Hashid: Ministry and Bean Dividing, Period of Assassination
In his interview with Aloula newspaper, PM Ahmad Saif Hashid has confirmed he received no support from Iran. Hashid, among the first of those who went out to freedom squares, said had such a rumor been right, his newspaper 'Yemenat" would not have been shut down due to bankruptcy.
" why do we reject more than an unconditional billion dollars for sake of electrical power and other purposes while accepting dubious finance offered by Saudi Arabia to notorious Shieks and rulers, who caused wars, damage of which would not end before a hundred years pass? Hashid inquired.
Interviewed by Abd alrahman Mutahr.
First, why were you late at going out to change square early Feb last year?
I did so in early Jan, not what you said, with aim of radical change of economic, political, social and legal situations, stop existing corrupted systems, that legalize for suppression, corruption and human rights violations. We went to change square to regain hampered dignity, demand wider space of freedom, civil and political rights, and a new democratic state with new face in present and future, as political situation reached a deadlock, Saleh's regime is a big challenge impeding change and addressing national problems. Influential people violations and victimized Yemenis are on increase. Even opposition parties had no a serious change project that it can implement on ground, and continued exercising complain speech to justify failure. Tunis events and Bin Ali's departure were also influential in Yemen revolution. The slogan" people want the regime to topple" had been chanted by us since Jan 16, and all statements issued by us have been entitled as "peaceful revolution" . we called all people to participate in this revolution.
What were the most difficult situations you faced after you had went out to freedom square?
There are many, we went out to streets morning and evening, while politicians were behind the scenes plotting against our revolution. We lead normal lives, yet ready to sacrifice our lives for a better human life, thinking not about booty, which they thinking about ways to control it. When we thought about forming a committee for sit-in to continue at the square, traditional force had gotten ready and started implementing it (sit-in) next day, then we surprised to find Alhazmi (an Islah affiliate) ascending the revolution platform. We were shouting " civil state is our demand", set up a tent about a hundred meter away, labeled as " tent of Jifara", set up our own platform, yet traditional forces put their tents before our platform to preclude people gather. As their microphones were so loud and noisy that attendants were not able to hear, we moved to Alqadisia area to set up a new suitable platform, however, they extended their mics to reach our area and annoy us consequently, we were about to quarrel. Before set-up being finished we got surprised to find one of them, an Islah affiliated parliament member, ascending and delivering a speech. We recovered the platform, the media staff resumed programs delivery, yet nearby soldiers ask us for either leave or attacking the platform. We continued till dawn when we were attacked.
Trying again to have a new platform, it was also demolished. We have really found some of the square figures worse than the regime itself. while they continued suppressing , rights violating till today, we went ahead to resist and still full of enthusiasm and the battle for prosper future going on. Victory will be ours.
Why did you refuse Gulf Initiative?
It was rejected as it is a big conspiracy against revolution, cares not about national and democratic standards. It contrasts core goals of revolution. Why we do not ask about Initiative achievements? If the answer is positive, we are for. If it is negative, being with it is nonsense. Has it stopped bloodshed? It did not. Our revolution is peaceful. It is not us who claimed protecting it, rather some parties used political and military influence in the non-patriotic version of the initiative. If you count absent security victims due to exempting force centers from inquiry , the number will be double of the regime's possible killings of a disarmed revolution, the square violations victims, media men and cultured people threating are not inclusive. The initiative yielded only Saleh and his followers' protection, global custody and Saudi Arabian deep involving in Yemen affairs. Though the government has all authorities, it is the worst ever (even if some ministers are good), yet the initiative milieu and the tasks it prescribed caused a highly frustrated government claiming the interim period tasks are political ones. Who will undertake managing duties? (Hashid asks) why it cannot be technocrat and compromise parts with people of competency and fairness be appointed? Have we not to demand a real national state simply because that is not a priority for Initiative maker. It supported all extremist and violent forces. The regime still, Alqeda, political and religious fundamentals, sharing everything from the ministry till soldier salary who receives it without attending duty station, job replacement, use of expertise cadres according to political qualification.
What was the possible alternative to the initiative?
A technocratic government in interim transition could be possible to replace existing dividing policy that turns revolution into a booty and new accumulations towards a big explosion. An example from history has to be learnt. Second possibility includes a democratic process of presidential election, not to return to succession system. To remove force centers instead of reproducing them is a third one, as reproduction means danger besetting future is real and big one. To bring killers into justice instead of having them immunized against new massacres.
What was the result of the initiative? Has it not prolonged life of the parliament more than what Saleh did?, imposed fixing ministers, military leaders in highly significant state positions? Has it not helped JMP to renounce both of their political program of new democratic state and the suggested national challenges solutions inclusive in "salvation treaty" starting from obligatorily opposition involvement in power (done), independent judiciary, military and security forces restructure, fighting corruption, adopting transparency, fairness and expertise as national standards. There were two optional forms of regime, either fully-authorized rule or federal one. I apologize for elaboration.
Did you participate in the presidential election?
No actual election took place, rather democratic exercise paralyzed to reach principle of succession that cannot bring a prosperous democratic future to Yemen. I boycotted election for it ridicules our minds, make no more than a fake legitimacy.
You are labeled as Huthi advocate. Is that right?
Those who say this neither read nor write or follow-up our writing. They are misguided by misleading media outlets and baseless rumors.
It is said you get financial support from Iran. Is that right?
