National Yemen Issue 36 by National Yemen Newspaper

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The Facts As They Are

Army Remains Saleh’s Vanguard

Youth Fear Inﬂuence of al-Ahmar Family

Protest harms private sector

Shukri Hussein / Abyan A loud explosion took place in a late hours on Friday against the central security building wall in Abyan governorate causing a gap in the wall, with no human losses. Sources close to National Yemen learned that the explosion resulted from a bomb put next to the central security building, located in the centre of Zinjibar. Though the explosion didn’t cause any casualties, yet it created fear and panic among Zinkibar’s people in particular the owners of

houses nearby. This comes during the successive attacks targeting security personnel in Abyan as well as the instances of assassination which affected a large number of leaders and soldiers without the ability of authorities to put an end to them. Separately, many protestors forced schools’ students to close their schools and join the protests in the al-Kud area close to Zinjibar in Abyan last Saturday and repeated the slogan “no studying nor teaching until the president falls.”

Lahaj Protest Receive Support from Clerics By Abdulmalik Alassar / Lahaj Islamic scholars in Lahaj declared their support for the protests and issued fatwas on the inviolability of peaceful protests. In a statement distributed after Friday’s prayer, amid protests organized by hundreds of protestors demanding the fall of the regime, the fatwas stated that it is not permissible to ﬁre bullets on protesters. The protestors shouted slogans in al-Hawta’s streets and announced the launching of protest square beginning from

Friday in al-Hawta, where they called youth to join other protestors in demonstrations. “We conﬁrm the peoples’ rights in demanding change through peaceful means, and we condemn what the Arab rulers practice against their nations,” the statement read. Finally the scholars announced that they will add their voices to that of the nation and join the protestors. The scholars ended their statement by calling all Muslims to repent to God.

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Yemen: Police Fail to Stop Attacks on Protesters

Continued on Page (6,7)

Hundreds lie wounded near “Change Square” in Sana’a on Saturday after a violent crackdown by security forces

Explosion at Public Security in Zinjibar

SUNDAY , Mar 13, 2011 I ISSUE 36 PRICE : YER 30

One killed and Hundreds Wounded in Saturday Clashes By Fakhri Al-Arashi Saturday was the worst day to date in the experience of the Yemeni protesters near Sana’a University, as two were reported killed and several hundred were injured on the early hours of Saturday, 12 March 2011. The clashes continued for two hours starting at 5:30 am till 8:00am, as protesters were chanting, “peaceful peaceful” and soldiers from central security attacked them from different corners using life ﬁre and tear

gas while thugs were allegedly throwing stones from neighboring house at the protesters. Private hospitals, along with the al-Thawra hospital sent their ambulances to the scene of the violence, and continuously conveyed the injured to hospitals for treatment. In the same day more than two hundred doctors and nurses joined the protestors against the discrimination between the employees of the al-Thawra

hospital and the forty-eight hospital and military hospital, which gets a better treatment and payment. Marwan Saif Abdul-Qawi was injured during the events, and said that he and his fellows were attacked by soldiers who were different from those who protected them throughout the morning hours in previous days. He said that soldiers were using live ﬁre for no reason and due to no provocation from the

protestors. Mustafa al-Mutawakal and his cousin were among the injuries who were choking from the tear gas. The riot police, along with stone throwers meant to attack protesters, and it was rumored that they had orders to remove the protestors from the area. Zaid Ali, another protestor, said that some thugs closed the Continued on Page (6)

Western Governments Back Saleh’s Initiative The U.S. ambassador to Yemen said on Friday the reform initiative of President Ali Abdullah Saleh is paving a strong ground for the opposition to resume dialogue as the demands to overthrow his 33-year rule would not be a real solution to the country's woes. "The idea of the president's downfall is not a real solution to the country's woes," U.S. Ambassador Gerald Feierstein said in an interview with the state daily al-Syasiah. "Saleh's reform initiatives as well as his pledges to not reelect himself after his presidential term expires in 2013 nor to hand over power to his son are paving a strong ground for the opposition to resume dialogue," he said. "If President Saleh leaves, then what do you do on the

next day? " said Feierstein, adding that there were several other ideas on the table about how Yemen shall develop in the future. "We agree with some of these ideas and disagree with some others," he said without naming those ideas. Meanwhile, EU called for all Yemeni political parties to positively respond to the Thursday's reform initiative of President Saleh, urging them to engage in an open and constructive dialogue. "I have listened carefully to the announcement made by Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in which he made proposals for constitutional reform and elections," the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission Catherine

Ashton said in a statement issued from Brussels. "I see this announcement as a step forward, and call on all parties to engage without delay in an open and constructive dialogue, so that proposals can be fulfilled as soon as possible into concrete steps to respond to the demands of the people," she said. "The EU will continue to follow the situation in Yemen very closely, and stands ready to continue supporting Yemeni efforts to press ahead with reforms," Ashton added. After a series of concessions offered to the opposition, Saleh on Thursday launched more conciliation initiative, promising to hold a referendum on the constitution this year, including a new election law, to prepare to transfer power to the parliament, which was

swiftly rejected by the opposition, saying it came too late. Inspired by Tunisian and Egyptian protests, demonstrations demanding the immediate ouster of veteran President Saleh have swelled in major provinces, including the capital Sanaa, since mid February as skirmishes took place between protesters and the police forces, leaving dozens dead, mostly in southern provinces. The government said that while security forces are busy protecting the protests, al-Qaida wing on Friday gunned down four more policemen on a patrol vehicle in southeast province of Hadramout, bringing the death toll of security and army personnel targeted by the terrorist group Continued on Page (3)

