President Saleh, Constitutional Amendments, Greater Participation in Decision-Making [Archives:2000/40/Front Page]

On the occasion of the 38th anniversary of September 26 revolution, President Saleh delivered a speech in which he highlighted a number of national and regional issues. He first congratulated the Yemeni People and prayed for the souls of patriots who scarificed their lives for the revolution. It is to them that we owe the establishment of our republican system, democracy and development, he said. He added that the will of Yemeni people had crystallized and consolidated the achievement of the unity through the prevalence of democracy, the right to form political parties, trade unions, freedom of press and expression, protection of human rights, general liberties and the empowerment of women to participate in all walks of life on equal basis with men.
The President highlighted the clear and transparent path that has emerged out of the revolution and has shaped our foreign policy, based on the principles of national, Islamic identity, peace and mutual co-operation and respect among all nations, a policy, which has enabled our country to establish progressive relations with all countries of the world. We, therefore, will continue to support efforts aiming at securing a permanent, comprehensive and just peace in the region.
President Saleh called for an end to Israeli occupation of Arab land occupied in 1967 in the Golan Heights and Palestine. He also called for implementation of the international resolutions based on the same criterion. We draw the attention of the world to the plight of the Iraqi people caused by the continuation of the sanctions, especially since the embargo policy has proved its ineffectiveness in achieving the goals it was originally designed to achieve, he said.
As for the constitutional amendments he said that they stemmed from the desire to enhance and entrench democratic values, greater paricipation in decision making, strngthen constitutional foundations, enhance stability, develop the electoral system, raise the standard of coordination and control between the executive and legislative authorities.
On the other hand, he highlighted the peace agreement of borders with neighboring countries which stemmed from an awareness that political, economic and social progress is best achieved through peaceful means and under collective security of neighboring countries.
At the end of his statement he expressed his hopes for prevalence of peace in the world.

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