Thursday - Jan 09, 2014 Vol. XVII - Issue 04

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THURSDAY JANUARY 09, 2014 VOL. XVII ISSUE 04

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NDC Passes Southern Solution Amran Front Leaves Tens Dead

Representatives of the General People’s Congress (GPC), the Democratic National Allied forces, al-Rashad Party and the remaining components of women and the civil society organizations, signed the document of solving the southern issue, meaning that all the participating components at the national dialogue Conference (NDC) have signed the documents.

BY MOHAMMED KALFOOD

At least 20 armed tribesmen of the powerful Hashid tribe were killed and several others wounded in clashes with Houthi militants, a local security source told the Yemen Observer.

The frontline chief, Hashim al-Ahmar, escaped an attack but his guard and four of his relatives were among the 20 dead, said the source, indicat-

Electricity Sabotage Losses Number YR 52 Billion

BY AZZAM ABDUL-AZIZ

Following the signature, the President appreciated the efforts of all in reaching consensus on this document, stressing that the signature is not for the benefit of an individual, a component or a certain party, but it is a victory to all Yemeni people for a CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

NDC COMPONENTS SIGNING THE FINAL DOCUMENT TO SOLVE THE SOUTHERN ISSUE IN PRESENCE OF PRESIDENT HADI IN SANA’A, JAN 8.

Oil Ministry Staffers Threaten Strike

Electricity Corporation General Director Ibrahim al-Sharif said that corporation losses due to the attacks during 2011-2013 number YR 52 billion, adding that the daily losses due to these attacks amount to an average of YR 277 million.

BY ISCANDER AL-MAMARI

26Sep net quoted al-Sharif as saying that the corporation paid YR 45 million for buying spare parts for repairing the transfer lines which were exposed to damage, explaining that the number of attacks in 2011-2013 amounted to 200 subversive attacks, leading to serious losses.

He also noted that the spare parts that were in the Marib turbine station’s stores were enough for the ten next years, but they were exhausted by these attacks.

The Situation of Yemen’s Power Grids

units carried out last Wednesday a protest against the cutting of monthly

The majority of Yemen’s population does not have access to electricity, although the country plans to build several new generating facilities over

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

STAFFERS OF OIL MINISTRY PROTESTING IN FRONT OF THE GOVERNMENT HEADQUARTERS IN SANA’A, JAN 8.

BY FAISAL DAREM

Employees of the Ministry of Oil and Minerals and its subordinate

ing that Mabkhout Yahiya al-Ahmar, the chief’s cousin, is currently in the intensive care unit at a hospital downtown the capital Sana’a.

Moreover, the Chief of Guards of the Presidential Security Advisor Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar was seriously injured in the fighting and was also taken to a hospital downtown the capital, the source added.

While death toll from the Houthi armed men could not be confirmed, local media sources, however, reported that it was “far less than the Hashid tribe’s”.

The sporadic fighting in Amran province was taking place since last Saturday, but it was triggered early

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

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trustworthy and unbiased information on

Yemeni Affairs and constantly

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MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED ALI KALFOOD

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EDITING SECRETARY ISCANDER S. AL-MAMARI NUHA MOHAMMED

Gharama: HIV Stigma Must End

BY ISCANDER AL-MAMARI

UN Communication Office in the capital Sana’a organized a conference of the Yemeni Journalist Syndicate (YJS) H.Q. Wednesday in which the UNAIDS Coordinator in Yemen Dr. Fawzia Gharama reviewed the efforts exerted by the UNAIDS at global, regional and national levels.

Gharama stated that this meeting came under the concern exhibited by the UN in presenting issues of interest to the community “such issues need to be discussed with different media outlets to enhance societal awareness on them.”

She further noted that HIV does not only represent a medical problem but also a development problem from which communities suffer especially in developing countries. “HIV entails combined efforts of everyone topped by the role of media to promote community awareness on risks of the disease and to remove social stigma on HIV patients in addition to assure their access to all rights guaranteed by the law.”

Gharama noted that Yemen has a national strategy for the fight against AIDS and it has been updated in 2006, as it also issued a law in 2009 to protect the society from AIDS and those infected with the virus.

At least 3952 AIDS cases have been detected over past years but not officially recorded, according to Dr. Abdul Hamid Naji al-Suhaibi, Director of the National Program for Combating AIDS. Gharama confirmed that the recorded HIV cases at the National Program for Combating AIDS, according to official statistics, reached 3,000.

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Murtadha Jadban Replaces Father in NDC Murtadha Jadban, son of former member of the National Dialogue Conference (NDC) Abdul-Karim Jadban who was assassinated in November of last year, attended the sessions of the NDC. According to Governmental news agency Saba, Jadban’s son called the NDC members to make concessions for ensuring the implementation of NDC outcome on the ground, appreciating the attitude of the NDC members regarding the assassination of his father and stressing that all people are setting their

Authorities Seize 13 Laser Scopes in Hodeida Security authorities in Hodeida Port along with the Customs Authority seized 13 laser scopes inside a private trading container.

The security stated that the laser scopes were captured when searching the container in the last few days, noting that they are preserved for legal purposes.

Meanwhile police in Jibla district of Ibb province seized 24 cartons of smuggled cigarettes on-board a truck while the driver was trying to sell them out to shops in the area.

aspirations on NDC. The third NDC general session chaired by its Deputy President Yasin Makawi, continued hearing the comments of the transitional justice team leader, Dr. Abdul-Bari Doghaish about the comments made by the components on the team’s report.

Doghaish emphasized that the comments will be taken into account, pointing out to the great efforts of the team in preparing the report due to the difficulty and sensitivity of the issues it addressed.

181 Investment Firms Allegedly Leave Yemen

Deputy Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the capital Sana’a Mohamed Salah said that about 181 investment companies stopped their investments in the Yemeni market recently and left to invest abroad because of worsening difficulties faced in the investment environment at the moment.

