National Yemen - Issue 03 by National Yemen Newspaper

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YemenIS Abroad

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Gulf Exploiters, Yemeni victims

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Disenchanted Musings

The Facts As They Are

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Australian Woman Detained in Sana’a On Security Charges

The Australian consul in Sana’a, Bijamin Aldek, met last Monday Yahia Al-Sayaghi, the chairman of Asia and Australasia Dept. At the Foreign Ministry in order to discuss the arrest of Shyloh Jayne Giddins, a female Australian national, early last month. AlSayghi told the Australian diplomat that they could retrieve the children, Omer (7) and Amina (5) who were detained in an apartment in north Sana’a under the direct supervision of the Political Security deputy chairman Brig. General Rajeh Hunaish. However, the political security officer refused to cooperate with the consul saying that he had no orders from his superiors concerning the matter. Sources said that the Australian

Prime Minister had instructed the Australian deputy ambassador in Saudi Arabia to move to Yemen and leave only when the case of the detained woman and her children’s case is settled. The diplomat in question is expected to arrive in Sana’a next Friday. A document issued by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs dated April 12, 2010 stated that based on intelligence information, it was decided to suspend her Australian passport and that she should have returned any Australian travel documents and refrain from using them. The same statement said that such measures would not prejudice her rights of nationality or other legal rights on the Australian government. Page ( 3 )

Photo AMIRA AL-SHARIF

Mousa Al-Namrani

A Black Angel : Amal is twenty years old and a mother of three children. She married when she was just fifteen years old. She studies from home, in spite of all the obstacles she has to face, just like many other Yemeni girls whom she represents, who have the courage to endeavour in continuing their studies, in the face of adversity.

Yemeni youth joins Arab Thought Foundation

Yemen launches second LNG production train NY Staff Prime Minister Ali Mujawar officially launched on Saturday the second production train of the Yemeni LNG Project in Balhaf, in the Shabwa governorate. In a speech during the ceremony, Mujawar said that the project is an exceptional achievement, notably the largest in Yemen’s history, that reflects a strong and efficient partnership between the government and international investors, adding that the production train will undoubtedly boost Yemen’s

LNG exports to global markets. He highlighted the efforts made by the Ministry of Oil & Minerals to complete the train ahead of schedule and affirmed that the government remains determined to continue such diligent efforts that would help Yemen improve its economic situation. He also commended the decision of the Yemen LNG Company in allocating scholarships for students in the governorates of Shabwa and Marib.

The LNG project in Shabwa, which is located in the southeast of Yemen, was launched in October last year when its first shipments were also exported to South Korea and the USA. The Oil & Minerals Minister, Amir al-Aidaroos said that the $ 4.5 billion project is the largest economic project in Yemen to date. He added that the total production of the LNG project is expected to be 6.7 million tonnes per year. Page ( 3 )

Saudi Prince Khaled al-Faisal, the governor of Mecca and chairman of the Arab Thought Foundation (ATF), honored Ibrahim Muthanna (21) from Yemen by choosing him as a member of the foundation advisory board, which is constituted from a group of Arab intellectuals. The announcement was made during a closed workshop held in Beirut to celebrate the foundation’s 10th anniversary. ATF is an international independent institution and supports initiatives to promote Arab principles, values and ethics, through an intellectual position of ‘responsible freedom’. It is chiefly concerned with all intellectual disciplines including the sciences, medicine, economy, manage-

ment, literature and so on. The foundation itself calls for panArab solidarity, in terms of both promoting it and preserving its identity. Muthanna is an activist and a pioneer of community work in

Yemen with a vast experience of working with various organizations including UNESCO, OXFAM, and ‘Global Changemakers’. He has represented Yemen in a number of regional and international events.

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National Yemen

REPORT

Yemeni seaports: High expenditure, low returns? A recent study conducted by Cornell Group, a USbased management consulting firm, has indicated that Yemen needs approximately $2.5 billion to sufficiently develop its seaports between 2010 and 2014. Fuad al-Qadhi The breakdown of the above amount is: $338 million for developing a beach to the north of Aden, $639 million for constructing 3 berths and dredging the channel in the Aden container port, $154 million for dredging Hodeidah Port channel and another $373 million for building additional container berths at the same port, and developing al-Dhabba and Baroum ports in Hadramout for $891 million and $37 million respectively. The study that was conducted by Cornell (selected through a tender in 2008 from 32 companies) for the Yemeni government, and its recommendations are expected to be implemented by the same American group from World Bank funding. Ultimately it aims to enhance investment prospects and interest in Yemen as a whole, encourage economic growth and create job opportunities in Aden, Hodeidah, Mukalla and the other planned port cities. It also seeks to develop infrastructure and build further shipping capabilities, i.e. facilities for cargo and container ships. The same study urged the private sector to contribute to port development through four privatization models: 1) BuildOperate-Transfer (BOT), 2); public private partnership (PPP);

3) partnership and concession contracts, and trans-shipment facilitations, and; 4) building, owning, operation and financing. The study recommended that the privatization be implemented over two phases: (i) the necessary drafting of relevant laws and regulations, preparing a national-level coordination plan, announcing partnership models with the private sector and issuing bylaws and tariffs, and then (ii) concluding the agreements based

$18 million to invest in redesigning and improving facilities, stipulating that Mulla terminal be capable of handling the volume expected in 2018 on the BOT model. The study forwarded a strategic proposal of moving Mulla Terminal containers to the Aden Container Terminal while simultaneously securing $18 million to invest in redesigning and improving facilities,

stipulating that Mulla terminal be capable of handling the volume expected in 2018 without the need for further development and expansion. The study also indicated that Aden Port is in need for additional berths to meet shipping demands until 2025. The study continued to add that two new container berths would be enough for Hodeidah port to cover shipping needs for the coming 20 years if the throughput should improve in port cargo facilities. A new government strategy focuses on implementing policies surrounding its national ports , enhancing its national shipping laws, building Ministry of Transport›s capabilities, improving the organizational structure and efficiencies of ports, and securing a sound contribution

of the private sector. In line with the above study the government desires to follow suit by taking steps to establish new, major commercial ports in a number of coastal governorates which would cost an estimated sum total of about $400 million. According to the Transport minister, his ministry is preparing to build such ports between 2010 and 2012 including Hadramout port in Baroum, Khalfout port in Mahara near the YemenOmani border, and another port in the Socotran Archipelago in addition to al-Dhabba Industrial Port. He also said that work will also be underway to develop and restore Mokha Port, to increase its containment and berthing capacities so that it would be capable of receiving large merchant vessels as well as

importing and exporting all types of cargo. But despite the study›s findings and the government›s clear intentions and exerted efforts, the state of many main ports in Yemen is still substandard. Such ports had been expected to ‹help set the wheels in motion› for Yemen›s economy, especially when Dubai Port World (DPW) took over Mulla and Aden container terminals in 2008 in a 50/50 partnership with Yemen Gulf of Aden Port Corporation (YGAPC). Unfortunately what has been spent on maritime transport projects so far is inconsistent and disproportionate with the expansion in Yemeni ports. According to a recent report by the Ministry of Transport, it spent roughly: 50 billion YR on Aden

Gulf port corporations between 1990 and 2009 that included construction and expansion works; up to 2 billion YR Arabian Sea corporations (Mukalla, Socotra and Nashtoon ports), and; over 12 billion YR Red Sea Port Corporation (Hodeidah, Salif and Mokha ports). As a result of inferior workmanship, a $10-million main crane at Hodeidah Port collapsed. Statistics indicate that overall expenditure figures on maritime transport in Yemen surpasses 66 billion YR, and yet despite this massive expenditure does not translate accordingly translate into promising, palpable payoffs, given both the poor performance and the volume of traffic in Yemen's ports and harbours.

National Yemen

LOCAL

South African experience, of course with the huge differences on realities. South Africa is an industrial country with solid infrastructure in place, while Yemen is a developing nation with challenges everywhere. However, with the given resources and limited experience Yemen can still do something that could thrust it firmly into the spotlight. The Yemeni people are both very generous and quite innovative, so hopefully we should be able to amply demonstrate our hospitality to the satisfaction of our guests in Yemen.

