Peter Dimitroff, Country Director of NDI’s Program in Yemen:

Yemen compares well with other regional countries in the democratic field, but democracy has to bring results to people.

National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) works in over 60 countries across the globe and seeks to strengthen democratic practices. NDI has been working in Yemen since 1993, primarily supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) but with funding from other sources, such as the Dutch and UK embassies in the past.  The two-member office has turned now to be a regional office with over 40 employees of Yemeni and foreign nationalities. It has sought to develop democracy in the country and actively participated in all presidential, parliamentary and local elections conducted in Yemen as of 1993.

By the end of 2006, a Canadian man with European roots (of Bulgarian father and German mother) assumed the responsibility as the resident director of the Sana'a-based NDI regional office. Prior to his arrival in Yemen, the man who just came from Afghanistan thought his task will be an easy one; however, this was not the case.  Although Yemen has common features with Afghanistan, including the society's tribal structure, there were tensions between NDI and the Yemeni government, felt especially under his predecessor Robin Madrid's direction.  It was necessary by then to adjust the Institute’s policies,  especially those which aroused Yemeni government's dissatisfaction.  Before joining the NDI, he served as chief of staff to Canada's Secretary of State for Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East, as well as serving for many years in the Canadian Army, within the Royal Canadian Artillery.  This is Peter Dimitroff, the country director of NDI's program in Yemen.

Though his back ground is military, Dimitroff is energetic and enjoys a high sense of diplomacy and speaks with frankness yet with cautiousness. Hereafter are the details of our interview with him:   

Yemen Post: What is your assessment of Yemen's democratic experience?

Peter Demitroff: Yemen has been able to achieve good results; however, we have to find some way to move beyond that. In fact there exist democratic structures including parliament, local councils, etc, but still we have to push them forward in order to work better. Moreover, unrest in southern Yemen, economic situation, pensioners' situation should be also read within the political context which is the normal context. There have been fairly good elections, but elections do not mean democracy. Despite all achievements, there is still more work ahead to be done and more improvement is required. Yemen compares well with other regional countries in the democratic field, but this democracy has to bring results to people. 

YP: Is it true that President Saleh asked you to mediate between his party and other opposition parties, especially Joint Meeting Parties (JMP) and to reactivate their dialogue?

PD: I had the honor to meet President Saleh twice earlier this month and he asked me to help resume the dialogue between the General People Congress (GPC) and the JMP.

Parties should have dialogues over the different issues in order to reach desired goals. Over the last 12 years, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) has not forced its own policies, but rather facilitate understanding between Yemen’s political actors.

YP: Was “Political Systems Under Democracies” conference held at the President’s request?

PD: The conference is something we initiated and it was not held under his auspices.  Amendments could be a step forward, if they are designed correctly, and we intended to bring a big change through bringing together GPC and JMP leaders to discuss these amendments along with adding academic and theoretical framework for the system due to be selected. It is a mistake however, to say that we are supportive of the amendments – rather President Saleh, in his capacity, has the right to make the change and to choose which system to follow.      

YP: What is your point of view as for forming the Supreme Commission for Elections and Referendum (SCER)?

PD: Worldwide, elections' body comprises either political actors or neutral actors and in today's Yemen there are political actors. Honestly, I have great respect for Yemeni judges, but parties should be involved with the formation of the SCER. Still, forcing a resolution is not the answer – the solution must come from dialogue.

YP: What are your current programs?

PD: We have right now four different programs including Parliamentary Strengthening Program, Party Development Program, Tribal Conflict Management Program and Elections Support Program.  

YP: What about the quota system?

PD: We are seeking a practical quota system that fits into Yemeni social context. We are for a 15 percent nominations quota system in single-member constituencies elections because 30 percent as proposed by some is too high. Good competitive woman candidates should be nominated for Shoura Council and Parliament; however, this needs amending the elections law. Over time, profound effect can be achieved.

YP: Regarding your Tribal Conflict Program, what have you achieved so far?

PD: In collaboration with government and local authorities, we have devised a program to be implemented over 2007-2008 aiming to tackle revenge killing in Mareb, Al-Jawf and Shabwa. The program was designed after conducting a research program. Revenge killing is a symptom of tribal conflicts. In return, tribal leaders and dignitaries welcomed such a move and expressed readiness to help in resolving the pending conflicts as they affect local development.   

YP: Have you faced any problems with government as for this program?

PD: Frankly speaking, any work by international organizations is suspected especially by tribal leaderships, particularly if these organizations are American. The program was a source of controversy upon its introduction in 2005 and later we made adjustments after we had found it was a mistake that tribal leaderships and official authorities were not involved in the program together and this created suspicions of our program. We recognize that we need to keep assessing whether things go well or require adjustments. Further, we have been partnering with local councils, dignitaries and other tribal leaders in our activities together with the Ministry of Interior’s  National Committee to Address Revenge Killing Issues.  

YP: It is said that you use this program to piece together information about tribes?

PD: It is something natural to hear such news and everything here is built upon 'conspiracy theory', particularly with foreign organizations. There is a lot of suspicion and this is because we are dealing with a sensitive area. Still, this is not the case and our work is transparent.  

YP: Do you fear the Islamic influence within the tribal structure?

PD: Islamic influence should not be feared and we have an inclusive approach in our dealings with all parties active in Yemen's political field. It is of no particular worry and we work with them quite nicely. Unlike other countries like Algeria or Egypt, Yemen is unique in that all parties, including Islamists, are working within the whole political framework.  

YP: The official authorities accuse you of supporting civil society organizations formed by opposition?

PD: Civil society in Yemen is incredibly politicized and it is almost impossible to avoid this.  However, we do not believe of politics as a dirty work, it is natural that civil society organizations have political affiliations and one has to recognize this fact.  What is important is always trying to keep a balance.

YP: What are future programs?

PD:  In our parliamentary strengthening program, we are focusing on committees seeking to train them on how to do research, together with workshops on how to read and analyze budgets, as well as connecting civil society organizations with parliament committees, etc.  In the elections support program we are working in cooperation with the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) which set up an office once again in Yemen to tackle technical challenges including a updated voter registry system that needs to be continuously maintained, as well as other technical challenges that involve delineation of constituencies (equal size) with readjusting the boundaries. Other programs include training domestic election committees and training NGOs in monitoring elections as well as reinforcing woman's participation. We also train parties on various political skills such as how to deal with media, how to manage a data base for their members and how to reach out to prospective voters.  

YP: Observers stress that attention should be given to independent media?

PD: Independent media is important for democracy as it is critical for fighting corruption and wrong practices; but, unfortunately, we do not have a media program right now. Perhaps we can think of this in future. Still, part of programs we did involved media and we trained journalists on how parliament works together.  It is absolutely  critical for Yemen’s development that the independent media increases its ability to conduct investigative journalism, and that it has the tools – such as proper access to information laws – to do so.