Yemen Times interviews the leader of the Democracy and Justice Party [Archives:2005/875/Reportage]

Mohamed Zain Alsaqaf is the former head of the coordination council of the Yemeni opposition parties and leader of the Rabita Party in Aden.

Mr. Alsaqaf is now head of the newly formed Democracy and Justice Party. According o their manifesto, the party is aiming at building a modern civil state based on the rule of law and greater justice. This is a transcript of a recent interview between Mr. Alsaqaf and the Yemen Times.

Q: What is your evaluation for the importance of the formation of this new Party?

A: We are grateful for the Yemen Times to give a chance to speak to their readers.

It is obvious that the constitution secures free political practice for all, so as a patriotic, civil public party that is undertaking peaceful opposition and derives their principals from public aspiration, we will struggle for modernizing our community and to maintain stability, security and social justice. We will also strive for preserving unity, and secure bases for economic and political reforms, that could guarantee free and honorable living for our people. We will also see to it that these acts contribute to our development in order to cope with the developed world besides deterring violence, extremism and terrorism.

All these factors drove us to form our new party.

Q: At the outset of democracy in 1999, there emerged 22 political parties in addition to the civil society organizations and associations, what new ideas have your party to add to these?

A: Each political party has its own political opinions and approach, but some of the political parties were established prior to unity while others came with unity. Our Democracy and Justice party is declared after unity. This implies that it has nothing to do with the confrontations that were before unity. Our programs and principals confirm the unity option and understand the internal and external changes, and the international liberalization that necessitates earnest endeavor to set right all the disorders in within our country.

Our party will resume its activity bearing in mind local and international circumstance to achieve its goals, in light of everything said.

Q: Is dissatisfaction of these forces past performance among your motives to form your party?

A: We don't mean to asses the political forces, but there is a recession in the political activities, besides the social tension resulting from the country's conditions, we fear of further deterioration if transparency is not adopted to revive hope.

Our party will do its best to find a practical way out of this plight.

Q: Who do you expect to be your key constituency and where does your support come from?

A: We expect that our membership will constitute all those who believe in justice and democracy, and our party's name reflects our principals. As for the support, we expect it to come from all those good people who believe in this country's development.

Q: Were you met with welcome or criticism from the other parties?

A: We are an existing party in the political arena and it is obvious that we should face some troubles, but our unity will enable us to manage our affairs.

Q: Another party which is called “Hizb Alghad” is also formed and its leader is intending to run the next presidential elections, what is your comment on that?

A: It is a constitutional right warranted to all citizens.

Q: Have you got the same intention to nominate yourself for the next presidential elections?

A: This is not the appropriate time to tell.

Q: What are your party's best methods to apply these principals?

A: This answer came within the answer to your first question.

Q: Do you expect your party declaration to be smooth or would you be faced with objections from the Committee of Party and political organizations affairs?

A: The constitution Guarantees political activity, that is why I expect no complications from this committee.

Q: Have you got anything to add?

A: We are dreaming of a country in which justice and liberty dominate, and hope for prosperity that would place this people in the level of the Gulf people with Oman as an example. Finally I express my heartfelt gratitude to Yemen Times. Until next time.
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