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Dawn of Democracy in the Sands of Arabia

John Beasant writes from Sana'a
The re-unification of North and South Yemen achieved in May 1990 was a major event in the Arabian Peninsula. Now under President AU Saleh, Yemen is embarking on a national experiment in parliamentary democracy and multi-party elections are scheduled later this year. As Gemini News Service reports the experiment in democracy — unprecedented in 'the region — is giving rise to mounting concern among Yemen’s conservative neighbours, notably Saudia Arabia.
AT fir*l sight the wenc I* not that rcmarkabk The city boulevards are furnished with pavement cafe* Tile warm chmale encourage* people to engage In lively dleruMlon over a Ude of tea laced with mint and black coffee. Introduced into the country by the Ottoman Turk* during their colonial rule
This I* the ancient city of Sana a, fctunded by Shear son of Noah, and capital of Yemen which makes the volume of un inhibited and animated point cal debate very remarkable Indeed
For even the staunchest admirers of the peoples of Uk Arabian Peninsula would falter tn claiming that the region is known for lively political dis cusston where Government Is more often than not a family affair
Yet. here in Yemen, national experiment in parliamentary democracy, endorsed by press laws which rank as the most liberal in existence, is tn full, unfettered progress.
It Is a development giving rise to mounting concern among Yemen's tradlUonal. conservative neighbours, notably Saudia Arabia. Indeed, so enraged was the Saudi King. Fahd, at Yemen's reluctance to endorse the US-led military offensive to expel Iraq from Kuwait that he sent home virtually all Yemenis working in his Kingdom, said to number about one million, many of whom had been In Saudi Arabia fol a generation and more.
But Yemen Is what II has. most assuredly- always been, a highly individual place and on the fateful occasion of Iraq's occupation of Kuwait took Its own. Independent line, calling for an Arab-based.solution to the crisis. It was a decision for which Yemen was made to pay dear, the return of its nationals from Saudta Arabia placing a heavy burden on slender state resources.
However, as President All Abduallah Saleh, a former Lieutenant-General and architect of his country s social and political reforms, told me: "We acted tn what we believed to be.the best, long-term inter ests of the Arab. Islamic world.
That was the basts of our policy Wc have no regn ls '
And It win Saleh too. wls. pioneered the political move* which tn May of 1990 led to the re unification of the two Yemeni following centuries of artificial, colonial division caused by the Ottoman* in the North and the British In the South, the Yemen Arab Republic based in Sana a, and Aden based Peoples Republic to become the Republic of Yemen.
The social tmnact of re-uni-ficalion tong a dream of many in both the north and the south, features prominently in conversation among Yemenis of all shades of opinion.
Abdul Malik Alslndl of the Ministry of Information said: "It held the same significance for the Arab peoples as Ger m.ui re unification held for the
nations of Europe
He said Heuniftcslton. while being important bi politic al .end economic terms was of eve n greater significance in that II has led to unity based on shared ideals and common goals among all Yemenis These we will pursue through peaceful, democratic dialogue Re - unific ation was. in essence a humanitarian accomplishment. It Is proving to be a unique and successful experiment "
And. so far so good. Indeed It is. even If the experiment is giving sleepless nights to many In other parts of the Peninsula. For Arabia has never before seen anything quite like It the alm of current reforms being the transformation of the Yemen Republic into a fully democratic state, governed by an elected ParhamnI on the
basis of universal adult suffrage
The steps to a multi-party system were Inslally taken fol lowing the success of re-unlfi calion negotiations, which produced agreement under which All Abdullah Saleh be- ' came President of the new Republic and Alt Selim Al Bald former Secretary-General of South Yemen's Socialist Party, was appointed Vice-President.
Given that the former southern socialist stale has just one fifth of a total population of 11 million, and that Sana'a was universally acknowledged as the ancient capital of all the Yemenis, it is an arrangement enjoying' comprehensive approval
Following re-unit)cation a new constitution was written and endorsed by a national referendum. which brought together the northern Consul
tauve Council and the southern Supreme People's CoUiail into ■ i single Parliament. Sona JI new members Including 10 women — representing hitherto banned political organisations — were nominated to
The new Parliament was given a 30 month tenure, with its main function being to In fluence and monitor the prac-ticalitles of re unification and to prepare the country for the General Election, scheduled for later this year
Currently some 41 parties hake registered to contest the elections. . representing all shades of political opinion from socialist groups to eon servatlve tribal rulers.
Observers say. however, that only a few parties hnve any real chance of success at the polls. These include the General Peoples Congress — the party of President Saleh — the Socialist Party, and the Party of Reform - Isfah which advocates a Islamic govern me nt
The CPC's policies repre sent a blend of the traditional and the contemporary. includ Ing an advocacy of market economics. while the SP calls for "the rule of law equality democracy and freedom "
The OPC's Is basing II* electoral confidence on being led by Saleh widely regarded and respected as the man wl«o made Yemeni unity a reality the SP will have lo attract sup port among the northern, ami more conservative. electorate
Il will, of course, draw Its main support from tlic south where the liberal run lai reforms it presided over remain hugely popular Women
tP unvoted for example and Aden has the aote brewery on the Arabian Perrtnsuia hlafi will tee advocating moderate lalam.
The Party Conlinnee' vea ■on to experted to get under way in April when all the parties will proclaim their respective polk les.
The electoral process will undoubtedly be aided and in some Instance* abetted by the 100 daily newspaper* cur rmth safe
The lively press was made possible by the Press and Publication Law. signed by Saleh in December 1990. which guarantees, in the words of Article 6 of the Law. the protection of Journalists and authors, provides legal guarantees neressary for them to practise their profession ■ nd to enjoy freedom of expression and Immunity from Interference
The outcome of the elections. still at leadt seven months away. Is dtfhculi lo predict Hut If such a remark able development, without precedent on the Arabian Peninsula can be divined, a narrow win for the GPC would seem most likely, which mould both require and enable tl to form, as at present a coalition with the SP even If. a* could well happen. Isiah came second In the vote.
What to certain to predict to that it will be an experiment in democracy that would be watched with keen Interest ■round the world, but nowhere more closely than by Yemen • neighbours where a successful poll could well cast a regional, ripple that could in time turn Into an unstoppable whirlpool.
Indeed, as the date of the General Election d raws near l here are some fears In the Yemenapttal of the posaibll Ity of external, ( overt Intcrfer cnee aimed at disrupting the process
JOHN UKASANT ha* lawn Press and Private iecrrlitry lo three leafier* aj Cofnmtnt-tuettlih *mall l*lhnii MMe*. He terviilly vUUed firuin a.