President Saleh in his press conference:  “The parliament had the right not to endorse a candidate of the opposition” [Archives:1999/35/Law & Diplomacy]

In a press conference held in the last Monday and which was attended by the local as well as international newspapers and news agencies representatives, President Alii Abdullah Saleh said that he himself did not intend to be a candidate because he has been in power for nearly 21 years and is acquainted with the sufferance of the job, and the internal and external problems related to it. He said that he had called upon the leaders of all parties to set an example and convene their parties general conferences so that elections become a democratic competition between parties and programs. But it was noticed that there were no serious candidates, or candidates with whom the homeland did not have a “REVENGE”. Because of that, he had to accept the call by the PGC, the Islah, and the Supreme Opposition Council and other prominent activities to accept nomination and become a candidate. 
He said the parliament had the right not to endorse a candidate of the opposition, as some parties of opposition don’t recognize parliament and the results of the 1997 elections as legitimate. 
“The parliament’s resolution was good, as the candidate played an open play. He came from London with his candidacy and intended to withdraw at the end.” the president noted. 
The president said that he hoped that the opposition shall develop into a real and truthful one so that power can be exchanged peacefully, and to gain the respect of the citizens of Yemen. He said that what is called the Opposition Coordination Council has no weight and consists of leaders who had problems and revenge with the homeland. 
Asked about the hard times facing the Yemeni press and the harassment of the government against journalists, the president said that it is good that the Government does not take actions against the press but to go instead to a court of law. He said that the government has the right to take stiff actions against journalist who try to destroy t the relations of Yemen with other countries. 
He said that there is no doubt there is a difference between a good information and paid destructive propaganda. He called upon the press to seek the truth and rise up to its positions, so that it becomes read here and abroad. 
On the subject of Yemeni Jews, he said there is only a very small group of Jews in Yemen, and they are treated well. They are Yemeni citizens and enjoy equal rights and bear the same obligation as other citizens. 
But he dismissed that Yemen is ready to receive Jews from occupied Arab territories, and said this is unthinkable. Israel still occupies Arab lands and had not leaned fully towards peace and didn’t accept up to now to return all Arab occupied territories. 
About the Yemeni-Saudi borders the president said that this is a 60 year old, but there was some progress towards the implementation of the Understanding Memorandum which was signed in 1995. Many issues relating to borders have been finalized and a small number only remains which is disagreed upon. He said that the solution for the border problem with Saudi Arabia should be cordial. Arbitration shall only be sought if both parties agree on that. 
On the most important issues in his Election Program and whether new rules for state machinery shall be applied so that people shall be able to see the seriousness of the administration, he said that his program concentrates on overcoming all negative phenomena in the administration and the development process. All mistakes shall be put straight. 
When asked whether Mr. Najeeb Al-Shaa’bi, the only other competing candidate, is considered as another candidate of the PGC , he said that Mr. Al-Shaa’bi is a member of the PGC but the constitution guarantees his rights as a citizen to nominate himself for the presidential election, whether he is a member of the ruling party or not. He said that Al-Shaa’bi introduced himself as an independent candidate, and that is his rights. On whether Mr. Al-Shaa’bi might withdraw the president said that he has no knowledge on what was published, and it might be some kind of fabrication. 
When asked about the contradiction between his call upon the opposition to take part in the presidential elections and the refusal of parliament to endorse the candidate of the opposition and whether it was a decision taken by parliament by itself, he said the decision was made by the parliament and that he keenly hoped that the opposition shall be in the right level of responsibility and truthfulness and become the face of the regime as it is understood everywhere, and to become the alternate of the regime to receive power. 
He felt sorry for those who call themselves opposition, while they are only a small antique group of politicians who carry the genes of disagreement among them and the homeland. 
He accused the socialist and Nasserite opposition parties that they have seen no change or development with regard to their cadres, that they are still keeping their conflict with the people and the homeland, and are tied strongly to their past. 
The president said that the nation has a revenge with the royalists who fought the September and October Revolutions and it is unacceptable to come to power a person who started the war secession or who sought power through coup de etate, as the Nasserites did in 1978. 
On whether a national coalition government shall be established after elections, he said that time is still early to decide. He said that such governments come when parties which respect the rules of the game are available. 
