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President Isaias Afwerki's Interview with National Media

February 9, 2014, 5:02 pm
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President Isaias Afwerki

President Isaias Afwerki's Interview with National Media

In an interview held in the port city of Massawa with state media, President Isaias Afwerki discussed national matters.

During his two hour interview, the president addressed a number of issues, including agriculture, economic migration, electricity supply, housing, and political developments.

In regards to food security, the president says the country's strategy will include improved infrastructures. He added the need for intensifying irrigation schemes.

"Agriculture productivity cannot be sustained by rainfed agriculture, hence intensifying our irrigation schemes is a major task." Said President Isaias.

Afterwards, the president shifted his focus on economic migration, saying, "Despite conspiracy to lure Eritrean youth, this generation has ascertained responsibility on the country's future,".

 "I don't want to brag...but our youth are doing miracles that's incomparable in this world." The president added.

He also cautioned for would-be economic migrants to consider the miserable situations of those who already left the country find themselves in.

"How many of those migrated have secured a career? A long term achievement? They are held in concentration camps in Israel."

The president went on to underline the need for the country to meet its own electricity demands domestically. He explained it is imperative that economically significant sectors should have sufficient supply of electricity.

Shifting his focus on housing shortages, the president said, "housing demand will be tackled through the National Housing Scheme focusing on prime economic zones and disadvantaged groups"

In regards to political development, the president underscores the need for a strong and fully functioning PFDJ is the central part of Eritrea's future and redefining functional processes.

"Reorganization of our structures is not about redistribution of human resources; it is redefining functional processes." President Isaias said.






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Eritrea's Zersenay Tadese Wins Spain’s Grand Prix Cáceres Race

February 9, 2014, 11:58 pm
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Olympian medalist and world half marathon record holder, Zersenay Tadese 

Zersenay Tadese Wins Spain’s Grand Prix Cáceres Race

World half marathon record holder Eritrean Zersenay Tadese and his fellow countrymen, Amanuel Mesel, won first and second places, respectively, at the Grand Prix de Caceres Cross Country held in Spain.

Rank - Names - Times:
  1. Zersenay Tadese (ERI): 31:52
  2. Amanuel Mesel (ERI): 32:17
  3. Antonio Aragon Abbey (ESP): 32:42
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Betterment of Healthcare service: Eritrea’s Success Story

February 10, 2014, 5:15 pm
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Patients in Orotta national referral hospital



Betterment of Healthcare service: Eritrea’s Success Story

By Kesete Ghebrihiwet,

At first providing people with the most basic medical services, and steadily to improved services that go parallel to up-to-date medical breakthroughs is a success story that continued to be achieved each day in Eritrea. Construction of referral hospitals in the six regions of the country and equipping them with necessary equipment has been among the major efforts exerted to boost healthcare service. As part of the ongoing efforts, Orotta national referral hospital has been equipped with new oxygen producing plant. The number of trainees who has been joining Orotta Medical and Dental schools have reassured that the journey towards enabling all nationals have healthy life style. In continuation of endeavors to upgrade work methodology and expand healthcare services throughout the country, different hospitals have been fully equipped with must have medical supplies.

The country’s referral hospitals were previously buying 20 to 25 barrels of oxygen per day from a company that produces oxygen. With the setting up of the new oxygen producing plant, however, a conducive ground has been created for them to become self-reliant. Not only the National Referral Hospital used to spend over 2 million Nakfa a year for buying oxygen, but there were also transportation and delays issue.

The new plant was recently step up with the joint collaboration of the Health Ministry and ArcheMed of Germany at an expenditure of 150,000 Euro. Oxygen Produced from this new plant would be transferred to 500 beds per day through pipelines. The installation of such like plants and the introduction of other medical equipment would by far improve the medial services that have been rendered in the National Referral Hospital.

There has been close ties among Eritrea’s Ministry of Health and other medical schools from overseas. The fruits of such healthy partnership and cooperation have indeed brought to a further advanced healthcare service in Eritrea. Most of all is the transfer of knowledge through sharing of experiences.

If any major healthcare issue was treated in Oroota, National Referral Hospital, different regional hospitals have been equipped advanced medical instruments which in turn constitutes a major step forward towards improved healthcare service in the other hospitals too.

Equipping hospitals with advanced pediatrics equipment such as in Keren hospital, the launching of surgical service in Agordet hospital, and the regular fistula surgical service in Mendefera hospital, the renewal and newly equipping of Brhan Ophthalmic  Hospital and other instances are vivid indications of the constantly improvised medical services that has been provided everywhere in the country.

Having a look at the opinions of the beneficiaries of the surgical service that has been launched in Akordet could give a clear picture as regards its importance in alleviating the existed healthcare problems. In this connection, Ms. Amna Hamd, a mother from Dige sub-zone who recently gave birth to a 5.2-Kg baby, explained that delivery cases seeking surgical intervention could be resolved easily following the launching of the service.

Similarly, from Dige sub-zone, Ms. Amna Suleiman expressed satisfaction with the service, the impact of which has inspired mothers’ confidence as regards delivery.

Nurturing medical professionals to the point of meeting one doctor to certain population ratio that corresponds international standards has also been among the utmost priorities of the country. That is why Eritrea continues to train healthcare specialists each year and continues to announce its fruit on each graduation event.

Thanks to the efforts that have been exerted so far, six referral hospitals in each of the country’s six regions are now equipped with necessary medical equipment and are employing advanced medical procedures in treating complex healthcare issues. Owing to continued endeavors, healthcare problems that were beyond the country’s capability have now started to be treated with locally trained doctors and in collaboration with medical experts from the overseas. There is nothing gratifying than having medical service in one’s homeland with minimal expenses and at the cradle of one’s family members and fellow nationals.


New oxygen producing plant in Orotta national referral hospital


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Eritrean Website Dehai.org to Resume Service Tomorrow

February 10, 2014, 6:41 pm
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 Dr. Ephrem Tekle, October 5, 1956 - November 11, 2013  (57) - RIP

Eritrean Website Dehai.org to Resume Service Tomorrow 


After months of inactivity, Dehai.org, one of the most popular Eritrean news websites, says its going to resume normal service starting February 11.

The website had stopped updating after one of its volunteer administrators, Dr. Ephrem Tekle, passed away of a sudden illness on November 11, 2013 in Bethesda, MD.

Launched on July 17, 1996, Dehai is the oldest active Eritrean website that features news and views from around the Horn of Africa.

