From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Thu May 21 2009 - 15:06:23 EDT
Anti-Eritrea smear campaign attests to the strength of the people and
Government of Eritrea: President Isaias
By Staff
May 21, 2009, 13:38
Asmara, 21 May 2009 - In an interview he gave to TV 4 which is based in
Stockholm, Sweden, President Isaias Afwerki said that the anti-Eritrea smear
campaign on the part of the CIA and other hostile quarters attests to the
strength of the people and Government of Eritrea on the one hand, and the
utter failure of enemy quarters on the other.
http://www.shabait.com/articles-new/uploads/pia_tv4_21052009.jpg
Noting that such a campaign is but part of ploys employed by special
interest groups within successive Administrations in Washington, the
President elaborated that it is a long-standing policy pursued by
intelligence agencies. Eritrea would not flinch from its correct national
path as a result of this futile attempt, he emphasized.
President Isaias further explained that Eritrea's political and economic
system is aimed at ensuring social justice, in addition to enabling the
majority of the population to become the beneficiaries of national resources
and opportunities.
He indicated that the ultimate goal of the people and Government of Eritrea
is to build a social order that satisfies the aspirations of the majority
through ensuring equitable allocation of resources and opportunities, and
thereby upgrade the people's standard of living. In this regard, the
President underscored that ensuring national harmony and people-based
political participation in all aspects of life remains the key criteria
towards realizing the set goal rather than the mere casting of ballot.
Hence, the Eritrean people keep on treading the path of socio-economic
democracy that gives priority to national harmony, reliable social progress,
equal opportunities to citizens and the like, he elucidated.
http://www.shabait.com/articles-new/uploads/pia_tv4_21052009_01.jpg
Replying to a question: "why is Eritrea refusing to receive aid?", President
Isaias pointed out that aid should only serve as a transitional means in
emergency situations, for it is paralyzing if taken as a culture and
addiction. In this connection, he stated that Eritrea opts to ensure food
security through its own endeavors.
Indicating that Eritrea is not ready to accommodate those publications which
serve foreign agenda and are sponsored by intelligence agencies, the
President noted that Eritrea has acquired valuable experience from the
activities of the private press, and highlighted the deceptive maneuvers of
elements operating in the name of free press.
As regards the participation of Eritrean nationals residing in Sweden in
national programs in the Homeland, he pointed out that the Eritrean
Community in that country is one of the strongest among counterparts abroad.
The President added that members of the Eritrean Community are ambassadors
and advocates of their country just like all Eritreans in the Diaspora.
Stressing that Eritrea upholds the conviction that relations with Sweden
should be based on respect to freedom and national interest, regional and
international peace, development and stability, and above all
non-interference in internal affairs, as well as working in equality and
partnership, President Isaias underlined that resorting to anti-Eritrea
campaign through transgressing the aforementioned prerequisites and acting
as an appendage of the agenda of other countries is but unacceptable.
Eritrea's pride and strength lie in its people and Defense Force members,
President asserts
By Staff
May 21, 2009, 13:45
Asmara, 21 May 2009 - President Isaias Afwerki said that the Eritrean people
inside the country and abroad find themselves in a secure and reliable
situation thanks to their firm stand in trying moments and foiling enemy
conspiracies targeting the nation's sovereignty and unity.
http://www.shabait.com/articles-new/uploads/pia_rueters_21052009.jpg
In an interview with Reuters news agency, the President explained that
Eritreans in the Diaspora who continue to make due contribution to various
national programs both in terms of expertise and finance constitute a vital
asset to the national economy. He further asserted that their continued
contributions to the Homeland through rebuffing machinations on the part of
the CIA and other western intelligence agencies with a view to undermining
their ranks and unity represent a pride to the nation and headache to the
enemy.
Asked to comment on allegations that 'there exists no freedom of expression
in Eritrea,' President Isaias said that the nation gives no room at all to
mercenary agents of the CIA trying to instigate chaos and discord among
citizens, besides undermining national security. In this connection, he
indicated that Eritrea does not tolerate acts of adventurism and conspiracy
under the pretext of "freedom of expression."
http://www.shabait.com/articles-new/uploads/pia_rueters_21052009_01.jpg
As regards the fabricated so-called Eritrean-Djiboutian border conflict, the
President dismissed intermittent rumors about a non-existing border problem
between the two countries. Thanks to the Eritrean government's patient
handling and self-refrain, the issue did not proceed as originally
concocted, he underscored. President Isaias further elaborated that the
unnecessary sacrifices the nation paid in the wake of the fabricated
conflict is for the sake of the interests of the Eritrean and Djiboutian
people, as well as a price paid for the peace and stability of the region.
He went on to explain that apart from mining activities, the country is
equally exerting vigorous endeavors in other sectors, and that although the
launching of mining undertakings could be taken as an advantage, the
nation's priority attention nonetheless focuses on formulating an economic
policy aimed at bringing about meaningful change in improving the living
standard of nationals at large.
Concerning investment and Eritrea's endeavors to attract investors, the
President stated that the Government is keen to create opportunities for the
mutual benefit of both investors and the country. To this end, he pointed
out that the necessary infrastructure facilities are being put in place so
as to create a climate conducive to enhanced investment ventures, and that
the launching of the Free Economic Zone is expected to make major
contribution in this regard.
On Eritrean-US relations, President Isaias noted that the United States
currently finds itself in a historical transition period, and that Eritrea
does not expect the present US Administration to have special policy towards
Eritrea, for the Administration has domestic and international priorities.
"Without waiting for the present Administration in Washington to bring about
change for us, we need to be realistic and do our homework," he added.
Regarding the Somali issue, the President said: "what's wrong if the Somalis
make use of the Islamic faith as a means of uniting their ranks and a factor
of promoting national unity?" In this respect, he underlined that the
attempts being made by the CIA to link the Islamic faith with terrorism is
not only wrong but is also dangerous. President Isaias further emphasized
that the Somali people should be given freedom and a conducive ground
created towards enabling them ensure the reconstitution of their nation
through employing an option of their choice.
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