From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Fri Jul 24 2009 - 06:03:23 EDT
Eritrean-German Relations Should Be Anchored On tangible constructive
engagement: President Isaias
By Staff
Jul 23, 2009, 10:14
Asmara, 23 July 2009- In an interview he conducted with Deuche Welle Radio
today, President Isaias Afwerki said that the existing relations between
Eritrea and Germany should be anchored on tangible constructive talks and
development engagement. Pointing out the numerous possibilities of
undertaking wide-ranging joint partnership tasks in a number of development
and social service programs between the two countries, the President
commended the effort and support made by German medical experts in the
health sector. In this respect, he expressed desire for the promotion of
similar initiatives in the domains of energy, trade, investment, agriculture
and the like.
http://www.shabait.com/articles-new/uploads/interview.jpg
Underscoring Eritrea's firm belief in cooperation of partnership, the
President emphasized the need for working on tangible projects and declared
Eritrea's readiness to engage in any equal partnership that respects its
development priorities and programs.
Noting that development cooperation between Africa and Germany have not
progressed as desired, President Isaias underlined the need for fostering
broader partnership of cooperation.
In replying to a question whether Eritrea supplies arms to 'Somali terrorist
movements', the President pointed out that labeling one group as a
'terrorist' and the other as 'moderate' is a dangerous attitude that will
further complicate the basic problem in Somalia. Indicating that there has
been enough accumulation of weapons and ammunitions in Somalia over the past
18 years, President Isaias stated that the allegations against Eritrea are
baseless fabrications and those who claim to have 'proof' to this end should
present the evidence before the world. "Instead of waging a smear campaign
against Eritrea for openly expressing its principles, the hostile quarters
should point out alternative approaches," he added. The President went on to
emphasize that Eritrea is not inclined to engage in squabbles and public
relations gimmicks.
Pointing out that Eritrea supports the reconstitution of a sovereign, united
and politically independent Somali state that is a member of the AU and the
UN, President Isaias underlined that any illegal course of action that
sidelines this core issue would only delay the realization of a genuine
solution and further aggravate the prevailing turmoil. The reconstitution of
Somalia with the participation of all Somali forces is an imperative
prerequisite for putting an end to piracy and ensuring regional security and
stability, he elaborated.
Noting that the war between Eritrea and Ethiopia under the pretext of border
dispute was an unjustifiable conflict that inflicted immeasurable loss on
the peoples of both countries and the region as a whole, the President
explained that although certain special interest groups in Washington weaved
ploys to impede the implementation of the Boundary Commission's final and
binding ruling, the border issue has once and for all reached a legal
conclusion through virtual demarcation. President Isaias went on to say that
only time will tell as to what the present US Administration will do
concerning the occupied sovereign Eritrean territories. "If at all there
exists an international community, it should have exerted pressure on
Ethiopia, which has violated international law and the EEBC ruling, to
withdraw from the occupied sovereign Eritrean territories. The silence of
the world community in this regard simply demonstrates its double standards
and weakness," he added.
As regards Eritrea's principle of self-reliance and the progress so far
registered, President Isaias elucidated that self-reliance is not a
philosophy, but rather a strategy aimed at developing the country and
improving the people's standard of living. He further noted that although
the achievements scored on the basis of this principle cannot be
exaggerated, Eritrea has at least avoided dependency on aid and handouts.
In a reply he gave to a question whether the Eritrean government does not
allow free press because of the threat they pose, President Isaias declared:
"If we at all felt threatened by free press, we wouldn't have allowed for
satellite channels, open internet services, U-Tube, Face book and Twitter.
However, we do not permit the establishment of so-called free press that is
sponsored by intelligence agencies to serve external agendas." In this
regard, President Isaias dismissed those who preach about the freedom of
press while fully aware that there is in reality no such thing as a 'free
press' in the world.
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