Want to win April 27 vote Opposition parties show united front [Archives:2003/06/Front Page]

In a joint meeting last week, Yemen’s six opposition parties have signed an agreement to coordinate their efforts during the next parliamentary elections April, 27.
The agreement emphasizes that these parties will work together to get their candidates to win the election.
The agreement stressed that these parties ensure the seats they have now, and work to increase the number by taking into account the situation of the YSP, which boycotted the 1997 election.
It also dictates that these parties must not complete each other if the winner will be another party other than the six, and that they should coordinate with other parties, which would affect the aforementioned parties.
According to the agreement, these parties should work together to get their leading members to win the election, provided that he should have a chance to win. Competition between these parties in other constituencies should be done in a more democratic way that ensures fair play.
The agreement also point out that it is important that it is implemented, figuring out the constituencies in which coordination will be carried out.
The agreement was signed after a ceremony held to commemorate Jarallah Omar, YSP assistant secretary-general, who was assassinated Dec. 28 by an Islamic fanatic.
This agreement is the first practical step the opposition parties have taken with regards to the election. The parties said this agreement aims to enhance and enrich the democratization drive in the country, ensuring fair play in the upcoming elections.
It also aims to activate the parliamentary life through a good presence for the opposition in parliament, which should play an important role that strengthens the political and democratic system.
During the memorial ceremony, the YSP secretary general Ali Saleh Ubad said the condemnation of Omar’s assassination was a strong message to terrorists.
He emphasized that there is a link between those who have such infidelity and those who get interest in oppression. He said that those who consider the assassination of Omar is a personal act are attempting to cover up the nature of this matching.
Ubad pointed out that as religious fanaticism is a cornerstone for terrorist acts, lusts for tyranny are the real user and investor of terrorism.
He emphasized the importance of democracy in fighting against terrorism, pointing up out that any undermining of democracy will serve terrorism.
Mohammed al-Yadumi, Islah secretary-general, said in the ceremony that those who refuse dialogue prefer violence and will put Yemen into the unknown. He stressed the need for the joint opposition parties, which he said are able to work to dry up all springs of oppression.

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