YEMEN RULING PARTY WOULD NOT RENOUNCE POLITICAL REFORMS, PARLIAMENT MEMBER

SANA’A, Feb. 14 (Saba)- A Yemeni parliament member has said that the ruling General People Congress party (GPC) would not renounce political reforms, accusing opposition parties of disavowing a joint agreement to postpone elections for two years, during which several reforms would be made.

‘’We did not renounce reforms. Since the signing of the agreement in February last year, we have been discussing with the opposition Joint Meeting Parties (JMP) the implementation of the February agreement. But the JMP disavowed that agreement’’, Sultan al-Barakani, assistant secretary general of the GPC Party has said in an interview with pan-Arab news channel Al-Jazeera satellite TV.

Asked about the differences between the GPC and the JMP, al-Barakani explained that instead of moving on to the first paragraph that says parties and political organizations should be given an opportunity to develop the political and electoral system, including the proportional list, instead of moving on to the second paragraph that says the election law should be completed, and instead of going to the third paragraph that calls for the formation of a higher electoral committee, the JMP kept talking about issues that did not exist in the agreement.

‘’They said we have to stop the war in Saada, stop the Southern Mobility Movement, return the ones who left the country and release the highwaymen who killed innocent people. They said if all these things are accomplished, they would come and sit with us to implement the agreement. I think this was an escape from the de facto situation’’, al-Barakani made it clear.

‘’The ceiling of dialogue will be open and we will have no problem at all. Let the one who believes in the republic, unity, democracy, and political pluralism come to the table of dialogue and we will not object to presenting any issue even outside the framework of the February agreement. This agreement, however, remains the cornerstone because the international community, the local public opinion, and the Yemeni people are waiting for elections in April 2010. If that date comes and no elections are held, we will be making a mistake’’.

[Al-Jazeera TV] Some say that the condition set by the JMP that the national dialogue committee, led by Hamid al-Ahmar, should participate in the dialogue was the reason for the failure or non-implementation of this agreement. What is your opinion?

[Al-Barakani] First of all, Hamid al-Ahmar has no influence on the political process. The political process takes place between parties and civil society organizations and not tribal society organizations, which Hamid al-Ahmar is looking for. The agreement was signed with the JMP parties that are represented in the House of Representatives. From here and on Al-Jazeera channel I want to say that when we asked all parties to sign the agreement, the brothers in the JMP objected and said they recognized only the parties represented in parliament, so how can we today recognize Hamid al-Ahmar, who has no presence in the political scene? Besides, he has no political organization or party. We in the Congress Party do not attach any importance to Hamid al-Ahmar. We only say that the man is looking for a tribal society organization. We regret that Hamid al-Ahmar is acting with ingratitude towards those who treated him well. He is a merchant who wants to establish tribal organizations in violation of the constitution and law. We will tell him no and a thousand no. We will also tell him: You have placed yourself in this difficult situation when you offended the ones who treated you well. This is your own affair and you have nothing to do with the political process.

[Al-Jazeera TV] The Yemeni president called for dialogue under the dome of the Shura Council. What has happened to this call?

[Al-Barakani] We have previously postponed this dialogue three times to give the JMP a chance and we continue to do so. The leaders of the parliamentary blocs of the parties represented in the House of Representatives met in parliament on Monday. We said one of the two years has passed and we as blocs should work together because the proposal to introduce [constitutional] amendments was made by the parliamentary blocs. We agreed to form two committees - one to prepare the constitutional amendments to develop the political and electoral systems and another to prepare an election law and form a higher committee. We are waiting for our colleagues in the parliamentary blocs of the JMP to play their role and assume their responsibility because amendment is the responsibility of the House of Representatives, whose members have called for amendments. If they do not come, the Congress and its allies in the parties making up the National Democratic Alliance [NDA] will proceed towards the elections. I think that the NDA parties are present on the ground and they represent the Yemeni people. They are not different from the JMP because there is no person whose blood is blue and another whose blood is red in the political process.

[Al-Jazeera TV] How do you view the recent threats by Al-Qaeda, especially those made by Al-Shihri? Do they prove that the Yemeni Government's strikes against Al-Qaeda were not successful as some say?

[Al-Barakani] First, the issue of Al-Qaeda is not a secondary one to say it will be terminated overnight. Al-Qaeda is present in the industrialized and developing countries as well as rich and poor countries and all societies. One cannot talk about eliminating it overnight or with one or a few strikes. With regard to the threats made by Al-Shihri, Al-Qaeda has made scores of threats to Yemen knowing that the Yemeni security forces are alert and well prepared. Al-Qaeda has tried tens of times to commit massacres and crimes, but has rarely succeeded. Therefore, neither Al-Shihri nor threats worry us. What is regrettable and saddening is that Al-Qaeda emerged from under the cloak of the Muslim Brotherhood, including the Al-Islah, which is more able than others to control it, return it to its senses, and advise it not to destroy Yemen, spill Yemeni blood, or harm Yemeni interests. We hope that the JMP will have a stand towards the issue of Al-Qaeda, particularly the Muslim Brotherhood to which Al-Qaeda belongs and from under whose cloak it has emerged. What Al-Qaeda is doing is abominable and offends Islam, Muslims, and Yemen.

