From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Wed Oct 28 2009 - 06:18:50 EST
Eritrea’s Political Process Will Not Be Derailed At All from Its Independent
Political Path: President Isaias
Tuesday, 27 October 2009 11:17 |
http://www.shabait3.com/images/stories/dsc_2757.jpg
Asmara, 27 October 2009 – In an interview he conducted with the US media
outlet grouping 30 newspapers with a circulation of over 2 million,
President Isaias Afwerki underscored that Eritrea’s political process will
not be derailed at all from its independent political path under any
external pressure.
Replying to a question as to “when the Eritrean Constitution would become
functional,” the President pointed out that the nation is engaged in laying
the groundwork for a political order that ensures equitable opportunities
and human dignity. In this respect, he stressed that Eritrea says No! to
those quarters that try to compel us accept their ill-conceived
prescriptions in the name of 'constitution' and 'democracy' through
abandoning our journey towards instituting social harmony.
President Isaias further underlined that the nation would certainly build a
political order aimed at ensuring social harmony and stability on the basis
of our independent choice that would enable every citizen to obtain due
reward for his/her toil.
In a reply he gave to a question by the reporter from the McClatchy Groups
regarding mining and other resources, the President explained that “our
focus is on an enduring economic strategy, which would guarantee sustainable
development and not on exploiting resources for temporary benefits.” In this
connection, he stated that the country’s development strategy aims at
putting in place the requisite material infrastructure and superstructure,
achieve food security, as well as expansion of education and heath services.
Moreover, President Isaias emphasized the need to effectively harness
mineral resources in a manner that benefits future generations.
In an extensive reply he gave regarding the current economic situation in
Eritrea, the President noted that a solid foundation has been laid over the
past years for ensuring economic emancipation and national development. The
pillar of Eritrea’s national development strategy is that of ensuring food
security, he added. Indicating that various programs are under
implementation, he stated that conducive atmosphere has already been created
for achieving food security in the not distant future.
On allegations that ‘Eritrea does not respect religious freedom,’ President
Isaias underscored that in the first place one should understand that there
exists clear distinction between religion and religion-based politics.
Religion implies belief, whereas religion-based politics is a political
agenda pursued in the name of religion. In Eritrea religion was introduced
not through compulsion but rather free will, he elucidated.
The President further pointed out that ever since the introduction of
Christianity in Eritrea in the 4th century and Islam in the 7th century, the
Eritrean people have been and continue to co-exist in peace, stability and
harmony. In this regard, he dismissed as nonsensical the attempts being made
to deploy new groups with a political mission under the guise of ‘religions’
through applying open and discreet pressure as well as incentive to people,
which in turn clearly constitutes a violation of fundamental religious
rights.
President Isaias went on to say that in view of the fact that such notorious
action embodies political and security agenda that goes beyond religion and
belief, the people and Government of Eritrea would not give any room to this
type of futile ploy.
Expressing surprise with the coincidence of the question asked by the
reporters from McClatchy Groups and Reuters News Agency on separate but
recent occasions regarding the so-called free press, the contents of which
are similar both in spirit and letter, the President pointed out that
Eritrea is not prepared to endorse the notion of ‘free press’ that in
actuality seeks to inculcate loyalty to a few special interest groups and
safeguard their narrow interests.
Asked if Eritrea is ‘worried’ about the non-existence of any change in the
region, especially Eritrea, vis-à-vis President Obama’s visit to the Middle
East and the promise he made, President Isaias indicated that the people
and Government of Eritrea are not like those parties keen to fall in line
with the changing moods in Washington. In this respect, he shed light on the
fact that relations between states does not flourish and wilt overnight, and
the impediments created by previous US Administrations could not be
redressed in one go.
Noting that the prevailing famine and its distressing aftermath in East
Africa, especially in Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya is but an outcome of
their policy of aid dependency, the President highlighted that on the
contrary, the implementation of development programs are in full swing in
Eritrea thanks to the formulation of realistic policies and the proper
deployment of human and material resources.
He also pointed out that Eritrea is not unduly concerned with the distorted
statistical data disseminated by the United Nations and its agencies
claiming as if there exists shortage of harvest in the country.
As regards the youth who completed and are still fulfilling their national
obligation in Sawa, President Isaias explained that the program is in
essence a national service, and not military conscription. All the ongoing
development programs across the nation are being implemented through the
participants of the program, he added.
On the issue of Eritrean nationals migrating abroad, the President pointed
out that the incidence of migration is a global phenomenon, and as such it
is not Eritrean's alone. He further asserted that any Eritrean citizen who
illegally migrated abroad is free to return home and make due contribution
to the nation.
Replying to a question on the logic behind sending his son to Sawa Military
Training Center and his free movement in all corners of the country,
including the streets of Asmara City without military entourage, President
Isaias said that the Eritrean people struggled in unison for tens of years
to achieve independence, and that as part and parcel of such a struggle, it
is natural to lead this type of normal life. “There exists no discriminatory
policy in Eritrea,” he asserted.
On allegations on the part of some quarters claiming that ‘Eritrea is an
isolated country,” the President underscored that as far as the Eritrean
people and their leadership are concerned, the nation comes first before and
above anything else. Stating that the parties that are really isolated are
the ones who are neglected from their own people and nation, he affirmed
that on the contrary, the Eritrean government lives for the sake of the
people, among the people and with the people, and this conviction
constitutes a decisive factor. And as safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty
and independent choice still remains before and above anything else, the
Eritrean government would never compromise such a lofty objective under any
circumstance, President Isaias underscored.
Pointing out that Eritrea’s foreign policy being an extension of domestic
policy is anchored on mutual respect, he emphasized that Eritrea is not keen
to be a party to the establishment of alliances that compromises its
sovereignty and dignity; neither does it aspire towards that.
The President further stated that it is not surprising at all to witness the
existence of certain quarters with narrow interest and their accomplices
that seek to portray Eritrea as if it were isolated from the international
community, besides praying for the materialization of their wicked
daydreams. “In actual fact, however, they are the very ones that are
despised by their own people and the world public at large,” he underlined.
----[This List to be used for Eritrea Related News Only]----
