From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Thu Jan 14 2010 - 14:31:32 EST
Eritrean-Sudanese Relations Is Based On The Historic Ties Between Both
Peoples And Is Not Subject To Political Stances And Temporary Problems:
President Isaias
Asmara, January 14 2009: In an interview he conducted today with Sudanese
media outlets, President Isaias Afwerki said that Eritrean-Sudanese
relations is based on the historic ties between both peoples and hence is
not subject to political stances and temporary problems.
In the interview with Sudanese Television, the President indicated that
Eritrea has always wished and worked for peace and stability in the Sudan
and explained that Eritrea's official invitation of President Omar Hassan
Al-Beshir following the indictment by the ICC was to demonstrate Eritrea's
close political ties with Sudan and its legal stance.
On the question of the purported setback in Eritrean-Sudanese relations
following the Security Council sanctions resolution against Eritrea,
President Isaias said: "Although we were a bit surprised by the silence on
the part of Sudan's representative to IGAD when the resolution was passed,
this will by no means mar the ties between both countries. Eritrea does not
view this as a big problem and it won't be raised as an issue in bilateral
relations." The false information being spread as regards the alleged
setback is merely a deliberate ploy to create animosity between peoples, the
President underlined.
Pointing out that Eritrea's enduring stance as regards the problem in Sudan
is that it can only be resolved through a solely Sudanese initiative,
President Isaias elucidated that the factor that derailed and further
complicated the Sudanese peace process is external interference and the
internationalization of a domestic problem. Stating that Eritrea has always
been against such interferences, he underscored that Eritrea supports the
initiative taken by Qatar which has created conducive grounds for a
comprehensive Sudan-Sudan based lasting solution while leaving no room for
negative interferences. The prevailing problems in the Sudan are against our
wishes and since we have no ulterior motive or agenda in this case we openly
extend modest support and contribution, the President added.
http://www.shabait.com/images/stories/jan14-president-int-1.jpg
As regards the referendum in South Sudan and possibilities of cessation,
President Isaias emphasized that Eritrea's political culture lies in
respecting people's choice. Although Eritrea will have its own views and
observations on the matter, the President explained that if the people of
South Sudan do vote for cessation it will require detailed studies as to the
consequences of such a move on the future of the whole country.
Also in an interview with the "Al- Intibaha" newspaper, the President
pointed out that the countries of the region have lost many golden
opportunities in the past 20 years as a result of external interferences.
He went on to underscore that domestic and regional problems in the Horn
region can only be resolved through rebuffing external forces and their
agents while strengthening coordination among one another.
In a reply he gave to the question of whether Eritrea has taken any
initiative in resolving the prevailing problems in Yemen, President Isaias
explained that Eritrea's stance in this case does not differ from the ones
it has adopted as regards issues of Sudan and Somalia and emphasized that
the best solution for the Yemeni problem can only come from a Yemeni
initiative. Stating that the unity of Yemen is crucial for the stability of
the entire region, President Isaias reminded that any external interference
should be rejected from the onset.
Regarding the accusations leveled by Ethiopia that it had apprehended
terrorists 'trained by Eritrea and infiltrated into Ethiopia through Sudan',
the President underlined that these were baseless allegations concocted by
the US Administration in relation with the recent sanctions resolution to
smear Eritrea's image and create mistrust among peoples. If Eritrea ever
wished to engage in such tactics, it would have no need to use Sudanese
territories for it shares much longer borders with Ethiopia, he elaborated.
President Isaias added that the TPLF regime could be making these
accusations in preparation for invading Eastern Sudan territories.
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