Emirates News Agency (WAM) quoted Salah as saying that the total value of capital and property of those investment companies adds up to about USD $7 billion and 90 percent of which is owned by Yemeni investors.

He noted the fragile security situation in the country in addition to instability and weakness of the judicial system, which is responsible for achieving justice.

He called on the government to carry out its duties and work hard to create an attractive environment for investors, especially since looting and extortion are affecting businessmen and their interests constantly.

He pointed out that the Yemeni investors turned towards countries with stable and encouraging laws to

investors and investments.

The General Investment Authority vehemently denied what has been quoted from the Chamber of Commerce in the capital Sana’a about the departure of 181 investment companies recently.

Acting Chief of the authority Mohammed Ahmed Hussein told the state-run news agency Saba that this is utterly untrue, wondering that why media outlets promote such false allegations without making sure from the source “the General Investment Authority”.

Another Colonel Gunned Down In Aden

BY MOHAMMED KALFOOD

A senior security officer was shot dead, while two others were wounded in two separate attacks in the southern port city of Aden on Tuesday, a local security source told the Yemen Observer.

Colonel Mubarak al-Ashram was

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LOCAL NEWS

Thursday - Jan 09, 2014 Vol. XVII - Issue 04

killed while another officer in company was injured when unidentified gunmen intercepted a police car in a neighborhood downtown of Aden, and opened fire on them.

Earlier on the same day, an intelligence colonel was seriously wounded in a bomb attack on his car Tuesday downtown of Aden city

as well.

The local security source said, “Colonel Saleh al-Qadhi was wounded after a bomb planted in his car was exploded in Crater area early morning,” adding that the Colonel was immediately transferred to a downtown hospital.

Last Thursday, an intelligence colonel was killed in an attack by unknown assailants in Aden, while police authorities pinned it on al-Qaeda.

Al-Qaeda fighters in several southern areas have repeatedly targeted senior security and army officers during the past two years.

CONTINUATION FROM FRONT PAGE NDC Passes Southern Solution

breakthrough in the current crisis and for entering into a development and prosperity atmospheres, noting that the agreement and unanimity of all for the sake of the homeland to avoid evil repercussions would ensure the translation of the national goals for building a new Yemen for maintaining its security, stability and unity.

Representatives of the components emphasized their previous fears which were removed by the statement issued by the NDC presidency after their meeting with the President, the leader of NDC, as well as the announcement of the agreement of all NDC components over the report of its presidency on the points whose contents ensured the achievement of the aspirations of all, noting that their signature marks a new stage which will pave the way for ending the NDC with the desired outcome which meet the homeland hopes.

Meanwhile, the NDC presidency announced in its Wednesday session its full support to the statement issued by their presidency after their meeting with the President of the Republic, reiterating that the NDC documents and outcome will not establish any separatist or sectarian structures which threaten Yemen’s security and stability.

“Many of the issues aroused over the southern issue document are not founded,” the NDC presidency said in a statement, considering the political and media campaign against the document to be, not only targeting the NDC outcome, but they also target the new Yemen where the document draws its features in this important historical stage.

The NDC presidency explained the following regarding this issue: 1- The NDC outcome and documents, which will verify the features of the next constitution, wouldn’t contradict the GCC initiative, its operational mechanisms and its general principles nor the UN Security Council resolutions, 2014 and 2051.

2- The NDC outcome and all its documents will not create any separatist, or sectarian entities which threaten Yemen’s security and stability, and will include fair and comprehensive solutions to the southern question in a unified state, built on a federal and democratic state of justice and equal citizenship basis.

3- All NDC outcome and documents aim to address the grievances of political conflicts’ victims within the state’s potentials, in accordance with the transitional justice and within

the national reconciliation framework.

4- The need for the inclusion of decisive provisions, which safeguard Yemen unity, identity, as well its people and prevent any claims which violate this.

The NDC members approved in their third general session, held Wednesday, the consideration of the four provisions issued by the NDC presidency as being part of the NDC outcome.

In a related issue GPC leader, member of the NDC southern issue team, Yasser al-Awadhi said he didn’t sign the issue concerning the document of solutions and guarantees of the southern issue, or the so called “Benomer document.”

Yasser pointed out that the ones who signed the Wednesday document were the GPC assistant to the General Secretary Ahmed Obeid Bin Daghar and Nabil Basha, where he refused signing the document.

The NDC member and Assistant to the GPC General Secretary, Ahmed Obeid Bin Daghar and the parliamentarian and NDC member Nabil Basha, signed Wednesday the amended document after the voting of all NDC members for the document provided by the GPC to President Hadi, who approved it.

Amran Front Leaves Tens Dead

Monday and continued for three following days when Houthi fighters attempted to take over Khaywan and Usaimat areas, the Hashid tribe’s strongholds in the province, the source said.

Such sectarian clashes have been taking place on three fronts, Sa’adah, Amran, and alJawf provinces, despite the three presidential committees that were formed on Tuesday last week to end the conflicts.

Late on Tuesday, however, the state-run news agency Saba reported that the presidential mediation committee managed to end the fighting in Amran and deploy inspection teams in the areas where fighting broke out for three days.

Electricity Sabotage Losses Number YR 52 Billion

the coming years. Yemen’s electricity infrastructure is outdated and insufficient to meet

the country’s needs.

Petroleum, including distillate and residual fuel oil, is the fuel for much of Yemen’s electricity generation, although natural gas is capturing a growing market share following the development of the country’s natural gas resources.