Fakhri al-Arashi Publisher & Chief Editor

Usually at this time of the year, people are packing their suitcases in preparation for their summer vacations. This year many people have already started their vacations and have been enjoying their time sightseeing and visiting many modern and historic sites either in Yemen, the Gulf, in North Africa, South East Asia and Europe. Yet many families are still busied with school exams and want just to relax at the end of a hectic year of study. However, the global highlight and attraction of the year has to be the World Cup 2010, which is held in South Africa this year. “The world will be united in 2010” is a slogan by MTN, a main sponsor of this year’s World Cup tournament. This is really true in the sense that this event brings together people from all cultures and backgrounds to support one’s home team. This world event is enough to make it a fantastic summer and football season. However, this season is about to get even more exciting. This year so many people in Yemen and elsewhere are heading south to watch the soccer matches live. The masses are truly bringing the world cup home in supporting. They invest time and money and personal devotion into following the matches. You can see and hear the groups of people, of families and friends, coming together in especially to watch these matches on TVs with subscriptions to the sports channels that exclusively air the tournament. You can also witness the coffee shops, the restaurants, the parks and public places announcing that they will be showing the matches. That is the World Cup 2010 in all its magnificence and glory which mesmerizes the whole planet in the pure excitement emanating from TV screens of all sizes. Yemen is expecting a great season of football this year too with Gulf 20. The Ministry of Youth & Sport and other stakeholder ministries are working hard to finalize all the necessary logistical preparations and arrangements in order to host Yemen’s biggest sports event ever, Gulf 2010, in Aden. I believe that our people will have the interest to model the

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However a question has been posed as to whether Yemen will ultimately be able to host Gulf 20, given the security challenges in the south and various threats of cancellation coming from some Gulf clubs? The ministries and steering committees in charge of the Gulf 20 profile promised to finish and hand over all facilities on time. How true is this? This is a big dream for Yemenis, at least 3 million of whom work in the Gulf region, due to the regional significance represented by the event. Can the dream come true? Let’s say, “Yes. Yemen will make it like South Africa.” Hosting the Gulf 20 Sports Championship in Yemen, particularly in the south, is incredibly significant politically. It will demonstrate the deep solidarity between Gulf countries and the people of a unified Yemen. It is hoped that the event will mitigate some factors of instability in the south, and besides, the event will create excellent business opportunities for people there too. It has already attracted a lot of labor and construction projects in building stadiums, hotels, roads, and other facilities in preparation for the event. Small as well as big contractors, workers, and vendors are getting their share of this multi-dimensional project. Someone I heard yesterday was talking about the event’s impact on the sales of LCD TVs, travel tickets, hotels, restaurants, and so on all injecting funds into, and stimulating, Yemen’s economy. Is this not a rewarding investment for the government and people of Yemen? Once more managing to host the Gulf 20 season in Yemen will definitely place our country on the map. I am sure that Yemen’s LNG project, for instance, will have made Yemen one the top 20 LNG exporting countries in the world. Gulf 20 in Aden is definitely adding value to Yemen’s resurgent branding as a safe and friendly country. We can make it! Yes we may be poor, but we have a very rich tradition of hospitality and diligence in our work that means we could take up the challenge and make it. Nothing on the surface of earth is impossible!

Fakhri Hassan Al-Arashi Publisher & Chief Editor

Flotilla activists received by president Saleh President Ali Abdullah Saleh received the three Yemeni MPs who had taken part in the voyage of the ‘Freedom Flotilla’ that was infamously stormed last week by Israeli commandos on its way to deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. The three PMs, Mohammed N. al-Hazmi, Hazza’a al-Maswari and al-Khaleq bin Shaihoun, returned home on Friday coming from Jordan and Turkey.

After the Israeli assault, which had drawn global condemnation and protest, Yemen asked Israel to transfer its nationals home through borders of friendly countries. The activists briefed President Saleh on events that had occurred during the ferocious attack by Israeli troops in international waters on the fleet of ships carrying aid bound for Gaza. The men said that Yemeni participation in the flotilla shows the solidarity of Yemenis with the

their brothers and sisters in Palestine generally, their empathy for the blockaded Gaza strip in particular. They also recollected what had happened in the incident, informing President Saleh exactly how the activists were killed and injured. The president congratulated them upon their safe return and told them that their participation in the matter was a positive step and an important part of the overall continuous efforts which aim to lift the Israeli blockade on

The JITCOM annual exhibition became a yearly phenomena in the IT business industry which attracts thousands of visitors who have strong interests in the telecommunication and IT fields. Apollo for international exhibitions announced for the 12th exhibition under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Tlecom and IT, which will start by the 5th of June and end by the 11th of the same month. Most of the exhibition sections are on process on book-

ing space and the exibotrors are rung for the prominent locations where they want to attract there customers to show them the latest technology. that the telecommunication and IT sectors in Yemen are best compared to other sectors in the country. Mr. Omar al-Nihmi, marketing manager for Apollo said the telecommunication and IT sectors in Yemen are best compared to

other sectors in the countryThat’s why JICTOM is considered one of the most important exhibitions held in Yemen particularly given that it is the only annual occasion in this field. Organizing JICTOM 2010 for the twelfth year consequently comes in coincidence with the great development that Yemen witnesses in telecommunication and information technology and the doubled number of telecommunication companies and users during the last few

years. JICTOM exhibition is considered the largest and most famous exhibition held in Yemen, participating with the world’s largest companies that represent the most recent developments in telecommunication technology. This year we have an exceptional marketing plan where we give the buyer the chance to have the best deal and acquire what they were waiting for.

Australian Woman Detained in Sana’a On Security rges

Informed sources asserted that the arrest of Jane Giddins may be part of services offered by Yemeni security to “friendly” countries. According to hoodonline.org, there are popular movements aiming to press their government to act to save their fellow national. Steven Hopper, an Australian lawyer and human rights activist, said he would volunteer to defend the detainee. He affirmed that there are tens of Australian lawyers who are willing to provide legal help toward the case. HOOD, a Yemeni human rights organization, had sent a letter to the Australian foreign minister, Stephen Smith, stating the organization was ashamed on behalf of the Yemeni people for the inhumane treatment of the Australian woman and her children by the Political Security Office and asking him and his government to intervene at the highest level to preserve the rights of their citizens in accordance with both Yemen’s constitution and its laws as well as international laws and treaties and, above all, a simple mutual respect among states for human dignity.

Yemen launches second LNG production train

The Yemen LNG shareholders are Total (39.62%), Hunt (17.22%), Yemen Gas Company (16.73%), SK Corporation (9.55%), Kogas (6.00%), Hyundai (5.88%) and the General Authority of Social Security and Pensions (5.00%). The event was attended by a number of officials, MPs, as well as the governor of Shabwa and members of the local council.

Mohammed Al-Asaadi Editorial Consultant

Mansoor Al-Rdaei News Editor

Fuad Al-Qadhi Business Editor

Dr. Ahmed Al-Qoyadhi Education Editor

The Facts As They Are Mohammed Al-Bahri Sports Editor

Gaza, which has been imposed since 2007. “We are not against any country or religion,” he said “however, Yemen is against the Israeli occupation and settlement expansion. Yemen supports the implementation of international resolutions for establishing a Palestinian state, and we hope that both Israel’s arrogance and their aggressive attack on the flotilla will help lead to the end of the blockade of Gaza.”

