YEMEN'S NOMINATION FOR THE FOREIGN PRESS CENTER'S

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 001590 SIPDIS FOR PA/PR/FPCW - SILAS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO OPRC YM SUBJECT: YEMEN'S NOMINATION FOR THE FOREIGN PRESS CENTER'S REPORTING TOUR TITLED, "ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND BUSINESS INCUBATORS." The following is Yemen's nomination for the Foreign Press Center's Reporting Tour titled, "Economic Development: Small Business Development and Business Incubators," August 30 - September 17, 2005: ¶A. Full Name (as in passport): Shaker Mohammed Al-Molsi Date of birth: 5/11/1980 City of birth: Ibb Country of birth: Yemen Passport Number: 01298861 Country of Issuance: Republic of Yemen ¶B. Mailing Address: Sana'a, Republic of Yemen Yemen Times Hadda Road P.O. Box: 2579, Sana'a ¶C. Office Telephone Number: + 967 1 268 661 Home Telephone Number: + 967 1 283 032 Cell Phone: + 967 73 474 286 ¶D. News Editor/News Reporter ¶E. E-mail Address: shakermolsi@yahoo.com ¶F. Emergency notification name: Muharram Muhsen Mohamed Phone Number: + 967 1 283 032 ¶G. Shaker works for the Yemen Times weekly. It's independent and was the first English language newspaper published in Yemen. The Yemen Times is considered an influential news organization and the principal English language newspaper which covers various issues including economic, political and social issues and concentrates on political, economic and social developments. It features fairly straight reporting of international developments. In terms of size of circulation, Yemen Times ranks third amongst all government, private and political party newspapers with a bi-weekly copy run of 20,000 copies. The Yemen Times publishes economic, cultural and family affairs coverage on a weekly basis. The newspaper also features opinion essays and analysis reports. It is read by literate urban, young Yemenis and is found on the desks of virtually all government officials, intellectuals and elites. ¶H. The focus of the reporting tour meets one of the requirements of the media interests in Yemen. The Yemen Times is one of few national newspapers that addresses economic issues and plays a major role in raising/shaping public awareness regarding a multitude of issues. More than 40% of the population in Yemen lives under the poverty line and a majority of the population is therefore dependent on small businesses. The U.S. Embassy is very supportive through its aid program to Yemen's economic growth and the participation of a Yemeni journalist on this program will help in promoting awareness about the significance of small businesses in the lives of many people. ¶I. Shaker Al-Molsi has been a news editor for the Yemen Times since June 2004. In this capacity, he handles editorial responsibilities, editing news stories, reports and articles, conducting interviews with local and foreign officials, and contributing weekly articles. He is a member of a number of media NGOs, including the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate. He is skilled in various computer applications and the Internet, and speaks Arabic (mother tongue) and English fluently. Shaker holds a BA degree in English Language from Sana'a University, 2003. He contributes articles and stories to a number of Arabic-language newspapers, including the Annas independent weekly. ¶J. He has excellent knowledge of English with very good writing and comprehension skills. ¶K. The candidate traveled only to Egypt in 2003 participating in a conference on distinguished university students. ¶L. No dietary or physical restrictions. ¶M. Name and Address of post action officer: Timothy Fingarson A/PAO, U.S. Embassy Sanaa Office Tel: +967 1 755 2262 Fax: +967 1 755 2282 Cell Phone: +967 73 228 058 Email: Fingarsontj2@state.gov Name and Address of back-up officer: Esam Hamoud Information Specialist, U.S. Embassy Sanaa Office Tel: +967 1 755 2443 Fax: +967 1 755 2282 Home: +967 1 354 139 Cell Phone: +967 73 213 518 Email: ghorbanieh@state.gov KRAJESKI