[Al-Jazeera TV] There is nothing to prove that it has emerged from under the cloak of the Muslim Brotherhood. US forces spoke about US military or security presence in Yemen. What is the size of this presence?

[Al-Barakani] First, I hope that you as a news channel that is respected by people - although we in Yemen were much offended by Al-Jazeera channel - would not propagate such rumors. Yemen does not host foreigners.

[Al-Jazeera TV] We are reporting statements made by US sources and not propagating anything.

[Al-Barakani] I want to tell you clearly that Yemen does not host others. Foreigners know this. There is no foreign security presence in Yemen. The Yemenis can fight to the end of the world and not only within the borders of Yemen.

[Al-Jazeera TV] Do you deny the participation of Yemeni planes in striking at Al-Qaeda in Shabwa and Abyan?

[Al-Barakani] When you in Al-Jazeera or the JMP prove that, we will tell you the truth, but we will leave you in your dreams and will not correct facts.

[Al-Jazeera TV] We are asking you. We do not want to confirm or deny something. We ask you if you deny this.

[Al-Barakani] First, I am not a suspect in order to deny things. I tell you frankly that we are not suspects in order to deny things. The Yemeni forces themselves carried out what happened. If someone wants to fabricate illusions or sorrows, that will be his own affair.

[Al-Jazeera TV] How do you view Al-Zindani? How true is it that the US authorities have asked you to hand him over to them?

[Al-Barakani] Al-Zindani is a Yemeni citizen and the Yemeni constitution bans the extradition of any Yemeni citizen although we respect the UN resolutions and its list of wanted people. We have repeatedly told our friends in the United States: If you provide us with any evidence against Al-Zindani, we will be prepared to try him in court and take all measures against him. But we do not want to oppress a Yemeni citizen merely because of others' desire. We neither confirm nor deny any charge leveled at Al-Zindani. We cannot act against him in advance. We reaffirm to our American friends: If you have something, respect the Yemeni constitution, regulations, and judiciary. If you produce a single piece of evidence, we will be ready to put Al-Zindani on trial and mete out the severest punishment against him.

[Al-Jazeera TV] Some people mediating in the issue of Al-Houthi today said that Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has approved of Al-Houthi's request to participate in the committees, release detainees, and respect their rights. There is also talk about an imminent cease-fire. How true is this?

[Al-Barakani] First, the issue of Saada is about to end. I do not want to get into the details. However, I would like to send to the JMP through Al-Jazeera the happy news that the issue of Saada is about to end completely. Therefore, they have to return to the right path. We first...

[Al-Jazeera TV, interrupting] What do you mean by the word end? Does it mean reaching a cease-fire and a settlement or something else?

[Al-Barakani] It means reaching agreement and forming committees to reopen roads, remove mines, surrender heavy weapons, and restore the normal cultural, social, developmental, and demographic situation to Saada. The whole situation in Saada must be normalized and life must return to it. All people should be absorbed. We are very eager to do this because every drop of blood spilled in Saada, regardless of whether it is the blood of the Houthis, rebels, misguided ones, army, or citizens, is a Yemeni drop of blood. We have to move in this direction. I do not want to elaborate further. What is important is that the issue is over and we, God willing, will soon get over the issue of Saada and forget the pains, sorrows, and sea of blood in which we drowned. Our mission today will be in the southern governorates in order to solve problems and overcome differences and negative things there if found. We do not want to see sadness or pain in Saada or the southern governorates or anywhere else.

[Al-Jazeera TV] Agreements were reached with the Houthis in Saada in the past and accusations of violating them were exchanged. Now what guarantees are there to prevent the eruption of a seventh war?

[Al-Barakani] I can tell you that the issue is over and Al-Houthi knows very well the serious outcome of battles. We all have to understand that blood only generates more blood and issues cannot be solved through blood. We all - the government and Al-Houthi - have to act rationally and respect the authority, constitution, regulations, law, and citizens. God willing, the issue of Saada will soon be over. All people have learned the lesson and seek a solution. They want to accomplish this task.

[Al-Jazeera TV] The issue of the south comes after the issue of the Houthis. Some reports say the situation there is very difficult and there is some sort of security chaos. Also there are international pressures to resolve the issue of those who call themselves the Southern Mobility Movement - they are not called so by Al-Jazeera as you said. What are you planning to do with this issue?

[Al-Barakani] I would like to address a message to a dear and beloved brother Waddah Khanfar, who runs Al-Jazeera, and tell him: Save us first from forgery by Al-Jazeera. I would also like to tell the fingers manipulating Al-Jazeera: I hope you will be able to get over your desire for revenge. As for the issue of southern governorates or the so-called international pressures, I deny the existence of such things. They in the southern governorates are Yemenis and we in the government have full responsibility towards solving the issue of the south an ending its problems. If the government made a mistake, let us admit that in broad daylight and solve these problems. The issue of the south should not be ignored but solved. The vice president is now present in Aden. He is accompanied by some leaders. Other leaders will follow him. There are visions and ideas. The president of the republic will devote all his time to the issue of the south. This issue will find the solutions that are required and will not be ignored.

[Al-Jazeera TV] We are very hopeful that the Yemenis will be able to solve their problems. I assure you that Al-Jazeera does not want to incite anyone or seek revenge against anyone. Thank you very much.

The End.

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