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Arabia | ||||
Yemen opposition lauds amnesty but sceptical | ||||
2010-05-25 | ||||
In a speech on Friday to mark 20 years of unity between north and south Yemen, President Ali Abdullah Saleh announced an amnesty for 298 imprisoned northern Shi'ite rebels, southern secessionists and journalists. He also said he wanted to open up Yemen's political process to all participants.
Formed in 2003, the organisation brings together Yemen's main opposition parties, including Islamist party al-Islah and the Yemeni Socialist Party. But speaking on the sidelines of a meeting at the group's headquarters, members said they were not convinced by Saleh's offer for political participation. “He wants to show this to the United States, because they pushed him to have a dialogue with us,' said Mohammed Abdulmalik al-Mutawakkil, leading member of the umbrella group and professor of political science at Sanaa University. “After 31 years in power, do you think (Saleh) is going to accept change?'
No dialogue and no change could have dire consequences for the troubled country, Naimy said. “We could have another Somalia,' he said, referring to the Horn of Africa country that has been in a state of turmoil for almost two decades. | ||||
Posted by:Steve White |