The Wild Desert’s Apologies to Gunnar and Norway [Archives:2000/28/Focus]

Izzeddin Al-Asbahi, Taiz
Time: June 9, 2000
Place: Sana’a
It was an afternoon of a gloomy day. The sun was blazing and the city dust was, as usual, restlessly filling the places. He was there alone, Gunnar, the sun’s lover. He was happy, unaware of what was in store for him.
He was 9 and had come a long from Norway accompanying his parents to visit Yemen, which legends tell a lot about. He was looking forward to the moment he would come back home with gifts to present and stories to tell. But alas! his dream was destroyed by a catastrophe that shocked the entire world.
He left his mother at the hotel and went with his father intending to come back soon. However, he did not come back soon. It was early in the next day when he came back along with the body of his murdered father. Awe was written on his face. You can just imagine what happened to realize how horrific it was. They were kidnapped in the middle of the city by an armed gang to a merciless desert. In an exchange of fire between the gang and the policemen, the father died. There stayed the young Gunnar, alone with his murdered father in a deserted place.
The murder of Stuve, 44, is a tremendous shock that would last forever in our memories. We feel ashamed of ourselves for being in a country that kills its guests, horrifies children and destroys everything beautiful.
I feel sad and enraged whenever I imagine Gunnar’s face. It seems impossible to calm down until I am unable to avenge the death of his father.
Can I apologize to young Gunnar and his mother for what happened as I, unfortunately, belong to the country that killed his father, his dreams and innocence too?
I, on behalf of many others, feel ashamed to see such an event happening in the 21st century when the whole world is calling for respecting human rights and peace.
Apologizes are not enough. We must work hard to avenge the wronged. Sadness is also not enough. There must be a serious stand against all murderers and corrupt brigade in this country. We must punish all those who have not moved a finger against them and those who killed us before they killed Stuve and his childhood.
One wonders what the mother had done to receive her little son smeared with her dear husband’s blood. What kind of visitation can regain a moment of those destroyed by demonic murderers?
Gunnar! I apologize to and feel sorry for you. I feel ashamed of myself for being one of the people of this country who are watching the killing of the innocent and witnessing the disrespect for peace and security by irresponsible individuals, without their being held responsible for their actions by the state.
I wish you a safe and secure life. I wish that the incident you have experienced would motivate you to work for peace and human rights in the world in order not to see death, fear, etc. once again.
I apologies once again to you, wonderful child. I realize your condition, but let me stress it once more we have to work for the truth to let security and peace prevail.

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