ABSTRACT
The elite who emerged victorious from the 1986 civil war and ruled the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDRY) was determined to consolidate its grip over South Yemeni society. The reinforcement of the Yemeni Socialist Party was not only a legitimate and traditionally acceptable method in the Marxist PDRY, but was also a framework to disseminate the leaders' message throughout the state. The heavy destruction caused by the civil war forced the leaders to give high priority to economic rehabilitation. They carefully examined and criticized past and present economic developments, and launched a campaign of denigration against 'Ali Nasir's previous policies. South Yemeni leaders were particularly anxious to improve contacts with Syria, a central state of the Steadfastness Front.
