Letters to the Editor [Archives:2000/48/Letters to the Editor]

DEAR EDITOR,
I read with great enthusiasm the masterpiece short story by Ms. Sabine Albus of Germany, published in the Yemen Times issue no. (45) of November 11 2000.
The story was very touching as it highlighted one of the main evils in our society. The elaboration was superb, event interwoven and the usage of the Arabic language was not only an advantage, but added more tasty flavors to the depiction of the events.
We readers of the YT are in bad need of such heart touching stories that are within our environment and society.
Well done sabine Albus!!!
Lets read more from you.
Abdullah Omar Bin Wabar
Aden

DEAR EDITOR,
I am afraid if I say that you are in a paradox regarding what you have been writing in your articles concerning tourism in Yemen.
One who reads your newspaper for the first time immediately develops bad impressions and gets pessimistic idea about Yemen. This is because you continuously stress in your articles kidnapping and absence of security.
I agree with you that these two points are necessary to ensure successful tourism and investment but not in such a volume you have been picturing. Such problems may happen anywhere in the world.
Since your newspaper is issued in English most of your readers are foreigners who are interested in tourism and investment. This bad impression affects tourism and investment movement in your country. All in all, your articles about tourism in Yemen display the disadvantages more than the advantages which makes those interested in Yemen change their minds.
Yours,
Al-kafagi Ahmad
Iraqi National

Britain and Zimbabwe
DEAR EDITOR,
I would like to correct wrong reporting relating to Zimbabwes independence from Britain (A bubble in the air, 13.11.00.)
Britain did not hand over independence to a white minority. It insisted on handing over power to a fair and free elected government and would not hand power to the white minority. The white minority, led by Ian Smith, made a Unilateral Declaration of Independence, and the British government retaliated with severe economic sanctions. Although there was resistance within the country by the black majority, it was British led sanctions and not a bloody struggle which eventually led to Ian Smiths government to be forced to resign and Britain willingly and peacefully handed over rule to an elected black government in 1975, led by Robert Mugabe.
Britain remained on very friendly terms with the Zimbabwean government until a time when for a variety of reasons, the Zimbabwe economic position faltered in the late 990s. President Mugabe then raised the land reform issue in 1999. Some believe this was done in order to draw attention from the failing economic performance, and to boost his chances of winning the election. The old colonial system was used as Mugabes reason for the countrys poor position, although he had been ruling the country for 25 years and during this time had made no significant moves towards handing land back to black people, a policy which Britain supports.
It is a pity that a good article was marred by the wrong use of the Zimbabwe issue. Despite a series of serious mistakes in the first half of the century by Britain which ended with the Zionists taking over the country of Israel, the present British government and, in particular, the foreign minister Robin Cook has shown a great deal of sympathy and assistance for the Palestinian cause.
British people are fully in agreement with Palestinians having their own independent country and a just and fair settlement; we all understand there cannot be peace until the Palestinians achieve a fair deal. I personally lived in a refugee camp with Palestinians in South Lebanon. I witnessed the daily ordeals they suffer, I saw the Israeli military overhead every day, I saw the graves of Lebanese killed by Israelis in South Lebanon including women and children, and heard stories of such sadness from my Palestinian friends. I am pleased that the people of Yemen have shown support for their fellow Arabs in their hour of need, and I can assure you that all of the British people I know are united with you in deploring the Palestinian loss of life in the present conflict.
I think of my Palestinian friends every day and my deepest hope is for them that one day they would be able to have a peaceful, safe and secure country of their own.
Judith Brown.
[email protected]

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