R.I.P Dr. Ephrem Tekle

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Turkey and Eritrea Sign Civil Aviation Agreement

February 11, 2014, 7:21 am
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Eritrea and Turkey sign Civil Aviation Agreement - Credit: Firat Sunel
Updated: 6:57 PM EST

Turkey and Eritrea Sign Civil Aviation Agreement

Turkey and Eritrea signed a Civil Aviation Agreement in Asmara, according to Fırat Sunel, the Turkish Ambassador to Eritrea.

The agreement will pave the way for Ankara's national flag carrier, Turkish Airlines, to commence flights to Asmara.

Turkey says it has signed Civil Aviation Agreements with 158 countries, including 48 in Africa, as part of its expansion plans for Turkish Airlines.

In a similar event, a delegation from Qatar Airways arrived in Asmara to discuss plans to start flights to Eritrea in late January.


Eritrea and Turkey negotiations on Civil Aviation Agreement - Credit: Firat Sunel

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Eritrean Foreign Minister Is in Uganda to Discuss Regional Matters

February 12, 2014, 8:41 am
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President Isaias Afwerki (L) with President Yoweri Museveni in Kampala, Uganda 


Eritrean Foreign Minister Is In Uganda to Discuss Regional Matters


Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh is in Uganda to discuss regional matters and to deliver a message from President Isaias Afwerki to President Yoweri Museveni, a senior government official said.

The visit comes just one day after US Assistant Secretary of State Linda Thomas-Greenfield urged Uganda to withdraw its forces from South Sudan.

“We call on Uganda as well as other governments to pull back so we can move the peace process forward,” Thomas-Greenfield said in a conference call with reporters.

An ally of South Sudan, Uganda deployed its army in South Sudan, days after violence erupted in the capital, Juba in mid-December. Uganda initially claimed its troops entered South Sudan to rescue Ugandan nationals trapped in the violent conflict.

Rebels, headed by the former Vice President Riek Machar, have been demanding that Uganda pull its troops out of the country, where they have been fighting on the side of the government led by President Salva Kiir.




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Valentine’s Day in Eritrea Life is love

February 12, 2014, 11:48 am
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Eritrean couple


Valentine’s Day in Eritrea Life is love

 By Mebrahtu Asfaha,

“Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.” 

Truly the above verse of a black woman in the songs of Solomon is a manifestation of a passionate love. Similarly, Valentine’s Day, in western tradition, fully and climatically celebrates the romantic love. Certainly, February is a romantic month of love and passion; it is a month of an exchange of gifts and flowers and opening of hearts.

Although, in our Eritrea tradition, Valentine is an alien notion, nevertheless, every day is a little Valentine for Eritrean lovers. Indeed, an outward expression of passion and romantic love is culturally unknown, but the love of the heart that is rightful meaning of the human condition is manifested daily among Eritrean lovers. Interestingly, Eritrean lovers are called and empowered not only by the event of Valentine to walk together as lovers, wherever we may be in the world, but by the great sense of tradition, that is, the consciousness out of which we live as people.

Negatively, the Eritreans, particularly men, will hold firm the view and dismiss the idea of Valentine and all its manifestations as unnecessary event that seek happiness and love in perishable material goods and sinful pursuits. This is why most Eritreans lack the perfection and chiseling of love expressions, and shy away from using learned choice of romantic words. The evidence and importance of sentimental images of love and passion, and the mythological ornaments of love are of little meaning for traditional Eritrean men. Positively, and instead, Eritreans will evoke many of the cultural attributes regarding love and relationships to serve us as an ethical code to follow by our own moral energies.

The Eritrean culture gives us distinctive insights into the wondrous event of love, and correlatively, into our own daily journeying as lovers. To care compassionately for the other is the lifelong calling of the ideal Eritrean lover. Instead of an outward manifestation of gifts in February, the Eritrean lover faithfully will invest his life, his integrity, and his career in the careful nurturing of that special love and unique experience that has evolved in his heart. Blessed with a profound understanding of the essence of love, Eritrean lover prefers to use wisdom and good sense and the strength of intelligent rather than the flowers of love to provide a quiet, yet passionate care to the person that he loves.

Masked behind this unassuming and modest demeanor, there burns a passion and fervor committed to achieve that which is eternal and perennial love that is the most profound reality of human life, clearly, superior to the outward manifestation of Valentine’s paraphernalia. It is likely this kind of love that makes Eritreans dynamic in our relationship, an articulate and thoughtful paterfamilias, dedicated to the enhancement of many amenities in our community, and live in harmony and peaceful coexistence with many different ethnics and religions in our country. May we walk today and all days as true lovers, through the power of love in our hearts?

This article is dedicated for - mea mater dulcissima Fikadu Teklu, and adorable sister Simret Asfaha




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Is Eritrea On The Verge of A Construction Boom?

February 13, 2014, 7:28 am
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Modern houses in Asmara, Eritrea

Is Eritrea On The Verge of A Construction Boom?


During an interview with state media on Sunday, Presisdent Isaias Afwerki said:

"The pilot housing project in Asmara is a precursor of a comprehensive urban and rural national housing scheme for the years to come."

In other words, the 1,680 modern homes and shops under construction in Asmara are just the tip of the iceberg. This is encouraging because Eritreans have been complaining (rightfully so) for many years about housing shortages in urban areas, particularly in Asmara. But these projects are not just about meeting housing demands; there are numerous economic benefits that comes from investing in the construction industry.

Residential construction alone can kick-start Eritrea's economy and become the driving force behind it for years to come. There is a strong desire to build houses among Eritreans, and if these demands are met, it will create thousands of jobs in the short term, grow the economy for decades to come and put the country on a fast-track to modernization.

China is a great example of what a residential construction boom can do to an economy. Since the reform period of the 1980s, China's construction industry has been a driving force behind the nation's rapid economic growth and modernization. After nearly three decades, construction activity in China continues to boom, with the industry's output currently representing 24% (USD 1.4 trillion) of China's GDP.

Not only will the construction growth help modernize Eritrea and expand the economy but there will be political benefits for the government, too. With more people from the diaspora investing on new properties in the country, they will, naturally, do everything they can to protect their investment(s) and become more active in supporting the country and government.

To fully capitalize on this industry, the government should consider being more flexible about the 2% recovery and development tax. Instead of making the 2% tax a prerequisite to build or buy property for Eritreans in the diaspora, the state should give potential home buyers more options. For example, if they don't want to pay the tax, then they have to agree they will not receive free social services that the government provides. Another option would be to have them on a payment plan that is tailored to their incomes and expenses. At any rate, having a rigid position isn't in anyone's interest.

