The new governmentWhat next? [Archives:2003/638/Opinion]

Ismael Al-Ghabiri
Leadership and people all are looking in expectation to what hopes and promises the new government presents. While the Yemeni ordinary man has fallen into a state of numbness and loss of faith in any new faces or changes, he still wonders to what extent would these promises actually be fulfilled and the endless negative aspects of his life would be eliminated, or better, turned positively.
The speech delivered by President Ali Abdullah Saleh, and his instructions to the new government included a number of focal points on which he stressed would be essential for improving the current situation and developing our country further. Surely the number of ministers who kept their posts was justified by the President and the prime minister and they know what they are doing. And no one can deny what the old government had done and the progress that had taken place during the last period of time. This, in spite of the pessimism in which some people view everything in this country, should be a point on which the new government should embark on and reach higher goals and wider dimensions.
Actually, thinking about the pessimist look many citizens have acquired throughout history is not simply a product of one or two years or a couple of negative experiences. It falls much beyond that to the basic three factors (illiteracy, poverty and disease) that limit the development of this country and which the 40 post-revolution years could not really abolish those ills. Perhaps because of the cultural heritage or the innumerable crises the whole nation has gone through ever since. Many excellent cadres as a consequence were deprived of their chance to be trained and rehabilitated so as to put in some effort in the development of this country. Many of whom have gone abroad and never came back in the brain drain phenomena, because they could not find a proper place for themselves and their talents in a society where corruption, poverty and illiteracy chain progress o the society.
With this new government, and with the guidance of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, a new chance is seen in eliminating all the negative points. To get rid of corruption and nepotism, to install justice and to implement the programs planned on paper and put them into practice. To establish projects that were supported by international organizations such as World Bank and IMF, and the national organizations in line with the poverty alleviation strategies.
The citizen must also cooperate in this mission. The new government needs to be brave in facing the problems of our society and needs peoples' support, as for the leadership support and instructions they have been long ago stated. If we are not courageous enough, the financial and administration corruption will remain in spite of our own will.
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