Eritrea : President Isaias inspects progress of development programs and preparations for the rainy season in Gash-Barka region

Shabaait.com

Barentu, 30 June 2008 –

In the course of an inspection tour in Gash-Barka region from June 27 to 29, President Isaias Afwerki observed the progress of development programs and preparations for the rainy season.

The President visited the Haj Arebi plains along the Tessenei-Golij route, during which he received briefings by pertinent heads on the activities being carried out to put the land under cultivation. He also inspected the preparations being made to cultivate the over 3,000 hectares along both sides of the road with sorghum.

Following detailed briefings he received on the activities underway in the agricultural places of Kachero, Gerset, Engulit, Laelai-Gash and Shambuko, President Isaias closely observed the task being undertaken in the Engulit Water Diversion Scheme. He also received briefings by the regional Administrator, Mr. Kahsai Gebrehiwet, regarding the efforts being made to upgrade and expand the scheme.

During a visit to Gerset Dam, the President observed the big water reservoir already constructed to irrigate the nearby extensive farm plots and exchanged views with experts and managers of the project. Moreover, he met the nationals who moved from the Anseba and Southern regions to the fertile land of Fagi-Mirah in a bid to improve their standard of living, and thereby make due contribution in endeavors to achieve food security.

Also in the course of a visit to Fanko-Rawi Dam in which Segen Construction Company is exerting stepped-up efforts to finalize the construction of the dam before the onset of the rainy season, the President lauded the task so far accomplished. He further stressed the significance of the experience acquired in due course in the implementation of different programs. President Isaias also conducted discussion with experts regarding the need for efficient implementation of construction projects.

Furthermore, the President visited the newly constructed 116-meter long Gash Bridge to which he has been making close follow-up. Commending the efficient work accomplished, he held discussion with experts of Gedem Construction Company on the remaining task of a similar bridge that is under construction along the Gogne-Barentu rood.

After visiting the construction of agricultural machinery garage in Alebu, the President Isaias observed the 65 hectare plantation around the Gash River that being cultivated by an individual investor with a view to supplying the necessary material to the cooking oil factory. He subsequently visited the Aligidir Water Diversion Scheme that was destroyed due to last year’s heavy rains where he inspected the repair work being carried out there. The President encouraged to the people and members of the Defense Force who are actively engaged in the task.

On the second day of his inspection tour, President Isaias visited the dairy farm in Alebu run by the Homib agricultural establishment of Operation Zone 1. He put forth recommendations on ways of boosting the production outcome of the 200 cows, in addition to increasing their number.

Moreover, the President visited Molober and held talks with experts on present condition and future plans of the Afhimbol Agricultural Project. He also observed the over 1-km long canal already constructed aimed at preventing excessive flooding of the Barka River to which he expressed admiration.

Also following a tour of the animal feed factory and the sugar factory in Afhimbol, President Isaias reminded the need of developing the plant which is currently producing about 80 quintals of animal feed per hour. He also stressed the need to upgrade the production capacity of the sugar factory.

In the course of the three-day inspection tour in Gash-Barka region, the President was accompanied by the regional Administrator, Mr. Kahsai Gebrehiwet, the Commander of Operation Zone 2, Maj. General Gerezgiher Andemariam, and the Manager of Segen Construction Company, Mr. Tesfai Goitom, as well as other officials and Army commanders

I wish them the very best of luck.

By Holly.B

30/06/08

Can ANY of us in the free world imagine what the people would think if our own governments pulled some of the stunts that Mugabe gets away with, time and again, in Zimbabwe? What if Bush imprisoned Obama, or Clinton, accusing them of treason, merely for criticizing him? Do you want to guess how the American people would react to THAT?

Zimbab weans are essentially law-abiding, good people, but the government they’re saddled with must be changed, and there truly seems no way to do so legally. Their only option is going to be revolution, I think. Mugabe has the power to do just about anything. Since he wants to “win” this next election, he’ll see to it that he does, by hook or crook – mostly the latter. When they finally DO get rid of him, Zimbabwe’s leaders are going to have to literally rewrite their own founding documents, so this can’t happen again.

The man is an obscenity among the rest of humanity.