Although the project will be the largest infrastructure development in Eritrea since the Italian occupation, there isn't any reason to doubt it won't be completed. After all, the country has all the prerequisites needed to complete such a monumental project. It has the Gedem Cement Factory; the massive demand from the diaspora and within the country; and the financial capacity to invest hundreds of millions of dollars on its construction industry annually. But above all, it has the leadership in place to get the job done.


Render of 200 sqm modern houses, each featuring 1 living room, 4 bedrooms, 4  bathrooms, and
 1 kitchen that will be on sale for  €113,006 (US$150,184 ) - Sembel district of Asmara
Villas worth €113,006 (US$150,184 ) are being constructed in the Sembel district of Asmara

Render of some of the apartment buildings under construction in Asmara

Replicas of the residential buildings to be built in Massawa

China's Construction Industry's Output 


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Celebrating Foreign Holidays Does Not Undermine Eritrean Cultures

February 14, 2014, 4:04 am
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Young Eritrean lovers from the U.S. visiting Paris - Credit Robel Abraham

Celebrating Foreign Holidays Does Not Undermine Eritrean Cultures

By Sheshy Kidane,

There are some Eritreans who feel certain Western holidays like Valentine's Day should not be celebrated because it's not part of our culture. Although I find it to be a valid point, I'm going to disagree. I feel the culture police within our communities should examine our long history of embracing foreign holidays, religions and cultures before making such statements.

For starters, what is our culture? Since religion plays a dominant role in shaping most cultures, can we really say Christianity and Islam are part of Eritrea's indigenous religions and cultures? More importantly, why is it okay for our ancestors to accept foreign religions and cultures over their own but when we do the same thing, we are told it goes against our culture — a culture heavily influenced by foreigners?

The truth is, all cultures are constantly changing and evolving. What we claim to be our indigenous culture is really a mix of traditional and global influences that our ancestors would find different from theirs. For example, if we were to show citizens of Asmara from the 19th century of the modern culture of today's Asmara, they would consider it very different from their own. But this isn't limited to Eritrea, every culture experiences some significant change every two or three generations.

Yes, I'm aware that Valentine's Day is a commercialized holiday centered around red roses, Hallmark cards, and chocolates. I also think many of the arguments against the holiday are valid. But for some to say Eritreans shouldn't celebrate Valentine's Day over cultural concerns is silly because all religious holidays we celebrate are foreign in origins and are very much commercialized.

In a globalized world, we shouldn't have the mindset of trying to preserve our culture; we should have the mindset of trying to advance it. Not experiencing foreign holidays and cultures is counterproductive to advancing our own. Western cultures dominate the world not because they did a good job of preserving their own cultures, but because of experiencing and incorporating different cultures from around the world. That is what we should strive to be, so one day, we can export our culture to the West instead of being on the receiving end of their cultural imperialism. Until then,


 Happy Valentine's Day!


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Voice of Eritrea DC, the Voice of the People

February 14, 2014, 5:02 am
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Photo: Eritrean Cultural Civic Center, Washington D.C.


Voice of Eritrea DC, the Voice of the People


By Amanuel Biedemariam,

Just after the war with the TPLF started in 1998, Eritreans in the Metro DC found it imperative to have a communication vessel in order to combat the propaganda schemes of the TPLF, to provide correct information and to empower the Eritrean community. The effort of few concerned Eritreans helped establish the Voice of Eritrea. Since then, the Voice of Eritrea has done a marvelous job and has been the only voice of the people of Eritrea in the Metro DC area and beyond. On the 15th of February the Voice of Eritrea (VoE) will mark its 16 year anniversary.

This article will try to look at what the VoE meant its accomplishments and hopefully look on how the VoE can move-on to benefit Eritrean communities not only in DC but around the globe. It will try to highlight its needs, implications and the possibilities.

Since the start, the VoE served the people of Eritrea in many ways. In this-age of social media, internet emails and sophisticated-PR-designed to manipulate opinion; the VoE became the voice of the people particularly to those that cannot exploit these modern technologies and those that cannot understand English. These are mothers, fathers, new comers and the like that need the service, need to hear about their country and community from a source they can rely on.

Every Saturday afternoon Eritreans are glued to listen to VoE with anticipation. They are glued because the VoE serves most of their needs. The VoE informs Eritreans about what is taking place in their communities and in Eritrea. It introduces businesses and services owned by Eritreans and advertise their businesses in the process. It promotes Eritrean related activities be it fundraising for their interests or Mekete dinners.

It serves as a vessel for promoting important activities such as the language education given to Eritrean children in the area by volunteers. Weekly commentaries and poems by dedicated Eritreans give moral boost, entertainment and education. The VoE teaches Eritrean history. Every Saturday there are surprises because one week there is a book reading-program and the next a doctor will give health education. Eritreans are exposed to many creative programs. The programming lineup varies weekly depending on the season, what the current situation calls for, based on relevance and current events.

The VoE compiles, disseminates, analyzes and distributes news relevant to the people of Eritrea in the Diaspora. The VoE brings Eritrean government officials to brief and experts to analyze current developments that can affect the lives of Eritreans in and out of the country.

Gebremeskel Ghebregziabiher delivers current news from inside Eritrea directly. The weekly coverage from Eritrea by Mr. Gebremeskel is news that all Eritreans await eagerly. It is fiery, timely, precise and professional. He is embodiment and reflection of the values the VoE is based upon.

In short, the VoE is the spokesperson, the voice and expression of the people of Eritrea in the Diaspora based on the metro DC area. What makes VoE super special however is the listener; the people that funded and sustained it to-date. Voice of Eritrea is the real public radio-station funded and supported by Eritreans of the area for the most part. Over the years, Eritreans from other areas of the US, Canada, EU and other places have made modest contributions making it the real representative of the people, by the people and for the people.

As a result, Eritreans gather every year to raise funds and to express appreciation for the volunteers that have sustained it with unmatched selflessness and hard work. These volunteers write, edit and record the programs that we have learned to enjoy and benefit from.

Moving Forward

The Voice of Eritrea has done what it can up-to now with the support of volunteers and generosity of Eritreans. VoE sustained Eritrean communities by filling a need. However, there are many questions that we need to address regarding the future of the VoE.

To mention some: Is what we have done thus far enough to continue on the same path? Can we improve? What does improvement mean? What should we improve upon? Do we have a vision or, we are satisfied with what we have and continue without change?