Yemen’s generating capacity as of 2010 was just 1.3 million kilowatts (gigawatts), which was the lowest capacity in the Middle East, excluding the Palestinian Territories. Likewise, in 2011 Yemen’s total net generation (7.3 billion kilowatthours) and consumption (5.8 billion kilowatthours) are the lowest in the Middle East, except for the Palestinian Territories, despite having the fourth-largest population in the region. Many of Yemen’s electric plants are now able to use natural gas as fuel, which has helped the country move away from burning petroleum to generate electricity. IHS estimates Yemen’s generating capacity sits at nearly 1.9 gigawatts in 2013, roughly 40 percent of which comes from natural gas-fired facilities.

Over the past several years, Yemen worked to integrate its electric grid with neighboring Saudi Arabia’s. In 2007, the two countries established a grid interconnection, and there is a $400 million interconnection expansion program that should allow for transfers of between 500 and 1,000 megawatts between the two countries.

In August of 2013, Yemen began construction on a new 400 megawatt gas-fired generating facility, and the facility should be operational some time in 2014. Additionally, in September 2012, Yemen reached an agreement with the China National Corporation of Overseas Economic Cooperation on the construction of three natural gas-fueled generation facilities.

Each will have more than 400 megawatts of generating capacity. Further, Turkey agreed to help Yemen construct a 163 megawatt electric plant capable of burning either petroleum or natural gas in late 2012, although details on this project are unavailable as of September 2013.

Yemen’s government also aims to develop a renewable energy sector. Yemen began pilot projects for solar and geothermal generation projects in 2003 and 2006, respectively. Progress has been slow, however, due to a lack of financial backing and the security

Oil Ministry Staffers Threaten Strike

incentive allocations and other fiscal allocations by the Ministry of Finance.

The protests threatened to carry out a comprehensive strike in the case of non-fulfillment on behalf of the Ministry of Finance with the Prime Minister’s instruction, which adopts a monthly incentive for the oil ministry staff of 100 percent.

The statement released by the protesters appealed to the President of the Republic and the government to press the Ministry of Oil and its units to fulfill its national responsibilities especially as oil revenues form approximately 70 percent of state revenues.

The statement issued by the protesters confirmed the cutting of financial allocations regarding to monthly incentive allocations for employees and employees who work in the oil and geological fields as well as Ministry of Oil will not be able to pay the salaries of contractors and provision the health care for employees, which will effect negatively on the national responsibilities of the oil ministry and its subordinate units.

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LOCAL NEWS

Thursday - Jan 09, 2014 Vol. XVII - Issue 04

The Need To Train Journalists Discussed

Studies &Economic Media Center(SEMC) and freedom foundation for rights and development organize in Sanaa a seminar on “ Training needs for graduated journalists”.

In the opening ceremony, the vice-dean of faculty of mass communication Mr.Ali Al-Borihi praise the efforts of the center and the foundation in develop the capacity of Yemeni journalists in partnership with the faculty mass communication .Mr. Al-Borihi stated the difficulties that young journalists faced after graduation and the importance of preparing them in the good way to fit the requirements of various media means.

Mr. Al-Borihi confirmed on the importance journalists’ commitment to professionalism and impartiality and the media message must be meaningful. Also, he pointed out to the partnership between SEMC, freedom foundation and the faculty of mass communication and the way to

develop this partnership in order to serve the media and journalists.

Form his side, the chairman of freedom foundation, Mr.Khaleed Al-Hamadi pointed out to the important role of the civil society organizations .which work media field in development the capacity of journalists.

Mr. Al-Hamadi clarified the role of freedom foundation during the last year in advance qualification for journalists focusing on television media and journalism. He also, pointed out to future programs of the foundation in this side.

The chairman of studies & economic media center (SEMC), Mr.Mustafa Nasr, reviewed the importance of study the training needs for young journalists which consider the first step in design future training programs .Mr.Mustafa explained that this seminar came after discussion between the organizations concerned in media filed , Yemeni

Yemen Bombs Yet Another Wedding In America

journalists Syndicate, faculty of mass communication and International Media support program (IMS).

Mr.Nasr pointed out to the role of SEMC in developing the capacity of Yemeni journalists ,especially in investigation journalism, new media and specialized media.

Mr.Nasr presented a presentation on “ the importance of training needs of all kinds , introductory to file the forms of training needs and the journalists answered it. The organizations will analyze this papers forms and design its training programs in this side. during the training the participants discuss weakness sides of graduated journalists in Yemen and the require skills to overcome these during the next phase.

More than 30 graduated journalists from faculty of mass communication from different specializations, journalism television, and public relations.

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H E A LT H

Thursday - Jan 09, 2014 Vol. XVII - Issue 04

5

Raw foods, Living Foods and the How to Sprout HASNA’ ABDULMAJID

This is the problem that plagues all groups in many countries. Not necessarily the eating of carbohydrates, but the eating of processed refined carbohydrates and processed foods exclusive of a sufficient amount of living foods. The problem is that medicine is not as integrative as it used to be and often seeks to put a Band-Aid on illness by taking various pills to suppress certain symptoms, whether they are in the heart or the skin , instead of looking to the root cause of where this illness is coming from.

Regardless of the ailment, living, raw foods are the key to vitality and healing. While raw foods are both nutrient dense living foods contain more potency.

The website that has gained recognition from well- known figures such as Oprah,CrazySexyWellness.com posts: “ Living foods and raw foods both contain numerous enzymes; but in living foods, the enzyme content is much higher. For example, raw, unsprouted seeds and nuts contain enzymes in their “dormant” state.

To activate the enzymes in seeds and nuts, they must be soaked in water for a period of time. Once the seeds and nuts begin to sprout, the enzymes become “active” and are then considered a “living food.”

Both raw and living foods are not heated . Any food heated over 115 degrees F destroys the enzymes in the food. Actually the degradation of enzymes begins at about 105 degrees F. All foods that are cooked are devoid of enzymes, and the molecular structure of the components of the food changes as well. So to sustain life and get the life-force energy of foods filled with high enzymatic and nutrients activities, one must eat raw foods in combination with living foods.”