Americans like me care very much about the suffering in Zimbabwe, as we always do when whole nations of people are abused by their own governments. But coming in militarily to help them achieve “regime change” was tried in Iraq, and Americans are dead set against doing it again.

Of course, we still have BUSH, and if he wanted a regime change in Zimbabwe, he would have his way. But he isn’t doing it because he simply doesn’t care what happens to Africans, especially black ones. While his apathy is disgusting, at least he’s not charging in there, making things potentially worse.

It appears that Mugabe is flagrantly arrogant about his unspeakable abuses of his own people and his own country. The entire free world finds him loathsome.

I hope that the people of Zimbabwe will find the means, the public manpower and support, and the courage, to overthrow Mugabe. But then, there will still be a big problem: what about the multitudes who support Mugabe and won’t stand for any changes in the brutal regime? These are the people who benefit from the abuse, and because they get benefits, they will do anything Mugabe asks of them.

They won’t be able to be simply “assimilated” back into the population at large; the public will want them to pay for their evil, too. And, in equity, they certainly should.

If the last election figures are any inidication, it seems that half of Zimbabwe’s population doesn’t mind if the other half starves, as long as they suffer no deprivations. They are the worst kind of people, in any population.

So what would a new government DO with them? Are they to “purge” these multitudes of Mugabe supporters? That’s only acceptable if genuine criminal activity can be proven in an objective court of law.

As for those not proven criminals, but known to have supported Mugabe, they would have to deal with them somehow – a way that won’t violate their civil and human rights, but which will still render them harmless to continue their efforts along the lines of Mugabe. It would probably be best to identify who they are, and ban them from life from any positions of trust. That would be a good start.

So a revolution would only be the beginning for a new government there, and I envision no way in which it can be done without some towering difficulties.

I hope they have their revolution, and that it is successful. After that, I hope they will find humane ways to deal with Mugabe’s many supporters. Sweeping purges will only taint the respect of the world for the new government. It should be avoided at all cost. Zimbabwe deserves better than that; they deserve a compassionate and responsible new government. They’ve already suffered far too much.

With all of that, the Zimbabweans should know in their hearts that the rest of the free world is fully supportive of their desire to restore and live in peace and liberty under a responsible government.

Let’s hope, then, that if (when) Tsvangirai becomes president, he will hold back his wrath and handle the aftermath with wisdom. I hope he will remember that hate fosters hate, abuse fosters abuse, violence fosters violence – and that only he will be able to break that vicious chain. He can only be a successful leader by rising above those temptations. If he does so, he could go down in history as Zimbabwe’s greatest leader ever. If he does not do so, he could easily become another Mugabe. And that would be…bad.

I wish them the very best of luck

Sir Paul McCartney, rock singer impressed by Eritrean values

Meadna (News)

30/06/08

Eritrean National Holidays are facilitating the promotion of Eritrea’s values and making the Eritrean community presence felt across the world.  Eritrean Martyrs’ Day that was held in London on 20th of June 2008,  attracted the interest of   one of the most influential celebrities in the world, Sir Paul McCartney, an English rock singer, bass guitarist, songwriter, composer, entrepreneur, record producer, film producer and animal-rights activist. Observing thousands of Eritreans of all age commemorating their martyrs’ Sir Paul McCartney was very impressed with the values, great participation of Eritrean children at the event that would help in passing on the values into generations and the sponsoring of families of martyrs’ by Eritreans across the world. Sir Paul McCartney exchanged information to look at ways assisting in the program.

Eritrean Martyrs’ Day was also observed by hundreds of British children in St. Monica’s Primary School, which was achieved through the effort of an Eritrean mother, Simret Gidey who sends two of her children to the school. It is to be recalled as a part of expanded effort in public diplomacy by the Eritrean Embassy in the UK, over five hundred Eritrean children were given a letter to take to their school highlighting the values of Eritrean Martyrs’ Day and the participation of Eritrean children in the event.

There were several reports of increased number of participation of people from different countries in the Eritrean national celebrations across the world, including in the Hague, the Netherlands and other countries where Somalians took part in the commemoration of Eritrean Martyrs’ Day.

