Letters to the Editor [Archives:2003/09/Letters to the Editor]

Local colonialism
I read your viewpoint in last week’s issue of the Yemen Times. Yes, we have become mere puppets without any feelings. It is really appalling to see how quiet and weak we have become.
To compare the situation now in a country like Egypt with the situation in the pre-revolution era one can see the difference. Now the British and the Americans do not need to use their forces to suppress us, as the leaders in the region are doing the job perfectly.
It is really heartbreaking to see demonstrations against war taking place in London and New York in spite of the extensive campaigns of the two leaders Blair and Bush to convince their people that war is justified. Moreover, people took to the streets of Tel Aviv to say no to war while we watch silently.
I can not see any difference between the former British Empire occupation of the parts of the Arab world in the last century and the regimes of today.
No doubt that after half a century of fake independence, many Arab countries have come again under the yoke of colonialism. What is worse is that they are doing their best to drag other countries to the same trap.
But there is an essential difference between the last occupation and this one. In the past, our forefathers resisted the British and fought against them. So far, there is no indication that the present generation will do the same against the local colonialism.
Abdul Rahman Alhuthaify
[email protected]
You’re missing the point
After reading your editorial Oppressive Leaders, Weak Nations it seems there is a contradiction in your argument. Nations that are free of oppression have no need to harbor weapons of mass destruction. If Iraq was a free nation that traded openly and freely and wasn’t led by a ruthless dictator there would be no need for military action and the world would be a better place.
Kipp Cozad
[email protected]
Pity on Arabs!
As an American reader of your paper, I sympathize with your people who can not gather peacefully in public to express their views without fear of arrest. That is embarrassing!
But isn’t it just as embarrassing that the Arab world has not protested against an Iraqi dictator who so ruthlessly oppresses his people? I hold this view not from reading American newspapers, but from speaking with a number of my students whose parents fled the country to save their lives.
George R. Johnson
[email protected]
Changing mindsets
I read your article for this week, and I agree with you about a few points, and also have some comments on others.
Yes, we, our countrymen, our presidents, our nations, we all suck! As al-qathafee said, being beneath the ground is better than being alive for us; we are a disgrace for our great nation’s history.
However, there any many stories about people who were born and raised in cultures and societies like ours, frustrated and downhearted, but still, those were able to change their habits and mindsets and are capable of changing the mindsets of people around them.
Such people empower and build nations, even though their leaders don’t want. But as al-Thulaya damned his people whom described as people whom I wanted life for, but who wanted death for me!
But what if our leaders helped in the process? This will guarantee that those who can change mindsets are in points of authority, and in turn can help our country revive.
In the end I would like to say show me a good country I will show you a good leader, show me a reviving country and I will show you an even better one.
R. Abdulaziz
[email protected]
Yemen – wake-up
I am a Yemeni student studying in the UK. I urge anyone who is reading this letter to wake up and start doing something influential about the Iraqi crisis. Some of you should be ashamed of yourselves.
One million people protested against war against Iraq in the UK of which the Arab community was so little, most of the Muslims protesting were of Pakistani or Indian origin.
If we remain like this then within a few years the whole Middle East would be called ‘The United Emirates of America.’
Awsan A.
[email protected], UK

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