Al-Jazeera Information Technology and Communication (JITCOM) announces for 12th exhibition

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Newspaper

Flotilla activists received by president Saleh

Fantastic Football

National Yemen

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Khaled Al-Sofi SeniorTranslator

Mohammed Howais Photojournalist

Najeeb Abdulwahed Technical Director

Wardah Ashawish Graphic Designer

Najla’a Al-Shaibani Social Editor

Ali Abdullah Ajlan IT Editor

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SOCIAL

National Yemen

Yemen: a bridge for drugs to GCC countries In 2008, Yemen rated first in the Arab region in terms of drug seizures and arrests of drug dealers, according to the Yemeni Interior Ministry. Yemeni security forces seized 28.5 tons of hashish of East Asian origin during that year, as well as 15.4 million Captagon pills. Abu Aboud But the country›s strategic location, with its long coastline, makes it a transit point for narcotics which are shipped from drug-producing countries to drug-consuming ones. Yemeni officials say that if they are to keep pace with the smugglers and drug traffickers, they will need additional resources. Khalid Al-Radi, the director general of the anti-drug unit at the Yemeni Interior Ministry, said that «despite the efforts to eradicate this phenomenon, we have not achieved our goals for a number of reasons.» «I believe that the most important one is the limited resources available to us, compared to the magnitude of the threat and the advanced methods used by the criminals and their capabilities,» he said. «This should be counteracted with similar or better techniques, and this is why we should focus our efforts in this phase on providing the necessary resources in order to better carry out our tasks.» Recent statistics published by the anti-drug department at the Yemeni Interior Ministry indicated that in 2009, 5.2 tons of hashish and three million narcotic pills were seized. Musaab Al-Sufi, deputy director general of the anti-drug unit stated that most individuals smuggling drugs to Yemen are Iranians, Pakistanis, Syrians, Somalis, Kenyans and Yemenis,

adding that many of them have been sentenced to death or imprisonment for 25 years. A total of 200 individuals were prosecuted last year. Al-Sufi expressed real concerns about the expansion of the problem to the point that it will negatively affect Yemeni society if the antidrug unit is not provided with adequate resources, and as long as preventive programs targeting youth, children and society as a whole are not intensified. He worries about an increase in drug abuse among the youth, especially since some of these drugs are finding their way to the local market. Last month, the Special Criminal Court in Sanaa that handles state security and terrorism cases sentenced a Syrian to death and two others to 25 years in jail on drug charges. Security agencies arrested the three Syrians in late 2009 in the container terminal in the free zone in Aden, while attempting to smuggle 2.6 million Captagon pills into Yemen. They tried to hide them inside a large electric oven, similar to the ones used in big hotels. During interrogation, they confessed to having carried out five similar smuggling operations in Yemen. Meanwhile, Judge Saeed AlAqel said the number of cases being caught is only a fraction of the real problem. He said there are 62 individuals in the central prison, most of whom

are Pakistanis and Iranians, and some who have already been sentenced to death, a ruling that cannot be reversed by the judge. Seized drugs and hashish originate principally from Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan, AlAqel said. Dr. Abdul Razzaq Al-Marrani, assistant deputy chairman of the Customs Authority mentioned that the department took precautionary measures to inspect suspicious shipments using new technology that tracks routes and countries of origin. Methods

include the use of x-rays as well as manual inspection to be sure that the shipment is not suspicious. Given that drugs are bound for Gulf countries, Al-Marrani said that a Yemeni-Emirati and a Yemeni-Saudi partnership were formed, which resulted in the confiscation of several shipments of hashish and narcotics before they could reach their destination. The suspects were prosecuted and the shipments destroyed. Drug gangs use non-traditional smuggling means so as not to raise suspicion, Al- Marrani added.

Security forces were able to arrest a gang that attempted to smuggle huge amounts of drugs hidden inside water heaters that were transported by air from Syria. The Yemeni authorities became suspicious when they noticed that some heaters were heavier than others, which prompted them to open the units with welding machines, and found the drugs hidden inside the internal cavity of the heaters. Another similar drug shipment from the port of al-Hodiedah was found, and five million narcotic

pills were seized during the operation. In another case, huge quantities of drugs hidden in the draft of a ship were seized. Drugs have also been found inside modified parts of cars and trucks transporting goods between Yemen and neighbouring countries. Trucks from neighbouring countries transporting used items such as furniture and clothes were seized on their way back with drug shipments after their loads were emptied.

A Black Angel Amal is twenty years old and a mother of three children. She married when she was just fifteen years old. She studies from home, in spite of all the obstacles she has to face, just like many other Yemeni girls whom she represents, who have the courage to endeavour in continuing their studies, in the face of adversity. If you look carefully you may see she has unfurled her black wings, as if she is about to take off and fly away from the harsh, windy mountainside. Those wings symbolise her deep resolve and unerring longing for freedom, and represent her power to choose her own destiny, to shape her own future, without interference from her family’s, or even society’s, expectations. However, she hesitates. She is not looking ahead to where she might fly, where she might be, but instead she glances sideways, back to the traditions and customs. For they are an anchor for her identity, one which she might leave behind. Perhaps she is apprehensive to leave it all behind - why must one choose one or the other? But, who can tell what exactly she is thinking, what she feels - the niqab masks and protects her, and makes her facial expressions as enigmatic as Mona Lisa’s smile. Perhaps she has realised that her beautiful black Niqab does not shackle and fetter her from unleashing her potential, and neither does it prevent her from flying, from realizing her dreams of education. Her Niqab, she might conclude, can be used as her wings of flight. True progression flies forward without compromising one’s past.

National Yemen

Among the many illustrious guests in attendance at the 2009 National Day celebration was President Mahmood Abbas of Palestine, shown here greeting legendary statesman Marcel Prud’homme

YemenIS Abroad

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vhonored with a silver plaque by a young member of the Yemeni community. National Day – May 22nd, 2009

One of the most memorable receptions of the year, guests were met by Yemenis Hassan and Maria in colorful Yemeni costumes. National Day – May 22nd , 2009.

WATERCAN annual Embassy Fundraiser Dinner, shows two beautiful Yemeni students leading the Parade of Nations May 7th, 2010.

Mazher Nizar, Dr. Mohamed Basahi & Mrs. Basahi at the Exhibition in Canada - October 14th, 2009

The members of “Al-Ittihad” or “Ottawa United” had much to be happy about. They had recently returned from Toronto, where they had won the North American Yemeni Championships for the second year in a row, July 24th, 2009

Queen of Sheba Event on Parliament Hill – Sept 29th, 2009 Featured here is a group of well-known Canadian Parliamentarians, including the Speaker of the Senate, Noel Kinsella whose affection for Yemen is legendary.

Dr. Marty Robinson, founder of the Canadian Medical Delegation is shown at his home in London, Ontario. He proudly displays some of his amazing artifacts and awards that he has collected on his tremendous and generous work, devoted to Yemen over the years April, 2009.

A group photo of Yemeni Students and Community members gathered together during the Yemeni Art Exhition on October 14th. This photo clearly shows a very happy group of people surrounding their beloved artist Mazher Nizar.

Yemeni kids are taking their chance to learn Arabic & English for better future in Canada

On the occasion of Eid Al-Fitir, a reception was held at the Official Residence for the members of the Yemeni community and students in Ottawa September 20, 2009.

Yemen Embassy in Canada Continual Activities & Family Gathring

The Yemeni Canadian Community in Calgary without doubt is unique among other Yemeni communities in North America. In addition to immigrant families, new families have been formed by the graduating Yemeni students. If they shared one thing, it would be their feeling of belonging to their Yemeni origins. If they desired one thing, it was to connect with their fellow Yemenis in this Canadian young city, Calgary.

Art

National Yemen

REPORTAGE

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SAFER Celebrates the National Day and Honors its Outstanding Staff Safer Exploration and Production Operations Company (SEPOC) celebrated the National Day as well the labor day on Wednesday, May 12 at the Movenpick Sana’a Hotel. The celebration is a yearly phenomenon for SEPOC to honor those the distinguished staff who prove excellence and good performance during the year 2009. Mr. Amir al-Aydarous, minister of oil and minerals, Mr. Mohammed Hussain al-Haj, General Manager of SAFER, senior government officials, CEOs of other leading oil companies in Yemen and the company staff attended the ceremony to acknowledg the efforts of the nominated employees for their hard work and devoted towards SAFER growth and excellent operation . During the opening ceremony speeches were giver to mark the good progress of (SEPOC) for the past year.