Man Accused Of Knowingly Spreading HIV To Woman

CityNews.canada

30/06/08

A 24-year-old Brampton man is charged in a terrible case of aggravated sexual assault. But it’s what police say Yonatan Gezahegne Mekonnen didn’t tell his alleged 21-year-old victim that has cops worried.

Police contend the couple engaged in consensual sex back in January and February of this year, and that the accused was well aware that he was HIV positive at the time of the encounters – but never told the woman.

They accuse him of exposing her to the disease despite knowing he could easily pass it on to her – and by extension anyone else she may have been seeing. He was arrested on Thursday on two counts of aggravated sexual assault and made a court appearance last Friday.

But now cops are worried that other young women may have fallen under his spell and been exposed to the dangerous virus. They’re looking to speak to anyone who has had contact with Mekonnen in more than a casual way.

If you think you may have crossed his path, call the Peel Police Special Victims Unit at (905) 453-2121 ext. 3460 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Somali Insurgents Clash With Ethiopian Troops; Four People Dead

By Jason McLure

June 30/2008 /(Bloomberg)

At least four civilians died and 19 were wounded in fighting between Ethiopian troops and Islamist insurgents in central Somalia, the Elman Peace and Human Rights Organization said.

The clashes, which occurred in Guricel on June 28 and June 29, forced refugees sheltering in the town to flee, the Mogadishu-based organization said in an e-mailed statement today. The casualties were caused by shelling by Ethiopian troops, it said.

“Civilian populations are in a dire living condition and facing a critical humanitarian situation in un-sanitary places,” the organization said. People are living “under trees lacking all protection services such as food, water, shelter, healthcare, latrines and security. There is a potential outbreak of communicable diseases due to waste disposal.”

Somalia has been wracked by violence since the government ejected Islamic fighters from southern and central areas in January 2007. The United Nations estimates 1 million Somalis are displaced within the country as people flee fighting between the Islamists and government forces, which are supported by Ethiopian soldiers.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jason McLure in Addis Ababa via Johannesburg at pmrichardson@bloomberg.net.

Japan to send military mission to Sudan to help UN

TOKYO (AP)

30/06/08

Japan will send military personnel to Sudan to join U.N. peacekeeping operations in the country’s first military dispatch to the African nation, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said Monday.

Fukuda announced the move at a joint news conference with U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, who is visiting Japan as part of his two-week official trip to Asia.

“With regards to Africa, we will contribute self-defense force personnel to the headquarters of the U.N. mission in Sudan,” Fukuda said, referring to Japan’s military. He gave no further details.

Ban was quick to welcome the news, saying he appreciated Fukuda’s offer as well as Tokyo’s financial support for U.N. peacekeeping operations in Sudan.

But a Japanese defense ministry spokesman said no details have been decided on the mission, while Kyoto News reported that only two or three military personnel would go to Sudan.

Japan is restricted to peaceful activities by its postwar, pacifist constitution, but has a large military and is gradually becoming more assertive. The country upgraded its Defense Agency to ministry status last year.

Japan, a key U.S. ally in Asia, backed the U.S. invasion of Iraq and provided ground troops for a noncombat, humanitarian mission from 2004 to 2006 in southern Iraq, marking the first deployment of Japanese troops in a combat zone since World War II.

In Sudan’s Darfur region, the U.N. estimates that up to 300,000 people have been killed and more than 2.5 million driven from their homes during five years of bloody attacks. Rapes, enslavement and other war crimes have been rampant.

Ethnic African rebel groups accuse the central Arab-dominated government of marginalization and discrimination. But Sudan denies backing militias consisting of Arab nomads who are accused of the worst atrocities in the five-year war.

Yemen, US arrange for returning Yemeni detainees in Guantanamo

SANA’A, June 30 (Saba)

Yemen and United States held talks here on Monday on the preparations for returning back the Yemeni detainees in Guantanamo.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Abu Bakr al-Qirbi discussed with a delegation from the US Department of State visiting Yemen currently the bilateral relations between the two countries in field of fighting against terrorism.

The meeting also dealt with a number of issues of common interests that would enhance the partnership relations between Yemen and USA.