Sunday, Mar. 13, 2011 Issue 36 www.nationalyemen.com

ADVERTISEMENTS

National Yemen

National Yemen Investment Could Be Better

The investment in Yemen is getting a worse reputation day by day, simply because of indirect corruption for the benefit of select decisionmakers and the wrong understanding and poor international communication, which has discouraged the biggest potential investors from entering the country. Yemen has got no major companies to revive its markets or to make significant changes in the country’s economy. Once this changes, if it changes, the companies might be able to satisfy the interests of political players as well as the population at large, rather than counting on a circle of corrupted elite. Corruption can be seen everywhere and it’s the main reason for today’s revolution. Denying governmental jobs opportunities for youth for years is corruption, ignoring reform, overtaking contracts and slowing down public procedure is corruption, and all of this has led to the current political outrage. Yes, Yemen has a deficient commercial system and bidding

framework, and it should be corrected for the sake of the new generation. Companies should have a direct approach to the available opportunities paying no one to satisfy or monopolize their work. The major projects in Yemen are considered to be failures, as the shareholders inevitably withdraw their investments, or unsuccessful communication over the profits sink partnerships. If we review the map of investment, we will find the majority are family companies or small personal business. The real business can be seen in the oil and gas sector and lately real estate which is collapsing with the current protests. The government has failed with the Sana’a airport project, the Aden free zone and many other projects financed by international donors interested in development. These projects have a low impact, but the major companies who really operates continuously and invest a lot of money may face strong resistance by few number in the community who do not want to see an international companies working in Yemen. I would not blame companies for how they made their contracts or over what. I would blame the rotten regulatory framework that impedes their progress and demands unjust rewards at every turn. Breaking deals is harder than starting them.

Continued From Page (1) to 20 since Feb. 11. US President Barack Obama's top anti-terror advisor John Brennan on Friday called Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh to welcome his pledge to devolve power and urged the opposition to support the plan. The call, the latest of a series of contacts between the White House and key anti-terror ally Yemen since a popular revolt erupted, followed a major concession by Saleh designed to end the political crisis. "Brennan reiterated that representatives of all sectors of the Yemeni opposition should respond constructively to President Saleh?s call to engage in a serious dialogue to end the current impasse," the White House said in a statement. "Brennan noted that the government and the opposition share responsibility for achieving a peaceful resolution of the crisis. "Brennan also stated that a commitment by all sides to participate in an open and transparent process that addresses the legitimate concerns of the Yemeni people provides an orderly path to a stronger and more prosperous nation." The White House said that Saleh reiterated his hope that the opposition will take part in

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an immediate dialogue. Saleh on Thursday bowed to pressure after a month of violent protests, but his pledge to devolve power to parliament was swiftly rejected as too late by the opposition. He also ordered his security forces to ensure the safety of anti-government protesters after weeks of unrest in which some 30 people have been killed, part of a wave of popular unrest across the Arab world. He said he would hold a "referendum before the end of the year on a new constitution clearly stipulating the separation of powers" between the president and the parliament. The new charter would "install a parliamentary regime giving all executive powers to a government elected by parliament," he added. US involvement in Yemen, including special forces advisors, has depended entirely on Saleh, who has dominated the country since coming to power in a military coup in 1978. He became president of a reunified Yemen in 1990. courtesy Agencies Washington has expressed concern about violence but Obama's administration has not pressured Saleh to leave office in the way it leaned on Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak before his ouster.

Fakhri Hassan Al-Arashi Publisher & Chief Editor

Noah Browning Deputy Editor

LOCAL

Sunday, Mar. 13, 2011 Issue 36 www.nationalyemen.com

Hirak Assembly in Hadramout Calls for a Huge Rally The “peaceful Hirak” called all Hadramout directorates to join the Thursday rally dubbed “prisoner’s day” after Asr prayer which will have Mukalla as their focal point. Political activist and spokesman of the Board of Hirak Salem bin Daghar, said in a brief press statement before “prisoner’s day” which is to be held in the “occupied southern

governorates to renew their loyalty each week to the southern prisoners who suffer the ravages of the occupation in authorities’ prisons.” He pointed that there many procedures were undertaken to insure a massive attendance for Thursday’s rally, “especially when many misleading campaigns keep blurring the issue of the South and the right

of the people of the South to liberation and independence,” he said. Bin Daghar also saluted all protests by youth and schoolchildren and their raising of southern flags as well as retreating southern slogans which, according to him, “proves that the southern issue is an issue of a nation and people trying to get rid of the occupation which

spread values of corruption.” He ended his statement pointing that the committees formed by the hirak assembly are doing a great job in organizing the Thursday rally which “carries a message at this time that the south is steadfast despite the domination of the military and the security of the occupying power and its conspiracies.”

