Kim Campbell, Former Canadian Prime Minister to YT “One of the Main Themes of the Conference is How to Balance Economic Reforms with Political Reforms” [Archives:1999/27/Interview]
July 5 1999
The idea of democracy is gradually becoming universal. It is not just the western world that is trying to adopt and defend the idea of democracy, but the developing countries as well. The Emerging Democracies Forum held in Sanaa from June 28-30 was an important event in the history of emerging democracies. It has proved that the participating countries are aware of the changes and transitions taking place all over the world. That is, the globalization of trade and commerce has made it necessary for each country to start some economic as well as political reforms. They must do this in order to meet the challenges and live up to them, so that can move peacefully into the 21st century, and not be left behind in this fast paced world.
The Emerging Democracies Forum was also an indication that the mature democracies are willing to stand up for and help these emerging democracies in exchanging their ideas and experiences to overcome their common challenges. The forum was really a universal democratic demonstration, and it was rightfully able to attract the attention of the world.
Q: Could you please give us a brief idea of your participation in and impression of the forum?
A: I was honored to be asked to co-chair the conference, and I enjoyed it very much. I think my strongest impression of the conference has been the great honesty of the participants. People are not sitting around and just congratulating each other on their progress. They have been looking very honestly at the challenges that they face, the barriers that still exist to full democratic development. That makes me feel very optimistic because of that candor.
First of all, it means that people get benefit from one another. If they actually talk honestly, they can share ideas and get approaches to help deal with the issues in their countries but it means that the commitment is very real and so I feel very happy about this conference. I also think that you can feel that atmosphere here, that people feel it has been really useful and the connections that are being made, the relationships that are being made, I think will last beyond this conference. I think we are going to look back at Sana’a 1999 in ten years and see it as a very important development in democratization.
Q: It was noticed that the media has not been discussed in this conference. What is your comment?
A: True, certainly the media in this region has been discussing it. I think it is up to those of us who have been here to help raise the profile. But I am less concerned about than that important opinion groups are aware of the conference. The countries, including my own, who have sponsored it are all very active internationally in supporting democratization, the World Bank is here. The NDI, which sponsored the conference, I think is going to have a lot of follow up from this conference. So I think that is the most important thing, that the people who count are the decision makers who know a lot about this conference, and will be very important.
Q: How do you think this conference will be beneficial for the democratic process in the emerging democracies, particularly Yemen?
A: Well, I think it is sometimes very helpful when people realize that they are not alone with the problems they have. It is very easy when you are struggling to make a major social change to get discouraged, to think ” Oh, we’re never going to get there, or our problems are unconquerable,” and it helps when you realize that other societies are dealing with the same issues, and sometimes have approaches that can help you. I think it gives you the courage to continue, because nothing is easy, even in mature democracies like my country, we have lots of political problems, and lots of challenges. So I think that that is a very important part of this conference. Plus the fact, that I do think that it has been a very interesting combinations of countries, which represent every continent, every type of religion, every type of cultural background, and yet they face many of the same issues.
Q: What are the challenges that face the emerging democracies in your opinion?
A: Well, I think your Prime Minister gave a very eloquent commentary on Yemen’s problems, that are faced by many of the others. Illiteracy is a great problem, the status of women, development of education, and simply building the institutions. Economic development is very important, and one of the main themes of this conference is how to balance economic reforms with political reforms. It is not easy, I think there are many challenges. But the most important thing is the commitment to make the changes. I have been very impressed by the passion that people bring to the discussion. This a very unique meeting, because there are very few international meetings where you have such a range of people in each delegation, where the governing party will actually bring members of the opposition, will actually bring representatives of the organizations that lobby the government. Those little communities that have come here to Yemen, I think the fact that they are so different from the normal participation in a conference, is going to make this a landmark conference. It will make the benefits of it so much better, than if there was just a representative from every government. What I mean is that there is a broader commitment to go beyond seeking power in a democratic government, to really making a democratic society.
Q: Some people say that we can not have a democratic system with a tribal system, where the tribal system controls every thing. What is your opinion?
A: Well, my understanding is that the power of the tribal sheiks is not what it used to be, and Yemen is not the first country that has had to reconcile traditional systems of power with modern democratic government. I think it will happen, as the Yemeni people come to see the advantages of democracy to them in terms of their prosperity. But it is also important to understand that societies do not have to throw out their traditions. They don’t have to turn their back on their history. But those traditions can be incorporated in their sense of identity, and yet, where they are no longer useful institutions, they can be put aside and replaced by useful institutions. So it is not a matter of rejecting our traditions. For example, my background is Scottish, and the Scottish are very tribal people, believe me. You have never see a more blood thirsty or violent group of people than the Scotts in their history. Nowadays, we don’t carry these old animosities, but it is part of our history. We have moved on, and in Canada we have many peoples who are proud of their history, but are part of a modern mature democracy.
Q: How do you think the emerging democracies can move into the 21 century?
A: Hard work. That is why their commitment to that hard work inspires those of us who are here from mature democracies, and from countries that can help, to do even more to help. That has certainly been my reaction here, is what can I and my country do to help, because we want to meet their effort halfway.
Q: Do you think the discussions were successful?
A: I think so, but I think the discussion I chaired could have gone on all day. There is much more to be said. But I think that there will be more opportunities to meet. Not necessarily this whole group, but maybe small groups will get together, and that’s why creating the relationships is so important, So people from one country can meet people from other countries, and they can build friendships and continue to share the value of their experiences.
Q: How do you see the relationship between Canada and Yemen?
A: Well, it is a warm relationship, and I have been delighted to discover that there senior Yemenis who have been to Yemen. The president of your Consultative Council was there, there are students from Yemen studying in Canada, there are Canadian companies who are here, and I think that there is a great deal of potential. But I think what is important is that Yemen’s commitment to democracy sends a very powerful message to countries like Canada, that this is a place that we can build relationships and trust, and that is so important. Not just people from the government, but people throughout your country will benefit from that trust.
Q: What support can Canada render to Yemen to enhance the democratic process?
A: Well, we have been here on a number projects involved with land mines, and issues like that, and we’ll certainly be back. The senior representative of the CIDA, Mr. Martin Cook, is here, and I think he will go back to Canada to discuss possible things we can do. I can’t be specific, I think that it depends on what kind of assistance the people of Yemen would like to have from us. But I think it has been very valuable for us to be here. Mr Cook has been here before, and is a great supporter of Yemen. So I think we will continue to do whatever it is that is practical and helpful. I’d like to see us increase our economic relationships, and to share our knowledge of various aspects of democratization and development.
Q: Any last comment?
A: Just that it has been wonderful to be here. It was wise of the Yemen government to host this conference, because it means that people get to know not just the representatives of Yemen, but the people of this area personally. I think it will be very positive in terms of the support Yemen is going to have from all of us in this transition. But the people of Yemen have to do it, and you are very intelligent, very clever, very resourceful people.
——
[archive-e:27-v:1999-y:1999-d:1999-07-05-p:./1999/iss27/intrview.htm]
