Eritrea: Land ofCan-Do People!

ERI-NEWS

National Service: A toolfor EconomicDevelopment, National
Cohesion and theDefence of Sovereignty

Bi-Weekly Newsletter
Permanent Mission of the State of Eritrea to AU
and UNECA
Press Section
President Isaias Afwerki Conducted a
Working Visit to Qatar

Vol 2. Issue 40
04 September 2015

President Isaias Afwerki conducted a
fruitful working visit to the Stateof Qatar from 19-22 August 2015.

During the visit, President Isaias heldtalks with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh
Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. The talks
focused on further enhancing the warm
ties of friendship and cooperation thatexist between the two countries and, oninternational developments and trendsof mutual interest to both countries.
The Emir of Qatar hosted a lunch reception in honor of President Isaias
Afwerki.

The 54th Anniversary of the Launching of the Eritrean People’s
Armed Struggle for Independence Commemorated
1stThe values of social justice and humandignity that were nurtured during thelong decades of armed struggle have
not only enabled the Eritrean people tovanquish occupation and achieve Independence but they also remain pivotal
in inspiring the new generation towork with utmost dedication to lay theA statement issued by the People’s foundations of a civilized and modern
Front for Democracy and Justice nation.
(PFDJ) on the commemoration of the54th anniversary elucidated that the peo- The statement emphasized that theple of Eritrea were compelled to take up popular mind-set nurtured during thearms to assert their inalienable national arduous armed struggle remains thekey ingredient for the attributes of Inand human rights when the vigorous
dependent Eritrea that are anchored on
legal, peaceful and political struggle independent political choice, humanthat they conducted in the 1940s and dignity, social justice and self-less
1950s were callously shunned by the dedication towards national progressand development.
international community.
of September 1961 heralded thelaunching of the Eritrean People’s
armed struggle for independence. The
historic day was commemorated thisyear with various activities, includingmusical shows.

Vol 2. Issue 40, 04 September 2015

Inside this issue:
Eritrean Economy
Trailblazer
Cyclists
Entering Heroes’a New2
AccordedPhase of Growth : 2Mr. Yemane
GebreabFlydubaito Launch 2
Flights
toAsmara
Eritrean Community Members
Pictorialin UK
Callforthe End
Reportageof of 3Occupation,
Eritrean
Festivals 35
Sanctions, and Politicization of Human
Children’s GrassRights
roots Festival of 6
CentralTeenager
RegionEritreanGhirmay Ghebreslassie Made4
History at theWorld Championships in BeijingContact Addresses:
Tel: +251-116620052
Fax:+251-116620011
Email:eritreanaumission@
gmail.com
P.o.Box: 5527
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Eritrean Mission toAU& ECA@EritreaAU

Page 2Eri-News

Eritrean Economy Entering a New Phase of Growth:
Mr. Yemane GebreabThe Voice of America recently interviewed Mr.
Yemane Gebreab, Head of Political Affairs of thePFDJ and Advisor to the President. The interview
focused on migration, national service and the economic prospects of Eritrea. Here is excerpts from theinterview.

On National Service“National service doesn’t mean only people serving in
the military. It means people serving mainly in thecivilian sectors. So as you go to our schools, ourteachers – probably around 60 percent – are national
service members. They fulfill their national service
obligation in our educational system, teaching. If you
go to our health system, our hospitals and clinics andhealth centers, again a significant percentage are national service members. If you look at our agriculture,
the people who are providing extension services tofarmers and giving them advice are national service
people.”Why are EU immigration officials visiting
Asmara?
“Several European countries sent their immigration
departments to come and look at the situation in Eritrea for themselves. The British have been here, theDanes have been here, and the Norwegians have been
here several times, the Dutch have been here, theSwedes are here right now, and officials from Switzerland have been here.”“So, key European countries have sent their people
to look at the situation on the ground. I think thatthey have come to the realization that what is being
said about Eritrea is not true, that there is no politicalpersecution in this country, that national service is
not indefinite, that it does not constitute slave labor.
Those who are traveling to Europe are traveling there
essentially for economic reasons.”

A new Phase of Economic Growth

Are they all really Eritreans?

“We believe that in three to five years we will be able
to provide job opportunities for our young people. We are getting more and more confident in thedevelopment prospects in Eritrea and that is leading tothis change.”“People in this neighborhood - Ethiopians, Sudanese,
Somalis and others have claimed they are Eritrean toexpedite their asylum procedures.”“War and its pain are restrictions on the society andthe economy because they, in a sense, take a priority
at that time. Now, that phase is coming to an end. We
are entering a new phase of growth and we believethat in the next three to five years the Eritrean economy will see a significant transformation.”

Vol 2. Issue 40, 04 September 2015

Page 3Eri-News

Eritrean Community Members in UK Call for the End of Occupation, Sanctions,and Politicization of Human Rights

Eritrean community members in UK held demonstrations in front of the Office of the UK Prime Ministerat 10 Downing Street in London, from 26 June to 23
August 2015. The members of the Community also
held three mass demonstrations on 03 July, 07 August and 4 September 2015.

The community members, in their demonstrations
and through their briefings and petition, urged theUK Government to work towards the:♦ implementation in full, and unconditionally, ofthe delimitation and demarcation decisions ofthe Eritrea Ethiopia Boundary Commission,and the end of Ethiopia’s occupation of sovereign Eritrean territories;♦ annulment of the US driven unjust sanctions
imposed on Eritrea by the UNSC; and♦ total rejection of the fabricated report of theCommission of Inquiry on Eritrea.
The demonstrators pledged to continue engaging theBritish Government for the fulfillment of their demands.

During the demonstration which continued for 58
days, the demonstrators briefed UK government officials, leaders of political parties, members of parliament, members of the media and the general public
on their demands. Representatives of the community
also met with officials of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and submitted a petition signed bythousands of Eritreans and friends of Eritrea.
Vol 2. Issue 40, 04 September 2015

Page 4Eri-News

Eritrean Teenager Ghirmay Ghebreslassie Made History at theWorld Championships in Beijing
On 22 August 2015, the Eritrean athlete GhirmayGhebreslassie won the men’s marathon competitionat the IAAF World Championships in Beijing in aspectacular fashion. The 19-year-old became theyoungest ever winner of a road event at the IAAF
World Championships. He is also the first Eritrean
athlete to win a gold medal at the championships.

President Isaias Afwerki received the athletes at State
House, and congratulated them on behalf of the people and the Government of Eritrea. President Isaiasstated that the Government and people of Eritrea areproud of the memorable victory achieved and expressed his confidence and trust in all the athletes toexert more efforts in the future and for more victories.

Following his victory, Ghirmay told the media “Here it was difficult, but we Eritreansnever give up until the finish line.”
Upon their return home, on 2nd of September, themarathon champion and the other members of theEritrean national athletic team were accorded heroes’
welcome. Residents of Asmara and its environs
turned out in thousands to give the athletes a rousing
welcome.
Vol 2. Issue 40, 04 September 2015