From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Sat Feb 13 2010 - 18:15:45 EST
President Isaias' speech on the occasion of 20th anniversary of Operation
Fenkil
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http://www.shabait.com/images/stories/00012mekfeti-fenkil.jpgLadies and
Gentlemen
Excellency Mohammed Tahir Ela, Administrator of Sudanese Red Sea Zone
First, I would like to congratulate the Eritrean people inside the country
and abroad on this auspicious occasion. My appreciation also goes to all
those who made due contribution in organizing such a glorious event. I would
particularly like to express my appreciation to Brother Mohammed Tahir Ela
and members of his delegation for being in our midst in the commemoration of
the 20th anniversary of Operation Fenkil.
Ladies and Gentlemen
Operation Fenkil marked a heroic feat that paved the way for the country's
total liberation 20 years ago, besides dealing final blow to 50 years of
colonization through proxy. And as such, it occupies special place in the
history of the Eritrean people's struggle for independence. It was a period
that marked the end of the Cold War at the global level and one in which a
number of changes were witnessed and ample opportunities created in the
region. Moreover, it was a period in which especially the people of Sudan,
Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia came out of a dark era and managed to lay the
ground for fostering friendship, and thus undertake wide-ranging development
cooperation endeavors, in addition to opening a new chapter of peace and
mutual respect for the benefit of future generations.
Although the achievement we have registered in rebuilding a war-devastated
nation over the past 20 years does not measure up to our aspirations, it
should, nonetheless, not be viewed lightly. Taking into account the
uninterrupted acts of hostility weaved against us over two decades, the
resolute determination the Eritrean people waged in rebuffing such acts
fully attests to their resilience and potentialities.
Ladies and Gentlemen
At this juncture, it is quite in order to ponder as to the stage of
development we would have reached had there existed no acts of hostility and
impediments over the past 20 years. By the same token, what level of
development would the region as a whole have attained had the people of
Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia been spared of obstruction and
adventurous interference on the part of special interest groups in
Washington, and thereby work jointly for peace and prosperity? This is not
mere aspiration and wishful thinking, but rather a historical option and
blessing. On our part, no matter the extent of challenges and acts of
hostility encountered, we coped with all such hostile ploys. After all, it
is natural to mount resolute rebuff under the circumstances.
The sanctions resolution adopted in the name of the Security Council against
Eritrea that was masterminded by Washington and its servants through
concocting hips of lies and slander is but a manifestation of series of
hostilities and bankruptcy of its authors. This act of conspiracy does not
only target Eritrea but also constitutes an act of gambling aimed at
exercising monopoly and domination through fomenting persistent crisis in
the region either directly or via servant entities.
In the face of such challenges, the Eritrean people at home and abroad
continue to further enhance their awareness and readiness to deal resolute
rebuff to enemy conspiracy. Parallel with this, it is natural to witness the
strengthening of resolute rebuff involving the people of the region
against the current hostile ploys.
On this auspicious occasion, I would also like to reaffirm that in line with
the historical and strategic ties with the Sudanese people, Eritrea would
enhance cooperation with the Sudanese Red Sea Zone and Kassala, especially
in the domains of trade, tourism, transport, marine resources and others
areas of investment and development ventures.
Long Live Operation Fenkil Commemoration!
Glory to Our Martyrs!
Victory to the Masses!
20th anniversary of Operation Fenkil commemorated with patriotic zeal
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http://www.shabait.com/images/stories/002mekfeti-fenkil.jpgMassawa, 13
February 2010 - The official commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the
historic Operation Fenkil was today conducted with patriotic zeal in Massawa
in the presence of President Isaias Afwerki, Ministers, senior government
and PFDJ officials, Army commanders, regional Administrators, the
Administrator of the Sudanese Red Sea Zone, invited guests and tens of
thousands of nationals.
In a speech he delivered on the occasion, President Isaias noted that the
historic Operation Fenkil in which the Eritrean freedom fighters
demonstrated heroic feats paved the way for the nation's total liberation.
As such, the event occupies special place in the history of the Eritrean
people's struggle for independence, he elaborated. The President went on to
explain that in light of the hostilities encountered over the past 20 years,
the development achievements registered are not to be viewed lightly, thus
attesting to the Eritrean people's resilience and potentialities.
