The Ambassador of Japan Talks About the Biliteral Relationship Between Yemen and Japan: The Present Relationship and Future Prospects [Archives:1999/51/Law & Diplomacy]
December 20 1999
Q: How do you assess the Yemeni-Japanese relationship during 1999?
A: First of all, I would like to say that this year has witnessed significant development in the bilateral relationship between Japan and Yemen, which was particularly achieved by H.E. President Saleh’s visit to Japan in March. During his visit, both sides discussed a lot of important issues not only of the bilateral relationship, but also in the regional, international and global arenas: The Middle East peace process, the Iraqi issues and the conflict between Ethiopia and Eritria were addressed. Both sides shared common views with regard to key global issues, such as nuclear non-proliferation, ban on anti-personnel land mines, the promotion of democracy, the protection of the environment, and respect of human rights. I would also like to stress that both sides desired strengthening consultation and cooperation for the purpose of the UN reform. In this connection, H.E. President Saleh expressed his country’s support for Japan to obtain a permanent membership in the Security Council.
Q: How much is the Japanese annual assistance to Yemen and in what fields?
A: There is no fixed annual allocation of amounts for our assistance. At the end of 1998, Japan’s so called ODA (i.e. official development assistance) to Yemen totaled US$ 558.68 million on a disbursement basis. This amount is classified into US$ 223.54 million in grants and US$ 224.14 million in soft loans. Japan has been involved mainly in fields of BHNs (i.e. basic human needs,) such as health, education and water. Since there are various ODA programs we are implementing for Yemen, I am afraid that I cannot go into those full details here. Just taking several examples, Japan has been helping Yemen with the improvement of rural water supply since 1981, and until now has completed 71 sites in various governorates. At the moment, 2 projects are being implemented in the Hadhramaut. Our support for the National Tuberculosis Control Program, started in 1983, proved to be successful, enjoying good cooperation with Yemeni counterparts and adopting a new WHO strategy called the DOTS (i.e. direct observation treatment; short course). Japan has supported the 3 consecutive campaigns of the National Immunization Days for Polio eradication since 1997 by supplying oral polio vaccines and other requirements. Among other ODA schemes are the Non-Project Grant Aid for Structural Adjustment Support, the Grant Aid for Debt Relief and the Aid for Increased Food Production (KR2.) All of these are financial support, while the last scheme is especially conditioned for the purchase of agricultural-related items.
Q: To what extent has Japan’s support to grassroots projects in Yemen been successful?
A: First of all, I must tell you how much I have been impressed with the local population who are highly motivated and determinedly dedicated to make contributions to their own communities. Within the framework of the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Project, one of ODA schemes targeting community-based activities, we usually fund small scale projects costing a few million Yemeni Rials. Despite relatively small amounts involved, however, these projects are always cost-effective because of the strenuous efforts made by motivated local people. I believe our support in this respect is very successful.
Q: How do you see the future of Yemen’s democratization process, especially following the presidential elections?
A: I think democracy is an incessant process rather than a complete system. The only way of strengthening democracy is that people struggle all the time for achieving more transparency and popular representation. Nevertheless, democracy can never be built overnight. From this perspective, I highly appreciate what Yemen has already started by holding the parliamentary elections in April 1997 and, more recently, the presidential elections in September this year, and hope that Yemen’s nascent democracy will be strengthened further by local elections scheduled for the years to come. In this respect I would like to point out that Japan financially supported the holding of the first Colloquium on the Development of Election Administration in Yemen, organized this March by the International Foundation for Election Systems, an American NGO, and the Supreme Election Council, and also the Emerging Democracy Forum, organized this June by the National Democratic Institute, an American NGO, and the Government of Yemen. Japan also donated US$ 220,000 for the presidential elections, which was spent for the purchase of approximately 8,600 voting cabins.
Q: How, in your opinion, do you evaluate the present Japanese-Yemeni trade relations, and what are their future prospects?
A: Trade relations are the area we expect to develop in the future although this aspect of bilateral relationship is, so far, not very active. Attempts are being made to encourage trade relations by the Japanese side. Recently, the representative of the Japan External Trade Organization, a body under the supervision of the Ministry of Industry and International Trade, in Cairo visited Sana’a and Aden Freezone and met Yemeni officials for the promotion of future trade relations.
Q: What about Japanese future packages of assistance to Yemen?
A: There is no fixed package of assistance. However, as both sides agreed during H.E. President Saleh’s visit to Japan, a policy consultation meeting was held in Sana’a in July this year with the Japanese side headed by the Deputy Director General of the Economic Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The meeting ended up with the outcome that the health and medical, primary education and rural water supply sectors should be recognized priorities.
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