government is going to do something about it? Will it stop the kidnapping incidents because it is a major industry for our economy. I was so mad, sad and angry at everyone when I heard of the recent incidents. Well, I do hope that our leaders will do something about it.
Abdussalam Hidarh
[email protected] “There once was a Factory Here” Unfortunately, with unknown reasons till now, United Industries Company Limited has been burnt completely. The remaining? Just the skeleton of the body. The burning had started at about 10:30 am, continuing to 3:00 o’clock PM. It was a destructive one that cleared the name and the whole body of the company. It was long, when we were gazing at the burning company with disappointed endeavors to control the area of the burning.
At the beginning of the incident, we had noticed the burning from the above ceiling, namely in the middle. However, it is thought that the system of controlling the fire was inadequate; even the fire brigade had reached the fired place lately, remarkably with no experience to face such great happenings.
As a matter of fact, it is a harmful incident that will be followed by so various vandalistic outcomes. There will be economical ruin for all concerned people, including the government itself. Socially, there will be a ceasing of the company staff until an unknown date. The only interesting thing is this incident may be exploited as a political theme. Satirically, it was said that the reason beyond this fire is the terrorists, namely the so-called Abu Al Hamza, as he always claims. The only condolence is that there is international insurance that will undertake the whole reconstruction of the company.
Finally, we have considered this a disaster. We have to be ready to face such a disaster if we have the ability to restrain the problem from being a catastrophe.
Moh’d Azzain, YCPMI – Taiz
Dear Editor,
I must say YT has improved well above limits. Keep up the good work!!!
I would like to comment on the article written by Ali Moh’d Al-Hamzi- Ezzani. It is really good when, for a change, you get a well educated, young Yemeni/American man, preferring Yemen to a country like the States!
All points mentioned in Mr. Ezzani’s letter are spot on and I wish we got more of such patriotic Yemenis.
I just hope the frustrations everyone faces in Yemen will not soon get to him and make him change his mind!!
Good luck Ali!
Ms. A. Mohsen
Dear Editor,
Many thanks to all the workers of Yemen Times, especially the son of the late founder of the Yemen Times.
In fact, as we know that all the authorities and newspapers spotlight to woman, and the rights of woman, they make a serious attempt to find a solution to put them in the proper position.
Frankly, I am with them, but they forget to consider young men who have no rights up to now. They have one right and that is to work at workshops, bakeries and markets.
Where is our right to participate in the development program of our country? The government just gives us the right of vote. “What a pity!”. There are many graduates in our society without a job, where is their proper position? “In the street or abroad!” Is there a supervisor who paid them any attention? “NEVER!”
Finally, I wonder who is responsible for these kinds of human beings? Please save our youth before it is too late.
Atif A’Moula Saleh, Taiz

Dear Editor,
I would like to express my happiness that Yemen Times is going on strong despite its troubles. But Now I’m sure that Yemen Times has the ability to develop in all aspects and I can say that the symbol of democracy, the late Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Saqqaf is still alive among us as long as his newspaper is alive. In fact, I think that the new chief is following the steps of the founder. We all will never forget Al-Saqqaf’s lessons he taught us. Lastly, as a constant YT readers, I propose to open a window for English literature.
Adel Fara’a Al-Mamri
Sana’a University The Up-Side down mentalities I have read the article in the issue no 33 which was titled “they say . . . I say” written by Ms. Sarhi. Actually the article was very expressive, meaningful and was filled with passion and loyalty.
The problem the article is dealing with a reality i.e. men these days prefer to marry a woman who takes over the household, better to be illiterate rather than to marry a well-educated woman, thinking that the suitable place for a marrying woman is her house or the filed nothing else.
A friend of mine told me once that his big brother keeps on pressing on him to divorce his wife claiming that she is educated and she didn’t get used to work in their field like the other women of the family. I think this is an out-dated mentality education is not a barrier and it never be; on the contrary educated women can raise-up their children better than illiterate ones. With all due respects to Ms. Al Sarhi.
Dear Editor,
My name is Philip Haney. I am an agricultural scientist specializing in growing crops with fewer pesticides. I worked in Yemen in 1988, then again in 1989 in citrus. I worked with specialists from the Ministry of Agriculture in Sanaa. The main person I worked with was Abdul Malek Hamim.
A lot has happened in Yemen since then, I know. I think about the people I worked with 10 years ago quite often, but don’t know what has happened to them.
Perhaps someone in Yemen, in Sanaa, could go to the Ministry of Agriculture and ask whether Abdul Malek Hamim is still there, or anyone else who worked with the HITS Agricultural Program in 1988-89 with Mr. Haney in citrus. We also worked with scale on oleander, and we were trying to start an insectary to raise natural enemies of California red scale. Perhaps these facts will help someone locate the people I worked with while I was in Yemen. I would like to return to Yemen again, if possible, at least for a visit.
Sincerely
Philip Haney
Dear Editor,
Thank you for the information and pictures about the explosion at City Center. I worked as an agricultural scientist (for the HITS Project) in Yemen in 1988 and again in 1989. I love Yemen, and the people. I remember very clearly how poor Yemen was – apparently, it is even poorer now, since the civil war in 1994. Actually, to me, the real turning point for Yemen was when Saudi Arabia deported 800,000 Yemeni workers prior to the Gulf War.
I’m sure this had a devastating effect on the economy of Yemen, which probably continues today. Has Saudi Arabia ever re-hired any of these workers, or were they replaced with people from other countries, such as Pakistan? Also, is Yemen still maintaining the political alliance with Iraq, Jordan and Egypt that was established in 1989?
I also remember seeing very young boys carrying automatic weapons in Mareb and Hareb, and realizing that this could only lead to trouble. I’m very concerned for your country; in fact, I’m afraid there will be another war there, as the economic troubles continue, and people become angry. I really hope I’m wrong, though.
Philip Haney

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