H.E. Amir al-Aydarous Minister of oil & Minerals

Mr. Abdu Mohammed al-Hakeemi Deputy Minister of Social Affairs and Labor

al-Haj said , we have to concentrate on the company growth, either in Yemen or abroad, working in the oil industry sector we have to double our efforts. We are in contact with some companies who have been in the oil industry for more than 50 years and make agreements with them to exchange with their long experience in the oil industry. said Mr. Haj in his speech. Mr. Hassan Hindi, President of General Union of Oil and Mining syndicate, extend his heartiest Mr. Amir al-Aydrous , Minister of Oil and Minerals delivered aspeech on the occasion ,“I have the honor to deliver a few words to an exceptional national team of professionals, most of whom are present here today” said the minister. I would like to present my warmest congratulations to those who are striving under extreme conditions in the oil fields and to all SAFER’s staff on the occasion of the National Day May 22nd. I am pleased to see the distinguished presentation given by Mr. al- Sherif. “ A good company like SAFER operating in Block 18 in Marib province has achieved success by supplying oil to Ras Easa and gas to Belhaf too: said al-Aydrous. The presentation given by the staff shows that Safer is producing oil and gas also well supplying oil resources to the two main refineries in Marib and Aden. SAFER have a long prosperous future multiple purposes other than producing oil. The vision for SAFER is to developed through a modern techniques that come in line with the company’s tasks, capacities, and plans for future. This approach should regulate SAFER’s goals and give it more power to expand the company activities in block 18; the minister said that the company should think ahead and operate worldwide . I am sure it has the ability to do so. As long as the company maintains its current level of progress in a scientific and organized way, I believe it will definitely be the pioneering national company capable of tackling the problems and concerns in the oil industry of Yemen. the Minister concludes his speech by thanking all individuals who are contributing to the development of such National Company like Safer. Mr. Abdu Mohammed al-Hakeemi, deputy minister of social affairs and labor Said, SAFER is an example to follow in the government wise for the staff and management. “The occasion is an annual convention in which SAFER honors its employees at

all its level. The Labor Day is a day foe those who worked hard and they deserve to celebrate it all over the world. The government expectation for Safer is continue in the same path to honor each and every year. I hope that by next year, a lot more will be accomplished he is looking for. Al-Hakeemi concluded his speech . Eng. Mohamed Hussein AlHaj, Executive Manager of Safer, speak on the company achievements saying that he is proud to celebrate the labor day ceremony this year which goes with the celebration of the National Day of Yemen May 22nd. The day of the establishment of modern Yemen and the reunification which makes SAFER part this valuable episode in the history of Yemen . “ SAFER’s prestige all along by investing the efforts and carrying on the work bestowed upon them responsibly” said al-Haj .SAFER is honoring employees in key roles for the fifth year continuously. This occasion recognizes those who worked side by side to make a success to all, they work from behind the scenes. “This occasion is exceptional and very special to us as it was a challenge that SAFER would not last longer than 2 weeks and we are now in the fifth year of excellent operation” said al-Haj . It is true that there have been challenges and the ministry of oil and ministry of finance have played a good role supporting SAFER during the hard time during the handover of Block 18. “ I would like to thank H.E., President Ali Abdullah Saleh, the oil ministry, and political leadership for their continuous support.” siad al-Haj. I am pleased to introduce Eng. Saif al-Sharif as one of the good example who have taken the responsibility in one of the departments. al-Sherif, left his work in U.A.E. and came server his country through his wide experience.

E. Saif Al-Sherif Director of exploration and development

E. Mohamed Hussein Al-Haj Executive Director of the Company

I would like to thank H.E., President Ali Abdullah Saleh, the oil ministry, and political leadership for their continuous support.” greetings to management of Safer, staff and distinguished guests. he said, the ceremony aims to motivate employees by honoring them for their endless efforts. “The oil and mining syndicate is trying to build cooperative and trustful bridges among all administrative leaderships in the oil sector” said Hindi. The oil minister has worked at improving the employees’ living standards and granting them their rights in line with sustainable productivity. I would like to thank SAFER’s

leadership represented by Mr. Mohammed Hussein al-Haj for the endless efforts to serve the company and its staff. What Safer has done today by honoring the outstanding staff is a clear evidence of the exceptional spirit of SAFER that links the staff with its leadership. Despite its era with Yemeni leadership, SAFER has achieved commendable and distinguished success. Safer has proved to the world that the Yemen can make such a success in the oil and gas sector. On this great occasion of 20th anniversary of the national day, I would like to congratulate the political leadership represented by H.E. President Ali Abdullah Saleh”, said Mr. Hassan al Hindi, Eng. Saif al-Sharif give a comprehensive presentation on the past years activities of SEPOC . When we talk about Safer, it means that we are talking about one of the most strategic and dynamic partner to the development process of the country, which is one of the essential tributaries of national economy. Safer company is oil and gas producer which exports daily over 45,000 barrels of crude oil to Ras Isa port, as well as 70,000 barrels through its pipe line extending from Marib to Ras Isa from the neighboring production blocks like (block 5, block S1, block S2, and block 9.) Safer is also the only producer and exporter of natural gas to Belhaf terminal, The company deliver approximately 190,000 of equivalent oil barrels in a daily base, corresponding to one billion cubic feet per day. Safer is the sole exporter of LPG (cooking gas) in the Republic of Yemen whether through direct export (24,500) thousand barrel per day of gas

Jala Hizam othman hakeemi PIPELINE

from the gas processing units in Marib or indirectly through Aden refinery which receives oil from Ras Esa. The company is also the sole exporter of 60 million cubic feet of gas used to produce electricity from Marib Power Station (1) which is about 16,000 equivalent oil barrels per day. Safer is the only source of 10,000 crude oil to Marib refinery, which means that the total production of Safer company in several vital hydrocarbon sectors is approximately 275 500 barrels of oil and oil equivalent in a daily bases. This is an important number in supplementing our national economy. As we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the national day, let's get out a little from the technical issues and to say that Safer company with its vital work in block 18 reflects the national unity when Houdeidah governorate embraces Marib governorate by its oil production through several other governorates, such as the Governorates of Sana’a and Dhamar. Similarly when Shabwa Governorate embraces Marib at its port of Belhaf with its gas production through Safer Company.

Abdulla Hashim AL -Nahiri PIPELINE

Fatima Ahmed Mohamed ADMINISTRATION

Qassim Saeed Abdulla Al- Hakimi F S O SAFFER-MARINE

Ali Abdulla Hameed Mohamed F S O SAFFER-MARINE

In shifting to the Safer Company's achievements from November 15, 2005 to March 31, 2010: Establishing the technical and logistical database of Block 18. Re-mapping several layers of oil and gas fields. Conducted full field development studies for several fields. Carried out geological study of basement in Block 18. Evaluated the remaining oil and gas reserves. According to these reserves a plan has been developed for delivering LNG feed gas for 20 years to the exporting port in Belhaf and the delivery already started. A plan had been prepared for delivering one trillion cubic feet of gas to the Marib gas power station-1 and delivery has already started.

Ahmed Mokbel Ali Alyan SUPPLY CHAIN

Saleh Ahmed faheid Al-juhaily PIPELINE

Mohammed Musaid Alawi F S O SAFFER-MARINE

Mr. Hassan al-Hindi President of General Union of Oil and Mining Syndicate

Ahmed Abdulkareem Mohammed SUPPLY CHAIN

Ibrahim Abdulla Ahmed Al-Ghosin Saleh Mohammed al-Sawari COMMUNICATIONS&IT SAFETY

Amin Noman Abdo Al- Maktari EXPLORATION & DEVELOPMENT

Abdul Khalek Saleh al-Ojily EXPLORATION & DEVELOPMENT

Sharaf Hussein Sharaf Al- Kibsy FINANCE

Radwan Ahmed Ahmed Al-Shami FINANCE

Sultan Ali Othman ghalib SUPPLY CHAIN

Khalid Ali Nasser Muhyideen ADMINISTRATION

Faisal Moh›d Ali Al-Kour PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS

Mohsen Aahmed Mohsen PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS

Khalid Hussien Mohamed Al-Nahari PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS

National Yemen

68 wells have been drilled 8 of them exploration wells and 60 development wells in several areas in block 18. 94 million barrels of crude oil have been produced from block

REPORTAGE

A 3D seismic survey has started since July 2009 and 1300 km2 has been acquired so far. Finished expansion of Raydan production facilities. Finishing the modifications

E.GM-Special Award ( Drilling Dept. ) Recived by Eng. Ahmed Al-Haj

18. 35 million barrels of LPG (domestic cooking gas) have been produced. Daily 700 million cubic feet of gas in a daily base are being delivered to Belhaf facilities for liquefaction and export. Provided Marib refinery with 18 million barrels of crude oil. Exporting 200 million barrels of crude oil to Ras Isa, 45 percent of them from block 18 and the rest from the adjacent producing blocks.