These are questions and thoughts that have-been percolating for a while. And if there is any time to address these questions, now is the time. It is time to asses and re-asses the direction of VoE now. It is incumbent upon all stake holders to take the time and think, what should the future of VoE look like? What does it mean to all? What do we need from it in the future? What needs do we need to meet? And how can we move forward and fulfill those needs?

For starters, the name Voice of Eritrea is a powerful representation of who you are. Unambiguously, as Eritrean, it is your voice. In fact, one of the best attributes of the program is that it is truly funded and supported by you. It is yours. No one government or establishment supports the VoE. It is public radio publicly funded by you to serve you. It is engineered by volunteers that are part of the community. It is a community radio in the truest of forms. Great job!

Over the last 16 years, Eritrea faced many challenges; withstood these challenges and is knocking on doorsteps of a bright and successful future. The VoE traveled this journey with the nation for the nation and became the backbone of Eritrea in the Diaspora. That said however, as Eritrea progresses, it is time for the progress to be reflected in the Diaspora.

The needs of the Voice of Eritrea have been great all along. There were many challenges along the way. Particularly when one considers the amount of time the volunteers have to put in to present the programs every Saturday.

To move forward we need a vision and pursue the vision. In the process we can meet the needs of our communities and beyond. We can be the Voice of Eritrea at the highest of levels. We can empower Eritreans and be another source of Eritrean pride. The question, what should the vision be? Are there any examples we can glean-on that can serve as a trajectory for the vision?

The simple answer is yes, WE CAN DO IT. If the people in Eritrea can pave roads on hills with minimum resources; if the people can build dams; bridges and highways with minimal resources under tremendous duress, no reason why we cannot match their determination and reciprocate their success in some way. We need to for our own reasons.

Establishing the Voice of Eritrea at the level it deserves therefore is the least we can do. It is the least we can do in the Diaspora to continue the legacy of Ghedli and those that sacrificed the nation. It is the least we can do to give their visions the voice that it deserves; in their honor.

It is therefore high-time for the VoE to grow to meet the needs. It needs to grow by incorporating all the resources and technologies available. It needs to grow by creating the space necessary that can serve as an anchor. It must grow by incorporating print, web, TV and not be limited to radio. It needs to grow to compete in these fast paced dynamic world that we live in. It needs to grow in order to unite Eritreans from every corner of the globe. It needs to grow so it can reach to all Eritreans around the world.

The resources and expertise are available. There are many Eritreans that are journalist and PR experts who love their country to be able to sustain it at very high levels. If anything, the challenges of the last 16 years have brought Eritreans closer and united them on these endeavors. The social media presents a good example of this. Eritreans have been working hard to present the Voice of Eritrea in their communities in a fragmented way. It is time to bring these resources together, marry them and make it a success.

As Eritrean communities grow, the needs of the communities have grown exponentially. The programs need to reflect the demographic picture accurately. The youth need to play a huge part in this. Their love for Eritrea can be expressed through the work.

Concluding Remark

Eritreans in the Diaspora need the Voice of Eritrea to operate at the highest level. It needs to be able to serve all needs. In Oakland California, Eritreans have set a great example of what can be done by purchasing a huge Community Center that reflects their needs and physically transformed it with voluntary contributions and their hard work. That great success is example that we can and must come together to make these endeavors successful. The VoE needs that moment. It needs the drive and determination now. We have tremendous resources including expertise to make it a success. Hence, we must all make efforts understand and participate. For starters here is a link to the site to initiate contact.

http://www.voiceoferitrea.com

Congratulations Voice of Eritrea on your 16 year anniversary and many thanks to the selfless volunteers for their dedication. Please come and thank the volunteers on ECCC this Saturday.

Awetnayu@hotmail.com

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Getting the record straight with the 2% story in UK

February 14, 2014, 5:24 pm
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Eritreans in London demonstrating in support of Eritrea and its 2% recovery and development tax


Getting the record straight with the 2% story in UK  

By Jamal T,

I was astonished to read the accusation that Eritreans in UK are being forced to pay the 2% tax as written in two articles by IBTimes on the 11th of February and during last summer; they present outright lies as truth. As Eritrean and a Muslim I do try to pay 10%  for building a mosque and help poor people within my family and our communities. Also I try to pay 2% contribution to my mother land Eritrea too. As I had been slower after the recession of 2008 and now I want to pay, but it seems that the Embassy has stopped collecting locally.

When you published your second article it made me realize actually about the fairness of the 2%, I am expected to pay the more to help the disadvantaged poor people and contribute towards building the country. I understand Christians are doing the same too. One has to be very clear that 2% recovery tax is voluntary with purpose of healing the destruction left by the war, is very much needed as the nation of Eritrea starting from scratch.

To us Eritreans our motherland has a position similar to our religion and to be expected to pay Eritrea’s 2% is minimal and fair expectation. The video(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyWkoZgBUeY) you posted on the 11th of February 2014 shows only a polite reply given to him by the Embassy staff.  She had rightly confirmed to him that he can pay the 2% recovery tax in Eritrea only that means only information was given to him. One must know that, we Eritreans have every right to voluntarily pay 2 %, to be self reliance and self sufficient rather than waiting handouts. Perhaps other African countries should follow our footsteps specially those who cannot manage without outside help year in year out. And this is true after 50 -60 years of independence if you look at their infrastructure like roads, schools, hospitals above all food security capering with our country of 23 years old. Ask the majority of Eritreans whether Christians or Muslims they will tell the truth that we are not really forced under any circumstance government supporters and opponents alike. The  truth is anyone having Eritrean Id Card and visiting Eritrea is not asked about his contribution whether on his arrival or departure. It is understood that in due time he/she will fulfill the contribution. To your surprise even those who left the country illegally from the national service could go to their country to see their families and they are not questioned about either the 2% clearance or their illegal immigration.

I must be honest here the 2% contributions comes in to action when someone requests some kind of services, like land allocation and other government documents. Nation building is known as the biggest challenge for any country and specially Eritrea after 30 years bloody war against bigger country with the largest army in Africa first supported by the west and east. Remember our history and culture of voluntary participation in liberating our country, which we are adopting the same concept building through participation in any sense. Now let us come back to the concept of taxation and for example if I get a letter from UK government that I would be exempt from paying taxes I would only be too happy; however the case is I have to pay it like it or not. Actually I appreciate the values of tax collection to the Government.  In UK TAX is collected in various ways such as council tax, income tax, National Insurance contribution, Road Tax, etc. Sometimes it may be painful to pay all of them nevertheless, as a result of effective tax collection here in UK; we do have a very effective education system, an exemplar health system, the NHS looks after the whole nation, roads are built and managed, the welfare system ensures pensioners and unemployed are looked after effectively and many more good things. Small countries like Eritrea should aspire to achieve similar effectiveness and that is impossible to achieve without efficient tax collection.