The press conference of the president agitated the anger of the opposition parties which issued a statement in which they considered the conference as a ruthless attack against them and a backsliding on democracy. Yemen Times talked to some leaders of the oppositions to know their reaction towards the press conference of the president. 
President Saleh in a press conference””The parliament had the right not to endorse the 
candidate of the opposition”President Saleh in a press conference””The parliament had the right not to endorse a candidate of the opposition”In a press conference held in the last Monday and which was attended by the local as well as international newspapers and news agencies representatives, President Alii Abdullah Saleh said that he himself did not intend to be a candidate because he has been in power for nearly 21 years and is acquainted with the sufferance of the job, and the internal and external problems related to it. He said that he had called upon the leaders of all parties to set an example and convene their parties general conferences so that elections become a democratic competition between parties and programs. But it was noticed that there were no serious candidates, or candidates with whom the homeland did not have a “REVENGE”. Because of that, he had to accept the call by the PGC, the Islah, and the Supreme Opposition Council and other prominent activities to accept nomination and become a candidate. 
He said the parliament had the right not to endorse a candidate of the opposition, as some parties of opposition don’t recognize parliament and the results of the 1997 elections as legitimate. 
“The parliament’s resolution was good, as the candidate played an open play. He came from London with his candidacy and intended to withdraw at the end.” the president noted. 
The president said that he hoped that the opposition shall develop into a real and truthful one so that power can be exchanged peacefully, and to gain the respect of the citizens of Yemen. He said that what is called the Opposition Coordination Council has no weight and consists of leaders who had problems and revenge with the homeland. 
Asked about the hard times facing the Yemeni press and the harassment of the government against journalists, the president said that it is good that the Government does not take actions against the press but to go instead to a court of law. He said that the government has the right to take stiff actions against journalist who try to destroy t the relations of Yemen with other countries. 
He said that there is no doubt there is a difference between a good information and paid destructive propaganda. He called upon the press to seek the truth and rise up to its positions, so that it becomes read here and abroad. 
On the subject of Yemeni Jews, he said there is only a very small group of Jews in Yemen, and they are treated well. They are Yemeni citizens and enjoy equal rights and bear the same obligation as other citizens. 
But he dismissed that Yemen is ready to receive Jews from occupied Arab territories, and said this is unthinkable. Israel still occupies Arab lands and had not leaned fully towards peace and didn’t accept up to now to return all Arab occupied territories. 
About the Yemeni-Saudi borders the president said that this is a 60 year old, but there was some progress towards the implementation of the Understanding Memorandum which was signed in 1995. Many issues relating to borders have been finalized and a small number only remains which is disagreed upon. He said that the solution for the border problem with Saudi Arabia should be cordial. Arbitration shall only be sought if both parties agree on that. 
On the most important issues in his Election Program and whether new rules for state machinery shall be applied so that people shall be able to see the seriousness of the administration, he said that his program concentrates on overcoming all negative phenomena in the administration and the development process. All mistakes shall be put straight. 
When asked whether Mr. Najeeb Al-Shaa’bi, the only other competing candidate, is considered as another candidate of the PGC , he said that Mr. Al-Shaa’bi is a member of the PGC but the constitution guarantees his rights as a citizen to nominate himself for the presidential election, whether he is a member of the ruling party or not. He said that Al-Shaa’bi introduced himself as an independent candidate, and that is his rights. On whether Mr. Al-Shaa’bi might withdraw the president said that he has no knowledge on what was published, and it might be some kind of fabrication. 
When asked about the contradiction between his call upon the opposition to take part in the presidential elections and the refusal of parliament to endorse the candidate of the opposition and whether it was a decision taken by parliament by itself, he said the decision was made by the parliament and that he keenly hoped that the opposition shall be in the right level of responsibility and truthfulness and become the face of the regime as it is understood everywhere, and to become the alternate of the regime to receive power. 
He felt sorry for those who call themselves opposition, while they are only a small antique group of politicians who carry the genes of disagreement among them and the homeland. 
He accused the socialist and Nasserite opposition parties that they have seen no change or development with regard to their cadres, that they are still keeping their conflict with the people and the homeland, and are tied strongly to their past. 
