Letters to the Editor [Archives:2001/04/Letters to the Editor]
A Letter from the Parents of the USS Cole Victims
First off, we would like to thank you for all the information we have received from your newspaper in regards to the USS Cole attack, and the ongoing investigation. Sadly, we have received more information from your newspaper than our own government, and our news agencies. We hope that your government continues to allow you the freedom to print information as you see fit. We also want you to understand that this letter is not meant to offend you, or your government. We hope that you all will view our opinions, and questions as an open discussion between two sides from two very different nations. With that said, could you please tell us why your government has not offered our nation an official apology for the murder of 17 innocent sailors in the Port of Aden? Or at the very least, an apology to the victims families? Your government was, and is partially responsible for the death of our sons. We have asked our own government for an explanation for what happened, but it continued to be silent in regards to this matter. They will not answer our questions. Yet, they keep telling us that you are our allies. But we then read in your paper how the Yemeni people are boycotting American goods. Your government has, and is still hampering the investigation. You will have to excuse us but we are confused on this issue. Is your government really an ally of our government? We have also asked them about the particulars of the deal to use your port for refueling again, but there is no answer.
Could you shed some light on that topic as well? Was your government supposed to be responsible for providing security to the Cole? Was the security issue a joint effort? Is your government conducting an internal investigation into security leaks?
We also know that your country, as well as many other Arab countries do not like our governments continued backing of Israel. If its any consolation, we dont approve of that policy as well! Our own government was, and is more concerned about Israelis feelings than the deaths of 17 American sailors. Do you think in your opinion that our nations ties with Israel have influenced our countrys reactions to the Cole attack?
We have expressed our desire to the FBI to attend the trial in Yemen. But we have read, and have been told that this is not advisable. We would appreciate any updates that you could provide us. Will the proceedings be taped? Would your government allow a statement from myself, my wife and our daughter to be read in the courtroom. Who will represent our murdered son?
Can we contact this person?
We have been searching the web for a government email site in your country. But as of yet, to no avail. Could you provide us with an email address, and or physical address?
Any help that you could provide us will be greatly appreciated. We only want some answers, and some justice for the death of our son.
We read your editorial on democracy. I would like to add that another aspect of democracy is responsibility. Your government could be seen in a much more favorable light if they would make a formal apology to the victims families. An apology would at least tell us that your government is somewhat serious in their relationship with our country.
All our government can tell us is that we were, and are protecting you all from Iraq. But as I mentioned earlier, it appears that your nation is friendly with Iraq, and that most of the other Arabic states are leaning that way as well. Hopefully you can see why we are confused.
Thank you for your time in this matter. Gary G. Swenchonis Sr.
PO Box 1610 Rockport Tx, 78381
Tel: (361)729-3290 Dear Gary,
Even though I feel sorry for the death of your son, I also feel helpless. All I could do is wish that you get over your sorrow.
I am hopeful that officials reading your letter would respond by calling the number given above. Be strong.
-Editor
The Golden Cage
Marriage is a grace of God. From the alliance between man and woman starts the social institution, which establishes the family life, the family, which enjoys with intimacy, love and cooperation to live a long and happy life. I am not going to justify or explain the advantages of marriage because they are well-known and undeniable.
I am writing here about marriage requirements and complications. I think that getting married has become a difficult challenge in most areas of Yemen. To marry means to abide by the social customs in wedding ceremonies, to pay excessive amounts of money to the brides father as important conditions for marriage. This is regardless of the dowry, which is paid to the bride. The dowry sometimes costs over one hundred thousand Rials. Young men and women do want to get married but because of such customs, they cant. Some young men have given up thinking of the partnership life because they know quite well what it will require. As a result of that, many girls have become spinsters.
In sum, corruption might have permeated into our society even in marriage. But the parents are the ones to blame.
This is a call to parents to get their daughters girls married to those who have strong belief in God and have good morals and principles. They should not ask for enormous sums of money except that of the dowry, which is the brides right. Furthermore, the dowry must not be a huge amount. That is if we intend to satisfy Allah and get rid of corruption in general.