We have to admit though, in UK and many other countries income tax and national contribution taxes are usually collected automatically (almost by force) or in the case of council tax we would be taken to court if we don’t pay. But it is not really common to complain that tax is collected by force but of course we would be happier if we pay less tax.  However paying tax is a duty of every one in any country, consequently it is pre-request to expect services from government.

Any way this is not the first time campaign against the 2% recovery tax for example over 15 years ago one Swedish MP from Eritrean decent raised the issues and after discussing in the parliament the MPs rejected the idea by saying any one has dual nationality is allowed to pay the 2% voluntary so the issue must be left to the individuals to decide for themselves. This time again another MP from Eritrean origin who stands not against the 2% but politically motivated took the case to the parliament and the majority of MPs rejected. So what is the fuss about? As declared by the Eritrean embassy by openly telling the Eritrean Community in the UK in May 2012 collecting 2% recovery Tax is technically in Asmara Eritrea only. This is public diplomacy and in fact I am aware the issue is communicated with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO). If there is a need the FCO could monitor easily by checking the Eritrean Embassy bank accounts whether the collection stopped or not. Otherwise in our own country we could do what is good for the country people to people diplomacy. In other words if your country men are paying their lives you have to support their families which are morally & ethically sound. It is in every body’s mind that during the armed struggle, our struggle is going to be long with a great suffering but our victory is certain. As Rome is not built in one night and therefore nation building is harder than fighting for liberation and every citizen must add hands in whichever way. It is working for us we are on target and on track to realizing the Eritrean vision. The main advantage or benefit of the 2% contribution is the link it has created between those living inside and the diasporas, almost a culture you may not find in any other country.

When it comes to Eritrea the 2% tax is an expectation that is paid voluntarily I have never even received a request for payment and payment invoice. My two sisters even though they don’t earn as much as me are on time with their payments, I have to try do the same.

As for myself since I came to UK to join my wife about twelve years ago I have travelled to Eritrea few times. I had taken from Eritrean embassy the 2% clearance only once. I cannot tell you the reason as it is private however on other occasions I was even too busy to ask the embassy for the 2% clearance. I was never asked to produce it at the border point or at the immigration when I was requesting exit visa.

Just one more thing to tell you, my wife had to show her 2% clearance when she was asking the service of our marriage to take place in Asmara municipality. I did not here her complain about it. As for me I had done my military service until I was released for critical back injury. In fact, looking back I would have found it offending if she had been able to acquire the services for free while I had paid for it, then in Military service.

At the time of writing this essay/article I have decided to be more disciplined with paying the 2% on time as a way of showing support to my comrades, it is the least I could do. While I am suspicious of the motive of IBTimes  for spinning the 2% recovery tax for the second time demonstrating their clear agenda. I would like to advice them to look for the news that the Swedish Parliament had actually rejected ban on the Eritrea Diaspora (Recovery) Tax.

Finally we Eritrean believe in coexistence, tolerance, mutual cooperation and free expression but would not tolerate one sided and bias argument the way IBTimes is practicing, however we always want to know the other side of the story as well.



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Bring Eritrea In From the Cold???

February 15, 2014, 12:01 am
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Senior Eritrean officials attending a conference in Asmara. Front: Sebaht Ephrem, Ministry of Defense (L), Isaias Afwerki, President (C),  Fauzia Hashim, Ministry of Justice (R). Back: Tesamariam Tekeste, Ambassador to Israel

Bring Eritrea In From the Cold???

By Berhane Woldu,

American experts on Africa and many years of experience in the African nation’s politics have recently started to concern themselves with the Eritrean Ethiopian conflict. Cohen and Shinn both are in agreement that the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commissions “final and binding” ruling should be implemented. Shinn goes on to position the problems that brought about the war of 1998, Shinn’s states that the causes of war were conditions that were fermenting and not noticed by politicians. The assertion that these conditions were the main drivers for cause of war and the lose of life of so many souls; the many hard earned property that have vanished and the massive displacement of people is nothing more than an insult to the intelligence of the people of both countries.

Former Ambassador and Council on Foreign Relation (a forum which business leaders influence foreign policy); Princeton Lyman; states that bringing peace between Eritrea and Ethiopia is long overdue and would be of great benefit to the region. He goes on to say that the main reason that Eritrea is in the cold and isolated is due to its involvement in Somalia and other African countries are responsible for Eritrea’s sanction and not the USA. He further states that opportunity to bring about an end to the dispute between the two countries and improvement in relation with the US has been hard due to Eritrea’s refusal. Lyman I beg to differ with you.

Eritrea’s foreign policy is based on mutual respect it values its political independence and refuses to fulfill Western service role. Eritrea has and remains to deal with its foes and friends with respect as it sees the long term relationship rather than what the day has brought. Self-determination which was once advocated by Woodrow Wilson practiced by Eritrea has educed bitter US resentment. Eritrean People’s Liberation Front in its economic manifesto declared that the paramount economic issue was that of improving the living standards of the great majority: Social Justice, rather than depending on foreign capital investments that favor export and exodus of money out of Eritrea.

Governments that were not playing the service role were overthrown by the US government, in Iran 1953 that brought the Shah to power and Chile in 1973. The main cause for their disposal from power was that they tampered with the interest of “private, capitalist enterprise” the Investors. As declassified documents indicate The Monroe Doctrine, what matters is the interest of America. Africa is a source of raw materials for the industrial societies. The state department has in many ways stated that the primary foes of US world dominance are Third World Nationalist Governments that fulfill the demand of the poor rather than to favor private investment of foreign capital, production for export and to maximize profit that is finally taken out of the host country. Rights of the indigenous population are suppressed and the climate for foreign investment is preserved.

Eritrea being a young nation and poor in foreign earning was growing economically how little its resources economic growth was phenomenon. If such a nation as young as it is succeeds in bringing a better life for its people why not nations that are ancient and have more resources. If Eritrea becomes economically advanced and politically independent then others will follow and the whole of East Africa will pursue an independent path “the Domino Theory” dangerous example that would inspire other nations. What the US capitalist want is a system that genuflect to the needs of the few World billionaires.