The president said that the nation has a revenge with the royalists who fought the September and October Revolutions and it is unacceptable to come to power a person who started the war secession or who sought power through coup de etate, as the Nasserites did in 1978. 
On whether a national coalition government shall be established after elections, he said that time is still early to decide. He said that such governments come when parties which respect the rules of the game are available. 
The press conference of the president agitated the anger of the opposition parties which issued a statement in which they considered the conference as a ruthless attack against them and a backsliding on democracy. Yemen Times talked to some leaders of the oppositions to know their reaction towards the press conference of the president. 
President Saleh in a press conference””The parliament had the right not to endorse a candidate of the opposition”In a press conference held in the last Monday and which was attended by the local as well as international newspapers and news agencies representatives, President Alii Abdullah Saleh said that he himself did not intend to be a candidate because he has been in power for nearly 21 years and is acquainted with the sufferance of the job, and the internal and external problems related to it. He said that he had called upon the leaders of all parties to set an example and convene their parties general conferences so that elections become a democratic competition between parties and programs. But it was noticed that there were no serious candidates, or candidates with whom the homeland did not have a “REVENGE”. Because of that, he had to accept the call by the PGC, the Islah, and the Supreme Opposition Council and other prominent activities to accept nomination and become a candidate. 
He said the parliament had the right not to endorse a candidate of the opposition, as some parties of opposition don’t recognize parliament and the results of the 1997 elections as legitimate. 
“The parliament’s resolution was good, as the candidate played an open play. He came from London with his candidacy and intended to withdraw at the end.” the president noted. 
The president said that he hoped that the opposition shall develop into a real and truthful one so that power can be exchanged peacefully, and to gain the respect of the citizens of Yemen. He said that what is called the Opposition Coordination Council has no weight and consists of leaders who had problems and revenge with the homeland. 
Asked about the hard times facing the Yemeni press and the harassment of the government against journalists, the president said that it is good that the Government does not take actions against the press but to go instead to a court of law. He said that the government has the right to take stiff actions against journalist who try to destroy t the relations of Yemen with other countries. 
He said that there is no doubt there is a difference between a good information and paid destructive propaganda. He called upon the press to seek the truth and rise up to its positions, so that it becomes read here and abroad. 
On the subject of Yemeni Jews, he said there is only a very small group of Jews in Yemen, and they are treated well. They are Yemeni citizens and enjoy equal rights and bear the same obligation as other citizens. 
But he dismissed that Yemen is ready to receive Jews from occupied Arab territories, and said this is unthinkable. Israel still occupies Arab lands and had not leaned fully towards peace and didn’t accept up to now to return all Arab occupied territories. 
About the Yemeni-Saudi borders the president said that this is a 60 year old, but there was some progress towards the implementation of the Understanding Memorandum which was signed in 1995. Many issues relating to borders have been finalized and a small number only remains which is disagreed upon. He said that the solution for the border problem with Saudi Arabia should be cordial. Arbitration shall only be sought if both parties agree on that. 
On the most important issues in his Election Program and whether new rules for state machinery shall be applied so that people shall be able to see the seriousness of the administration, he said that his program concentrates on overcoming all negative phenomena in the administration and the development process. All mistakes shall be put straight. 
When asked whether Mr. Najeeb Al-Shaa’bi, the only other competing candidate, is considered as another candidate of the PGC , he said that Mr. Al-Shaa’bi is a member of the PGC but the constitution guarantees his rights as a citizen to nominate himself for the presidential election, whether he is a member of the ruling party or not. He said that Al-Shaa’bi introduced himself as an independent candidate, and that is his rights. On whether Mr. Al-Shaa’bi might withdraw the president said that he has no knowledge on what was published, and it might be some kind of fabrication. 
When asked about the contradiction between his call upon the opposition to take part in the presidential elections and the refusal of parliament to endorse the candidate of the opposition and whether it was a decision taken by parliament by itself, he said the decision was made by the parliament and that he keenly hoped that the opposition shall be in the right level of responsibility and truthfulness and become the face of the regime as it is understood everywhere, and to become the alternate of the regime to receive power. 
He felt sorry for those who call themselves opposition, while they are only a small antique group of politicians who carry the genes of disagreement among them and the homeland. 
