Monday, October 11, 2010 Al-Mithaq Net - Interview by Yahya Ali Nouri
Dr. Waheeba Faree considers the withdrawal of the draft election law from the parliament's agenda, following the directives of His Excellency the President of the Republic, as one of the many bright spots reflecting the greatness and commitment of the political leadership to ensure the success of comprehensive national dialogue. She also urged the dialogue participants to approach this wise step with a high sense of responsibility. Emphasizing that moving towards the upcoming electoral entitlement within the framework of reforms and elections represents a valuable opportunity for everyone, expressing the aspirations of the people and respecting their electoral rights.
This is what Dr. Wahiba Farah, Dean of the National Institute of Administrative Sciences, emphasized in her discussion with "Al-Mithaq" on various topics related to the national dialogue process and other important issues. Here is the text of the interview:
Political Reforms: What Do They Mean for Yemen and Why Are They Facing Many Challenges?
- Reforms are one of the weapons of the new Yemen, the strength with which the political leadership deals with various current challenges and difficulties, sensing the importance of moving towards their realization. Since these reforms represent the true guarantee that enables Yemen to overcome various challenges, different political spectra in the country must deal with them with a high degree of national responsibility, as they are a clear expression of the will of a nation and a real guarantee for the new Yemen. This guarantee keeps it away from all difficulties and challenges that some try to create to return Yemen to the furnace of conflict and strife, which our people are tired of. They seek with high responsibility everything that serves Yemen, enhances its democratic experience, and prepares all conditions for its children to move towards a better future, which was made the largest strategic goal by the victorious policies of His Excellency Ali Abdullah Saleh, President of the Republic, Head of the General People's Congress.
But these reforms are linked to comprehensive national dialogue, and you are aware of the difficulties facing this dialogue and its impact on the present and future of Yemen.
- First... I, and other concerned and specialists, fully understand that these difficulties and challenges are normal when we consider the whole matter on the basis that great and historical goals must face such difficulties. This perspective essentially stems from a deep awareness that Yemen, under the leadership of a wise historical leader represented by His Excellency Ali Abdullah Saleh, who gained many experiences during his rule, managed to lead the country to safety in conditions no less complicated than what we witness during the current stage of crisis, which seems to many as escalating and they believe that the chances of getting out of it are slim. However, I affirm here that Yemen will overcome this crisis with strength and competence as it has overcome several crises since the establishment of the Republic of Yemen on May 22, 1990, the most dangerous of which was the 1994 war. Nevertheless, Yemen managed to emerge from those crises confidently, thanks to its wise and prudent leadership, which, in its daily interaction with various issues, has been able to steer the country towards safety and create new conditions for the people to deal competently with all challenges effectively.
Some might view your perspective as biased or, rather, sympathetic to the regime.
- An important question... and I understand that you are interviewing me as an academician proud of my roles in serving the nation and supporting its hopes and aspirations within the framework of professionalism, objectivity, and logic. If it is said that I am trying to appeal to the emotions of the regime through this talk, that would be frivolous and should not be said, especially as I deal with matters on logical bases 1+1=2, and there is no result greater or lesser than that. This means that my following of the event and the national matter is based on this foundation and gives everyone their due right, as I respect my intellect and the reality of my country and its requirements for progress and development.
But you did not provide grounds that would make the reader trust what you have said.
- Anyone following all the developments in the Yemeni arena may not find much difficulty in observing various positive grounds that I find reinforce their conviction in the viewpoint I am presenting here. I can cite one of these grounds, which some may view as ordinary, represented in the directions of His Excellency Ali Abdullah Saleh, President of the Republic, which included a request to the Parliament to withdraw the draft election law from the agenda. Here, I ask: Doesn't such a step, with all its dimensions and implications, indicate the sophistication of the regime's perspective, headed by President Ali Abdullah Saleh, which reflects full faith and awareness of the importance of responding to the requirements of the Yemeni reality, including the requirements of comprehensive national dialogue?
President Saleh could have not withdrawn this law as he holds a parliamentary majority and all the justifications to refute the positions of the Joint Meeting Parties (JMP) on the mentioned draft law. Here we remind that this project was not the result of a political regime trying to impose its will on others but was the result of active participation by the JMP in what I can call here an effective participation in the legislative process. Were not the JMP's observations on this law considered? Were not the observations of the European Union on the mentioned law also taken into account? Then, were not all parliamentary blocs involved in discussing the draft law? Were not the JMP invited to sign it? And many more questions that affirm that the political leadership, despite understanding all that, preferred to move towards victory for comprehensive national dialogue as it represents a democratic value and a strategic dimension, free from all narrow sectarian issues that would only lead to the further aggravation of problems.