When the US was demonizing and advocating for sever restriction and calls for regime change their excuse was that Eritrea was a threat to stability to Ethiopia and East Africa in general. This was a repeat of what the State Department said of Guatemala in 1954 and recently in Iraq where the world was told Sadam Hussein was in a possession of weapons of mass distraction. Wikileakes documents John Bolton US ambassador to the UN have affirmed US hostility and ill-thoughts policies of the US state department officials towards Eritrea.

Why the US state departments go this far to punish Eritrea? Eritrea’s government commitments to improve the condition of the rural people by extending health care, education, agriculture and infrastructure to the poor which are noteworthy progress in social justice; laying out the basis for long-term socio-economic development terrifies US planers. Hence, turn Eritrea into poor, isolated and politically radical so that it won’t be exemplary political model for Africa. To stop Eritrea from its progress; the State Department embarks on attack first, was the War of Aggression by Ethiopia to debilitate Eritrea by forcing to divert scarce resources toward the war away from development. Then violation of Human rights, religious freedom followed by economic sabotages exerting pressure on the World Bank, European bank, African development bank and other inter- development banks to terminate projects, loans and assistance. Then there was a call for Eritrean Diaspora not to pay 2% recovery tax (how low can you go) Eritrea’s gold export sells to be held in World Bank accounts, propagate for the mass departure of the youth, educated and skilled labor and the unfair and illegal economic sanctions of 2009 are many examples of wrong doings.

The Eritrean people and government have for the last two decades plus have been tested by different hostile governments and have overcome all the challenges. War, economic sabotage, propagation and the likes have failed. Eritrea has come out of the cold; Eritrea today is in a much better position economically, politically and its social institution is intact and glued much harder than at any time in its history. Eritrea is willing and able to have good relation with peace loving people that abide by the 
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Fourth Eritrean Bi-Weekly Newsletter Released

February 15, 2014, 6:31 am
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Foundations of 5th century Byzantine church in Adulis. The city-state of Adulis was a powerful and wealthy kingdom that functioned as a major regional center for commerce and trade. Excavation of this ancient kingdom are underway. Credit: David Stanley

Fourth Eritrean Bi-Weekly Newsletter Released


The Press Section of the Permanent Mission of the State of Eritrea to the AU and UNECA has released its fourth edition of its bi-weekly newsletter.

To read the previous newsletter, visit here.


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Kilil Tigray – Twisting and Turning

February 15, 2014, 5:37 pm
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Trapped between a rock and a hard place, TPLF bigwigs are more delusional than ever - Credit: Badme.5u.com


Kilil Tigray – Twisting and Turning

By Bereket Kidane,

Once again, Weyane was caught with its pants down. It had been trying to confuse people by spreading rumours that the Sudanese were negotiating to reconcile Ethiopia and Eritrea when in fact there was no such thing going on. Nor is anything like that even remotely possible when sovereign Eritrean territories continue to be illegally occupied.   It had tried that public relations gimmick once before. Only this time it substituted the Sudanese for the Qataris, both good friends of Eritrea.

The Regional State of Tigray, a.k.a Kilil Tigray, seems to be twisting and turning in the wind these days not knowing what to do. It is caught between a rock and a hard place. It is in a very precarious position within the Ethiopian State and feels insecure due to its minority status numerically. It can no longer count on dominating the Ethiopian State politically while disproportionately leveraging its resources.  Its political dominance of the Ethiopian State is coming to an end, possibly with the next election. Uncle Sam seems to have realized that TPLF will have to dilute its power and end its stranglehold of Ethiopian politics if the country is going to have any chance of becoming a stable democracy. Tigrayans make up one-twentieth of Ethiopia’s population. It is no longer practical for power to be concentrated in the hands of one small ethnic group, especially in a country that practices ethnic federalism, without causing deep resentment and becoming a sure-fire recipe for future disaster.

Tigrayans feel threatened by the impending dilution of their power and find themselves without good choices.

They have already destroyed their relationship with Eritrea. The 1998-2001 border war was a pretext for erasing Eritrea’s sovereignty and making it a satellite state of Ethiopia, thereby ingratiating the ruling Tigrayan elites to the Amhara by reclaiming Assab for Ethiopia.  The full scale invasion of Eritrea was going to have the added benefit of establishing the TPLF’s ultimate dream of setting-up Greater Tigray, the holy grail of Weyane since its 1976 manifesto.  To that end, TPLF gambled everything it had on the outcome of the full scale invasion of Eritrea only to end up losing all of the contested territory in court and become thoroughly despised by both the Ethiopian and Eritrean people.

Tigray’s ultimate dream is not a secret. It would love to be able to invoke article 21 of the Ethiopian constitution and become an independent state but with what resources? An independent Tigray would be economically bereft. It is not an economically viable entity. Hence, the existential crisis. It feels very insecure of its position within the Ethiopian State but at the same time it is unable to split and go its own way.

Weyane officials have recently taken to emphasizing Tigray’s linguistic ties to Eritrea in an outreach effort but it is proving futile. In fact, Eritreans are repulsed by it. They bought themselves the enmity of the Eritrean people for many years to come when they tried to push Tigray’s borders into Eritrea. A good place for them to start would be by respecting Eritrea’s sovereignty, vacating sovereign Eritrean territories and demarcating the blood-soaked international line.

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Russia, Eritrea FMs to exchange views on key int'l and regional problems

February 17, 2014, 2:09 am
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 Eritrean delegation meeting with senior Russian officials in Moscow


Russia, Eritrea FMs to exchange views on key int'l and regional problems

By ITAR-TASS,

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Russia and Eritrea, Sergei Lavrov and Osman Saleh, during talks here on Monday are to exchange views on key international and regional problems, Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced.

The sides are expected to discuss the situation at the “flashpoints” of the African continent, devoting special attention to the conflict situations in the Horn of Africa, in Southern Sudan, the Central African Republic, the Sahara-Sahel region, as well as in the Near and Middle East, in Syria and Afghanistan, in particular.

During the forthcoming talks, the sides are also to prioritize a discussion of prospects for a further development of Russia-Eritrea trade-and-economic cooperation and matters connected with creating favourable conditions in Eritrea for the investment activities of Russian business organizations.

Officials of the sides during the meeting are to sign a protocol on consultations between the two Foreign Ministries.

The Eritrean Foreign Ministers is scheduled to meet with Mikhail Margelov, RF special presidential representative for cooperation with African countries on Monday and with Alexander Romanovich, Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the State Duma lower house of the Russian parliament, on Feb 18.

