World Tribune.com

Yemen gas prices rocket to $6.75, sparking riots

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Monday, July 25, 2005

Yemen has been rocked by the most serious unrest since 1998.

At least 40 people have been killed in riots throughout the country sparked by a sharp increase in fuel prices last week. Yemen summoned its military to battle protesters in Sanaa and five other cities.

On July 19, the Cabinet raised the price of gasoline by 90 percent to 1,300 rials, or $6.75 per gallon. Within hours, the price of cooking gas was doubled, diesel oil rose by 260 percent and kerosene underwent a 250 percent price increase. The price of public transport was also doubled, Middle East Newsline reported.

Yemeni Prime Minister Abdul Qader Bajamal said the government could no longer afford fuel subsidies. Bajamal said government subsidies for the first half of 2005 were double that of last year.

"The people must realize that the decision is meant to favor them and they should stay calm and not worry," Bajamal said. "You must understand that in the end this is in your interest. If we do not take this step our economy will break down."

It was the most serious unrest since 1998. At one point, the military deployed Soviet-origin T-72 main battle tanks to confront protesters over the weekend. The tanks were used to protect vital facilities, including the palace of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Western diplomats said the unrest was the worst since 1998, when 52 people were killed after the government announced price increases. They said the latest riots included gunmen and targeted oil facilities. Yemen is an oil exporter.

The military deployed tanks and armored personnel carriers along major highways leading to Sanaa. At one point, protesters tried to block a road to Sanaa's international airport. Authorities arrested several hundred people throughout the country.

"All the troublemakers and those who are behind them must be pursued and punished," Saleh said. "Looting public and private properties and destabilizing society have nothing to do with democracy and freedom of speech."

Islah, the largest Islamic opposition party, said security forces employed live fire against protesters. The party demanded that President Ali Abdullah Saleh prosecute security commanders.

"The government could have saved more money by battling corruption rather than raising prices and increasing the burden on people," parliamentarian Hamid Al Ahmar said.


Copyright © 2005 East West Services, Inc.

Print this Article Print this Article Email this article Email this article Subscribe to this Feature Free Headline Alerts


Google
Search Worldwide Web Search WorldTribune.com Search WorldTrib Archives