In Brief [Archives:2006/922/Local News]
– In a press release distributed earlier this week, Journalists Without Borders demanded releasing jailed journalists in many countries, including Yemen, detained as a backdrop to re-publication of caricatures offending the Prophet Mohammed.
The organization said in its statement that whatever the individual's personal opinion of the cartoons or whether they should have been published or not, there was no excuse for imprisoning the journalists, threatening or trying to kill them or closing the newspapers for which they work. The organization also demanded lifting bans on 13 publications in Morocco, Algeria, Jordan, Yemen, Malaysia and Indonesia.
The statement disclosed reports on three journalists detained in Yemen, four in Syria and Algeria and 12 in five other countries where they face trial on the same charge.
– Media reports mentioned in recent days that Saudi Arabia has imposed a state of emergency regarding its borders with Yemen, fearing infiltration of 23 Al-Qaeda escapees into its territory.
Reports added that Saudi Arabia has strengthened its watch on the borders, about which it complains of weapons smuggling and infiltrators from Yemen.
A Saudi official earlier said the cause behind the prisoner escapes was weakness in Yemeni security apparatuses and the existence of Yemeni sympathizers.
– The Ministry of Interior deputy premier disclosed last weekend that during 2005, Yemen repatriated 69 Saudi citizens believed to be affiliated with Al-Qaeda and wanted by Saudi Arabia. The measure is part of bilateral cooperation between Sana'a and Riyadh in this regard.
Minister Al-Alimi, who was attending the ninth conference of European police, added that those arrested during attempts to infiltrate Yemeni territories in 2005 were accused of Al-Qaeda affiliation, with some planning to go to Iraq.
– A report published in the latest issue of U.S. magazine Newsweek revealed that the U.S. embassy in Sana'a believes there are parties in Yemen's government that facilitated escape operations of 23 suspected Al-Qaeda members.
The report mentioned the allegations are attributed to Yemeni sources in contact with the U.S. embassy who believe some elements in Yemen's government might have aided the prisoners' escape, motivated by the hope of gaining financial reward from U.S. authorities allocated for capturing the most-wanted individuals, namely, Jamal Al-Badawi and Jaber Al-Banna. A $5 million reward is to be given to whoever provides information leading to any of the fugitives' arrest.
– The Specialized Penal Court (SPC) last Tuesday ordered the release of Hadi Saleh Al-Waeli suspected of selling arms, ammunition and explosives to terrorists who bombed the USS Cole Destroyer at Aden Port in 2000.
According to media sources, the SPC ordered Al-Waeli's release after three years in jail. The decision to release the arms trafficker comes shortly after the jailbreak of 23 Al-Qaeda prisoners from Sana'a Political Security Central Prison.
– In its latest issue, Al-Nida weekly reported that Yemen's eight largest poultry companies lose 1.3 billion Yemeni Riyals monthly due to the scourge of epidemics. Fears of disease transmission by migrating birds run high, as 60,000 migrating birds head for Yemen every migration season, which extends until February.
Citizens criticized authorities for being indifferent to curbing the country's spreading epidemics. Citizens remarkably noticed chickens buried near farms overnight following infection by an anonymous disease that reportedly blackened chickens' feathers. However, poultry investors confirmed the epidemic as Newcastle, not bird flu, and held the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation accountable for the spreading poultry epidemics.
– Several MPs last week called for quitting silence and forming a new committee to investigate the Sa'ada War that erupted two years ago. Some MPs cast doubt on Parliament's ability to discuss the issue since it is unable to cross red lines imposed on it by higher authorities.
MPs confirmed that Parliament should take a stand to end bloodshed in the restive province, insisting it settle the bloody clashes that have claimed the lives of many innocent citizens, as well as troops.
– Yemeni security apparatuses last year seized 1,155 antiquities and ancient scriptures, as well as 171 popular heritage pieces, in several outlets and provinces. Seized antiquities included statues, coins, precious stones, gold and bronze articles, swords and shields and various farming tools, in addition to three mummies dating back to ancient Yemeni civilization.
– In the past six weeks, Yemeni security apparatuses have caught more than 5,000 African Horn infiltrators in Hadramout, Shabwa and other Yemeni coastal cities. September Net reported that 70 percent of the infiltrators are Somalis, while the rest hold Ethiopian nationality.
– Based on recommendations at its second women's conference, the National Women's Committee (NWC) will hold its third National Women's Conference March 6 and 7.
Recommendations of the second conference aimed to improve situations of Yemeni women in various areas. The recommendations were incorporated into work plans and programs, putting an end to traditional methods of keeping conference recommendations in offices and cupboards.
Of the most important recommendations was integrating women's needs into national plans and programs embodied by the NWC in the 2006-2010 national strategy for development and poverty alleviation.
The second women's conference insisted on applying the “quota” and increasing women's representation in government and decision-making posts.
– Al-Saeed Foundation for Science and Culture will hold a symposium on scientific research and its problems in Yemen. Sponsored by Dr. Saleh Ba Sura, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Feb. 27 symposium will begin at 9 a.m. at the Mercure Hotel in Sana'a.
In a statement, Al-Saeed Foundation head Faisal Saeed Farei said the symposium will deal with a number of scientific papers to be presented by scientists and researchers. The symposium also will discuss the current state of Yemeni scientific research and obstacles to it, as well as the role of Al-Saeed Foundation and other Yemeni scientific foundations in enhancing scientific research in Yemen.
– Phase one of an anti-measles campaign began Sunday in the capital, Sana'a governorate, Ibb and Hodeidah. The seven-day campaign aims to vaccinate 3,443,272 children aged between nine months and 15 years.
At a Saturday press conference, Minister of Health and Population Dr. Abdulkarim Rasei said measles is a difficult health problem in Yemen. He confirmed that the ministry registered some 8,000 measles cases last year.
– An educational symposium on child rights was held last Wednesday at Ibb Police Department with the participation of police officers from the passport authority, the traffic department and police stations throughout the province. The symposium discussed child rights according to 2002's Law No. 45 and policemen's responsibility to protect children from exploitation and punish perpetrators.
During the symposium, police officers distinguished between the law and applying it in real-life situations. They said the law ensures children's rights, while real life indicates children experience terrible situations and are subjected to various types of abuse. According to the officers, poverty is the main problem leading families to force their children to work to add to the family income.
– The governor of Taiz is sponsoring a Feb. 23 assembly entitled, “The role of mosque preachers in enhancing awareness of the problems of qat.”
The assembly is the second organized for mosque preachers by the Society to Face Qat Problems and Al-Saeed Foundation for Sciences and Culture.
A number of intellectuals at the meeting will tackle the problems of qat from religious, health, social, water and cultural perspectives.
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