He accused the socialist and Nasserite opposition parties that they have seen no change or development with regard to their cadres, that they are still keeping their conflict with the people and the homeland, and are tied strongly to their past. 
The president said that the nation has a revenge with the royalists who fought the September and October Revolutions and it is unacceptable to come to power a person who started the war secession or who sought power through coup de etate, as the Nasserites did in 1978. 
On whether a national coalition government shall be established after elections, he said that time is still early to decide. He said that such governments come when parties which respect the rules of the game are available. 
The press conference of the president agitated the anger of the opposition parties which issued a statement in which they considered the conference as a ruthless attack against them and a backsliding on democracy. Yemen Times talked to some leaders of the oppositions to know their reaction towards the press conference of the president. 
In a press conference held last Monday and which was attended by the local, as well as international newspapers and news agencies and representatives, President Ali Abdullah Saleh said that he himself did not intend to be a candidate because he has been in power for nearly 21 years and is acquainted with the sufferance of the job, and the internal and external problems related to it. He said that he had called upon the leaders of all parties to set an example and convene their parties general conferences so that elections become a democratic competition between parties and programs. But it was noticed that there were no serious candidates, or candidates with whom the homeland did not have a “REVENGE”. Because of that, he had to accept the call by the PGC, the Islah, and the Supreme Opposition Council and other prominent activities to accept nomination and become a candidate. 
He said the parliament had the right not to endorse a candidate of the opposition, as some parties of opposition don’t recognize parliament and the results of the 1997 elections as legitimate. 
“The parliament’s resolution was good, as the candidate played an open play. He came from London with his candidacy and intended to withdraw at the end.” the president noted. 
The president said that he hoped that the opposition shall develop into a real and truthful one so that power can be exchanged peacefully, and to gain the respect of the citizens of Yemen. He said that what is called the Opposition Coordination Council has no weight and consists of leaders who had problems and revenge with the homeland. 
Asked about the hard times anfacing the Yemeni press and the harassment of the government against journalists, the president said that it is good that the Government does not take actions against the press, but to go instead to a court of law. He said that the government has the right to take stiff actions against journalist who try to destroy the relations of Yemen with other countries. 
He said that there is no doubt, there is a difference between good information and paid destructive propaganda. He called upon the press to seek the truth and rise up to its positions, so that it becomes read here and abroad. 
On the subject of Yemeni Jews, he said there is only a very small group of Jews in Yemen, and they are treated well. They are Yemeni citizens and enjoy equal rights and bear the same obligation as other citizens. 
But he dismissed that Yemen is ready to receive Jews from occupied Arab territories, and said this is unthinkable. Israel still occupies Arab lands and had not leaned fully towards peace and didn’t accept up to now to return all Arab occupied territories. 
About the Yemeni-Saudi borders the president said that this is 60 years old, but there is some progress towards the implementation of the Understanding Memorandum which was signed in 1995. Many issues relating to borders have been finalized and a small number only remains which is disagreed upon. He said that the solution for the border problem with Saudi Arabia should be cordial. Arbitration shall only be sought if both parties agree on that. 
On the most important issues in his Election Program and whether new rules for state machinery shall be applied so that people shall be able to see the seriousness of the administration, he said that his program concentrates on overcoming all negative phenomena in the administration and the development process. All mistakes shall be put straight. 
When asked whether Mr. Najeeb Al-Shaa’bi, the only other competing candidate, who is considered as another candidate of the PGC , he said that Mr. Al-Shaabi is a member of the PGC, but the constitution guarantees his rights as a citizen to nominate himself for the presidential election, whether he is a member of the ruling party or not. He said that Al-Shaabi introduced himself as an independent candidate, and that is his right. On whether Mr. Al-Shaabi might withdraw the president said that he has no knowledge on what was published, and it might be some kind of fabrication. 
When asked about the contradiction between his call upon the opposition to take part in the presidential elections and the refusal of parliament to endorse the candidate of the opposition and whether it was a decision taken by parliament by itself, he said the decision was made by the parliament and that he keenly hoped that the opposition shall be in the right level of responsibility and truthfulness and become the face of the regime, as it is understood everywhere, and to become the alternate of the regime to receive power. 
