“It’s not a political ploy,” says President Saleh [Archives:2006/957/Front Page]
June 22 2006
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SANA'A, June 21 ) In another unexpected declaration, Yemen's president yesterday reconfirmed what he declared 11 months ago-that he does not intend to run for the presidency in the upcoming elections.
“You must look into and study a very important and historical issue, which is the future of the Yemeni people, not the future of the president.” With these words, President Ali Abdullah Saleh addressed ruling party members at its exceptional meeting yesterday.
The meeting was dedicated to convincing Saleh to rescind his decision not to run for the presidency in this September's elections. The president said today's Yemen is different than yesterday's, as the country is stable and secure. He added, “Yemen is wealthy with its trusted and qualified men,” noting that governmental institutions will lead the country safely ashore.
Saleh confirmed that he will not nominate himself in upcoming elections. Amid interrupted shouts for him to change his mind, he said, “I warned the GPC General Secretariat about any theatrics or games.”
“I won't nominate myself for the upcoming presidential elections and will give up power voluntarily today. The responsibility is on Yemenis to choose a new president for the country,” he emphasized.
At the meeting's opening, Prime Minister and General People's Congress (GPC) Secretary-General Abdulqader Bajammal, said nominating Saleh to a second term is the people's choice, as well as that of GPC members. Addressing the president, he said the GPC made its decision by nominating Saleh as its presidential candidate.
Emergency meeting
At the time of writing this, the General Secretariat of the GPC is holding an emergency meeting, chaired by the vice president, to discuss the developments and reactions to the speech of President Saleh and his insistence not to run again for another term.
According to the ruling party's web site, the General Secretariat will hold an urgent meeting to discuss the president's latest stand. Prominent GPC leader Yasser Al-Awadi said, “The picture is foggy, as the president has refused to revoke his decision,” claiming that Saleh is “the only real political guarantee” for Yemen's political stability.
Public demonstrations
Thousands of citizens streamed into capital streets Thursday morning in a demonstration to persuade President Saleh to rescind his previous decision not to stand in this September's presidential election.
Lifting banners and photos of the president, marchers rallied at Al-Tahrir Square, urging Saleh to stand in the upcoming presidential race. They then moved to Al-Saba'een Square and listened to an address by Ahmad Mohamed Al-Haifi, Secretary-General of Al-Saba'een district's local councils.
In his address, Al-Haifi said the demonstration's main objective was to persuade Saleh to rescind his declaration, pointing out that Yemenis want Saleh to remain in power and will never accept an alternative to him.
“Saleh's decision not to stand in the upcoming presidential race has left the ship without a captain. If Saleh doesn't run for president, sedition will break out,” protestor Ali Al-Raimi told a Yemen Times reporter. Another protestor, Helmi Abdu, said “it is part of my job” to to promote campaigns and marches.
Taiz residents staged a rally Monday at Al-Shuhada Stadium, urging Saleh to revoke his decision and run for president in upcoming elections.
To the contrary, thousands of citizens in Taiz's Maoyah district appealed to President Saleh to implement his decision until the end – that is, not to run for president in this September's race.
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