[21 May 2004] SANA'A-(Saba Net)
By: Fatema Mutahar,Mustafa Nasr, Thuraya Dammaj
The light of the 22 May 1990 ended the people's struggle against separation.

In this great event, that mixed happy feelings, the world witnessed president Ali Abdullah Saleh running up the flag of the new state and millions of words then formed the story of this legal transformation.

While the first anniversary of the Yemeni unity was approaching, the Yemenis made a overwhelming victory to the united state through approving, in rate 89%, a referendum about the Yemeni 1st united constitution, declaring the right beginning of democratic practice.

The new constitution, amended by February 2001 referendum, dictates to make free elections for choosing members of the legislative and executive authorities based on a multiplicity and the citizens have right to organize themselves in policy and economy.

In fact, the main point of this transformation is the new time of democracy, multiplicity and freedom of press which were created through publishing tens of party newspapers and magazines reflecting the Yemeni political option incomparable in the region, taking its role as civilized partner that has influence on the international area.

One of notable marks of democracy in Yemen is the relation between power and opposition.

Sultan Al-barakany, head of the parliamentary bloc of the General Popular Conference party (GPC) that has majority in the parliament, says: (our tie with the opposition is made according to the constitution and laws.

We are proud that our country accepting and living with a new fact is called (power and opposition) under the shadow of the political democracy.

It is so difficult to omit the importance of the current political move and bulk of proceeds have been achieved after the Yemeni first multiplicity 1992 elections. It is not only a matter is change to the peaceful option for expressing an opinion, but it raise to the public dialogue that means the end of secret past alliance.

By virtue of dialectics of dialogue between the power and the opposition, the Yemenis went toward huge social and political changes in particular in the field of human right.

Dr. Mansour Al-Zindany, member of the parliament for the Islah party (said "we can not compare between the armed action, before unification, and the democratic action.

The Yemenis' political debates left behind the armed action and we are going on the democratic action for 14 years without taking back.

In addition to, politicians see the new multiplicity momentum promote the popular supervision role on the government action for mainly pushing the government to adopt clearness related to programs of eradicating corruption in the public wealth.

The ties between the power and the opposition always show that distrust between the tow sides disappears when they meet and discuss together those issues and policies related to sovereignty.

According to political analysts, the basis of this success method is president Ali Abdullah Saleh's ability in convincing political antagonists in more debated issues, and his permanent calling to them to observance of a dialogue method in treating all suspended matters between the power and opposition so that they can build the
new Yemen.


Democracy is a certain pledge for the unity and directing the
people toward building the country. Promoting this unity is the best
way, said AbdulGhani Abdul-Qader, head of the political section of
the Yemeni socialist party.

"we should found ties between the power and the opposition
on equal principles. We may disagree, but the objective dialogue
must prevail apart from harming feelings or libel. We all seek the
national interest," AbduGhani AbdulQader said.

The international community praises the Yemeni democratic experience
and promise of supporting it as a rare political model for ties
between the power and the opposition in the Arab region.

The international community urges the Mideast civil society
organizations to spread the political awareness among societies,
and enroot opinion freedom and calling for freedoms and rights
which the constitution and local laws maintain them.

According to the law of the political parties and organizations, it
is not allowed that the political parties contradict the Islamic
religion or cause security troubles.

Using of mosques, educational establishments and governmental bodies
for political propaganda is also illegal.

Viewpoints between the power and the opposition are closed to each
other regarding the regional and international issues for reducing
dangers of international challenges, such as the terror issue.

(the fundamental issues between the power and the opposition are
agreed on), said Sultan Al-barakany.

He called the opposition practices the other face of power.
He added "we cann't see a right power without a right opposition".

Yahya Arhab/ Nabil Sultan
SABA