Most of the readers are already familiar with the importance of eating raw foods. The benefits include : • Less risk of illness and heart disease • Higher alkalinity of the body which also Ann from Makingrawfooddelicious.com lists many of the benefit of raw foods that have been discussed in multiple articles in the past year. Its included here due to how concise it is. She mentions that you do not have to be 100 percent raw to benefit from the qualities that are in raw foods and goes onto say that they are : Energizing: Raw foods are easier to digest because they contain enzymes that help break down food.

Hydrating: Due to the water content in fruit and vegetables, consuming more of them automatically increases your hydration which can help with dry skin, hunger and a myriad of cellular functions.

Improved immune function: Fruit and vegetables eaten in their natural state (i.e., raw) are loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Cooked foods actually suppress the immune system. When we cook food, vital enzymes and chlorophyll are destroyed, the protein structure becomes disorganized causing some of the essential amino acids to be lost, most of the vitamin content is destroyed, oxygen is lost and free radicals are produced. Raw foods contain live enzymes that encourage an efficient digestive tract. Eating raw foods stimulates our own gastric enzyme secretion which also contributes to improved digestion.

Fiber: This kind of piggy backs onto the previous benefit, but fibre

Over and over the theme remains the same. To improve one’s health through diet, there must be a focus on eating fresh living food. Our bodies are literally made up of what we eat. Our cells are formed , healed, sustained and regenerated from what we take into our bodies. There is no mystery as to why chronic illnesses are growing in the world when one takes a closer look and pays attention to the diet of those who are ill. Fried food, fast food, refined grains, pale overcooked vegetables packaged foods filled with genetically modified substances and processed sugars or sweeteners are all contributing to a global health epidemic. Obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis are growing not only in western “ first world” countries but also in the developing world. In countries such as Yemen, there are no present statistics to support this, yet it seems that chronic illness is inversely proportionate to socio awho have the money to purchase packaged processed foods, soda, fast food and junk in general. That is not to say that the poor are better off as they have their own difficulties in the arena of health which is more or less connected to being undernourished and not eating enough raw and living foods.

is necessary for helping to “sweep” the digestive tract of waste material.

Regular and appropriate elimination (shape, size, volume and texture of stool) is imperative for good overall health and for preventing things like toxin build up, yeast infections, skin conditions, IBS and colon cancers.

Phytonutrients: Phytonutrients are

plant based chemical compounds, (lycopene for example, found in red fruits and vegetables) that act like antioxidants, immune boosters and hormone stabilizes. Some of their benefits include helping the liver detoxify, preventing heart disease and cancer, and protecting the eyes.

Reduced inflammatory response:

Acid forming foods, most notably sugars, processed foods, animal products and fried foods causes inflammation. These acid forming foods are found in increasingly large numbers in what is termed the Standard American Diet (interesting that the acronym is SAD). Chronic inflammation can lead to a host of physical

ailments including joint pain, skin disorders, premature aging, diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.

Raw, non-irradiated foods and spices reduce inflammation.

Increased energy and mental clarity: As you increase your consumption of raw foods, some cooked or processed foods will naturally fall away. As this happens you will notice you don’t get that mid -afternoon slump, your ability to focus and think clearly for longer periods of time increases and you’ll find you sleep more soundly and need less of it.

Environmentally friendly: Because raw foods are not packaged, there is little to no waste, and most of what waste there is, can be composted, fed to your dog (make sure its safe first) or added to green smoothies (like kale stems or celery leaves). In addition, if one chooses to purchase locally grown produce, local farmers are supported and that contributes to fewer trucks being on the road. Produce bought at farmers markets has significantly more nutrition because the field-to-shelf (or field to market stand, in this case) time is so short – often the same day or within 24 hours. And that means the taste and flavour is also so much better.

Eating Enzymes All living food is raw. But not all raw food is living. It was already mentioned the difference but how much of a difference is there? How can you incorporate this into your own lifestyle? One of the best ways that anyone can do is through sprouting and soaking raw nuts and seeds.

For example, you may have a bag of almonds. Instead of just eating them, soak them which will 1. In-

Raw foods are easier for digestion because they contain enzymes that help break down food.

crease their water content 2. Will activate a growing process in which the enzymes are awakened.

A person can also sprout any type of dried beans and lentils by placing them in a jar covered in water for 24 hours and then draining them and transferring them to a clear jar with a cheese cloth or cotton cover secured by a rubber band. The lentils will sprout within a day and should be rinsed daily for 4 or 5 days. No slime should be allowed to collect at the bottom of the jar. Once they have grown they can be given a final rinse before added to any dish .

If you’re not convinced as to why you should sprout here are a few facts in regards to sprouting and the nutritional superiority.

Naturallyinsideout posted : “Sprouts are an incredible living food that are rich in enzymes and antioxidants. The fermentation process unlocks large amounts of nutrients within the seeds.

• Sprouting peas can yield an 800% increase in Vitamin C • Sprouted alfalfa grains provide more chlorophyll than eating mature spinach, kale, cabbage or parsley • Sprouted wheat contains four times the amount of niacin and nearly twice the amount of B6 and folate as unsprouted wheat. It has less starches and has a lower glycemic index.

• Sprouted broccoli seeds can contain as much as 50 times the amount of phytonutrients as eating a fully grown broccoli spear •Sprouts of all kinds provide large amounts of absorbable protein as well as increased calcium, potassium, sodium, iron plus Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3 and C

8

REPORT

Thursday - Jan 09, 2014 Vol. XVII - Issue 04

U.S. Launches Probe Into Deadly ‘Wedding Party’ Drone Strike

AHMED MOHAMMAD AL TAISY WITH HIS BROTHER’S CHILDREN. RT & NBC NEWS

The Obama administration has begun an internal investigation into a drone strike in Yemen that supposedly targeted an Al-Qaeda militant, but which locals say killed 12 and injured 14 others in a wedding party.