Abdul Hadi Ali Ahmed Masoud PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS

Abdul Wahid Mohamed Sinan PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS

Abdulla Saleh Al-Hashedi HUMAN RESOURCES& TRAINING

Ali saleh Ali Agar ADMINISTRATION

Abdul-Ellah Ali Muharram COMMUNICATIONS&IT

of the first stages of the Asa’d al-Kamil facilities as well as increasing delivering of the amount of liquefied gas to Belhaf facilities in June 28, 2009, despite the difficulties that faced the company. Finished the engineering works and starting the detailed designs for CPU and KPU modifications of the production facilities in order to decrease the loss of LPG (the domestic cooking gas) while delivering the natural liquefied gas to Belhaf facilities. A plan has been developed for raising the technical and managerial skills of the company staff through gap analysis program, and develop a suitable training program for bridging this gap.

Abdulla Ahmed Hussien Al-Azani PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS

Ahmed Abdu Mohamed aL-Syad PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS

Ahmed Alkhair A. R.Luqman PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS

Edrees Yahya Mohamed Al-Shami PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS

Hana’a Abdul Latif Al-Mansoob PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS

Hemir Ahmed Saleh Al-Ghori PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS

Lutfi ahmed Moh d Awn PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS

FadelAhmed Saeed Yami PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS

Summary of the reviewed achievements in numbers: The total amount of the crude oil production in block 18 raised Safer’s total income to about $6.7 billion. This does not include the cooking gas value. The production cost was about $715 million, which means a net income of about $6 billion. By the way for the sake of comparison, if the previous operator has continued in operating the block since November 15, 2005 to March 2010, it would have been entitled to oil value of approximately $1.96 billion. This means that the operational cost in addition to the previous operator›s share would have been 40 percent of the block›s income and the state›s share would have been 60 percent, while in Safer’s case the government share is 89 percent and the production costs are 11 percent, but these costs are not only operational costs, but also they are operational costs in capital cost as well. Al-Sharif also reviewed digital comparisons between Safer Company and other companies return values operating in main producing blocks in Yemen, which showed Safer›s company distinction in terms of revenues. The most important projects under implementation in block 18: 3D seismic survey: It was inaugurated by the company in July 2009, for exploration opportunities and development through the three dimensional seismic surveys, al-Sharif said, « before continuing in this issue I would like to correct erroneous information repeated by some people which alleges that block 18 was not fully explored except for a limited area by the previous operator. This information is not true,» al-Sharif says that 18500 km of two-dimensional seismic surveys were carried out all over block 18 by the previous operator and drilled about 105 exploration wells all over block 18. However AlSharif added that the discovery mechanism was not effective and the three dimensional seismic survey is the best and most effective tool in

Khalid Muhieldin Ahmed Al-Ansi PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS

Naif Hamoud Abdulla AL-Moughalis PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS

Mehsen Ahmed Omar Al-Amudi PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS

Saud Saleh Ahmed al -Bakari PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS

Rashad Haza Mahyoub PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS

exploration and development activities, explaining that the previous operator had carried out 3D seismic survey only in two small areas: the first was 450 square kilometers in 1994 and other in 2004 which covered only 500 square kilometers, that is why Safer had decided to cover most of block 18 by 3D seismic survey for better exploration and development operations. So far 1300 square kilometers have been surveyed in the central and northeastern areas of block 18. The seismic teams will move to the third southern and southeastern area of the block. This takes two months, before moving to the western area. Seismic surveys in areas that have been completed have been processed and interpreted, and on light of the new interpretations of these 3D survey results Safer Company has prepared a first geological map. The first drilled well according to that map was tested last week and has been successful it produces 400 barrels and is now on the production line. We have also drilled the second well, and it will be tested within the few coming days. The second project: Ras Isa oil storage tanks and Port. The importance of this project is the fact that the life of the floating port (Safer Ship) outdated. Fifty five companies have applied for implementation and 11 of them were qualified. The tender documents were prepared and submitted to the Higher Committee for Tenders and the committee had approved them. Safer company is now reviewing options for the implementation and funding the project. The third project: Modification of gas processing plants in CPU and KPU. The main objective of this project is to increase plants capacity of extracting liquefied petroleum gas (the cooking gas) from 54 to 86 percent which will result in keeping an approximate amount of 40 to 50 million barrels of the cooking gas that will go with the exported natural gas to Belhaf port in the next 20 years of exporting. Sharif said. The fourth project: The fourth project is upgrading the company staff skills. The company has contracted a consulting firm for this purpose through technical skill gap analysis. The first group›s training programs consisting of 85 nationals, and it is now in the implementation stage. Preparations are currently under way for the second batch to join the training process for upgrading the company› staff skills to the level of international oil corporate expertise.

Jaffar Hassan jaffar Aman PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS

Hadi Nasser Al-Ashram PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS

Sunday, June 06, 2010 www.nationalyemen.com

Abdul Rahman Samir Al-Shamiri SEPOC - SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Naji Salem Abood Al-sherif SEPOC -SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Rashad Ali Mohamed Al-Kubaty SEPOC -SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Hisham Yahya Hussien al-Arashi SEPOC -SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Fadel Abdorabo Ahmed AL-Masr SEPOC -SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The distinguished employees who got special awards for outstanding excellence performance who have been selected by the Executive Director of the Company What is the Safer company› future vision: The company has organized a number of workshops, interposed by brain storming sessions for setting a strategy of the company (Safer company). The company has prepared its strategic plans and they are now under implementation. Safer company has developed its vision:

” TO BE THE PREMIER OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION COMPANY IN YEMEN”

Sunday, June 06, 2010 www.nationalyemen.com

TRAVEL &TOURISM

National Yemen

Socotra: A natural pearl and hidden treasure Socotra is an island with great tourism potential; it has 600 rare plants, 730 types of fish, 300 types of crabs, in addition to hundreds of land and marine species that distinguish Socotra as a natural pearl just waiting to be discovered and explored.

Imad al-Daini Socotra is an island with great tourism potential; it has 600 rare plants, 730 types of fish, 300 types of crabs, in addition to hundreds of land and marine species that distinguish Socotra as a natural pearl just waiting to be discovered and explored. It was officially announced by the UN as a nature reserve with an allocated budget to protect its species from threats posed by poachers. The al-Balda Tourism Festival 2010 has decided to promote this natural treasure. The Bait Al-Khibra Foundation, [please check!] the event organizer and the island’s local authority have agreed to coordinate and manage between them Zahra Socotra Night as part of the festival that is to begin mid-July. Socotra (318km southeast of Mukalla) is Yemen’s largest islands with an area of 3,650km2. It has an international airport and its population numbers about 50,000 most of whom work in agriculture, farming, fishing and diving. The island is also famous for its many pearl traps. The island’s undulating terrain features mountains, hills, valleys and coasts. The highest peak on the island reaches a height of up to 1500m above sea level. Socotra’s climate is tropical where the temperatures in the plains and the coasts is 38 degrees in summer and between 25 and 28 degrees in high mountains with seasonal rains in spring and autumn. During wintertime, the island is subject to storms and

strong winds.

Unique, breathtaking terrain

The island is distinguished from other Yemeni islands, and even from other islands around the globe because its rare natural and biological diversity, in addition to its somewhat unique and, moreover, picturesque topographic relief. At about 1000 B.C. Socotra was known as a major manufacturer of “sacred goods” in older religions that used to be used extremely ritualised. Many of these products were produced in Socotran caves. Many caves and grottos are scattered throughout the island, as well as on its satellite islands. Surprisingly, most of those caves are inhabited, and the most important and largest of these caves is Di Jobb in which reside several families. Socotra’s coasts extend for 300 miles. Their white dunes and dense palm trees makes these coasts an ideal resort for recreation and diving, especially after infrastructure and tourism facilities have been established. The island’s coastal waters diverse fisheries include turtles and are surrounded by some breathtaking coral reefs and pearls, for which the island has been famous for thousands of years. What makes the already beautiful

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Socotra has a dense vegetation consisting of about 750 species of flora and fauna, including plants which have traditional medicinal properties, and

island even more charming are its magnificent waterfalls, of which the largest is Danjin waterfall. Most of the waterfalls flow from the high mountains all around the year.

