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From: YPFDJ Media & Info (media@youngpfdj.com)
Date: Fri Jun 24 2011 - 20:44:43 EDT
No nation, perhaps, has penned more poems and songs in honor of its martyrs
than Eritrea. These are written in all nine Eritrean languages and in the
languages of many of the countries where Eritreans now live in our
globalized world. Their artistic standards vary greatly; some are of high
quality, most are the work of amateurs. But their message is profound and
consistent- respect and gratitude for Eritrea's tens of thousands of
martyrs, strong commitment to support and look after their families and a
quiet determination to build a nation worthy of their sacrifices.
If Eritrea's attachment to its war heroes seems particularly strong, there
is a good reason for it. Unlike many former colonies, its independence was
not a product of a political arrangement with its former colonizers, but was
the outcome of a 30-year war of national liberation, during which the
Eritreans had to dig deep within themselves to overcome an adversary,
Ethiopia- 20 times the size of Eritrea- and supported alternately by the
United States and the former Soviet Union. Over 65, 000 mostly young men
and women paid their lives for the dream of freedom that became a reality in
1991. Seven years later, the current tyrannical government in Ethiopia,
again with US support, waged a war of aggression against Eritrea, and an
additional 20,000 Eritreans defended the hard-won freedom with their lives.
Over 85,000 martyrs in a small population of four million is simply huge and
means that virtually every family has lost a son or daughter or close
relative for Eritrean freedom. No wonder the sacrifice is raw and deeply
felt. What is truly wondrous, however, is the response- a sense of
responsibility, a rededication every year on June 20 to remain truthful to
the liberating vision that guided Eritrea's remarkable and successful fight
against all the odds that were stacked against it.
Even as we honor our heroes and celebrate Eritrea's past achievements, we
cannot fail but notice that once again Eritreans are being challenged to
rise once again in defense of their nation and aspirations for justice,
dignity and prosperity. The United States, which, in Eritrea's case has
consistently stood for oppression and against freedom, stood -as was
subsequently proved-on the wrong side of history, is once again working to
thwart Eritrea's self-reliant nation building.
And what is it that so angers the United States? Eritrea's insistence that
the "final and binding" international arbitration ruling be respected and
Ethiopia withdraw from illegally occupied Eritrean territory? Eritrea's
criticism of faulty US policies in our region, in Somalia and in Ethiopia,
where the United states is protecting the country's rulers against the wrath
of the overwhelming majority of Ethiopians- Amharas, Oromos, Ogadenis, Afars
and others? Policies that run counter to the interests of peace and
stability in the strategic Horn of Africa? Policies that many have argued
have not served the interests of the United States itself particularly well.
As in the past, Eritreans will not tire from engaging the United States- the
administration, Congress and other institutions. The Eritrean government has
tried to improve relations and has repeatedly stated that it is willing to
work with the United States on issues of common concern.
But Eritreans also know that when it comes to the protection of their
national interests and aspirations, the primary responsibility lies with
them. At home and abroad, they are digging deep, confident that once again
they will find within themselves the strength to continue to live and thrive
as a free people. This, more than anything else, was the message of Martyrs'
Day this year.
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