Yemen & the World Seminar [Archives:2000/21/Law & Diplomacy]

Under the motto, ” Yemen and the World 1990-2000″, the French Center for Yemeni Studies and the Future Studies Center organized a seminar at Dar Al-Hamad Hotel, on 16-17 of May. At the beginning of the seminar, Dr. Faris Al-Saqqaf delivered a speech in which he discussed the importance of this seminar. The seminar dealt with the events of the last twenty years. It discussed the political, economic and social changes during these years. In addition, it discussed the prospective changes and the future of Yemen.
In 1990 the historic Yemeni Unification was announced. It was the turning point in the progress and history of Yemen. The next event was the Gulf War. It affected the whole world, especially the Arab World and the Peninsula. In 1994 the Yemeni war broke out. Next year a disastrous dispute occurred between Yemen and Eritrea. Yemen was affected by the crises of the African Horn. In 1995 Yemen started the economic reforms. During the ten years Yemen has witnessed political and social changes marked by the democratic multiplicity. Yemen forged strong relationships with America and the European Union.
H.E Ambassador of France in Yemen highlighted the policy of France towards Yemen. He pointed out that France played an important role in the arbitration between Yemen and Eritrea. He said that France supports the Yemeni Unification and hopes to develop the phases of cooperation with this country in all fields.
At the cultural level, France supports many cultural activities in Yemen. For example, French Department at the Faculty of Arts and French Cultural Center in Sana’a have come into being due to the French contribution. There is another cultural center which will be inaugurated in Aden. Further, many scholarships are awarded to Yemeni students to purpose higher studies in various fields in France.
Mr. Abdullah Assaidi, Deputy Minister discussed the Yemeni tourism abroad. He said that Yemen always seeks to solve its problems peacefully. For example, Yemen settled its boundaries dispute with Oman. Then Yemen sought to the help of United Nations to solve the dispute with Eritrea. So, Yemen and Saudi will put an end to the problem of boundaries through peaceful means. Yemen tried to put an end to the dispute between Eritrea and Ethiopia, but unfortunately that was very difficult to be solved. Yemen seeks and works for stability in the area. Correspondingly, the international policy must support development in Yemen.
A number of papers were presented at this seminar. Dr. Mohammed Abdulmalik Al-Mutwakel presented a paper about Yemen and Gulf War. The paper focused on the factors that helped creating relations between Yemen and Kuwait and the position of people and politicians in this relation.
Dr. Yasein Al-Shaibani presented a paper about Yemen and the Iraqi conquest of Kuwait. The paper discussed the position of Yemen in the Gulf War. Then Dr. Ahmed Addoghaish presented a paper in which he discussed the position of government and parties in this war. Mr. Nasser Othman presented a paper about the Yemeni-Omani relationships. A paper was presented about the Yemeni-Saudi relations before and after the unification. It also discussed the impact of the Gulf War on the mutual relations and the problem of boundaries. This paper was presented by Dr. Khadija Al-Haisami. Mr. Abdulwahab Al-Moayad presented a paper about Yemen’s relations with Iran and Iraq. Dr. Mahmoud Jamal, Vice-Dean of Faculty of Information presented a paper about the Yemeni-Egyptian relationship. It gave a historical background about the stages of development and the future of the relations.
A paper was presented which discussed the Yemeni-French relations and the phases of cooperation during the 1990s. It highlighted the role of France in the arbitration between Yemen and Eritrea. Another paper was presented about Peace Process and migration of Yemeni Jewish people. It was presented by Mohammed Yahya Al-Sabri. It dealt with the interior and external factors that affect the policy of Yemen towards the Peace Process. The paper focussed on the foreign support to the Yemeni Unity and the policy of normalization with Israel. Dr. Ahmed Al-Bushari, Minister of Emigrants presented a paper discussing the international changes. It dealt with the concept of terrorism and Islamic movements in Yemen. Dr. Abdulnasser Al-Wade’a presented a paper about the position of Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries, Egypt, European Union, America and other countries in the Yemeni War in 1994. Mr. Mohammed Ali Al-Saqqaf presented a paper about the relation between Yemen and the European Union and highlighted the British and Yemeni relations. A paper was presented by Dr. Mohammed Abdulmajeed Al-Qubati which discussed the kidnapping of British tourists and its impact on the relations between the two countries. Mr. Hamoud Monassar, presented a paper about the relation between Yemen and the United States and Russia. Finally, a paper was presented by Dr. Mohammed Al-Maitami about the economic reforms and Yemen’s relation with the aid givers.
By Hassan Al-Zaidi

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