Coral archipelago, bristling with stunning biodiversity

This is a natural history museum due to its rare diversity, with 253 types of corals, hundreds of fishers species in addition to over 60 recorded fisheries that play a vital role in preserving environmental equilibrium. According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC), is one of only ten islands rich in unique biodiversity.

The island’s flora

Socotra has a dense vegetation consisting of about 750 species of

flora and fauna, including plants which have traditional medicinal properties, and other rare flora, including plants like frankincense tree. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) the following 7 rare species are found on Socotra island: Dirachma socotrana, Aloe squarrosa, Dendrosicyos socotranus, Taverniera sericophylla, Dorstenia gigas, Begonia socotrana, and Punica protopunica. The island has, according to botanists, one of the largest concentrations of the 600 rare plants in the world. It is also a habitat of thousands of wild animals like civet cats from which civet, a yellowish, unctuous substance with a strong musklike odor, is extracted, and about 145 species of endemic birds have been recorded, eight of which can be found nowhere else including the Socotra Bunting, Socotra

Starling, Socotra Sunbird, Socotra Sparrow, Socotra Warbler, and Socotra Cisticola. Socotran birds can be watched with ease because they seem to have no fear of man on this paradise island, and fly remarkably close to visitors, and are often spotted on trees and near water. The island also has endemic insects too, including 15 types of butterflies and 60 types of moths, and up to 80% of the island’s reptiles are endemic. In 2000 Socotra was designated as a natural reserve with 23 subreserves, and for all of which $10 million was allocated from UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Later in 2008, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee announced officially that Socotra Archipelago had been added to the list of world heritage sites.

Foreign Husbands & Yemeni Brides: Gulf Exploiters, Yemeni victims • Saudis marry the most Yemeni women of all foreigners • A poor understanding of the law is the main cause of the problems engendered by collapsed marriages between Yemeni women and foreign men Najla’a Ali al-Shaibani The marriage of a Yemeni women to a non-Yemeni is perhaps one thing that families and their daughters may feel proud of. This is mainly because of the changing living conditions that make many naive girls and women fall prey to dreams and temptations of marrying an exotic foreigner. But sadly many young women in Yemen later discover that they are victims of such illconsidered marriages. Some are left behind by their foreign “husbands, who run away without looking back. This type of marriage has been a rarity and an oddity in our conservative society for many years, but now it is becoming a more frequently occurring phenomenon and subsequently a matter of discussion, and controversy. “At last! My dream has come true,” Hend had said when a young Saudi she met at college

had proposed to her. They got married and had two children, but later he decided to go back to his country so he took the children and left his wife in Yemen without so much as telling her why. Now she has no idea of how to retrieve, or even how to contact, her children. Many young women wish to marry men from other Arab countries because, they say, these men are more liberal than conservative Yemenis so marriages to these men would be give them a chance to prove themselves and open new horizons for marginalized Yemeni women, in addition to their ability to pay generous dowries and throw lavish wedding parties. However, they find out soon that their pipe dreams have thrown them into endless complications. From a legal point of view, there are conditions and prerequisites to granting a residence permit for a foreigner who is married to

a Yemeni woman, including: a formal request filed by the wife; proof that the husband has entered Yemen legally, i.e. his name is not on a blacklist; his passport is still valid for at least six months, and; that his residency fees are paid in full. Colonel Ali Ali Hanash, deputy chairman of the Passports and Immigration Authority, elaborated on this point and said that for a foreigner to marry a Yemeni woman the following steps should be followed: A written request from the would-be wife to the Ministry of the Interior, accompanied by a copy of her identification card, a copy of the would-be husband’s or Yemeni wife’s passport, the husband’s entry and residency documents if one of them lives in Yemen, a copy of the husband’s embassy consent document, a copy of the wife’s custodian’s consent and a medical certificate

testifying the husband’s is free of AIDS. The same applies when a Yemeni man wishes to marry a non-Yemeni woman. A Legal Perspective Mr. Abdullah al-Jaradi, a family lawyer, said that ignorance of the law on the part of typical Yemeni families make them agree to marriage proposals without fully comprehending the necessary procedures. Sociologists said they believe that such marriage is normal among societies because this has been considered an ordinary phenomenon throughout history. Mr. Fuad al-Salahi, professor of sociology at Sana’a university, said that this type of marriage is not seen as a social problem because it occurs in all societies, and it happens to Yemenis living abroad as well. “However,” he added, “the real problem is in the laws that regulate such marriages. In Yemen, there are no

laws to regulate marriage or even civil registry offices to officially notarize marriage contracts to legalize them.” He also said that there should be a protection system to protect the rights of Yemeni women marrying foreigners in case such marriage should collapse. “In order to preserve the rights of the wife and her children,” explained al-Salahi, “the contracts must be notarized and the government must create the relevant frameworks so that social relationships are based on agreement rather than disagreement.” Sheikh Shakir Hiba asserted that such marriage is not forbidden as long as it is subject to the standard Islamic marriage conditions. “It is stipulated that a Muslim woman should not marry a non-Muslim man,” he said, adding that the contract, in order to be legitimate, must be issued by legitimate authorities.

The statistics issued by the Ministry of Justice indicates that up until the year 2009, the number of such marriages reached 1024, and that most of which were of marriages to Saudis, who were followed by men from the UAE (230), Bahrain (71) and Oman (69). The same statistics says that in 2009 there were 54 cases of marriage to Americans and 35 Brits. The Ministries of Justice and the Interior issued a circular which formally obliges marriage notaries (ma’athon) to register cases of marriage of Yemeni women to foreigners, and to complete the registration through obtaining consent from the two ministries, who in turn would then confirm the marriage by verifying the embassy’s consent from the relevant embassies representing the man proposing to marry a Yemeni woman.

National Yemen

SPORTS

Sunday, June 06, 2010 www.nationalyemen.com

Gulf

20 Achievments

on time

Yemen will host the most important and influential football championship in the Gulf and arguably the Arab World as a whole. Yemen has entered the final stages for hosting Gulf 20 from November 22 to December 4, 2010. The Stadiums are being given final touches by adding VIP cabins, commentary cubicles, TV analysis rooms and ground lawn landscaping. Al-Wahda international Stadium is 80% complete, and other works are underway for the facility to be finished by October. The same could be said about hotel capacities in the area. Work in the Arabil hotel complex is approaching its final phase and is also expected to be finished by October. Older five star, four star and three star hotels are undergoing renovations and refurbishment, including the addition of new equipment to ensure the satisfaction of their potential guests. Aden, Abyan and Lahj are witnessing tangible progression in all development works, investment projects and sports facilities to host this extraordinary event, Gulf 20. Here is a look on work in stadiums and hotels to be the arena of occasion: May 22 Stadium This an international stadium that was built a few years ago and provided with the latest equipment. The preparation for the event is expected to add new features to it including a presidential platform, new artificial grass, more spacious rooms and locker rooms, cabins for sports channel staffs, studios

and water outlets.

Al-Tilal Satdium Cost: 800 million YR Capacity: 8,000 spectators. It is intended to be able to host international matches, and not only training. The stadium’s measurements are consistent with international standards, and those of the FIFA’s. It is also expected to be one of the best pitches in Yemen, and also in the Arab world, partially because it is located near the sea. It has many rooms and locker rooms, and is eqipped with message facilities and a media conference room. It will be grassed over according to FIFA’s standards. It has its own drainage system and a powerful lighting system which will enable

it to have night matches.

Al-Shu’ala Stadium Cost: YR 300 million Capacity: 2,500 spectators

The stadium is now under renovation and there is a possibility to double its number of seats by building on its eastern side stalls in the future. Civil engineering works are in progress, grass is being cultivated on the pitch, and it is being provided with efficient lighting.

Shamsan Stadium Cost: YR 230 million Capacity: 3,000 spectators

Works in this sports facility are 100% finished and more rooms and health facilities have been added. Also stores have been built to be rented and bring the stadium

Turkish Airlines

Alost all construction and finish works have been concluded and only artificial grass and spectator seats are left. The work has been done in record time and the facility is expected to be delivered in mid-June 2010.

