Ruling & opposition parties dialogue [Archives:2007/1035/Front Page]

By: Ismael Al-Ghabri
SANA'A, March 21 ) Joint Meeting Parties and the General People Congress, the ruling party, began a process of political dialogue on Monday, the first since the elections of 2006. The dialogue process involves all parties represented in Parliament and aims to discuss issues concerning the relationship between the ruling party and those parties in opposition, together with the adjustment of a number of articles in the constitution as well as suggested adjustments to the draft local authority law. The two sides also discussed adjusting the draft political parties and organisations law, the printings and press law and a proposal submitted by the Joint Meeting Parties before the 2006 September elections concerning comprehensive political reform.

Though JMP parties expressed satisfaction with the dialogue the ruling party issued a statement requesting that the JMP clarify their stance on the current events in Sa'ada governorate. The statement then when on to accuse opposition parties of obstructing the government's attempts at resolving the Sa'ada issue by providing political support and media coverage for elements responsible for igniting sedition in the governorate. The ruling party considered the JMP's stance to be irresponsible and weak.

For his part, the secretary general of Yemeni Socialist Party, Dr. Yassin Sa'eed Noman, assured that the dialogue between the ruling and opposition parties was excellent. He added that the ruling party submitted a dialogue project similar to one suggested by the JMP including recommendations made by European Union. E.U. observers supervised the last election.

Noman added that the procedures relating to the electoral system and electoral law were agreed upon between the ruling and opposition parties. According to Noman, the subjects dealt with ranged from general freedoms, parties and syndicates' rights, civil society organisations and democratic rights including the right of peaceful demonstration. He maintained that the continuing process of national dialogue must be comprehensive in order to reform the whole polity which includes the Sa'ada conflict. A three member committee was formed comprising Dr. Yassin Sa'eed Noman, Dr. Abdulwahab Mahmoud and Sultan Al-Barakani to set the programme for the coming dialogue due to be held in one week.
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