He underlined the need to enhance resolute rebuff to all acts of hostility
at a time when enemy quarters are stepping up their adventurism emanating
from desperation.http://www.shabait.com/images/stories/002-fenkiil.jpg In
this regard, President Isaias noted that the US-engineered sanctions
resolution adopted in the name of the Security Council is part and parcel of
such an adventurous action aimed at fomenting persistent crisis situation in
the region under various guises, as well as managing the ensuing mess. Under
the circumstances, the President commended the patriotic zeal and
determination being demonstrated by nationals both inside the country and
abroad towards rebuffing enemy conspiracy.
Also speaking on the occasion, the Administrator of the Northern Red Sea
region, Ms. Tsegereda Woldegergis, stated that the 20the anniversary of
Operation Fenkil is taking place at a time when the nation is registering
significant achievements in all-round development endeavors. She further
expressed conviction that the year 2010 would witness still more gratifying
accomplishments through the coordinated endeavors of the people, government
and PFDJ institutions, members of the Defense Force and the youth.
The Chairman of the holidays coordinating committee in the region, Mr. Hamid
Haj, on his part stressed the need to mount united efforts towards achieving
full emancipation in line with the glorious legacy of the historic Operation
Fenkil.
A number of programs, including sea carnival, musical dramas, folk songs and
other cultural performances were staged on the occasion], thus adding color
to the official commemorative event.
Sanctions resolution adopted simply to make Eritrea a scapegoat for failed
and erroneous US policies: President Isaias
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http://www.shabait.com/images/stories/000123-pre-interview-fenkil.jpgMassawa
, 13 February 2010 - President Isaias Afwerki underscored that the unjust
sanctions resolution adopted in the name of the Security Council was simply
resorted to in a bid to make Eritrea a scapegoat for the US Administration's
failed and erroneous policies and strategies.
The President made the salient remarks in an interview he conducted in
Massawa with various foreign media outlets. He pointed out that the
US-engineered Resolution 1907 that has no legal or political evidence
whatsoever is not something new as far as the people and Government of
Eritrea are concerned. As such, the move will not impede the nation's
development drive, but on the contrary make the people and Government of
Eritrea pursue development goals with greater momentum, President Isaias
elucidated.
In an interview with the Libyan newspaper, OEA, the President explained that
although changes were witnessed and favorable ground created in the Horn
region over the past 20 years that would enable the peoples to strive for
progress in unison, these golden opportunities were, nonetheless, subverted
due to Washington's obstructive interference. Noting that the Horn of Africa
has become a zone of conflict and confrontation, he stated that it is not
logical to think that the people of the region would permanently endure US
adventurism.
As regards Eritrean-Libyan relations, President Isaias pointed out that it
is historical, and that the Libyan government's stance regarding the
sanctions resolution stems from this firm historical ties and political
maturity.
On development progress in Eritrea, he indicated that the task of achieving
food security has been given top priority and that gratifying outcome has
been registered in this regard. The President went on to say that major
tasks have been accomplished in putting in place infrastructure facilities,
expanding social services and developing human resource.
Also in an interview with the Kuwaiti newspaper, Khalij Times, President
Isaias dismissed as totally baseless allegations claiming that 'there exist
Israeli and Iranian bases in different strategic places in Eritrea.' In this
connection, he declared: "Let alone compromise our sovereignty, we do not
even allow any party to exercise remote control over our thinking." The
President further asserted that although various smear campaigns against
Eritrea are being resorted in an organized manner, such acts would not
conceal the real truth. Stating that there are leaders and regimes in the
contemporary world willing to offer themselves for sale, he underscored that
it is not Eritrea's political culture and that of its people to compromise
their dignity and independent path.
Likewise, in an interview he gave to another Kuwaiti newspaper, Al-Anbae,
and the Sudan Vision paper respectively on regional and international
issues, President Isaias emphasized that Eritrea does not view the
prevalence of peace and stability in the region in isolation from that of
its own. In this respect, he explained that Eritrea has been playing and
would continue to play modest role towards achieving lasting solution to
problems in the region. The President further stressed the need for the
people of the region to say no! to external interference and servant
regimes, and thereby ensure development and prosperity in a coordinated and
complementary spirit.
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