But do you believe that all political spectra have adhered to these values since the President's call for responsible national dialogue?
- It is very natural for great events to witness differences and disagreements, and that is something expected in every country that believes in responsible dialogue in discussing various issues and problems it suffers from. Despite that being natural, what is criticized in our country is that some have continued to fortify themselves behind their ideas and proposals, believing they are the only ones possessing the truth. Nevertheless, the political leadership has dealt with that responsibly and flexibly, considering that the Yemeni democratic experience still needs care, attention, and objective understanding and should not move towards what is greater than its capabilities.
However, reality has seen significant challenges, including those who oppose the system and the law and the constants. Doesn't this represent a flaw that should be addressed with a high degree of seriousness and firmness by everyone, government, and opposition alike?
- Regardless of these challenges, there is a people following all changes and transformations with great interest, also understanding the nature of the goals that some are trying to achieve. As this is known to public opinion, the historical leadership understands what its people want and simultaneously possesses the pure popular will that prevents the country from falling into the furnace of conflict and strife. I am confident here that the political leadership, from its belief in dialogue, will be able to achieve great goals that serve the nation and the citizen, enhance and consolidate the democratic experience, and make dialogue as a national value an important tool for making the present and future prospects without negligence or disregard for the real issues the Yemeni citizen and his country need. Moreover, those who oppose the system and the law have completely vanished as the Yemeni arena rejects them.
With your reference to the President's directives to withdraw the draft election law from the Parliament's agenda during this period, what do you expect from those concerned with the dialogue, especially the Joint Meeting Parties?
- This positive intervention by the President and his request to withdraw the draft law has helped to bring together the dialogue committees, including the Committee of 30, and those concerned with communicating with other parties involved in the dialogue. I say: The political logic that triumphs for national responsibility fully comprehends the nature of the challenges Yemen has witnessed, requiring everyone, especially the JMP, to positively engage with all the concessions made by President Ali Abdullah Saleh from time to time. These are concessions that should not be met with more escalation and intransigence as it does not serve the higher interests of the nation.
The General People's Congress (GPC) has through its leadership announced its readiness to move towards comprehensive dialogue within the framework of constitutional amendments, political reforms, and elections simultaneously.
- I fully understand the goals it seeks to achieve, as it provides a broader horizon for dialogue and, at the same time, the electoral entitlement with its value and importance and respects it as a popular right that no one can ignore. Therefore, understanding the various issues that the dialogue tries to find effective solutions for can be overcome if good and sincere intentions are available. All disputed issues regarding constitutional amendments can be presented through responsible dialogue through legal or constitutional projects expressing the will of the various Yemeni political spectra and put to a referendum according to the constitution.
I emphasize here that if sincere intentions are available, time and effort can be saved, leading to a comprehensive vision presented to the people, meeting their aspirations.
But it seems that the opposition, especially the JMP, is not willing to proceed on these two tracks?
- That may be a position expressing a tense state, yet it is active simultaneously through continuing dialogue in the responsible dialogue free from political bickering, which could lead to a comprehensive vision expressing Yemen's present and future, with effective participation from various parties and political organizations.
The GPC is keen to hold parliamentary elections on schedule and seems unwilling to deviate from this path if the JMP insists on its positions. How do you see this issue if the JMP insists on its stance?
- The GPC has its logical and objective justifications pushing it towards moving towards the electoral entitlement on its scheduled time, thus championing constitutional legitimacy, ensuring the country does not drift into chaos and lawlessness. Therefore, when the GPC affirms moving within the framework of dialogue and elections simultaneously, it expresses a correct national vision for Yemen, keen on not dragging the country into undesirable consequences.
The GPC has renewed its unwavering commitment to the quota system. What does this stance mean?
- This represents a positive stance. We hope that the dialogue in the coming days will find everything that helps the dialogue parties and political organizations reach a special vision regarding women's participation in political life and all issues related to Yemeni life. It is enough for the GPC to be the organization that early declared its vision, a vision expressing political maturity that everyone should engage with logically and away from bidding and quarrels.