Had this been right, my paper would not have been shut down due to bankruptcy. These are just rumors invented by political parties that we wished it had succeed in moving from a complicated coalition of religious, tribal, and military force centers into a real political party including all its constituents and representing all Yemen citizens. They thought getting support from Iran or any other country is a crime when made by others while the millions they get from Saudi Arabia, U.S is not prohibited. They started accusing their rivals. In short, the saying is baseless and I held a session at Altagamo head office, presented my financial accounts, challenging proving any claims whatsoever and inviting to do like me, yet none responded to my defy. I want to look from another prospective. Why what is allowed to Saudi Arabia and U.S is prohibited to Iran? What's the difference? Why such a question is not directed to Ali Muhsen? for what? What national interest to which such money go? How it can risk the revolution in long and short terms? What extent? Why public prosecutor did not inquire the names listed in a press report on "Saudi committee"? why the political partyt…. Is not asked how can it get 3 million S.R per month? What can justify? Is it a Saudi ruling party or an opposing Yemeni one? Why is not asked reason behind his getting 40 billion? And what relation between this and borders demarcation agreement? Who are members of the border demarcation committee? . Why all of Hamed Alahmar, Alyadomi, Bafadl or even Twakul are not inquired about whether or not they got amounts of money? And how they spent it? Why they get such amounts from Saudi Arabia, U.S and Europe while they imposed an initiative that returned us to era of succession one thousand years ago?
Why the government refuse to reopen Irani Hospital in Sana'a or to renew contract concerned to help injured people, who were left by state to sustain pain? Why they not demand S.A and U.S to set up a similar hospital to serve people? Such closing of the urgently needed Irani hospital to only satisfy highly rich countries or richer than Iran, is not acceptable. Why we prevent Yemeni injured, who were not allowed to be cured by S.A, Qatar or Turkey, from being treated by Iran? Why we reject more than an unconditional billion dollar, accepting tainted money provided by Saudi Arabia to corrupted rulers? why we not revolt against such money that confines Yemen to backward regime? Why we complain about other people double-dealing while we practice same?
It is said you have a T.V satellite channel, newspapers and websites. What reasons?
I have no TV channel, yet it is my dream that did not come true. My paper Almustaqila was established in 2006 after Alqabita paper was confiscated by Saleh's information ministry, which I was editor-in-chief. The Yemenat was recently set up, however, it is not regular. As for Yemenat website, I established it in 2008, yet it had been blocked by Saleh's regime for four years. Why do not you ask Yemen Shabab, Yemen Today,Suhail, Aliman, Aden Live TVs. We have nothing to afraid of. You should ask those who have tainted money.
What are new developments, especially after Mr Yaseen Nouman attempted assassination?
I anticipated such act. I also anticipate Hadi's. what happened to Mr Badeeb, Yaseen Nouman and Qatten is the start of upcoming assassination, as we live in a period and experience similar to that of pre 1994 Yemen, the period of dividing everything from ministry to a bean, which will result accumulatively only to an explosion unless importance unexpected action take place.
What are the priorities of current period, from your stand point?
I think displacing force centers impeding progress and threatening future of Yemen is a top priority in the time being.
How do evaluate consensus government progress?
No positive progress was achieved, rather there are split ministries, institutions and public employment, which would result to a possible explosion. The Islah and GPC dividing process has exceeded ministries to reach judicial authority and military institution.
What do you think about the 20 points wrote by the preparation committee?
These points are positive ones as long as they are properly implemented, which I do not expect if the existing force centers continue playing with Yemen political scene.
As an active MP, do you think Yemen house of representative keeps abreast with various national issues?
The parliament no longer plays critical role. It will continue being controlled by Gulf Initiative, regional and global agendas having it been captured by local corrupted and backward forces.
Is there any conformity among parliament members regarding various issues?
All of them claim representing people, while they actually are disappointing their people.
Although they are important, some laws presented before the house are pending. How can role of parliament be reactivated?
The house cannot take no decision. It is hopeless and directed by other decisions.
It is noticed that the parliament is absent during transition period, what do you think the reasons are?
One can put himself where he likes
How do you get ready for upcoming period, especially regarding election?
I do not think matters go this direction.
How do you assess the president's efforts to take the country out of its crisis?
It seems the current dividing between two and a half would only result into damage and a political stalemate. It is a mine that can blast at any time, scattering all hope.
Does the parliament monitor national consensus government performance?
It does nothing like that, neither it did. It failed to be an influential independent authority. It only act like only combars (secondary role)
Yemen's unification is threatened. From your point of view how it can be protected?
If there are no proper change, dictatorship, disengaged national unification and social texture must be there. I said this when south protests erupted in 2007. In an interview, I accused Saleh regime of separation, called north Yemen people to support their brothers in the south, as to keep silence would surly lead to separation and would be a legitimate demand. I was then accused with instigating separation and some parliament members affiliated with the ruling party petitioned for referring to constitutional committee, as a first step to take my parliament immunity, and be prosecuted for great treachery ( of homeland). I repeat this once again. The possession and elimination exercised by some of existing political power will further complicate the situation. I warn of eliminated national forces developing responses which can negatively affect the Yemen society as a whole and all national forces.
Yemen 50th anniversary of Sept 26th Revolution is being celebrated. What are the most important achievements?
Actually, several achievements are there in last years. However, few goals of this revolution were achieved despite such a long time. Everybody knows reasons and how 26th revolution was offended, turned into meaningless phrase and misused by the authority to suppress its opponents.
Youth revolution is an extension to the desire of freedom, build civil state that is stretch enough for all. It is continuation of the same dream triggering 26th revolution. I am still hopeful that youth revolution goals will come true and its spirit will not be harmed like what happened previously.
A translation from Aloula paper. Sept 25 2012