After Sackings, Akram Attiya to Govern Hodeida By Ali Alsaqqaf / Hodeida Hodeida hasn’t experienced such a security and political upheaval in recent memory, as it has just witnessed a major change in its leadership. Revolution in Hodeida had its major role in the resignation of Hodeida governor, Ahmed Aljabali. News differs on the way of

the resignation, whether it was by directions from Sana’a or by the partisan from the “sha’ab square” in Hodeida. Aljabali was appointed later on as a shura council member, yet he declined the position for “personal reasons.” In a short time the presidency realized the serious-

ness of the situation and the danger to its position, and fearing the protest’s escalation in Hodeida, it searched for a person who belongs to the governorate and is prepared for any confrontations with unrest during this difficult period, and accordingly appointed Akram Attiya. Attiya who was born in

Zabid, used to serve as ViceChairman of legislative and regulatory affairs at the House of Representatives and his appointment came based on his strong relationship with the authority’s favorite local journalist Abdo Burji, who has significant influence in the province and with the Yemeni Government.

Istanbul Shopping Festival 2011... The Istanbul Shopping Festival is a new and upcoming festival, which has been organised by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism in corporation with Turkish Airlines , Between the 18th of March and 26th of April, It is aimed to refresh the shopping tourism and to support it in a broad range of areas; from culture to arts, entertainment to food and beverages. It is ultimately planned to spread this activity throughout Turkey.

Istanbul Shopping Festival will be a celebration time for shopping lovers who thronged to this charming and scintillating city from across the globe. Istanbul has rapidly emerged as the tourist capital of the World and a very busy shopping Center for the surrounding countries. Topping all that having the world biggest and oldest shopping center Grand Bazaar, Istanbul is very well suited for the task in hand.

Attacks On Schools Jeopardize Safety Of Children UNICEF Yemen Country Ofﬁce expresses major concerns that children are increasingly becoming victims of violence in the current unrest felt all over Yemen. Yesterday‘s conﬁrmed reports from Aden, a southern governorate of Yemen, tell of a number of schools in Al-Mansoura and Al-Mualla districts being attacked by demonstrators. Reportedly, children and teachers were threatened and told that if they would

not leave the schools and join the protest, they would be burnt down. Gun shots were heard in the area. “Attacks on schools are of grave concern to UNICEF”, says Geert Cappelaere, representative of UNICEF Yemen. “Children are the ﬁrst and most vulnerable victims of any emergency or civil unrest. We must make sure children are not caught up in the disputes of adults. Violence is not the answer, it is the

problem.” Recent reports also show that children and adolescents are involved and have even been harmed in direct confrontations in past weeks. Such reports are of great concern to UNICEF. Violent protests put the health, education protection of Yemeni children, at great risk, and add further to their plight. - The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has denounced the violence in Yemen and called on

all sides not to resort to it. UNICEF calls upon all the involved to respect the rights of children and to refrain from the use of violence. Children should be protected at all costs, kept out of harm’s way and they should never be exposed to violence that can affect their physical and psychological well-being. Schools should represent safe environments for children, where their rights to basic education are ensured.

Children’s Right to Education Hindered by Civil Unrest in Yemen

Sana’a, March 10, 2011The Emergency Education Cluster in Yemen is concerned about recent reports indicating that children’s school attendance has been disrupted due to civil unrest in some cities. Children have the right to education at all times, including during times of civil

unrest, and schools are responsible for providing a protective and safe environment for children. The members of the Emergency Education Cluster in Yemen express their concern that children’s right to education is being violated and children’s welfare is being put

at risk. The Education Cluster therefore urges all parties involved to protect children from being manipulated towards the achievement of political goals and take positive action towards children’s safe attendance at school.

Mohammed Al-Asaadi Editorial Consultant

Fuad Al-Qadhi Business Editor

Shukri Hussein Abyan Correspondent

Jihan Anwar Staff Journalist

Naila Bamehriz Translator & Coordinator

The Facts As They Are

Mohammed Abdalaleem Shabwah Correspondent e-mail: info@nationalyemen.com website:www.nationalyemen.com address:al-qiada st.

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Will Carter Anatoly Kurmanaev Bushra Al-shareef Managing Editor Int’l Journalist Intern Translator

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Sunday, Mar. 13, 2011 Issue 36 www.nationalyemen.com

SOCIAL

Army Remains Saleh’s Vanguard By Saddam Alashmory

Many count on the Yemeni army and hold fat to their institutional duty to safeguard the country, whether they play a similar role to the Tunisian and Egyptian army. Yet it is unlikely that the position of the Yemeni army is similar to the Egyptian army’s situation, which protected government facilities and refused to suppress of the millions massed to call for the end of the regime there. After the Tunisian revolution last January, president Saleh held a conference of the supreme military leadership. Among its resolutions were the establishment of supreme military council, that President Saleh is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, his son Ahmed is the Republican Guard and Special Forces leader, his brother Ali Al-ahmar is the Supreme Commander Office Director and his brother Mohammed Al-Ahmar is Commander of the Air Force and Air Defense. It is notable that the commanders of four main military regions are from the same tribe, Sanhan – which is a subdivision of the greater Hashed confederacy.