US officials acknowledged a rare internal review of a drone missile strike was launched following the Dec. 12 incident that sparked outrage in Yemen and throughout the world. The investigation of a drone strike is the first since President Obama issued new guidelines for unmanned vehicle offensive in May. “Given that there are claims of civilian casualties, we are reviewing it,” one US official speaking on condition of anonymity told NBC News.

Asked about the Dec. 12 incident, White House National Security Staff spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said offered only general comments on US drone policy.

“Before we take any counterterrorism strike outside areas of active hostilities, there must be near-certainty that no civilians will be killed or injured – the high-

est standard we can set,” she said. “And when we believe that civilians may have been killed, we investigate thoroughly.”

US and Yemeni officials told NBC News that the drone strike in central Yemen came from the US Defense Department’s Joint Special Operations Command, and not the CIA, which runs its own drone operations in Yemen.

The targets of the strike, the officials say, were “dangerous Al-Qaeda militants.” Purportedly among the group was Shawqi Ali Ahmed Al-Badani, a “midlevel” operative suspected of organizing a terror plot that led to a shutdown of numerous US embassies around the globe in August.

Yemen security officials have stayed firm, insisting militants were killed and that Badani escaped after being wounded. Though another anonymous Yemeni official told NBC News the government, upon reports of civilian deaths in the strike, authorized a local governor of the province where the missile hit to offer fiscal compensation - equivalent to US$110,000 in cash, in addition to 101 Kalashnikov rifles - to tribal leaders in the area.

YEMENI SHEPHERD AHMED MOHAMMED AL SHAFE’EE, 70, TOLD A HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST THAT HIS 25-YEAR-OLD SON AREF, SHOWN IN PHOTO

“It is a total mess,” said the anonymous Yemen official.

“It is completely n o t clear

The US has conducted a confirmed 59 to 69 clandestine drone strikes in Yemen in the last several years, according to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism.

Of those definite attacks, between 287 and 423 tack o c who people have died. curred. w a s killed.

This is should be a wake-up call to everyone involved [in drone strikes] to find out what’s going on.”

NBC News obtained video and photos taken following the strike. The images show dead young men who villagers said were in the convoy heading to a wedding celebration when two Hellfire missiles were fired by a US drone.

The materials were shot by Nasser AlSane, a Yemeni journalist, and given to NBC by human rights group Reprieve.

A Yemeni official says the images were consistent with what its government knew of the strike.

A PICKUP HIT BY A MISSILE FIRED BY A U.S. DRONE ON DEC. 12..380

wedding into a funeral,” Al-Sane told NBC News. Al-Sane lives near Radda, where t h e at-

“You cannot imagine how angry people are [about the strike]. They turned a

White House and Pentagon officials were shown the video but declined to comment. It is unknown what the US intends to do with the investigation findings, much less whether the results will be made public.

Human rights activist Baraa Shiban interviewed local villagers days after the attack and said there was no sign of Badani in the area. In fact, he says Badani was a “stranger” to the area, and that it was unlikely he would have been invited to a wedding of two people from neighboring villages.

“There was clearly a wedding party,” said Shiban. He said it’s possible US officials “may have been fed the wrong intel. They saw a group of people waiting

PROTESTERS IN RADDA, YEMEN, HOLD UP A BANNER READING AMERICA SPILLS THE BLOOD.

in trucks for a convoy and they assumed they were militants, so the made the decision to strike.”

The 12 men who perished in the strike were shepherds and khat farmers, ages 20 to 65, Shiban said.

Though some of the men who were killed were carrying rifles, the local journalist Al-Sane said that’s common for a wedding party.

“In an Arab wedding, it is a tradition for people to carry arms,” he said.

“They shoot bullets in the air as a form of expression. That’s how they celebrate a wedding.”

Local villagers told Shiban, filing a report on the incident for Reprieve, that the attack took place on a procession of 11 cars and trucks carrying around 60 people going from the home of the bride to the nearby village of the groom.

As the convoy waited in a valley for more guests, the group heard the drone buzzing overhead, Shiban’s report attests.

“We heard a loud explosion coming from down in the valley,” said shepherd Ahmed Mohammed Al-Shafe’ee, who lost a son in the attack, according to Shiban’s report. “I arrived to the site and there were bodies scattered all over the place. The people told me that my son Aref had died.” Upon returning to the village, Al Shafe’ee was quoted as saying, “I saw the women of the village gathered crying and screaming.”

Villager Sheikh Salah Al-Taisy told Shiban there was no place to hide from the hovering drone.

“There was no way to run. It is a very remote area,” he said. “...We live in fear day and night. Our children and women cannot sleep.”

Shiban reported nine of the bodies were taken to Radda for a mass burial.

THE BODIES OF NINE MEN ALLEGEDLY KILLED IN A U.S. DRONE STRIKE ON DEC. 12 ARE LINED UP PRIOR TO BURIAL NEAR THE TOWN OF RADDA

A PIECE OF ONE OF THE U.S. HELLFIRE MISSILES THAT VILLAGERS SAY HIT THE CELEBRANTS..380

The photos and videos Shiban supplied to Reprieve show burned corpses lined up and surrounded by locals. Also shown is a damaged truck supposedly hit

in the strike; villagers protesting US aggression with a banner that says in Arabic “America Spills the Blood”; and locals holding fragments of a Hellfire missile emblazoned in English with the words “Warning -- two man lift.”