On Feb 19, Saleh is to meet with Valery Pak, RF Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology, and Georgy Petrov, vice-president of the RF Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Saleh is also to converse with Veniamin Kaganov, RF Deputy Minister of Education and Science.

Eritrea’s Foreign Minister will tour a number of the Russian capital’s landmarks: the Red Square, the Kremlin, the Soviet Army Museum, and the Central Museum of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 on Poklonnaya Hill.
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Ethiopian Co-Pilot Hijacks Plane, Request Asylum in Switzerland

February 17, 2014, 2:56 am
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Ethiopian co-pilot hijacks plane and requests asylum in Switzerland 

Ethiopian Pilot Hijacks Plane, Requests Asylum in Switzerland 

In yet another blow to the Ethiopian dictatorship, the co-pilot of Ethiopian Airlines flight ET-702 was arrested for hijacking the flight, which was on its way from Addis Ababa to Rome, Reuters reported. The 30-year-old Ethiopian pilot, who sought asylum due to fear of persecution in Ethiopia, reportedly took control of the plane when its captain went to the rest room, the report added, citing Swiss police spokesman Jean-Philippe Brandt.

The co-pilot then locked himself in the cockpit and diverted the plane to Geneva International Airport where he asked to refuel. He then landed the plane, climbed down from the cockpit window on a rope, and gave himself up to authorities, the report said. All 202 passengers and crew of the Boeing 767-300 were evacuated unharmed.

The incident led to the closure of the airport and the diversion of several planes. The airport was reopened later on Monday.

Ethiopian nationals seeking political asylum have been involved in several hijackings in the past. In 1993, an Ethiopian used a gun hidden in his hat to hijack a German passenger jet bound for New York. He was later sentenced to 20 years in a US prison. Two years later, police in Greece overpowered an Ethiopian hijacker who held a knife to the throat of an Olympic Airways stewardess and demanded political asylum. At least 50 people were killed when a hijacked Ethiopian Airlines passenger jet crashed in the Indian Ocean in 1996. In 2001, a dozen Ethiopian students hijacked a plane carrying around 60 people and flew to Sudan.




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Eritrea and Russia to Boost Trade and Political Ties

February 18, 2014, 11:59 pm
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Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh (L) with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov

Eritrea and Russia to Boost Trade and Political Ties


In a joint press conference on Monday, Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, announced to boost development of trade and economic ties between Eritrea and Russia.

"Russian companies are interested in implementing a number of investment projects in Eritrea. Our partners have confirmed that they are ready to create favorable conditions for Russian business." Said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Stressing the importance of peace and security in the region, the two sides signed an agreement to enhance bilateral cooperation and regional coordination.

"We signed the first in the history of bilateral relations plan consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Russia and Eritrea, which will further deepen our political interaction." Said Sergey.

Sergey said they also addressed key issues of international and regional affairs, and agreed to continue to work closely in the UN and other international markets.

"We are convinced that all issues relating to Africa must be addressed primarily by Africans themselves based on the balance of interests of international law with the support of the international community." Sergey added.

Will the illegal sanctions against Eritrea be lifted soon?

Russia played a key role in helping water-down the illegal sanctions against Eritrea. It has also been an outspoken critic of the UN Somalia Eritrea Monitoring Group, going as far as accusing it of being biased towards Eritrea.

"Russia objects to the publication of the (Eritrea) report due to the biased and groundless conclusions and recommendations contained in it.” Said Vitaly Churkin, the Russian Ambassador to the U.N., after reading the monitoring group's report on Eritrea in July of 2013.

With veto-wielding Russia seeking to build closer economic and political ties with Eritrea, many observers see this as a strong sign that the sanctions against Eritrea will be lifted sooner rather than later.


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1,500 Eritrean and Sudanese economic migrants will leave Israel willingly in February

February 19, 2014, 3:53 am
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Eritrean, Sudanese and Ethiopian migrants in Tel Aviv, Israel


1,500 Eritrean and Sudanese economic migrants will leave Israel willingly in February


An estimated 1,500 Eritrean and Sudanese economic migrants will leave Israel willingly in February, according to the TimesofIsrael news agency, citing the Israeli Interior Minister Gideon Sa'ar.

“The increase in the number of [departing] infiltrators we have witnessed each month is dramatic,” Saar said, while touring the center in Eilat where migrants register for their exit. “In December — 325 infiltrators; in January the number rose to 765 infiltrators who left voluntarily; and as stated, we are expecting to double the number of people who departed voluntarily in January.”

According to Israeli figures, a total of 2,612 migrants willfully left Israel in 2013, of these 1,955 were from Sudan and 461 from Eritrea.

Despite claims that these migrants returning home would be arrested, tortured and even killed by UNHCR and Human Rights officials, the Israeli government says organizations who visited Eritrea found they were safe and not arrested.

"Organizations that visited Eritrea to check if the people who returned were safe reported that these individuals had not been arrested." Sa’ar said.

Eritrean economic migrants first began to migrate to Israel after Israeli officials adopted a politically motivated six-month work visa program for Eritreans in 2006, which resulted in tens of thousands of African migrants flooding into the Jewish state. Once the six-month work visa expires, the migrants would then claim they are refugees or asylum seekers in an attempt to permanently stay in the country.

When Israel ended its controversial six-month work visa policy in the summer of 2012, migrants from Africa, especially those from Eritrea, virtually stopped coming overnight. In the first half of 2012, data from the Israeli Immigration and Population Authority shows 9,570 citizens of various African countries entered their country illegally, while in the first six months of 2013, only 34 did – a decrease of over 99 percent.

Israel says around 53,000 African migrants have entered the country illegally, and of this figure 36,000 are thought to be Eritreans. However, Based on their findings, the Eritrean government believes at least half (18,000) of those claiming to be Eritreans in Israel are Ethiopians or other African migrants masquerading as Eritreans in order to qualify for the defunct six-month work visa.

"They know the Eritreans automatically receive a six-month visa, so they pretend to be Eritrean,"said Tesfamariam Tekeste, the Eritrean ambassador to Israel.

With thousands of Eritrean economic migrants expected to willingly return home from Israel in 2014, it remains to be seen if the Eritrean government will seek assistance from international aid agencies with housing and other expenses for the migrants.