Last but not least, it was resolved that the central security leader is the president’s nephew Yahya Mohammed Abdullah Saleh and his other brother Ammar is national security leader, and Ghaleb Alqamash also from the same tribe, is the head of political security. In addition to the standard structure, the council affirmed the prerogative of military and security commanders in appointing brigade and security leadership positions, which has traditionally gone to loyal sheikhs of the tribes and their relatives, usually from the same region of the president’s tribe. The military institution counts on its existence in two articles from the Yemeni constitution. These are article number 36, by which the state is named as the authority to establish the armed forces, the police, the security forces and any such bodies. It affirms that such forces belong to all the people and their function is to protect the republic and safeguard its territories and security. No organization, individual, group, political party or organization may establish forces or paramilitary groups for whatever

purpose or under any name, it continues. The law stipulates the conditions for military service, promotion and disciplinary procedures in the military, police and security forces. As well as article 111, which states that The President of the Republic is the Supreme Commander of the armed forces, along with a section from article 119, which discusses the presidents’ responsibilities, and section 9 which treats the appointing and dismissing of

senior government officials and military/police officers according to the law. All of these points clarify that the Yemeni military cannot play a similar role as the Tunisian and Egyptian military, because the Yemeni military doesn’t enjoy the institutional and national framework on which the military can stand instead of by the side of the president. In other words, its difficult if not impossible for the army to lead after his stepping down.

National Yemen

COMMUNITY

Sunday, Mar. 13, 2011 Issue 36 www.nationalyemen.com

Youth Fear Inﬂuence of al-Ahmar Family By Saddam Alashmory

Minister of culture Sam bin Yahya Al-ahmar, nephew of the late sheikh Abdullah Al-Ahmar, declared his resignation in protest of the crackdown on the protestors demanding the fall of the regime and joining the protestors in change square Some consider this dangerous to president Saleh’s regime. Analysts believe that their joining of the opposition will enhance the protests in terms of tribal support marks the nigh end to the current regime. It is known that when president Saleh came to power Sana’a in 1978, it was through the heavy support of the tribes. Protests take a different turn in Yemen Many protestors expressed their resentment of having the al-Ahmar sons join the sit-ins, as they think that their demonstrations are going to be dominated by the sheikhs, the thing which worries protestors the most. According to Sharaf al-Riyashi, a protestor, “exchanging an al-Ahmar with another al-Ahmar is unacceptable, and having the al-Ahmar tribes in the protest will certainly change its track, control it, and employ it for a specific agenda.” The changing nature of the sit-ins as Islah imposes control Arguments started to affect the opposing JMP bloc leadership in the “change square” opposite Sana’a University. Some of those present were heard discussion arguments among themselves on which party will lead the protests, and that came after witnessing Tawakul Karman, an Islah activist, making a statement on behalf of the young protestors which caused many young people leave the protest and return back to their homes. Eye-witnesses reported the continuation of withdrawal by number of the protestors after having a fight among them

in Sana’a. This resignation comes after a number of the al-Ahmar sons, including Hussein, Hashid al-Ahamer as well their relative Shaikhs and cuisines declared their resignations and joined the opposition.

and some Islah party extremists joining the sit ins. These independent young protestors revealed that their withdrawal comes after having arguments with the Islah party, who imposed their control in the square through forming organizing committees and not allowing non-part members to participate or to chair the events. A young protestor Mohammed al-Raimi said, “we were victims of a big conspiracy in which it was claimed that these sit-ins had nothing to do with partisanship.

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sit-ins are simple independent youth, while the party presence and the Islah presence is “working through the protests in order to agitate us toward on violence, friction, and collision with anyone who disagrees with their opinion, and this contrasts with the slogan of peaceful peaceful protests.: A huge pro-government protest has been set up in Amran’s streets by Hashid

tribesmen supporting the regime, who expressed their rejection of Hameed al-Ahmar. In a statement by the hashid tribe’s sheikhs, they confirmed their support for the national dialogue the president proposed earlier. While Hashid tribe sheikhs condemned the statement coming from Sheikh Hussein who spoke on behalf of the whole tribe, they

mentioned that his statement represents him only and his area. In addition, their statement called for presenting sacrifices for the sake of the nation. The Hashid tribe’s support could tip the scale in favor of the president, especially since another major tribe, Bakil is also preparing a huge rally in favor of the national dialogue, which might further bolster

president Saleh. Some of the Hashid tribal leaders are describing Hussein Al-Ahmar as childish. Sheikh al-Mashriqi said, “it is more worthy of sheikh Hussein to get back and consult with us instead of speaking on behalf of all the two major tribes in Yemen, which the Yemeni president can keep on in his side, as forcing him to step down will be a tough task.”

including involving all political forces, NGOs, tribes, and students in decision-making, as well as compensating martyrs’ families, who gave their sons for this revolution. It also included reorganizing administrative restructuring of all ministries and forbid their leaders from spending more than four years at the same position in order to give chances to others. In addition, the group resolved on distributing resources according to areas’

population and practicing laws everywhere and punishing people who transgress laws. The Press has focused on the meetings to get its rights besides preparing new school curricula which weren’t deplete students’ energies without having practical benefits for Yemen’s development. Providing hospitals in all provinces on the level of Sana’a and Aden hospitals, as well as many more items were added by the TFY.