The Dec. 12 strike in Al-Baydah province occurred one week after Al-Qaeda militants attacked the Yemen Ministry of Defense and a military hospital, killing 52 people. The attack exacerbated anger directed at Al-Qaeda in the country.

Yet the drone strike elicited a strong reaction against the US, and the Yemeni Parliament passed a resolution days later calling for a halt to all drone strikes in the country.

Shortly after the alleged wedding strike, UN human rights experts called on the US and Yemen for transparency and accountability over the use of drones.

Special Rapporteurs, appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), asked the US and Yemen to reveal if they were responsible for the air strike.

If the strike was errant, UN experts demanded transparency over what targeting standards were used in the operation, what the death toll exactly was and whether families of the killed are going to receive compensation.

“If armed drones are to be used, states must adhere to international humanitarian law, and should disclose the legal basis for their operational responsibility and criteria for targeting,” said Christof Heyns, UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions. The US has conducted a confirmed 59 to 69 clandestine drone strikes in Yemen in the last several years, according to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. Of those definite attacks, between 287 and 423 people have died. Many more strikes and deaths, both of suspected militants and of civilians, are believed to have occurred but cannot be verified as such data is not provided by the US government.

Y E M E N I N I N T E R N AT I O N A L M E D I A

Thursday - Jan 09, 2014 Vol. XVII - Issue 04

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UN rights office condemns deadly shelling of Yemeni funeral procession UN NEWS CENTER

The United Nations human rights office today strongly condemned the killing of more than 20 people, and the wounding of dozens of children and other relatives, during a funeral procession in southern Yemen, and urged authorities to hold those responsible to account.

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said that the shelling on 27 December at Al-Dhalai Governorate killed 21 civilians and injured 30 others, prompting President Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi to set up an investigation committee.

The move has been welcomed by OHCHR, according to spokesperson Rupert Colville.

He told journalists in Geneva that UN human rights officials urged Yemeni authorities to ensure that the probe is “prompt, thorough and impartial”, and that its findings are made public.

Yemen has been undergoing a democratic transition, with a Government of National Unity, which came to power in an election in February 2012 following protests that led to the resignation of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

A day before the shelling, independent UN human rights experts voiced serious concern about recent lethal drone airstrikes, allegedly conducted by United States forces in Yemen.

According to local security officials, 16 civilians were killed and at least 10 injured when two separate wedding processions were hit on 12 December in Al-Baida Governorate. According to officials cited by OHCHR, the victims had been mistakenly identified as members of Al-Qaida.

Independent experts, or special rapporteurs, are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a country situation or a specific human rights theme. The positions are honorary and the experts are not UN staff, nor are they paid for their work.

Half of Yemenis live below poverty line ALMONITOR

Yemen’s economic and social conditions did not change a lot in 2013. Yemenis did not see the change they wanted, despite the passage of three years since the outbreak of popular protests that ousted former President Ali Abdullah Saleh and called for justice, development and fighting corruption.

Yemeni Minister of Oil and Minerals Ahmed Abdullah Daris said, “Preliminary studies show that between March 2011 and March 2013, [Yemen’s economy] saw a loss of about $4.75 billion as a result of oil pipeline bombings and acts of sabotage targeting some installations.” Meanwhile, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology said that the total losses incurred by the Public Telecommunications Company due to acts of sabotage on copper cables during the first half of 2013 amounted to at least 1.5 billion Yemeni riyals ($6.97 million).

Donor pledges Despite the creation of an executive bureau to facilitate the allocation of donor pledges and support the implementation of reform, Yemen’s ability to allocate foreign loans and grants remains very weak and the process is slow. Of the $7.8 billion that has been pledged by donors, $6.7 billion — or about 85.1% — has been transferred.

But only $3.9 billion (49.6%) has been allocated, and of this only $2.07 billion (26.2%) has been spent.

The Friends of Yemen group, at the ministerial meeting held in New York City Sept. 25, called on the Yemeni government to make greater efforts to recruit young people, to get rid of

so-called “phantom jobs” in the civil and security sectors and to reform energy subsidies. The group stressed the importance of further progress to encourage aid and foreign direct investment in Yemen to support the economy, create job opportunities and improve the lives of the Yemeni people.

The technical office at the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation confirmed that from 20102013, Yemen signed 107 agreements regarding grants totaling $2.3 billion, 10 agreements regarding loans totaling $433.1 million, five agreements for aid in kind valued at $228.02 million and 48 basic agreements related

Pakistan, Yemen review steps to boost economic ties DAILY TIMES, PAKISTAN

Pakistan and Yemen Joint Ministerial Commission in its 7th session on Tuesday reviewed steps to expand bilateral cooperation in sectors of economy, trade, investment, oil and gas. The session co-chaired by Minister for Industries and Production Ghulam Murtaza Khan Jatoi and Yemeni Minister for Industry and Trade Dr Saadaldeen Ali Salim Talib examined the implementation status of the decisions taken in the 6th session. After the plenary session, the commission delegates discussed in detail prospects of enhancing cooperation in areas of trade, investment, industries, oil and gas, vocational and technical training, health, agriculture, fisheries, infrastructure development and postal services.

Both sides reviewed steps for increasing commercial relations following Yemen’s accession to World Trade Organisation (WTO) as its 160th member.

On the pending issue of formation of Joint Business Council (JBC), the Yemeni side agreed to nominate ten businessmen. Pakistan has already given names of its nominees belonging to industry and trade.

It was agreed the two countries

A humanitarian crisis An estimated 58% of Yemen’s population — or 14.7 million people — was affected by the humanitarian crisis taking place in the country and will need some form of assistance in the coming year. This number stood at about 13.1 million people in 2013.

The most pressing requirements remain confined to a lack of food security, malnutrition among children, a lack of safe drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities, a lack of access to health care, rights violations and other forms of abuse, exploitation or displacement, as well as a lack of services and jobs in regions to which the displaced have returned.

