JMP denounces fund exploitation, legal violations [Archives:2006/981/Front Page]

By: Moneer Al-Omari
SANA'A, Sept. 11 ) A Joint Meeting Parties press conference last Thursday at Yemeni Socialist Party headquarters in Al-Safiah area in Sana'a reviewed election developments thus far by focusing on the ruling party's undemocratic practices, violations committed and illegal use of public funds and media, displaying documents and checks revealing ruling party infringements.

Described as brief yet important, the conference kicked off with a speech by JMP media official Mohammed Qahtan, who highlighted the importance of coalition between the main opposition parties, considering them the creators of national change at all levels.

He also pointed out some General People's Congress violations of the recent agreement of principles, hinting at the Faisal Bin Shamlan campaign procession's interception at the entrance to Dhamar city.

Soldiers at a newly established checkpoint at the Dhamar city entrance intercepted the JMP presidential candidate's procession, refusing the entry of Bin Shamlan's assigned bodyguards, who only were allowed to do so after some dignitaries intervened. Further, Bin Shamlan supporters and crowds weren't allowed into the stadium where the rally was being held, according to a Sept. 7 press release.

Qahtan also declared true democracy is nonexistent in Yemen and highlighted the need for patience in this respect.

“We still have to wait. Yemenis hope to overthrow the existing regime, so we must seize the opportunity without caring too much about obstacles,” Qahtan asserted.

He also pointed out the importance of peaceful struggle because using power to face tyrannical regimes has proven unsuccessful, hinting at the 70-year experience of leftist, national and Islamic forces, whose armed encounters with oppressive systems resulted in the former's victory.

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Additionally, Qahtan indicated the JMP are not the “Tartars” or “public funds looters” Saleh accuses them of being and says the GPC has an open account with billions of Yemeni riyals in the name of the Great Mosque in Sana'a.

He criticized using the Central Bank for money laundering and exploiting funding in the name of mosques and religion. He also noted funds recorded in the Great Mosque's name weren't used for their intended sake, but rather were exploited by the GPC and transferred to Hamoud Al-Shibami, who's in charge of the GPC's financial sector, while other funds were transferred to anonymous accounts.

“It's dangerous when the Central Bank becomes a source for money laundering,” Qahtan added.

Concluding his speech, Qahtan demanded the Central Bank be run by “a supreme committee” and asked “corrupt officials to stay away from it.”

Ali Al-Sarari, head of the Yemeni Socialist Party's information department, views the new developments and tension as a mark of the GPC's failure, as proven in Sa'ada, where the ruling party was unable to hold a successful rally for its presidential candidate, while the JMP was successful from the first moment, Al-Sarari said.

As for a fatwa issued by Salafi scholar Abu Al-Hassan Al-Masri prohibiting competing with GPC presidential candidate, Ali Abdullah Saleh. Former Member of Parliament and human rights activist, Mohammed Nagi Alaw said such a fatwa is invalid and the president should be dismissed for approving it.

He also criticized Saleh's exploitation of public funds and property, such as cars and airplanes, asserting that the president must use his own private property.

Alaw further doubted the election's fairness or impartiality and denounced ruling party violations of both the law and constitution. “Who will respect law in this country if the president is the one violating it?” Alaw questioned.

For his part, Mohammed Al-Sabri, deputy chairman of the JMP's executive authority, focused on the importance of change, considering it “the national task of all Yemenis – not just political parties.” He also stressed the JMP will abide by the law and avoid violence.

“We condemn violence and we ask all Yemenis, civil society organizations and international observers to keep an eye on those who'll be responsible for any potential violence,” Al-Sabri urged.

Stating his opinion about the elections, Abdulsalam Razaz, secretary-general of the Public Forces Union, asserted the Supreme Commission for Elections and Referendum lacks the necessary competence to administer the election process.

In his remarks, Ahmed Saif Hashed, head of Independents for Political Change, stated his group's task is to back JMP candidate Bin Shamlan, adding GPC intends to control the elections and exploit media and use money from the Central Bank and force military to vote for Saleh.

Concluding his speech, Hashed alleged a GPC victory will cause price increases and new tragedies due to corruption. “If Bin Shamlan isn't victorious, Yemen will plunge further into a dark tunnel,” he warned.
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