Between donor pressure and personal commitment [Archives:2006/925/Viewpoint]

Editor
The latest speech by President Ali Abdullah Saleh was filled with patriotism, determination and dedication. Among the issues he approached was the political will's commitment to national reform. “We don't surrender to international pressure. We launched reform strategies because we want to develop our country, not because we are told to do so,” he said on more than one occasion in his enthusiastic speeches.

To be honest, it is totally true – external pressure never brings sustainable or lasting results. Like President Saleh keeps repeating: reform must come from within. Yet, in reviewing the various phases Yemen has undergone politically and development-wise, one wonders why it is only when there is some interest at stake that these reform policies are created and highlighted? For example, whenever aid is reduced or threatened to be cut, or when a donor country delegation is visiting, the Yemeni government rushes into a reform project of one type or another. And when eyebrows raise in exclamation, our president goes full force telling Yemenis that Yemen's leadership is doing this or that because of personal commitment and internal political will.

There is a clear misunderstanding or communication gap between the government and the people. The public learns about reform plans on specific occasions mostly linked to donors' involvement. The official media is not doing much to help either because there is not enough information available. But if the government discloses its reform plans and all its ministries' long-term development plans, then we as media will be able to communicate and judge the progress our country is achieving at all times. Moreover, this way, reform plans will not be alien to Yemenis or linked to donor pressure. And consequently, there will be no need to confirm that Yemen's government is doing so and so of its own will.

All Yemenis have the right to know where their country's resources are spent. Dutch Minister of Planning Ms. Van Ardenne caused me to think deeply when she said, “It is very important to show results to all our taxpayers and our Parliament,” referring to her responsibility as Minister of Planning. Yemenis also want to know what happens to their tax money and national resources. Not only that, we also want to have a say in government priorities and budget allocation. It is not enough to show us every now and then that there is a reform program or spin our heads with patriotic speeches about the country's achievements. Good governance means people have a say in decisions and plans affecting their country. This cannot happen unless all related information is provided to the public and especially to the media.
——
[archive-e:925-v:14-y:2006-d:2006-03-02-p:view]