Nearly 54% of all Yemenis, who number about 25 million, remain below the poverty line. Unemployment rates have risen to 40% in general, and stand at over 60% among the youth. During 2013, the economic and security decline continued in Yemen, and suffering grew with attacks on oil and gas transport pipelines, electricity lines and Internet and telephone cables.

of 1.5% annually on average.

would form a committee to discuss possibility of entering into Preferential Trade Agreement or Free Trade Agreement to expand the volume of trade currently hovering at around $150 million.

Honorary Consul General of Yemen in Pakistan Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig raised the issue of cutting time for issuance of visa to Yemeni businessmen, citing Pakistani businessmen were getting visa in five days for visiting Yemen.

Pakistani side expressed interest in making further investments by its companies in the oil and Liquified National Gas (LNG) sector.

Representatives of Frontier Works Organisation (FWO), National Engineering Services (NESPAK) and DESCON briefed the Yemeni delegation about their expertise in infrastructure projects.

These organisations are already working on infrastructure projects in Yemen and other Middle Eastern countries. Yemeni side assured the companies they would be facilitated in their projects in Yemen.

The two sides also agreed to set up joint venture projects, especially in the Aden Free Economic Zone of Yemen and economic zones of Paki-

stan.

Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi said the government was very keen to strengthen relationship with the brotherly country of Yemen.

The Minister briefed the delegates on the macro-economic profile of Pakistan and said despite challenges such as the severe energy crisis and phenomenal surge in commodity prices over the last few years, the country’s economy has witnessed a higher growth trajectory.

Dr Saadaldeen Ali Salim Talib expressed hope economic relations between the two countries would grow through trade and joint ventures between the private sectors of the two countries.

Both sides agreed to expedite the conclusion of the Executive Programme for Bilateral Cooperation in the fields of oil, gas and minerals.

It was told that the Yemeni Minister for Oil and Gas would undertake a visit to Pakistan to hold talks on the issue of import of LNG from Yemen.

On the request of Yemeni government, Pakistani officials agreed to look into the issue of increasing the number of scholarships for Yemeni technical diploma holders and graduates.

to bilateral cooperation.

According to a recent report issued by the Abaad Studies and Research Center, Yemen has “partially succeeded in halting the security and economic deterioration. This led to the stabilization of the local currency, the return of basic state services — although they remain slow — and a return of opportunities for international cooperation with donors.”

The Yemeni government expects economic growth to overcome the recession that hit the economy in 2011 and to grow at an average rate of 4.5% during 2012-2014. This will contribute to improved living standards and grow the per capita net GDP at a rate

The humanitarian crisis in Yemen has been exacerbated because of the lack of basic services and the limited power of the state in some parts of the country, as well as the poor management of available resources. About 13 million people have no access to improved water sources, with rural areas worst affected. Meanwhile, some 8.6 million Yemenis do not have access to basic health care. There are more than 500,000 internally displaced persons and returnees, in addition to 243,000 registered refugees, the majority of whom are from Somalia.

The 2014 Humanitarian Response Plan for Yemen, issued by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, estimated the cost of Yemen’s humanitarian needs at more than $704 million. Yemen’s humanitarian crisis is primarily a result of endemic poverty, long-standing underdevelopment, poor governance,

environmental stress, demographic pressure and continued political instability and conflict. Furthermore, the collapse of basic services following political unrest plunged the country into a severe humanitarian crisis.

Yemen is counting on the comprehensive National Dialogue, which began March 18, 2013, especially the “sustainable development” team. In its final report, the team approved 310 resolutions and constitutional and legal guidelines and recommendations.

These included 185 resolutions on sectoral, short-term and medium-term economic development, prepared by the subcommittees on economic development and the role of the state.

Yemen registered a fair decrease in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index for 2013, dropping to 167th place among 177 countries. It received 18 out of 100 points in the index, compared to 23 in 2012.

The Economic Center for Studies and Media in Sanaa confirmed that the national reconciliation government has failed to apply principles of good governance, which it had promised would be a priority according to the program it submitted to the people.

Perhaps the most notable achievement made by Yemen in 2013 was obtaining World Trade Organization membership after 13 years of negotiation. Yemen became the 160th member during the organization’s ninth ministerial meeting, held from Dec. 3-6 in Bali, Indonesia. Yemen will have six months to ratify its accession package.

Yemen president’s US snub ‘aimed for Salafists’

BY SAEED AL BATATI

Yemen president’s pledge to stand by a cleric suspected of funding terrorists would not have any impact on the country’s relations with the US since the US has not officially requested Yemen to extradite him, analysts said.

Yemen’s official news agency reported on Monday that Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi vowed to support Abd Al Wahhab Mohammad Humaiqani, the secretary general of Rashad Party, who was accused by the US of funnelling money to terrorist organisations in Yemen. Hadi said that Yemen would not handover the cleric or any other citizens to the US. The agency also said that Yemen sent a formal letter to the US government asking for the rationale behind terrorism charges against Humaiqani.

But Humaiqani told Gulf News that the media distorted Hadi’s statement.

“President Hadi gave a promise to my supporters that he would personally raise the issue with the Americans and would demand that they substantiate their claims.”

Abdul Salam Mohammad, the director of the Sana’a-based Abaad Studies & Research Centre said that

Hadi was sending a message to the Salafists, not the Americans, when he said that the he would not deport the cleric to the US.

“Hadi was sending massages of reassurance to the Salafists that he would stand by the Yemeni cleric against the US charges. Hadi fears that if he did not reassure the Salafists, who recently joined the political process, they may become more radicalised and join armed groups.”

He added: “Some political Salafists are discontent with Hadi’s handling of the conflict in Sa’ada between them and the Al Houthis. They think that Hadi did not do anything to stop the war.”