In a statement by the hashid tribe’s sheikhs, they conﬁrmed their support for the national dialogue the president proposed earlier “Our slogan was ‘no to Partisanship, our revolution is a youth revolution,’ but we found out that the Islah party and its leadership wants to exploit us as political leverage to drag the country into a dark path and an uncertain future.” He pointed out that most of the participants in the

Yemeni Protesters Draw Future Lines By Ebrahim Al-Sharif SANAA, March 8 -- A meeting run by a group of youth who worked to get Yemen out of its crisis by preparing a real plan for new changes in Yemen in different majors. Yemen’s crisis started after holding many protests and demonstrations against the regime since February 11 demanded President’s departure, along the lines of what happened in Tunisia and Egypt, early this year. This group was named the

Third Force in Yemen and started in February after the beginning of demonstrations and protests at Sana’a University against the regime. The Third Force in Yemen’s co-founders, Ahmed Ghailan and Ishaq Al-Baser, started their work by creating a Facebook account to allow other people from different provinces and NGOs in Yemen to participate in this group and present their problems and prepare common solutions for all to be presented to President,

Ali Abdullah Saleh. Its suggestions and plan was always showed to all its members through Facebook for developing, suggesting, and criticizing ideas freely to make decisions and have satisfactory solutions to its debates. This group included 1462 members who discussed many issues and launched two meetings in order to prepare a final draft for their statements, which will be sent to President by group representatives. The TFY believes in peace-

ful dialogue, that youth is the power for change in all countries, that and democracy is the only way to live peacefully alongside all different Yemeni people, ideologies, and parties. This initiative countenanced many ideas which allow the President to resume his last two years, as he was elected until 2013, and they have also resolved to deprive the President of the ability to select minsters and mayors. Other decisions reached

Sunday, Mar. 13, 2011 Issue 36 www.nationalyemen.com

SPECIAL shops from outside to isolate the protests from any kind of refuge. “The cold water in the cannons is mixed with some special material which left hundreds on the ground strugging to get up,” said Ali. “We call international organizations to investigate the substances being used.” Hamid Mohammed Ismail said, “I was sleeping next to my friends at the ‘change square’ – the soldiers were helping us, but some civilians were throwing stones and beat us. It was sudden attack and new tactic from the ruling party.”

National Yemen The mosque near by the protest area was the ﬁrst shelter to keep the injuries, while the nearby building was a store for medicine and logistical center for dealing with the casualties. A security sources from the minister of interior distributed a press release regarding the events Saying, “Members of the JMP installed tents by force in front of local houses and shops. “Citizens of the al-Kuwait, al-Ragas, and al-Qadisiya areas are complaining that the university area is being blocked off, and that residents cannot practice

their daily business freely because of the protest.” “Residents sent a request to the ministry of interior to help them to put an end to theses hassles which ended with clashes between citizens and protesters.” The military forces and anti-riot unit interrupted these clashes using water cannon and smoke bombs. “No one from the military side was used any weapons against any party.” “The ministry of interior resolves to sue anyone who will accuse its members of using force against any party.”

National Yemen

SPECIAL

Sunday, Mar. 13, 2011 Issue 36 www.nationalyemen.com

BUSINESS

National Yemen

Protest harms private sector

By Fuad Al-Qadhi

The Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce has said that in the capital’s private sector, losses have accrued of more than 350 million riyals due to protests in there. The strikes’ bill, in both Tahrir Square and The Change Square in front of Sanaà University, has been devastating for local businesses. The Vice-President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mr. Muhammad Muhammad Salah said that many traders had filed complaints to the Chamber of Commerce calling for the lifting of demonstrations saying that they violated the peoples’ interests. He added that the private sector incurred significant losses in these unfortunate events experienced by the national scene, due to the political differences that went beyond the reasonable limits of the democratic framework, which led to chaos and violence and to undermine security and stability. He expressed the rejection of the private sector to the ongoing political conflict, which he described as totally exceptional.

Mr. Salah said that the loss came with the decline in the percentage of sales dramatically for the shops located near the squares of the protests, as well as the cost of rents and salaries for employees and workers in these stores and companies.

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"state revenues will fall dramatically, through income tax and costums, due to dwindling imports during this period”

He noted that, especially since the university is located near some of the money exchangers and branches of some commercial and Islamic banks, and Tahrir is located at the entrance to Jamal Street, which is one of the main commercial streets in Yemen, particularly in terms of gold and jewelry shops. Meanwhile, Salah said, "state revenues will fall dramatically, through income tax and costums, due to dwindling imports during this period, which will be reflected in government revenue in general. “This will exacerbate the financial deficit for the general budget of the State, which is currently experiencing a large deficit because of the recent reforms implemented by the State through the strategy for wages and salaries and the third phase of annual increments and social welfare benefits to new situations and the consideration of fifty thousand degrees and careers in the fiscal year 2011, amounting to 249 billion and 413 million riyals.” He explained that the strategy of wages and salaries of phase III reached 113 billion and

991 million riyals, and annual increments reached 87 billion and 94 million riyals, with total social welfare payments for new cases was 22 billion riyals, and comprehending 25 percent of graduates to reach a total of 50 thousand employment degrees, and 26 billion and 365 million riyals. On the other hand, he said, "Although these protests have consequences, there have not

been any hikes in prices, thanks to coordination between the Chambers of Commerce and the Ministry of Industry and local councils" said Salah. In that context, reports stated remarkable effects and big losses, which have not yet been calculated, in the real estate investments in Yemen, especially in the economic capital of Aden and Mukalla city as these cities are considered to

be the center of real estate market in the country. According to initial reports, the loss of real estate has been the most serious, which was observed to increase its the pace of decline in the protests in residential sales, as well as through fear of customers to lose money, and holding them back from paying the monthly premiums for their residential apartments.

to $1.7 billion, and the rest of the debt funds were distributed among non-member states of the Paris Club. This foreign assets of the Yemeni banking system has

seen a rise at the end of December last year, reaching $8.328 million dollars, and the net foreign assets of the banking system by the end of November of last year was $8.46 billion.

