Yemen Observer: http://www.yobserver.com
Posted in:
Editorials
Written By: Staff Editor
Article Date: Sep 8, 2007 - 7:10:12 AM
The Yemeni Unity is key to Yemen’s security and the country’s biggest achievement of modern times. It is best option for the future of Yemen and her development.
Unity is essential to the nation. All Yemenis welcomed unity as a great achievement bought via sacrifice and bloodshed and which must be protected from those who would harm it for narrow partisan interests.
The government and the opposition, rulers and ruled, westerners and easterners, rich and poor, all classes of Yemeni society are obliged to defend and protect the unity of Yemen as a national duty. National unity stands above party politics. The phenomenon of secessionist slogans is a dangerous sign that everyone should stand against. Whoever is behind these slogans is attempting to foment instability in society for evil ends. Certain things are non-negotiable, and the unity of Yemen is one of them. Splitting Yemen into separate states can only harm the country and those who propose it so to further their own ends and not out of care for the people.
Every individual is free to demand his rights within the limits of the law. But certain issues can only bring chaos and disorder, to the detriment of all Yemenis.
The opposition parties talk of press freedom, and have crossed all red lines in their criticism of the government. But now certain individuals have turned to exploiting naïve individuals for their own ends. To the government, we say that they have to ask themselves why these things are happening now. They have to look into the situation and realize that they have a responsibility to carry out their electoral promises.
To the general public, we say, do not go down this route of folly.
If the government were effective at granting people their right, punishing wrongdoers, combating corruption and delivering economic and political reform, would we find ourselves in this situation?
If the opposition were fulfilling their role as a political watch dog, criticizing the government, but constructively, and putting the security and welfare of the country first, might they not find themselves closer to power?
Everyone has the right to demand a better life, but to blame Yemeni reunification for all our problems and use it as a political football is to play a very dangerous game.