A Canadian in Yemen Security: Its who, not where you are [Archives:2002/22/Culture]

Thomas Froese
Recently my wife and I have had wishes over the email for peace and quiet and safety and peace. Indeed, with the Internet, one cant keep anything secret anymore. Online newspapers around the globe have reported recent activities in Yemen, specifically bombs sent by Sympathizers of al-Qaeda to warn some government officials.
When these things are reported in places like Canada, folks back home worry. But from this side of the ocean, one does learn to take these things in stride. Consider after the tragic attacks on America on Sept. 11, an embassy official in the region sent a no-nonsense email to Canadians to get out of Yemen without delay. Within 24 hours that changed to please disregard the previous warning.
Alerts
Alerts from other embassies also tend to be equally clear as mud. Whats more important is to keep in mind is this: most Yemeni realize Westerners among them are here to help. And its good to also remember that life is uncertain regardless of where one lives.
You or I might get hit by a truck while crossing the street for that matter, whether that be in Yemen, Canada, or at a penguin crossing in Antartica. Indeed, in Yemen, with 1,300 traffic deaths a year, an accident is a far more likely way to go than a bomb.
Accidents up in Third World
In the last 15 years, largely because of safer cars and the use of seat-belts, traffic deaths in many countries are down. Sadly, thats not the case in the developing world where in the same time period, accidents are up: 40 per cent in Asia, 36 per cent in the Middle East, 26 per cent in Africa and 16 per cent in Latin America, according to the Transportation Research Laboratory, a body which monitors global traffic trends.
I got a kick out of reading one particular consular warning about driving here. It reads, in part, within cities, mini-vans and small buses pick up and drop off passengers with little regard for other vehicles. Despite traffic lights and traffic police, each intersection requires an act of negotiation. Yemen has no laws governing turns on red lights, maintaining lanes, merging or right-of-way. Drivers commonly drive on the wrong side of the road.
The warning continues, Many underage drivers are on the roads. Many vehicles are in poor repair and lack functional turn signals, headlights, taillights, and brake lights. Pedestrians, especially children, and animals, constitute hazards. Major inter-city roads are paved and maintained in fair condition, but rural roads generally require four-wheel drives or vehicles with high clearance.
They forgot to mention passengers hanging precariously from backs and sides of trucks, a practice thats particularly treacherous on narrow mountain roads. Overloaded motorcycles with drivers and passengers wearing flip-flops are a precious sight. I always enjoy the windshields on cabs that are cracked like topographical maps. And lets not forget the fumes.
No drunk drivers
The good news is that since alcohol is banned in Yemen. Unlike in North America or Europe, youll never get hit by a drunk driver here. Also, Im encouraged to know that kidnappings on rural roads are down. Besides, even if one gets picked up, these fellows do have a reputation for treating their so-called guests very well. Dont they?
Im not trying to trivialize the importance of being safe. Nor am I suggesting Yemen is the most dangerous place in the world to drive. What I am saying is that short of getting around the planet on a flying carpet, life does have inherent risks. And most have nothing to do bombs going off.
Furthermore, when people try to get through life playing it safe, they actually only create more insecurity. And that is too bad, especially for people who have never visited the developing world. There is such a large need for more skilled people from around the world to offer their help here.
Some, of course, come regardless of what they hear. For example, as I write this, I have a friend visiting from Canada. Hes looking at donating some much-needed health care equipment and training. He had read about some of Yemens security concerns before his arrival. But he came anyway. Thats because, having traveled in other parts of the developing world, he could keep things in perspective.
You want security?
In the end, if its security in life that people want, as former American president Dwight Eisenhower said, there are ways to get it. Staying in prison is one. There youre fed, clothed, given medical care and so on. The only thing you dont get is freedom.
Personally, I prefer life on the outside. It seems to me that its the best way to live. After a while, in fact, it becomes quite hard to get a good nights rest anywhere else.
Thomas Froese, ([email protected]), is an editor with the Yemen Times. He returns in September.



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