Mohammad said that the US has made a mistake when they listed the cleric before informing the Yemeni government.

“They know that Yemen is going through a critical moment and cannot withstand more problems.”

Sami No’man, a political analyst, said that the US had similarly not asked Yemen to extradite Abdul Majeed Al Zindani when they put him on the same list in 2004.

“Yemen has never handed over any citizen to the US. Even when the US accused the Yemeni journalist Abdul Elah Hider Shaea of having ties with Al Qaida, the then government tried

him in Yemen and threw him in a Yemeni jail.”

No’man said that Hadi cannot turn his back on the US at least for the time being.

“The state is too weak. Religious and tribal conflicts are everywhere and the economy is struggling. Yemen cannot confront the serious Al Qaida threat on its own. Hadi also needs the US to mount pressure on disobedient political parties.”

Khaled Abdul Hadi, a freelance journalist, agreed that the US-Yemen ties will not be affected by the argument about terrorism charges against the cleric.

But Abdul Hadi said that Humaiqani made a mistake when said that some of his political rivals misled the Americans by giving them false information about him.

“The Americans are not so naïve to take information from people by face value.”

Last month, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on the Humaiqani and the Qatari head of a Geneva-based human rights organisation, Abdul Rahman Bin Umair Al Nuaimi, claiming that the two friends used their positions as heads of charities to finance terrorist organisations linked to Al Qaida.

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Yemen’s National Dialogue – The Road To Success

By Jane Marriott

British Ambassador to Sana’a, Yemen

Over the past week or two I have observed that there seems a renewed determination to bring the National Dialogue Conference to an end, though there is still keen debate about what should be in the final outcomes: what needs to be agreed definitively now, and what might be worked out in detail later. While I have been outside Yemen for a couple of weeks spending time with family and friends, I’ve been asking myself what I would like to see at the end of the National Dialogue Conference.

Perhaps the first thing is a commitment to continued dialogue. We all despair at the violence that we see in Syria, Egypt, Libya and now South Sudan. South Sudan is perhaps a warning that separation is not a magic solution to regional differences. And I am increasingly distressed by the violent clashes that are breaking out in Yemen – in Saadah, Hadramawt, al-Dali’ and Lahj, and Aden. Whether or not they are influenced by the imminence of the end of the NDC, these bloody confrontations will not solve Yemen’s problems, or the problems of the factions that are involved in them. In the end they will have to be resolved by negotiation and discussion.

I am impressed by the thought and detail that has gone into the reports of the working groups that will provide guidance to the team that will draft the Constitution. But the second thing that I would like to see is acommitment to make the political process work. We all like to have an idea of what the future will bring – a plan, a roadmap or a constitution.

But I have learned that sometimes the detail of the process is not the most

important thing. What is important is a commitment by all parties to make the process work, and in the interests of everyone. I am not one hundred percent certain that I have seen that commitment from all the parties in the National Dialogue Conference – many seem interested more in securing their own interests, or seeing their own arguments prevail, than in ensuring the success of a process that will create a better Yemen – even if the plan that emerges is not, in their view, the perfect one.

And finally, there has to be a commitment to implement the plan, and for people to stand by and actively support the outcomes of the NDC. Many have told me that the current constitution of Yemen is not so bad – things went wrong because it was not implemented properly, or that it was implemented in a way that favoured some and disadvantaged others. They have said the same about the unification agreement, or about the document of Pledge and Accord signed in Amman in 1994.

I can understand why parties in the NDC want to see a clear plan, and guarantees that it will be implemented. Guarantees from outside will do little to help if, in reality, Yemenis themselves are not committed to implementation and delivery. The true guarantor of Yemen’s future is its people, and for all sides to show that they are sincere and can be trusted. I am not sure that we are there yet either. The dialogue of the past months has helped to break down barriers and start to heal old wounds. But there is a way to go yet.

Yemenis can remain confident that their friends in the international community will do all they can to help them and their country along the winding road to a better future. The unprecedented cooperation within the “Group of Ten” is something that Yemenis cannot afford to waste. Nor is the unstinting effort of UN Assistant Secretary General Jamal Benomar, who is often criticised for failing to come up with perfect solutions when Yemenis struggle to agree on constructive proposals of their own. We all need to continue moving forward and we need to do this together.

Rampant Robbery In The City

BY MTB

A group of wicked locals grabbed in dark color suit which appeared and pretended to be officials of the Immigration have startled Filipino migrant workers recently. They roam around the city spreading panic among foreign individuals.

They drive around using an old taxi car wherein the plate numbers behind the cab is covered with a sticker making it difficult to identify the numbers at once.

The moment they spotted Filipinos in an idle road or alone waiting on the side of the street, instantly their service car will stop and these cruel people will scare the hell out of the victim with their AK guns and asked to show the passports primarily.

Afterwards, main purpose will be seized, jewelry, electronic devices and money.

There are also instances where these culprits maneuver with other regular taxi. A certain Filipino employee of a business establishment was on her way to the working station as she was riding on a taxicab. The cab driver called up someone and within a few minutes another car blocked their lane and there lie men in dark green color outfit holding AK rifle. There are some single perpetrators carrying pistol who have robbed and harmed Filipino in a very surprising early morning instances.

The motorcycle due have also been in these offensiveness previously and will still be alarming to foreign workers in Yemen.

It is such a dismay and heartbreaking that in the midst of the country’s chaos and unstable security, apart from that there are unpleasant deeds adding up in the society currently, which were never there before.

In spite of the unfortunate incidents, the Filipino community who was left behind, decided to stay and pursue their employment in the Republic; hopes that the appropriate officials of the government, authorized and concerned citizens would take prompt action to obstruct such adversities. As these foreign and hardworking individuals are likely serving in their free will and sincerely in the Republic of Yemen.

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