I hope that the Golden Cage will never turn to a bankruptcy cage for the limited income employees. Finally, we should wake up and go back to the prophet Mohammeds (peace and prayers be up on him) teachings related to marriage. Mansour Hassan Al-wally
English teacher
Al-Ghabit District , Al-Mahweet Province
Moving Thoughts
Maybe God wants us to meet a few wrong people before meeting the right one so that when we finally meet the right person, we will know how to be grateful for that gift.
When the door of happiness closes, another opens, but often times, we wait too long for the closed door to open, but we dont see it opening.
The best type of friend is the one you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation youve ever had.
Its true that we dont know what weve got until we lose it, but its also true that we dont know what weve been missing until it arrives.
Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that theyll love you back! Dont expect love in return; just wait for it to grow in their heart but if it doesnt, be sure that it grew in yours. It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.
Dont go for looks, they can deceive. Dont go for wealth, even that does fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one that makes your heart smile.
There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real!
Dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong.
Always put yourself in others shoes. if you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person, too.
Happiness lives for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched, and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives. Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss and ends with a tear. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past, you cant go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.
When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you will be the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.
Please send this message to those people who mean something to you, to those who have touched your life in one way or another, to those who make you smile when you really need to, to those that make you see the brighter side of things when you are really down, to those who you want to let them know that you appreciate their friendship. If you dont, dont worry, nothing bad will happen to you, you will just miss out on the opportunity to brighten someones day with this message. Waleed Al-Jailani
Dear Editor,
Yes, youre right weve missed the point! The peace and of course, the technological advancement are seen all around the globe today. Kidnapping, extortion and chaos are slowly and painfully becoming the rule. For Yemen, the new millennium is the beginning of doomsday. Remember the great Yemen Al-Yemen Al-Saeed, which was known the world over for its peace, great scholars and fantastic people. All that is today in ashes. Thanks to the Yemenis of today. It is time for us to restore order and dignity to our beloved Yemen. Salem Saeed
[email protected]
Dear Sir,
I would like to greet all Yemen times staff and I hope them more progress and prosperity, but I have some comments that I tried several times to send .
Some times when you write about student movements in our universities, you’re not on the right side, specially when you talk about Yemen Student Union, like what happened in the science college in Sana’a university when you published news when you’d observed the situation from one side, and didn’t make an interview with one of YSU members to know some of facts about that situation.
Latif Alsafani
Email: [email protected]
Dear Editor,
Recent news and views coming out of Yemen point to more than meets the eye. The question we all are asking is:Why Yemen? After being at the forefront of modern civilization, Yemen today ranks among the least developed, poorest and highly dangerous countries in the world.
Somewhere down the line of generations a horrible mistake happened. Now, it is the responsibility of all to come together to find a fitting solution to this mess and I honestly mean a (real big) mess that could have us, as a nation bogged down forever while the real world passes by.
Lets start with Government-As taught by the Prophet(SAW), the Government is responsible for the protection of it’s people and their property, it’s responsible for upholding without fear or favor the rights of all regardless of colour, creed, religion or race whether president or peasant.
The educated among us-They are responsible for laying down the right and true path as dictated by Allah (SWT) through the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet. They shall select the best of the cultures of all other nations to develop our land and its people. The will be the light that guides in darkness.
The masses-Love, obedience to the law of Allah and respect for each other (life & property) must be the rule rather than the exception. Parents must urgently start teaching their children the real meaning of brotherhood and responsibility. Teachers must teach and train the youth of this society the true value of knowledge. Build in our children the desire to learn, the urge to research, and the resilience to come out stronger with each failure until the required results are achieved for the lasting benefit of this society.
Let there be standards in the society and we all strive to reach them.
Unless and until we just come to our senses, Yemen will continue being in the map of the world only as a country where people EXIST, THEY DON’T LIVE.
Finally, I thank Yemen Times and its dedicated staff, without you our views won’t go far. Guys believe me you have a lot of work to do. It is incumbent upon you to enlighten the people and without a doubt that comes with a lot of sacrifice. We cannot afford to lose as a nation. Thank you once again and good luck! SALEM SAID
Email: [email protected]
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