Yemen Post: Is there any secret deal between President Saleh and you involving your recent return to the country after you left it in 1994?

Mihsen bin Fareed: There were no conditions for my return to my homeland, and returning home is something natural. When we were forced to leave the country at the wake of the catastrophic war of 1994, we were waiting for the right time to return home to practice our political role inside our country. Few weeks before the 2006 presidential elections, there had been contact with President Saleh. There was an agreement by then to return to Yemen on condition that President Saleh embarks on real reforms in the light of his electoral platform and our party’s project for comprehensive reforms in Yemen.

YP: Was your return based on promises by Saleh to appoint your party president Abdul Rahman Al-Jifri vice-president as claimed by some, something that has been hindered by the situation in the South of Yemen?

MF: Absolutely not, there was no talks about this.

YP: Have you discussed with President Saleh the reforms issue? If yes, what level have you reached?

MF: As soon as we returned home after to the September 2006 elections, we were indulged in serious dialogue with the ruling party, the General People Congress (GPC). Two GPC leaders, Mr. Abdul Aziz Abdul Ghani (Chairman of Shoura Council) and Dr. Abdul Karim Al-Eryani (Advisor of the President), were appointed for running the dialogue with us, as an opposition party. We have been in serious dialogue for about one year and the dialogue involved the electoral platform of President Saleh and our own project for the comprehensive reforms announced in November 2005. The project addresses all aspects of life. We, in Ray, believe that Yemen's comprehensive reforms lie in political reforms. Further, we raised six pillars for the political reforms.

YP: What are these pillars?

MF: The cornerstone is the local governance will full authorities and power.  We are the only party in Yemen that has such an integrated vision that dates back to 1997. Other pillars include having an agreement over a new system for elections based proportional representation instead of the existing system. The third pillar relates to the form of the presidential system: presidential, parliamentary or mixed. We, in Ray, believe that the presidential system is the most suitable system. The fourth pillar relates to having the two council system for parliament and Shoura councils, while the fifth pillar stresses the importance of making the Civil Service and turning it into an independent authority. Similarly, the sixth point demands making state media as an independent media too, and neutralizing public money, army and security forces.

YP: Joint Meeting Parties (JMP) boycotted Saleh's call for dialogue about these issues, how do you see the boycott?

MF: I do not know why JMP withdrew and boycotted such calls, when we believe that having talks over these issues are part of the required solutions.  

YP: Perhaps because you have become a third party in the dialogue?

MF: We believe that the dialogue should involve all political forces existing in Yemen's political arena. When we have dialogue with GPC, we were not guardians on others; however, we spare no effort to serve the country and all political parties. 

YP: However, there have been no apparent results from your dialogue?

MF: I assure that when the dialogue has no ceiling and results, it is no more than a dialogue for the sake of dialogue itself. Thus, I frankly say that we feel resentful and worried when there are no apparent results for the constant dialogues, and this means that there is no seriousness.

YP: Do you think that JMP stopped dialogue after it noticed the failure you faced during your dialogues?

MF: I say there is no seriousness in dialogues involving the ruling party and other parties in the field; however, the lack of seriousness does not mean that political life has stopped. We, as political forces, should seek solutions for the current political crisis in the country.

YP: In your opinion, what is the way out for the crisis you speak of?

MF: Our party has a long experience in politics, and it has been there since 1951 and we have deeply contributed to the establishment of a national and serious opposition. The only way out is what we announce in our comprehensive reforms project, which is one of the best political projects. Both, authority and opposition should seek a national reconciliation away from political spites. We have to have national stances away from our political affiliation and it is time for a comprehensive and national dialogue that spares none.  

YP: GPC calls for dialogue based on certain restrains and JMP calls for a national rescue conference, what is your position in this? 

MF: We are for an unconditioned dialogue and away from any convulsion that affects the different calls for dialogue.

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

MF: To reach an agreement on establishing a supreme commission for elections and referendum is important, but this is not the main issue. The main issue is the comprehensive reform. The commission is part of this reform.

YP: However, JMP sees it is important to have agreement over its establishment?

MF: This is their opinion and we respect it.

YP: Does having no interest in SCER formation stem from the fact that you do not enjoy popularity among public that could make your representatives win?

MF: No. This is because we are for both options, which are forming the SCER from political parties or unbiased judges. However, we do not agree with any party that takes any issue to build its tendency over it.  

YP: Does this mean that you are more interested in South Yemen issues?

MF: We have to view what is happening in South Yemen through a national and honest perspective. Thousands were sent away from their jobs following 1994 war and are currently still unemployed. It was necessary by then to treat the situation in a realistic and right manner; however, this was not the case. The wound in the South has been running since 1994, and what is happening there is the result of big mistakes that took place, but any move in the South should remain within the frame of the united Yemen.

 YP: But some people demanded reconsideration of unity itself?

MF:  We should be honest to indicate that the present unity is not the desired unity or the unity we all dreamed of, therefore we should be courageous enough to sit down and discuss the problem, and I am sure that we can find the right solutions. The power of Yemen is in its unity, but a just and civilized unity.  

YP: Have you presented your vision about the situation in South Yemen to President Saleh?

MF: Yes, we have. We pointed out that the problems in the south should be resolved and further stressed that the solution for the whole country is in starting with the comprehensive reforms beginning with the political reforms.

YP: Don’t you think that electing governors is one step towards improving the situation in the south, especially when the elected governors enjoy full authority?

MF: I consider it to be imperfect because elections should have been made directly and there should be clear authorities stated in the constitution so that the new elected governors can truly administer their provinces. Electing a governor from among the ruling party members and without authorities is imperfect reforms. Further, appointing the secretary general of the local councils  from the capital means a setback; however in general, electing the governor is a positive step.

YP: For long, you and the party's president have been in the same posts; doesn’t this mean that democracy is not reflected in your party?

MF: We are part of this country and we can’t claim to be perfect. We have some defects and some positive points.

YP: What are your positive points?

MF: Our party has been in existence for 57 years and I do not think that a party would last for such a long period of time only with a strong mission. For four decades, we have been from one exile to another. Under the British Occupation, the party leaders have been exiled to Egypt. Similarly, we were exiled under the Socialist Party. We were forced to leave the country for 12 years following Yemen's civil war in 1994. How can we exercise democracy in such situations?

YP: Why don’t you join JMP?

MF: We were the ones who put the idea of the JMP in London in a meeting in the house of Mr. Abdul Rahman Al-Jifri, President of our party in the presence of late Jarullah Omar and other Yemeni political figures in 1998. We believe that opposition parties become stronger and more active when united. Following our return, we had an introductory meeting with JMP leaders and there could be further steps in the future. We are open to all political parties in the country

YP: Do you depend on Saudi Arabia for enhancing your role in the political field?