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Remarks by
His Excellency
Abdul Karim Al-Eryani
Prime Minister of the republic of Yemen |
Emerging Democracies Forum
Sana'a, Yemen June 28-30, 1999
Your Excellency President Ali Abdallah Saleh, President of the Republic, Honorable Heads of delegations to the
Emerging Democracies Forum, Ladies and Gentlemen, Members of delegations, Ladies and Gentlemen, Members of observer
delegations and donor states' delegations, Honorable Members of the Diplomatic Corps to the Republic of Yemen,
Honorable Invitees, Ladies and Gentlemen, the convening of the Emerging Democracies Forum in the city of Sana'a,
capital of the Republic of Yemen, with such an impressive attendance of distinguished participants, observers,
donors and invitees, is the most patent evidence that democracy is deeply rooted in our country.
I would not be exaggerating in saying that the most optimistic and most ambitious of Yemeni citizens would never
have envisaged in 1989 that we would hold alongside with you this Forum in 1999, nor could they have imagined that
Yemen would be able to achieve, in this respect, so much progress which certainly accounts for the coming of such
a large number of participants, observers and donors who have actually made this forum a genuinely international
event. To all of you, we wish a warm and heartfelt welcome.
Mr. Kenneth Wollack, President of the National Democratic Institute, this important historical event was the fruit
of the ideas of your Institute when, about one year ago, we started to talk about it in a faint voice. Today, it
has become a concrete reality, and this is no surprise, for the National Democratic Institute is concerned with
the development and advancement of emerging democracies worldwide. To you, and from all of us, we convey our sincere
thanks and deep consideration, and to the donors our deepest gratitude and high esteem.
Ladies and Gentleman, as you know, the members of the participating delegations will engage, during the day of
today and the two following days, into a debate and a dialogue, which may sometimes turn into polemics, over the
obstacles and difficulties confronting every emerging democratic country as well as their political, economic and
social dimensions, within the framework of the theme which was appropriately chosen for this forum by that the
National Democratic Institute, "Managing the Twin Transitions Toward Democracy and Economic Development."
Ladies and Gentlemen, we are all aware that each emerging democracy based on the principles of political pluralism
and free and just elections has its own specificities in view of the nature of its own problems and constraints.
There are, however, common denominators which contribute to bringing us together and uniting us. Whatever specific
constraints and common hurdles there may be, I am convinced that what urged us all to convene this forum is our
confidence in the present and our hope in the future, and as Mr. Vaclav Havel, President of the Czech Republic
said, "We must not be afraid of the seemingly impossible if we want the seemingly impossible to become a reality."
In the light of the themes of this forum, allow me now to expose my views on what I consider to be the impediments
to the development of democracy in Yemen, leaving the opportunity for the upcoming discussions to enriching, criticizing
or refuting them.
1.) The Yemeni society, whose documented history goes back to the second
millennium before the Christian era, if it is not the most ancient society in the world, rich with its traditions
and customs inherited throughout thousands of years, cannot, for this reason, shift all of a sudden and in a complete
way from a stage during which its social relations were governed by this age-old legacy and these ancient traditions
with all their deep impact, to a new stage which is, in many ways, in practice, and in its nature, inconsistent
with what people here have been accustomed to; by that I mean the full and free exercise of democracy. No wonder,
for the oldest democracy in the world, i.e. the United Kingdom, as a matter of example, granted women the right
to vote and to be elected only in the first quarter of this century.
2.) More than most countries participating in this forum, the Yemeni society is characterized by a demographic
specificity, its population being dispersed over the peaks and ridges and even over the slopes of mountains, and
scattered over the hills and plains, in small settlements with no more than three to four hundred inhabitants each,
not including those communities which are considered as urban areas but which do not exceed more 25% of a total
population of about 17 millions. These specific conditions certainly constitute a serious hindrance to the development
of a democratic conscience and to the practice of democracy.
3.) In addition, illiteracy is still widespread in the Yemeni society, and more particularly among the female population,
and we all know very well that illiteracy is one of the most serious impediments to the establishment and development
of democratic life.