Central Bank Combats Money Changers institutions, debt provided by Member States in the Paris Club and by Russia, Japan and the United States, France, Italy, Spain, Denmark, the Netherlands and Germany, amounted

Written by the economic editor The Central bank during the past two months pumped more than $220 million to meet the needs of the market in hard currency, said a source at the Central Bank. “The bank is following the case of the market continuously through ﬁeld visits and followup of commercial and Islamic banks, and money exchange ﬁrms operating in our country, and it provides for the needs of banks in accordance with the requirements for the process of commercial guarantees related to import processing that directly pays in cash in such circumstances.” Regarding the disappearance of hard currency from the market, as well as money exchangers, the source said that this is not true, but acknowledged existence of some of the excitable people from the money changers who are manipulating exchange rates to pay the bank to deal only with banks and large exchange

companies. The Central Bank has taken a number of measures against the manipulators of the owners of money exchangers through fining them with large sums of money. Their names will also be published in newspapers and the media in the coming days, and closure of these shops is a possibility in future. Regarding the bank clients who have assets in hard currency and can not withdraw any sums, the source confirmed that it is possible to withdraw any amounts from an account to another belonging to the client. It was also reported that the bank has taken a number of precautionary measures, as well as strict control on the movement of foreign currency within the country, as well as supervision over the money exchangers. With regard to the amounts allowed to leave the country, the source confirmed that the

central bank does not allow the exit of more than $10 thousand, and in case of a person's need for the withdrawal of an amount greater than this, permission must be taken from the bank to ﬁnd out reasons for the currency demand and the purpose of that withdrawal. Over the past year, the central bank has pumped more than a billion dollars to maintain the riyal exchange rate against the dollar at a certain level. The foreign reserves of the Central Bank have decreased from $7.1 billion at the end of 2009 to $5.8 billion by the end of last year, a decrease of $1.3 billion. The situation has been affected by the balance of payments dramatically, and the external public debt reached to $6.127 million. International ﬁnancial institutions acquired the largest share as the outstanding balance reached $3.325 million, including premium arrears to these

National Yemen

POLITICS

Sunday, Mar. 13, 2011 Issue 36 www.nationalyemen.com

Early Presidential Initiative Flounders Context of the president’s initiative before the joint meeting of the house of representatives and Shura councils, February 2nd, 2011

In the name of Allah most compassionate most merciful The quartet resumes its work to discuss the parliamentary elections and the constitutional amendments including the PR list Freeze the discussions on the constitutional amendments. Open the parliamentary registry for those who have reached the legal age Form a government of national unity No extension nor inheritance of power Sweeping reforms in local governance and the election of governors and directors of districts as well as recycling of government jobs Pay more attention to the economy and open the door for wider participation in certain economic institutions The expansion of the social security network and the absorption of five hundred cases Set up a fund to support the graduates and a review of all fees imposed in public universities Set up a “friends of Yemen” fund to support development Establish a National Anti-Corruption Commission as well as tenders and auctions committee, and strengthen the independence of the judiciary Prevent of chaos and vandalism Call everyone to assume all their responsibilities to maintain the national and domestic security

Opposition Presents President with Demands

A paper presented to the JMP bloc Proceeding from the requirements of national interest, and in order to achieve a national agreement on the constitutional amendments as well as holding the next parliamentary elections with the participation of all political parties in the national field, we present before you the following proposal: 1- Relating to the constitutional amendments issue, as it relates to article no. (112) which states, The official term of the President of the Republic shall be seven calendar years effective from the date the President swears allegiance to the Constitution. No person may assume the office of the President of the Republic for more than two seven-year terms. And whether this presidential remains the same yet in only two terms, or to be amended into five years for two terms according to what has been mentioned in the president’s Electoral Program. 2- For the voters who haven’t registered yet then any citizen who has reached 18 years of age and possess esan identity card then he has to register in the electoral registry within 30-40 days 3- The proportional representation is to be included to the constitutional amendments project and the law shall identify its implementation to be executed in the next Electoral Program 4- In order to reach to a serious dialogue, the national dialogue continues through the parties’ leaders and the findings are to be presented to their representatives in the national dialogue committee and then go to the constitutional institutions to be verified

Yemeni Clerics’ initiative, dated February 2nd, 2011

February 23rd, 2009 agreement After several discussions called by the president including representatives of the GPC and the JMP in the national assembly and according to the national interest, and in order to run free, honest, and safe elections under the different political atmosphere, the signed parties represented in the house of representatives “GPC , Islah, socialist party, Arab Baath and Nasserite Unionists are applying to the presidency of the house of representatives to undertake the needed constitutional procedures in order to change the article no (65) of the constitution on the period of the house of representatives by the lawm which allows the extension of two more years given the lack of sufficient time to undertake the following reforms: 1- Providing the chance to the political parties, and civil society organizations to undertake the needed constitutional amendments to improve the electoral and political system including through proportional representation 2- Enable the political parties represented in the parliament to complete discussing the disputed topics while amending the law of elections and include what is agreed upon in the law 3- Reforming the higher committee of election according to the law