Al-Wahda Stadium Cost: YR 275 million Capacity: 2,800 spectators

Works started in mid-October 2009 and it is expected to be delivered in mid-June 2010, which is considered as an achievement. The pitch will be grassed over, seats are being assembled and 20-meter high

Shaba al-Mansoura Stadium Cost: YR 275 million Capacity: 2,800 spectators

Structural and finishing works on the stadium itself have been concluded, and work is ongoing to add artificial grass, install seats and mount lights.

Al-Hubaishi Stadium

This facility will witness during the coming weeks a major overhaul to be prepared for receiving spectators including new car parks, more spacious player rooms and new grass. Lahj International Stadium This

is called Mu’awia International Stadium was built in the few past years. It has the best grass ground and has the latest in relevant technology and equipment.

And… in Abyan Works and preparations are on track and almost 80% is done to finish building al-Wahda Stadium. Hotels Aden is distinguished for its series of hotels that spread in every direction, most of them are located near the sea. There are 10 five and four-star hotels like Mövenpick, Gold Mour (formerly Sheraton) and Mercure and tens of other hotels. The overall work is done by 90%.

A well industrial firm is looking for a qualified employees to fill in the following positions: Manager for food industry factory The candidate must be a university graduate with a Bachelor degree Five or more years of experience, preferably with the same field of business

golf events

• Strong analytical skills and excellent attention to detail is critical.

under the

• Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment and complete tasks/projects with competing priorities. • Good speaking English

name “Turkish

• MS Office proficiency. • Manager for plastic factory The candidate must be a university graduate with a Bachelor degree

Airlines

Five or more years of experience, preferably with the same field of business • Strong analytical skills and excellent attention to detail is critical. • Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment and complete tasks/projects with

Challenge”…

156 Professional golfers will

Al-Naser Stadium Cost: YR 250 million Capacity: 2,800 spectators

light posts erected. The stadium can be extended to accommodate up to 5,000 spectators.

Vacancies

now supports

After signing sponsorship agreements with the most reputable brands FC Barcelona and Manchester United football clubs, Turkey’s national flag carrier airline company, Turkish Airlines announces today that it has entered a new sponsorship agreement with the European Challenge Tour under the name “Turkish Airlines Challenge” to be held in Antalya Belek.

additional funds.

competing priorities. • Good speaking English come to Turkey for the tournament on 29th April-2nd May 2010. Throughout the year 2009, the winners of the European Challenge Tour have been awarded 4,693,649 Euros in total prize with 24 tournaments in 18 countries. Turkish Airlines sponsors “Turkish Airlines Ladies Open” also to be held in Belek, 6th May-9th May 2010. The event is expected to reach a billion viewers worldwide. 108 Professional

women golfers from more than 30 countries will come to Belek for Turkish Airlines Ladies Open Turkey. Turkish Airlines also announces that it signed a sponsorship agreement for 2010 EuroleagueFinal Four organization which would take place between May 7th and 9th. Europe’s best four basketball teams will compete in final four which is watched by nearly 950 million people in 185 countries.

• MS Office proficiency. Sales managers The candidate must be a university graduate with a Bachelor degree Two or more years of experience, preferably with the same field of business • Strong analytical skills and excellent attention to detail is critical. • Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment and complete tasks/projects with competing priorities. • Good speaking English • MS Office proficiency. If you meet with the above requirement and you have the interest to join the team please send your CV to hr.y.jobs@gmail.com

Sunday, June 06, 2010 www.nationalyemen.com

National Yemen

OPINION

Disenchanted Musings: Decelerating, Reversing Yemen’s Freefall Heard the one about the guy who fell off the skyscraper? On his way down past each floor, he kept saying to reassure himself: “So far so good ... so far so good ... so far so good”. How you fall doesn’t matter. It’s how you land!

Mohammed al-Asaadi alasaadi.m@gmail.com

Those are the opening lines of the French black-and-white film ‘La Haine’ (1995), directed and written by Mathieu Kassovitz. The film title derives from a line spoken by one of the antiheros: “La haine attire la haine!” Hatred breeds hatred. A common saying in Yemen is that “disasters come in bunches”. This is applicable to what Yemen is experiencing today; threats are looming from all corners of this poor 23-million people country. Although the civil war in the North is over, the challenges of necessary reconstruction remain countless. Although the political movement in the south is quieting somehow, gunmen still represent a serious security threat in several areas. Although the central authorities said they have cracked down on Al-Qaeda, the assassination of the deputy

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The factors of instability in Yemen are increasing dramatically, with past crises reproducing and becoming ultimately more complicated.

governor of Marib by a “friendly” missile attack would most likely create to sympathy with AlQaeda among some tribesmen. Ultimately the tribesmen want to revenge the killing of the son of their sheikh. The complexity of the multifold crises in Yemen makes many of the efforts to reform the country fruitless and, to an extent, worthless. The country is in dire need of a radical change and an overall restructuring of the entire system. Realistically, however, even a complete restructuring of the state system would be insufficient in order to save Yemen. The situation is overly complicated and the variable factors contributing to it are only further exacerbating the problem, stressing it to breaking point. Such factors continue to multiply, lest we forget: Hatred begets hatred; corruption begets corruption; ignorance

begets ignorance, and; violence begets violence. Let us not elaborate upon, here in this article, the well-known, wellestablished, looming threats to our beloved country; the scarcity of water resources; the declining oil production; the insufficient power supply; the poor education and public health systems; the depreciation of our currency; the ever-increasing unemployment; the death toll of daily victims in road traffic accidents, and so on and so forth. The opposition and regime might resume sessions for dialogue, but they are always problem-oriented rather than solution-oriented. Both parties ceaselessly enter and exit dialogue in what seems a never-ending fight, an eternal power struggle: the opposition only seeking to gain power and the regime striving not to lose it. The dialogue, consequently, has lost sight of the major issues of the country of which they argue and bicker over. Seemingly such issues are only touched by parliamentarians in order to shame the other side, and not out of any real interest to solve the issues. The political one-upmanship between the ruling party and opposition parties has become so redundant and repetitive to the extent that neither can dupe ordinary citizens anymore into believing that politicians care more about national interests than their own personal ones. Last month for instance, the ever-extended parliament failed several times to assemble to discuss the people’s issues. This demonstrates precisely how committed our elected members of parliament are to national issues at a critical time. Yemen has never had the luxury of being in a state of peace that could allow real and constructive establishment of law and order. The state has always been, and still is, divided by several other forces, including tribes, the military, and influential corporations. These forces have torn Yemen asunder, and left a husk of chaos and disorder. Tribal and religious leaders represent a major force that can truly cripple the state, hindering any progress in any area of development. Whilst the state, instead of imposing the rule of law and addressing the roots of the country’s problems, believes that it controls the masses through these leaders by buying their loyalties with remarkable incentives. What a country we live in today! An angry tribesman, whether for legitimate or illegitimate reasons, can all so easily shut life in Yemen down, countrywide. Take, for instance, what happened a few days ago when a few gunmen drove the country into a blackout by bombing the power station in Marib. The same, or perhaps another group, bombed an oil pipeline causing the leakage of

huge quantities of oil. A few months ago, I seem to recall, Sana’a ran out of fuel and drivers had to abandon their vehicles in the streets of Sana’a. Why? A few tribesmen intercepted oil tankers travelling from Marib to Sana’a which were loaded with fuel. And I don’t want to mention how many times a year the city runs out of cooking gas, not because demand has exceeded supply, but because a few men intercepted the lorries carrying gas before they reached Sana’a. These incidents become frequent and unfortunately will not be the last. People tend to take the law into their hands. Why? The state simply has become helpless in some areas, and has lost control of its own institutions, losing with it its power to enforce the law in major governorates, let alone those hotbeds of fierce conflict in the south or north. Another frequent phenomenon is that local tribesmen tend to kidnap foreigners just to release a prisoner; request development projects, and most disappointingly the government simply capitulates to their demands in most cases. I don’t think I will ever forget that moment when I followed the news of the Deputy Prime Minister and former Minister of the Interior, Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, when he led a mission to visit a sheikh in Dhamar who abducted at least two policemen along with their truck, to mediate the crisis. The minister and doctor offered 60 machine guns as an apology and a good will gesture to the sheikh. The Interior Ministry could not even protect its own men, how could an institution like this ever possibly provide protection for the entire country? There are problems and crises everywhere in Yemen and elsewhere in the world, although they are not always as bad. Crises can simply manifest as alerts of a needed change or the necessity of another revolution in the life cycle of a fledgling democracy like Yemen. Public policy theorists all tend to agree on the importance of crisis management, but all such theories fall short in helping solve the crises of Yemen, which does not so much manage its own crises, but rather is itself managed by various crises it is burdened with. Solution to crises began when stakeholders become aware of those crises, and follow that with a strong will to resolve them. The President of the Republic complains about such crises and scapegoats simple corruption and elements working against the well-being of the country, seemingly oblivious to the reality, depth and complexity of the issues. Ministers, senior officials and even school headmasters and shopkeepers complain about the open-ended deterioration the country suffers. Opposition movements, the local and