He felt sorry for those who call themselves opposition, while they are only a small antique group of politicians who carry the genes of disagreement among them and the homeland. 
He accused the Socialist and Nasserite opposition parties that they have seen no change or development with regard to their cadres, that they are still keeping their conflict with the people and the homeland, and are tied strongly to their past. 
The president said that the nation has a revenge with the royalists who fought the September and October Revolutions and it is unacceptable to come to power with onr who started the war secession or who sought power through coup de etate, as the Nasserites did in 1978. 
On whether a national coalition government shall be established after elections, he said that it is still early to decide. He said that such governments come when parties which respect the rules of the game are available. 
The press conference of the president agitated the anger of the opposition parties which issued a statement in which they considered the conference as a ruthless attack against them and a backsliding on democracy. Yemen Times talked to some leaders of the oppositions to know their reaction towards the press conference of the president. 
Garalla Omer, the prominent politician of the Yemeni Socialist Party said: 
“The man went too far. He was blatantly saying I shall keep on holding to power forever, and shall pick my choice for succession. Any other alternate is not allowed whatever is its color. This means he is rejecting all sorts of opposition and accepts only his own party and those who support him. This is regrettable. The press conference was another setback for democracy. In my opinion, it was endorsing what had taken place. He was tending political revenge. This is a kind of political charging in order to create a new tension and civil wars. He was frank. Peaceful exchange of power is prohibited and not allowed. The President’s press conference was a declaration of war against democracy. It was an open threat to personal safety of opposition members.  
We hope the President should concentrate on current issues, such as the harsh economic and security crisis surrounding our homeland. We hoped that the past and clinging to the bloody past was surpassed. Everyone among our people knows the past and what occasioned the bloody past and it isn’t wise to open those files. The President has associated himself with the homeland and considers it a dangerous case for anybody to have a difference with the homeland! When such a situation takes place; it does not go well with the principal of multiparty system and democracy. How can a competition takes place in a situation with a leader of a political party associating himself with the homeland. How can people speak about peaceful exchange of power in this country. When we differ with the People’s Congress, which is headed by the president that does not mean that we are differing with our country. It would have been better if the President accepted our call for a serious national dialogue, for the making of a future in which all miseries of the past are surpassed. In order to open future files. It is fully regretted that the 
President was dragged – we don’t know why – to painful issues we prefer not to mention. 
We are committed and fully insisting on retaining our constitutional rights and on democracy. We reject being aligned with the past and insist on serious and competitive presidential elections, whether the President rejects that now or accepts it in the future, we insist on peaceful democratic activities to emphasize our right in demanding true and competitive presidential elections. ” 
Mr. Ali Saif Hasan of the Nasserite Unionist Party gave his reaction to the President’s press conference as such: 
“I would like personally to express my deep sorrow towards was said in these presidential statements. They do contain a high level of danger and expose the nature of the political thinking which is in power now in Yemen i.e. keeping itself in power forever, dismissing opposition under different names or by different excuses. This is a retreat from constitutional legitimacy and from seeking power through ballots and replacing it by legitimacy of power.” 
When Mr. Hasan was asked what should be the next move by the opposition he said that the opposition, he answered, “shall issue an important statement today and clarify its position towards what was declared during the President’s press conference. We shall continue our peaceful struggle among the people in order to seize our people’s democratic rights. We depend on peoples’ consciousness and on the future and believe that democracy shall take over by the end. It is regretful that the president spoke about political revenge. This is some kind of giving a green light and shall lead to more tensions. I fear that this might be preparing for some kind of violence against opposition parties and especially against the leaders. We are considering what was said by the President as serious a and raise the alarm. We call upon all people who are keen on liberties to condemn these policies which divide the Yemeni people i.e., its political foes between royalists or secessionists or those who have a revenge with the homeland – which means that every political opposition is rejected and condemned. This is a call for political decay and hegemony. To conclude, those expression in the press conference reflect impasse through which the political regime is going, it can neither go forward nor retreat, the contradictions between what the regime declares and what it practices.” 