1- Insuring the freedom of peaceful protest and demonstration to all the sons of Yemen 2- Demanding to form a committee to investigate the attacks on demonstrators in Yemeni cities and to hold accountable those responsible and bring them to trial and compensate martyrs’ families and treat the wounded at the expense of the state until they are healed 3- Peaceful transfer of power on the basis of the commitments made by the President represented in no extension or inheritance of power and not to nominate himself for the upcoming elections 4- Setting a timetable to implement the necessary steps within a transitional period framework that doesn’t exceed the end of this year on the basis of an initiative presented by the president 5- Communication is done with all forces and parties of the political process at home and abroad without exception to complete the discussion on this initiative

1- The withdrawal of the election law and referendum and refer it to the House of Representatives for approval 2- The withdrawal of the constitutional amendments before the House of Representatives and forming a national committee to undertake the amendments by consensus 3- Forming a national committee by consensus 4- Referring corrupt officials to the judiciary and hastening action on corruption cases 5- Releasing any detainees who were not proven guilty, or did not have cases pending before the judiciary 6- Choosing five judges, two from each side of the political divide, and a fifth chosen by the clerical body, or by agreement of the four judges to resolve all disputes among the political sides 7- Freezing the protests and sit-ins to set the atmosphere for a national dialogue 8- Stopping all the protests and sit ins to remove all acts of vandalism and chaos in the streets caused by each side

Agreement of July 17th, 2010 The text of the joint memorandum to implement the February agreement between the ruling party and the JMP. The GPC and JMP represented in the House of Representatives signed a joint agreement on Saturday to implement the agreement reached last February. The agreement, which was under the auspices of President Saleh, discussed forming a committee to prepare for a national unity government. It stated the following: Implementing the agreement of February 23rd, 2009, GPC and JMP bloc, members of House of Representatives represented by 1- Abdulkarim al-Iryani, second deputy president of the GPC On behalf of the JMP blocs in the house of representatives 1- Abdulwahhab Mahmoud - Secretary-General of the Arab Baath Socialist Party 2- Abdulwahhab Alansi Secretary-General of the Islah party 3- Yaseen Saeed Noman - Secretary-General of the Socialist Party 4- Sultan Alatawani Secretary-General of the Unionist Nasserite It was agreed upon during today’s meeting to set and prepare for the comprehensive national government based on the first section which states: Providing an opportunity for parties, political organizations, and civil society organizations to discuss the needed constitutional amendments to improve the political system and the electoral system including the proportional representation on the following basis: 1- The JMP meets the GPC representing their partners and allies in a preliminary meeting where both parties identify and name their partners and allies who are going to represent both sides in

the joint committee to set and prepare for the comprehensive national government. No party is allowed to object each others presentation. 2- After completing the two lists, a joint committee to set and prepare for the comprehensive national government is formed equally of up to 200 members 3- The sides which signed in 2009 February agreement signs this memorandum 4- Both sides bring other than what was agreed about another list of parties, political, social, national forces and the civil society organizations which will be contacted and consulted with by the preparation committee and include every side which agrees on the national dialogue 5- Completing the consultation with the rest of the parties and the political, social, national forces and the civil society organizations to join the national dialogue without exception 6- Preparing the timeline of the dialogue and its standards 7- The committee undertakes its decisions by consensus and shall be binding on all initiatives 8- The committee presidency meets periodically and holds its first meeting in the cultural centre hall in the capital Sana’a 9- Each side hires a chairman and a deputy to represent it and the chair and his deputy form a national dialogue presidency and this rule applies to sub-committees 10- All committees’ work has to be transparent and public so public opinion can follow the course of the dialogue

Sunday, Mar. 13, 2011 Issue 36 www.nationalyemen.com

REPORT

National Yemen

Yemen: Police Fail to Stop Attacks on Protesters Three weeks after President Saleh promised to protect demonstrators, pro-government gangs are still viciously assaulting protesters while the security forces largely stand by and watch. Saleh should forcefully condemn these attacks and take meaningful action to stop them. Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch

Pro-Government Assailants Injure Dozens in Ibb as Security Forces Abandon Posts (Sanaa) -Yemeni authorities should take immediate steps to ensure that security forces prevent assaults against anti-government protesters and arrest those responsible, Human Rights Watch said today. In city after city in Yemen, security forces have stood by or fled, and failed to protect people exercising their right to peaceful assembly. In some cases it appeared that too few police were deployed to halt the attacks. Witnesses told Human Rights Watch that on March 6, 2011, in the south-central city of Ibb, about100 men armed mostly with rocks, sticks, and glass bottles attacked hundreds of demonstrators calling for the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, wounding dozens. Some security staff abandoned their posts. Others who struggled to stop the violence were overrun by the assailants and allowed the attackers to leave the scene after the two-hour rampage without apprehending them. President Saleh said on February 23 that security forces would protect demonstrators from such attacks. "Three weeks after President Saleh promised to protect demonstrators, pro-government gangs are still viciously assaulting protesters while the security forces largely stand by and watch," said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. "Saleh should forcefully condemn these attacks and take meaningful action to stop them." Human Rights Watch previously documented attacks against anti-government demonstrators in the central town of al-Baida on March 3, the western port of al-Hudaida on March 2, and the capital, Sanaa, on February 18 and 22, in which security forces also abandoned their posts or simply watched the violence unfold. Five witnesses in Ibb told Human Rights Watch that shortly before midday on March 6, the assailants attacked anti-government protesters at the city's main bus station, renamed "Freedom Square," which had been peacefully occupied by thousands of people since mid-February. An hour earlier, government supporters held a rally in the municipal stadium on the other side of the city, the second since the sit-in at the bus station began, several sources told Human Rights Watch. The authorities closed

