Sultan Assamie Back to Political Life [Archives:2000/06/Interview]
February 7 2000
A: I am still living my life as I used to and even during the time I used to be wanted, I tried to do my best to help people despite my limited resources.
Al-Hadath newspaper has become part of our history and I have no intention to re-issue it again.
Q: What is the award that has been passed and who are the sides involved in passing it? and what is your comment?
A: My case was over by passing the verdict of the arbitrators. The award was that I have got to pay YR 15,400,000. I have no comment on the verdict for I have chosen these arbitrators and authorized them. About 90% of the political as well as social cases are settled out by conventions, ” Al-Orf” and tribal norms in Yemen and my case is like that. He who has chosen and authorized someone, he must accept the judgment no matter how aggressive it is, otherwise he will be considered to be so low and inferior in his social and tribal status.
Q: What is your position after the passing of the award?
A: I don’t know. However, I will continue my political as well as social life in a balanced way and I’ll seek to serve the people and my country at all costs.
Q: Reports say that you have received financial aids from different sources. What do you say?
A: I have never received anything either from internal or external sources and none could prove the otherwise.
Q: You were one of the most dominant leaders of the Mass Conference of the people of Taiz, why didn’t it play any activities since the events of 1992?
A: Mass Conferences came at a time of political strife between the two ruling parties; PGC and YSP at that time. Through this conference we used to present some requests for the benefit of the people in Taiz and the welfare of our society. However, as tensions between the two ruling parties became more fierce, and the attempts on my life after 1992 events, enthusiasm was daunted step by step till activities of the conference were stopped.
Q: During the period you have spent away from political life, what is your impression on the political life in a country where the other opinion is not accepted?
A: I did not hold myself aloof from the political arena during the seven years you mentioned, though my activities were somehow limited for I was so confined to Sama’a, Khadir’s hills and some districts of Taiz, Ibb and Lahj. Despite all this, I have participated in elections of 1997, elections of the PGC, and the presidential elections.
Q: After ten years of the unification, how do you assess democracy and plurality? and how do you view the war of 1994?
A: The ten years period that have passed since the reunification is not a long span of time. Democracy and plurality are still in their infancy and need a lot of care and commitment by the authority as well as opposition. I do believe that we learn a lot in course of time for all the sides will be adapted to it; the ruler will learn how to accept the opposition’s comments which in course of time will be more objective. After all the people will be the only beneficiary of this process.
War of 1994 was a catastrophe that had befallen the people who are still suffering its horrible consequences psychologically, socially and economically. However, I believe that if there is strong commitment in the authority and opposition, these consequences will certainly seize to exist.
Q: How do you assess the role of the Yemeni opposition? Do you think that it reflects the worries of most people? Do you think that the seizing of Al-Showra newspaper and oppressing writers is a outset to stop the opposition?
A: The opposition is still in the making. Therefore its role is still weak. Moreover, a real opposition that could come up with a complete project as an alternative of the authority and could gain the trust of the majority of people has not yet been established. It is still disputable that the opposition cadre is still not qualified and competent enough to carry out and take the responsibility of managing the people’s affairs. He who wants to rule Yemen, should possess some specific characteristics and features that make him qualified to do so.
Regarding seizing Al-Showra newspaper or any other one without any court’s award is not at all accepted for we have embraced democracy and freedom of the press which are strongly stressed in the constitution.
To stop the opposition is something nobody should imagine of and is almost impossible for it has become part and parcel of the democratic system which is taking roots in course of time. The opposition has also become important under the new world order. Thus, the authority should recognise the facts and accept the opposition as a reality. Each side should accept the other so as to achieve a balanced political life.
Q: The patriotic symbols are meeting death so quickly either by means of murder, accidents, heart attacks, or other causes. Do you think that there are still some patriots in our country who could stand against oppression and corruption?
A: I still do believe that there are some tribes as well as some groups and individuals who can stand in the face of corruption and oppression for without their presence we won’t be able to live. The good and the bad are always there and the conflict between them is ever-lasting. Corruption and oppression do exist at all times and in all places. However, the good should also be there so as to fight them.
Q: What is your relationship with the president? Is there any enmity between you?
A: There is nothing between me and him, except the different opinions we used to have pertaining to some political issues. This is something normal and happens in any democratic country.
Q: In the constituency number 40, where your home town is, the president got about 18,000 votes. Shall we presume that 80% of your supporters have voted for him?
A: I have played a role in many constituencies during the presidential elections and I’ve stood by the president for I’ve strong belief in his being qualified and is able to continue managing the affairs of the people despite the divergent opinions and views we used to have.
Q: Some reports say that you have shifted from your attitude used to be reflected in Al-Hadath Newspaper. What is your comment?
A: I’m with the right wherever and whatever it comes from. I have never and will never change this attitude.
Q: Anything you would like to add?
A: Yemen is a big country that could accept all. Moreover, the regime which is not bothered by the disparity of opinions, is more strong and a firm one, leading to prosperity and welfare of the society and its people.
——
[archive-e:06-v:2000-y:2000-d:2000-02-07-p:./2000/iss06/intrview.htm]
