Survey shows public aghast [Archives:2002/46/Front Page]

Based on a survey of The Yemen Times, the public seems to be outraged at the US attack Nov 3 that killed six Yemenis in Mareb on Nov. 3.
The Times interviewed 95 people in Sana’a and found the following results:
– 93% objected to the strike
– 85% said that Yemen’s national sovereignty has been undermined.
– 97% said that they could not imagine that the Yemeni government blessed this action.
– 40% thought that action should be taken by the Yemeni government in the form of terminating Yemen’s assistance to the US in its war against terror while others thought that a public response should be formulated in the form of demonstrations and condemnations.
Overall, the public believes that the situation is quite sensitive and the Yemeni government’s position is critical.
They have expressed disappointment over the attack and wished that the Yemeni government could protest this US act or at least show some concern or reservations. But this is yet to happen as the government failed to provide any response to those US allegations.
Here are some of the opinions.
“Mohammed Hassan Saeed said “The US has no right to assassinate any Yemeni regardless of whether they are al-Qaeda suspects or not. Our country’s legal system should not be overlooked. It is truly illogical for the Yemeni government to agree or provide support to such action by the USA.
“If the explosion of the car was proven to be an act of the US without Yemen’s knowledge, then that is considered a violation of our national sovereignty and Yemen should mobilize a strong response. If it was done with the blessing of the Yemeni government, then it is up to the public to protest.”
Abdoh Ibrahim Mahyoob said that the “US has no right to assassinate any human beings without trial. The Yemeni government cannot bless any act of killing of its own people. This is indeed a violation of our national sovereignty and we should terminate our relations with the USA. But if the Yemeni government insists on its stance in supporting this act of the US, then the street should protest this action openly.”However, not all those who were asked in the survey knew about the US confession concerning the attack. As a matter of fact, some Yemeni citizens simply do not have dishes or read newspapers. So, all the information they get is that which comes on the local TV channels, which didn’t mention a thing about the strike.
Abdullah Ali said, “I have not heard about this incident at all. I only watch our national TV channels and they have not mentioned this. I believe that if our channels didn’t mention it, this indicates that all that has been said is false. I believe that the government tells us all that is going on in our country on TV.”
Hamoud Qaid says, “The USA failed to capture Osama bin Laden and will never succeed in that. Hence, it is trying to search for victims elsewhere. Yemen does not bless any attack against its citizens and will be able to capture those law violators without the help of others. I believe that this action resembles a violation of our sovereignty and Yemen should discontinue its assistance to the USA. The street will probably be outraged if it finds out that the Yemeni government helped the US in this assassination.”However, Rasheed Ghaleb has another opinion on the reaction of the public if it is found that the Yemeni government knew or blessed this US-attack, “Even though I cannot imagine that Yemen would agree on such action by the US, but I also think that the public will not react at all even if they find out that the Yemeni government assisted in this action. The public as always will obey the government and do what it says thinking that what it does is always appropriate.”Tawfiq Ali Hameed says that “The US has no right to assassinate any citizen of another country simply because there are international laws that regulate the dealing with such terrorists or suspects. The incident was outrageous and shocking, yet I believe that any hasty official statement at this time will not be in the government’s favor. No doubt our sovereignty was violated and as government, Yemen should express its objection and protest to the international community and as people, we should start demonstrations.”Isam Mohammed Jawba has demonstrated the opinion of the majority of the population by saying that Yemen Times should “leave all those questions aside because the people are busy after their own affairs. We are in the holy month of Ramadan and our homes are full of many open mouths to feed. I never listen to the news and I believe in nothing and all I want is to survive those harsh conditions.”Interestingly, many of the interviewed Yemenis expressed their disbelief in that the Yemeni government could assist the US in such an act. However, many of them also expressed their doubts concerning the news about the US involvement. “We were told that the car exploded because of the explosives it carried. Even if the whole world says otherwise, we will only believe our government.” said Hussein Ali.
Ahmed Mohammed Hussein said that “The US has no right to act in such a way, which resembles a war on sovereign nations. Yemen cannot bless or agree on such action. Whether this assassination was done with or without the Yemeni government’s approval, it still undermines our national sovereignty. The Yemeni government should express its anger and present an official protest to the UN. On the other hand, if you are asking about the public, then I can safely assume that Yemenis are too busy looking after how to make ends meet and to survive the harsh economic conditions the country is going through.”

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