schools and government offices in Ibb that day, the sources said, apparently to ensure that officials and students could attend the rally. Two local journalists, Mohamed Al-Khairi and Ibrahim al-Baidani, told Human Rights Watch that they saw numerous military and police pickup trucks and 4x4s transport hundreds of pro-government demonstrators through town to the stadium. Al-Baidani said that some days earlier a contact in General Security, Yemen's police force, had told him that the local branch of the General People's Congress, the president's ruling party, was planning to bring in hundreds - and perhaps thousands - of people from outside the city to attend the rally. Both journalists said that at 11:45 a.m. on March 6, shortly after the pro-government rally ended, dozens of men approached the eastern side of the bus station. Carrying sticks, rocks, and glass bottles, they chanted pro-government slogans and shouted insults at the protesters, some of whom formed a chain across the bus station entrance. Al-Baidani said he saw and heard a senior military police officer approach the demonstrators and tell them not to worry or fight the approaching crowd. The assailants tried to get past about 10 military police who were standing in front of the anti-government protesters, but the military police held the assailants back and fired warning shots in the air when they faced resistance. Al-Baidani also said that 11 General Security officers as well as the deputy director of the city's Criminal Investigation Department, along

with about 15 men in military uniform, were standing near the pro-government crowd, watching them closely. Al-Khairi said a number of officers had left the scene in a Central Security vehicle. Al-Khairi, who watched the start of the clash from the roof of the nearby al-Ghufran mosque, said that about 50 assailants appeared on the eastern side of the bus station and threw stones at the protesters. About 10 military police and 20 armed General Security officers tried to stop the assailants from advancing by hitting them on the legs with sticks and firing guns in the air. Al-Khairi said the protesters were shouting, "Our revolution is peaceful," "Police and military, you are one of us," and "Shame on you, President Saleh. Why are you attacking us?" One protester, Yahya Ali Mohammed Sharif, told Human Rights Watch he was one of the first to be injured when a stone struck his forehead: "They were throwing glass bottles so at first I thought it was a water bottle. Then I realized it was blood

running down my face, so I stumbled to our medical tent." Al-Khairi, the journalist, moved to the eastern side of the square. He said he could then see the pro-government gang throwing stones at the protesters, injuring several dozen. Some anti-government protesters responded by throwing stones back, he said, while other protesters restrained them. Al-Khairi said General Security officers told him after the attack that none of the pro-government assailants were injured. Al-Khairi said that at around 2:15 p.m., shots were fired and he heard some of the protesters shout, "They are dead! They are dead!" at which point the assailants stopped throwing stones. Both journalists said the assailants then left, while the military police and dozens of General Security officers stood next to five General Security vehicles and watched, without trying to arrest any of them. At 3 p.m., al-Khairi said, after all the assailants had left, anti-riot

police arrived and formed a cordon around the anti-government protesters for about 20 minutes. "Despite initial attempts to prevent the assailants from reaching the protesters, the security forces simply let them go," Stork said. "Yemeni authorities should arrest and prosecute those responsible for these criminal attacks." Yemeni authorities should deploy sufficient security personnel to protect anti-government protesters from violent attacks, Human Rights Watch said. All too often, Yemeni security forces have been used to attack peaceful protesters rather than to ensure their security, Human Rights Watch said. The security forces have shot and killed at least 10 anti-government protesters at largely peaceful rallies - nine in February in the southern port city of Aden and one on March 8 in Sanaa - and injured more than 200 others. A doctor at Ibb's Dar al-Shifa hospital told Human Rights Watch that he interviewed 11 injured protesters admitted to the hospital between 12:30 and 4 p.m. on March 6. He said all 11 told him they had been attacked by assailants in "Freedom Square" with sticks, stones, and daggers. The doctor said that three of the patients were seriously injured, two from dagger wounds and a third who had been struck in the back with a heavy rock and then stomped on. Others had broken noses and minor head injuries. The doctor said he knew of 11 other patients who had been admitted to al-Shifa hospital on March 6 in the aftermath of the attack on the protesters. On March 7, the doctor said, several men in military uniform came to the hospital to get a list of the injured protesters and asked whether

they had left the hospital. A protester who assisted the demonstrators' medical committee during the attack told Human Rights Watch that as of March 8, the committee had registered 67 injured protesters, some of whom had only come forward the day after the attack. He said most injuries were to the head and chest and caused by rocks. Al-Baidani, the journalist, told Human Rights Watch he had spent some of the time during the attack in the protesters' medical tent, where he said he interviewed and photographed 34 of the injured, most of whom had head and limb injuries caused by stones and sticks. The doctor said that five of the injured told him that unknown persons had shot at the protesters from a white building overlooking the square. The second journalist, al-Khairi, said the protesters' medical committee had recorded two gunshot wounds. One man was hit in the chest, and a second man's head was grazed by a bullet. Sharif, the protester who was one of the first to be injured, also said that he had seen one person whose head had been grazed by a bullet, whom he had taken to the Nasr government hospital. Sharif said that late on March 6 some assailants returned to "Freedom Square" and shouted at protesters that if they did not leave, the assailants would throw grenades into the protest site. "The pattern of violence in Ibb and other Yemeni cities suggests that pro-government assailants are confident they will not be stopped or held to account," Stork said. "If President Saleh fails to fulfil his promise of protection, peaceful protesters will continue to end up in hospitals and graves."

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