We are not oblivious to the problem. The ministry has presented an urgent status report which was discussed by the cabinet in its meeting on May 26th,1999. The cabinet decided to apply for Yemeni membership in the Office International des Epizootis, an anti-epidemic livestock world organization. It also approved a 3-phase program for vaccination of Yemen's livestock. Meanwhile, the only solution now is to quarantine the sick animals.
Yemeni farmers fume with anger as they stand by helplessly and watch their animals die.
The Yemen Times received a torrent of favorable response, by electronic and snail mail, to the story about President Ali Abdullah Saleh's decision to quit chewing qat. They all found something they can identify with in the president's position on qat. Several senior officials also confirmed that they too have quit this bad habit. As the summer approaches, the Ministry of Youth and Sports is preparing many programs. 1999 is the Youth Year in Yemen.