4.) Each traditional society has its own specificities. One of the most significant specificities which characterize
Arab societies in general, among which Yemen, is what is known as tribal establishments. Although this phenomenon
declines as education develops, and as the opportunities of meeting the basic needs of individuals become greater
and the basis of the larger urban settlements expands, it still constitutes a hurdle to the exercise of democracy
in all its manifestations and methods as we see them nowadays in well-established democracies.
5.) The Yemeni society is, to a large extent, still an agricultural and rural society, and everyone knows that
the level of conscience and interest for the practice of democracy in these societies is much lower than in industrial
societies.
6.) Democratic concepts in our society are still confined to a large degree to the enthusiasm expressed by electors
during election campaigns, and which, though it is probably an unequaled enthusiasm, subsides with the end of such
campaigns. As a matter of fact, electors hardly ever follow up the activities of their representatives after their
electing them.
7.) On the other hand, women account for half the Yemeni society, but their role in representing it as well as
their participation in the decision-making process is still much more limited than in any other emerging democratic
state taking part in this forum. Is this not the most serious obstacle in an emerging democracy?
8.) Last but not least, an emerging democracy, if not associated with its basic twin which is comprehensive and
sustainable social and economic development, will always remain exposed to the risk of a downturn if not, God forbid,
regression.
I am firmly confident that all of the attendants here, be they participants, observers, donors or invitees, fully
realize the close relationship existing between these two dimensions which, I am sure, will be the subject of further
examination and interaction during this historical and important forum.
Beside all this, and over and above all, it was a lucky opportunity for us, in the Republic of Yemen, that democracy,
political pluralism, the emergence of civil society organizations and the freedom of press were closely associated
with the restoration of Yemeni unity on 22 May, 1990. Democracy and unity were like inseparable twins, and any
violation of either of them will lead to the revocation of the other, which makes me reaffirm my deep confidence
that democracy in my country is as firmly established as is unity. I am indeed convinced that, under the new conditions,
and thanks to sustainable development, the retreat of illiteracy, the propagation of civil society organizations,
the integration of women in social, economic and political life, the practice of democracy, and the expansion of
the fabric of urban society, all of which factors will probably contribute to removing the obstacles I have mentioned
in a very brief manner for lack of time.
At the close of my speech, allow me to briefly point out the common denominators for the achievement and consolidation
of which we are all called on to work hand in hand, cooperate, exchange our know-how and share our experiences
in situations of success or failure, so as to turn this forum into a permanent link between us. In this respect,
the most significant tasks which may unite us on the path of democracy and development are the following:
1.) We must continually reaffirm that democratic government as an integral
system is the only way for fulfilling the political and economic aspirations of our peoples and for realizing social
justice, and that this system is the key to sustainable development.
2.) Considering our states as emerging democracies stems from the fact that the principle of participation of our
citizens in basic policy-making affecting their public affairs and rights is not well established.
3.) Therefore, developing collaborative mechanisms at the level of local government is one of our most significant
duties as emerging democratic states.
4.) We must reassert our firm commitment to protecting human rights and preserving fundamental freedoms, first
and foremost the principle of pluralism, the right to set up civil society organizations, the freedoms of press
and speech.
5.) We must also endeavor to develop and consolidate electoral mechanisms which are likely to guarantee a free
and fair competition to all citizens.
6.) We also certainly need to strengthen the role of law in providing equal protection for all citizens, as much
as we need to institute the necessary legal framework and mechanisms for promoting the civil society.
7.) The consolidation of economic freedoms, the quest for sustainable development and liberationof individuals
from the social impediments which hinder their capacity to fulfil their economic,political and cultural aspirations
within a free and democratic climate is one of the most important common denominators which brought us together
to this forum.
These are indeed some of the common denominators which I believe can be considered as the basis of a social, economic
and democratic covenant between us, and we can call it the 'Sana'a Declaration'. Finally, I hope we shall continue
to cooperate in sharing experiences at future forums and meetings.
Thank you for your kind attention.
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