international press, civil society organizations, donor countries and others are all concerned about the terrible condition of Yemen at present and a rather bleak future lying in wait ahead. Nothing seems to be working well in the country: reformers are frustrated; donors are less enthusiastic; and people don’t believe in the empty promises promulgated by both the regime and the opposition alike. Day by day Yemen’s fragility seems to become ever more brittle, and as former UK Prime Minister once noted, “It is a failing state”. Do we want our country to continue sliding down the decline curve? So, what does it take to rescue this poor country, whose scarce resources are both misused and mismanaged, which in turn only exacerbates the risk from the looming threats of become a failed state? An answer is long overdue. However, it is not necessarily too late to bring about real constructive, positive change. The change that Yemen needs now must be radical and transformational. All the current aid programs and projects by donor countries and organizations strive to reform the system, but de-empathize, or perhaps even just ignore or neglect, the human factor behind all of this. The new elegant systems certain aid projects want to put in place or develop will not necessarily provide solutions, especially if the human factor is not calculated into the equation. And indeed, the more I understand about ‘solving’ problems is that it does not so much eliminate problems, rather it changes a problem into another, but different, problem - we simply hope that the new problem is smaller and more manageable than the problem we just ‘solved’. For example, if we wanted to solve the looming water crisis we might build desalinization plants to convert seawater into potable water. However, in ‘solving’ the water problem we create new problems and exacerbate existing ones; in building desalinization plants we place additional strain on the electrical supply power the desalinization plants, and require additional petrol in order to fuel the logistics operations (i.e. the cargo lorries) which will distribute the desalinized water, and these need well constructed roads. However, if we try to better Yemen’s situation by solving some of its problems, we must appreciate the human factors involved in the change, otherwise the prospective change may face some insidious resistance. A good approach to possible solutions may include, among other variables: a responsible acknowledgement of problems at all levels; a careful assessment of deep and actual causes of these problems rather than merely addressing the symptoms;

‘ People definitely represent one of the most critical success factors when considered, but they are a high risk factor when marginalized and / or neglected.

prioritization of the most critical problems and drafting shortterm and long-term strategic interventions; reserved allocation of the necessary financial and technical resources available, or those needed; a sound strategic plan with timelines, supported by monitoring, auditing and evaluation mechanisms, and finally; a results-oriented leadership that leads the transformation through informed choice, strong determination and impartiality. People would like to see quick and tangible results, even if they necessitated their participation and personal investment and required them to be effective agents of the change itself. It is the engagement of people in any reform initiative, through different mechanisms, that make all the difference. To drive the point home, people naturally defend what they own. Let the people of Yemen own, reform and master their own change if they are to be serious about it, and if we want a sustainable reform. Yemen must learn to deal with her own problems. Yemenis must be given the responsibility of bringing their own reform about - I am confident they will rise to the challenge. People destroy themselves in suicide attacks, once they believe in a certain cause. Instead, I want to harness this devotion to another beast; we want Yemenis themselves to destroy poverty, corruption, poor governance, and all the roots of these problems for the sake of a better tomorrow and achieving peace and stability in our beloved country. I know this may be described as mere ‘wishful thinking’, but it is undoubtedly perfectly attainable. Perhaps we might begin by adjusting the maxim above to ‘better education begets better citizens’. Why not start from here, for instance, from the roots up? . Mr. Al-Asaadi, former editor of the Yemen Observer newspaper and the Yemen Today magazine, is the editorial consultant to National Yemen, and a contributing columnist. As a freelance journalist he writes for world leading daily papers including: the New York Times; the Kuwaiti daily Aljareeda; and Egypt’s Al-Ahram Weekly, among other local newspapers.

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Sunday, June 06, 2010 www.nationalyemen.com

TRAVEL &TOURISM

National Yemen

Imad al-Daini It was officially announced by the UN as a nature reserve with an allocated budget to protect its species from threats posed by poachers. The al-Balda Tourism Festival 2010 has decided to promote this natural treasure. The Bait Al-Khibra Foundation, [please check!] the event organizer and the island’s local authority have agreed to coordinate and manage between them Zahra Socotra Night as part of the festival that is to begin mid-July. Socotra (318km southeast of Mukalla) is Yemen’s largest islands with an area of 3,650km2. It has an international airport and its population numbers about 50,000 most of whom work in agriculture, farming, fishing and diving. The island is also famous for its many pearl traps. The island’s undulating terrain features mountains, hills, valleys and coasts. The highest peak on the island reaches a height of up to 1500m above sea level. Socotra’s climate is tropical where the temperatures in the plains and the coasts is 38 degrees in summer and between 25 and 28 degrees in high mountains with seasonal rains in spring and autumn. During wintertime, the island is subject to storms and strong winds.

Unique, breathtaking terrain The island is distinguished from other Yemeni islands, and even from other islands around the globe because its rare natural and biological diversity, in addition to its somewhat unique and, moreover, picturesque topographic relief.

At about 1000 B.C. Socotra was known as a major manufacturer of “sacred goods” in older religions that used to be used extremely ritualised. Many of these products were produced in Socotran caves. Many caves and grottos are scattered throughout the island, as well as on its satellite islands. Surprisingly, most of those caves are inhabited, and the most important and largest of these caves is Di Jobb in which reside several families. Socotra’s coasts extend for 300 miles. Their white dunes and dense palm trees makes these coasts an ideal resort for recreation and diving, especially after infrastructure and tourism facilities have been established. The island’s coastal waters diverse fisheries include turtles and are surrounded by some breathtaking coral reefs and pearls, for which the island has been famous for thousands of years.

What makes the already beautiful island even more charming are its magnificent waterfalls, of which the largest is Danjin waterfall. Most of the waterfalls flow from the high

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Socotra has a dense vegetation consisting of about 750 species of flora and fauna, including plants which have traditional medicinal properties, and

mountains all around the year.

Coral archipelago, bristling with stunning biodiversity This is a natural history museum due to its rare diversity, with 253 types of corals, hundreds of fishers species in addition to over 60 recorded fisheries that play a vital role in preserving environmental equilibrium. According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC), is one of only ten islands rich in unique biodiversity.

The island’s flora V has a dense vegetation consisting of about 750 species of flora and fauna, including plants which have traditional medicinal properties, and other rare flora,

including plants like frankincense tree. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) the following 7 rare species are found on Socotra island: Dirachma socotrana, Aloe squarrosa, Dendrosicyos socotranus, Taverniera sericophylla, Dorstenia gigas, Begonia socotrana, and Punica protopunica. The island has, according to botanists, one of the largest concentrations of the 600 rare plants in the world. It is also a habitat of thousands of wild animals like civet cats from which civet, a yellowish, unctuous substance with a strong musklike odor, is extracted, and about 145 species of endemic birds have been recorded, eight of which can be found nowhere else including the Socotra Bunting, Socotra Starling, Socotra Sunbird, Socotra Sparrow, Socotra Warbler, and

Socotra Cisticola. Socotran birds can be watched with ease because they seem to have no fear of man on this paradise island, and fly remarkably close to visitors, and are often spotted on trees and near water. The island also has endemic insects too, including 15 types of butterflies and 60 types of moths, and up to 80% of the island’s reptiles are endemic. In 2000 Socotra was designated as a natural reserve with 23 subreserves, and for all of which $10 million was allocated from UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Later in 2008, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee announced officially that Socotra Archipelago had been added to the list of world heritage sites.