Mohammed Al-Maqalih, a well-known politician and writer said the following: 
“Hearing the president’s statements in the conference, I really felt that he has forgot his role as a responsible official of the Yemeni people. Instead of settling things down, he launched a war against journalists, the opposition and some other countries. He was completely biased against the opposition and its nominee. The president said that the rejection of the opposition’s nominee was a right political decision because it is impossible to nominate a person who has bad intentions and wants to have revenge, forgetting that this nominee is presented by the opposition council which includes different parties admitted in the political domain and work accordingly. In fact, his speech was very disappointing for a president he should be fair and just. I wish what the president said in the conference was a temporary anger that will be over soon. I also wish that the President’s speech was owed to his feeling that elections has become of no meaning to the people, especially after the withdrawal of the opposition. In my viewpoint, I did not approve such statements at all. What the opposition council did was absolutely expected and justified, especially after the rejection of their nominee. The statements of the president shows the narrow democracy implemented in Yemen. I also believe that the future of Yemen is not promising at all.” 
  Yemen: Where to?
By: Mohammed Hatem Al-Qadhi, 
Managing Editor, Yemen Times 
What happened in the City Center Supermarket on Friday evening is actually catastrophic and indescribable. The blast could be heard all over the capital, Sana’a. In fact, it made the people of the capital, particularly women and children restless. It is really a heinous crime. Everybody could not believe is merely a mere blast of TNT explosives or any other kinds of such stuff. Rather, they thought it could be a mass destruction rocket. 
In any case the incident is of many-faceted detrimental and dangerous aspects. First of all, the incident gives a bad image about the security situation in Yemen. In other words, it gives a clue that the security situation is zeroed and that Yemen is not a safe country. This accordingly makes the investors who are willing to invest their capital in the country reconsider their decision and hence leave the country, seeking for a better and safe place. This puts the economy of the country on the precipice. The first target of the explosion is the Yemeni economy. 
The government always tries to shrug off and ignore the sense of insecurity overwhelming the country. Further, it tries to show that everything is fine while, in fact, everything is deteriorating and backsliding as well as getting worse and worse. Now and again we hear about such disturbing hideous actions like murders and blasts all over the country. However, we don not take them seriously. Even in the official statements it appears as if it was some kind of a routinely entertaining hobby practiced by the people. In other words, the government officials don’t give them their due attention. 
I believe if the government shows it muscles and exercise stiff measures against law breakers and troublemakers, such heinous and inhuman practices will be gradually downsized. But neglect on the part of the people in authority actually help exerpate the situation. 
It is reported that the reason behind the explosion of the city center supermarket is a personal dispute amongst the owners of the supermarket. This is horrible, isn’t it? A personal dispute can break all the hell loose and make the people of the capital live moments of fright and restlessness. It is something incredible. I believe a personal dispute will not reach this extent, if law and order is applied to all people. As a matter of fact, people feel no more the sovereignty of the government. Otherwise, they will not take the law into their hands to finish off any showdown. This is why the sense of lawlessness predominates and the law of the jungle prevails. The reason of the Sanaa blast is, as stated by the government, vindictive. 
How about the explosions which took place in Aden and Abyan at the same day? Who is responsible for them? I wonder what is actually happening in our country and to which direction it is led! I can envisage the future is dark and would be rather dismal if this security mess is not stopped and nipped in the bud. Besides, the security people can only harass and tease only journalists and opinion makers and block their way to do a good work. What happened to me and the editor of the Yemen Times Mr. Walid Al-Saqqaf on the last Saturday makes me conclude that democracy and press freedom can only evolve only in an institutionalized society. We were deprived of our camera and tape recorder for nothing but we wanted to find out the heart of the matter and see the injured of the blast and report the truth to the people as we believe it is our duty towards the people and the sacred mission of journalism to search for the truth and make it reach the ears of all people. But we were confiscated this right. 
By and large, I believe that the explosions taking place from time to time would uproot and bury any potentiality for investment in the country. We do call people to come and invest their money in our country. But we should at the same time remember that no investment can operate and flourish, if the country lives under a constant threat of terrorism and lawlessness. In my opinion, the issue of security is one of the main challenging issues faced by the president after the ensuing presidential elections. However, this blast of Sanaa and some others rise my curiosity to ask: YEMEN.. WHERE TO? 

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