Related reading:
 Are Eritreans in Israel Economic Migrants or Refugees?
 The Human Rights Deception Against Eritrea

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Eritrean Cyclist Natnael Berhane Seeks to Win Tour De France

February 19, 2014, 9:05 am
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Natnael Berhane is considered Africa's best cyclist. The 23-year-old seeks to be the first African to win Tour De France - Credit:  Nicolas Germain

Eritrean Cyclist Natnael Berhane Seeks to Win Tour De France

By France 24,

Elected best African athlete of the year in 2013, Eritrean cyclist Natnael Berhane continued his winning streak by winning Tour of Gabon in January. Recruited by the French team Europcar, this young talent lives and trains in Vendée.

The Vendée is located 5,000 km from Asmara, the capital of his country, but yet it is in this french department that the Eritrean cyclist Natnael Berhane is housed. Since he was hired last year by the prestigious Team Europcar, he trains several hours a day on the roads of Vendée. Despite the rain, the good climber came from a mountainous country does not balk at the task. He has only one dream: to shine on the Grande Boucle.

"I know I have to work hard if I want to win the Tour de France," said the athlete to FRANCE 24.

In January, Natnael Berhane was the first African to win the Tour of Gabon, the most important race of the continent. The sports director of Europcar Bernaudeau said he was proud to have him in his team, in a sport that still has very few African cyclists.

 "Natnael must be a locomotive for tomorrow, there is much runners in Africa that can say 'if you want you can. Hopefully it will make a great career because it has many consequences. There will be plenty of emulation among the young riders in Africa. "

While living away from his family is sometimes difficult, the young champion, aged 23, is not complaining. On the contrary, he said: "I am very lucky to be a cyclist I love more my job, I became a professional, I'm happy and lucky."


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Democracy is not the Panacea of Every Ills That’s Afflicting This World

February 19, 2014, 3:44 pm
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Democracy tends to divide citizens in developing countries, rather than making the people united. Photo: Independence Day Celebration in Asmara, May 24, 2013

Democracy is not the Panacea of Every Ills That’s Afflicting This World

By Barnabas Araya Yohannes,

The question of just government has been one of the eternal themes of philosophy since Plato and Aristotle to Emanuel Kant and Karl Marx.

Pilate asked Jesus "What is truth?" (John 18:38). Behind the question of Pilate arises another still more important and more profound question, the eternal question of mankind: "What is justice?" No other question has been discussed so passionately; no other question has caused so much precious blood and so many bitter tears to be shed; no other question has been the object of so much intensive thinking by the most illustrious thinkers from Plato to Kant; and yet, this question is today as unanswered as it ever was. It seems that it is one of those questions to which the resigned wisdom applies that man cannot find the definitive answer, but only try to improve the question.

Some philosophers have considered democracy to be the most just form of government, others monarchy. Democracy, with its inherent principle of equality, is just insofar as every citizen can be called upon to share in responsibility for the exercise of state power, is the best system. On the other hand, that it has the potential to degenerate into ochlocracy (the mob rule), however, was recognized by thinkers as early as Aristotle.

The problem of today's multi-party democracy consists in a fundamental contradiction:

how is it possible for a party to be impartial? Can a ruling party seek only the common good without being disloyal to its role as representative of the interest groups that have elected it? An impartial party is in fact a contradiction in terms. This unsolved problem today remains as topical as ever.

Another problem in a multi-party democracy is that there is always somebody else to blame for one’s own failures. Nobody takes the full responsibility.

The worst corruption of justice is apparent in two extremes: tyranny and anarchy. Tyranny of the totalitarian state is unjust government. A Philosopher, Pieper, emphasizes that in the human world there can hardly be a worse or more hopeless disaster than unjust rule . . . Everything in the world depends on rulers being just.

Yet, although the despot has no will to do justice, tyranny is still preferable than anarchy because there is at least a central political will, a monopoly on force that prevents the outbreak of individual violence. Life and death decisions are made by just one (albeit arbitrary) power, rather than by the chaos of mob violence.

In contrast, in the other form, anarchy, the law ceases to be valid because there is no power to uphold it. It results in mob rule, the law of the jungle; it is fittingly described by the key phrase in Thomas Hobbes': “Man is a wolf to man”.

The recent history of Somalia, a failed state, is a good example. The political conditions, under the rule of the despot Siad Barre, were despicable enough. Following his downfall, however, State structures collapsed totally, so that anarchy and chaos prevail to this day.

Iraq is another example. For the preservation of democratic political formula in Iraq, over 100,000 Iraqis have lost their lives (most of them innocent), 4,459 Americans have died, 33,080 Americans have been wounded, there are 100,000 suffering posttraumatic stress disorder and the staggering cost (at $2 billion per week), it now stands at 4 trillion dollars -- evidences such as these have caused the congress of the U.S., the American people, and the rest of the world to ask the critical question "is democracy worthy all these human and financial cost?"

First of all, if democracy automatically brings unity and, consequently as a result of that unity, peace and prosperity comes out, none of that exist in Iraq. Secondly, when people are divided and, consequently, fighting against each other, they create a fertile ground for external forces to manipulate them. Now, you cannot blame the external forces for their own failure. The results of all these cumulative facts of disintegration, turmoil and bankruptcy have been uniformly devastating. It only shows a picture of a total failure of a total democracy.

Without a doubt, anarchy is the greatest threat to human society. It means the loss of any kind of security, the end of civilization, chaos, a war of all against all.

In summary, democracy can only function where there is already at least a minimum of order. Where order has completely broken down and social relations have practically ceased to exist – in short, where there is chaos – democracy is very difficult to establish, as recent historical experience has shown. In such cases, a firm hand may be required as an interim solution and as a way of bringing the situation under control. Then, there remains the problem that such 'interim' situations tend to degenerate into tyranny or despotism.

When the British ruled India (c.1600-1947), for example, they ruled it with feudalism. However, before they left, they introduced democracy. They knew exactly what they were doing. Their aim was to divide the people; create conflict; and then sell weapons.

In India, particularly, which had been under Muslim rule for six centuries, there was a Hindu population of 41 million, against a Muslim population of 7 million, (according to the Census of 1931). During the six centuries, the Muslims were ruling the Indians. The Hindus and the Muslims had lived together as fellow-citizens for centuries.

That was, of course changed, when the British colonized India. When the British wanted to introduce democracy, the Muslims (minority) refused to be ruled by the Hindus (majority). Consequently, Indians were divided against each other until India, Pakistan, Burma, Nepal, and Sri-Lanka were divided. These chain of events has eventually resulted in perpetual conflicts between India and Pakistan with the threats of weapons of mass destruction.

Salutations!


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