African leaders restrained in criticizing Mugabe

The zimebabwe

gurdian

30/06/08

AFRICAN leaders attending the African Union summit in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh were restrained in their criticism of President Robert Mugabe of as expected by critics of the Zimbabwean leader.

President Mugabe who presented himself before African leaders Monday had vowed to confront African critics who call his 28-year rule illegitimate.

Many of the comments made by African heads of states were restrained according to sources in Sharm el-Sheikh.

It was reported that in opening remarks, African presidents cited a series of clashes between Djibouti and Eritrea several times more than they mentioned the situation in Zimbabwe.

“Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, the summit’s host, did not include Zimbabwe in the ranks of nations whose problems he said the African bloc must address,” said a report by the online version of the Washington Post.

“The African leaders made no immediate public statements on the validity of the Zimbabwe elections.”

“I’d like to congratulate the Zimbabwe people on their success, but I’d also like to commiserate with them in their suffering,” Tanzanian President and current chair of the African Union, Jakaya Kikwete said to the leaders.

“We would also like to ask the international community to work with SADC (the Southern African Development Community) to find a solution to the problem”.

Asylum seekers torch skin off their fingertips so they can’t be ID’d by police

Exclusive by Nick Owens in Calais

29/06/2008

Desperate asylum seekers are slicing off the skin from their fingertips with razors then burning them with white-hot wood from fires, in a bid to stop British police identifying and deporting them.

Johannes Osamiah is one of the hundreds of refugees enduring the agonising pain. Every night dozens – mainly from war-torn African states, Iraq and Afghanistan – gather in Calais to “remove” their fingerprints in their quest for a new life.

Johannes, 21, from Eritrea in North-East Africa, slashed his fingertips with razor blades a month ago. Then two weeks ago he burned them with wood from a fire he’d lit.

“The pain was unbearable but I must have a better life,” he said. “I burn my fingers because then the police will not be able to work out who I am.

“Some people may think I am crazy but my life is worth more than my fingers and I will do it again and again until my prints have gone. This is the only way to remove my history and create a better future somewhere else.”

The gruesome self-mutilation echoes scenes in the cult horror movie Seven, in which a serial killer played by Kevin Spacey slices off his fingertips to avoid leaving clues at the scenes of his murders.

But these refugees are doing it to stop the British authorities finding out where they’ve come from – through prints taken as they trek across Europe and stored on a central database – and then sending them back to Italy – the first place of asylum. And they have to repeat the agonising process regularly because the skin grows back and their prints return.

Johannes fled four years ago from his homeland where he had served as a soldier in the war of independence with Ethiopia. He risked his life walking 300 miles in three days without food and water to cross into Sudan.

There, he earned a miserly £3 a day working as a painter for a gang master boss and lived in a filthy slum with 12 other immigrants. He said: “Life was awful. We were treated worse than slaves by our bosses.”

When the slum he lived in was raided by police, Johannes fled to Libya where he smuggled himself on to a lorry bound for Italy last April. He arrived as a vicious crackdown was launched on immigrants by Italian premier Silvia Berlusconi. Johannes was viciously beaten three times by a gang and once by two police officers who took his fingerprints.

He said: “They were like animals in Italy and were trying to beat us up to make us get out of the country. That is why I came to France and it is my dream to get to England and live there. I must lose my prints so they can’t send me back when I reach England.” Another desperate asylum seeker, also from Eritrea, said: “I was fingerprinted in Italy. If the police in Britain fingerprint me then they will find out I was in Italy.

“They will say, ‘He is Italy’s problem, send him back there’. I burn my fingertips off with hot wood so police will not know who I am.”

A 22-year-old refugee from Uganda, his deformed fingers bearing the scars of repeated burning, said: “You have to be careful when you do it. If you light a fire in the day police will come. You must wait until night.”

Charity worker Jacques Moreau, who works at the refugee commune in Calais for the charity Salam, said: “It shows how desperate these people are.”

‘This is the only way to new life’

The body of murdered London schoolgirl Arsema Dawit was taken back to her African family last week

Daily Mail, UK

By Barbara Jones

28/06/08

The body of murdered London schoolgirl Arsema Dawit was taken back to her African family last week and buried in a heartbreaking ceremony on an ancient hillside where thousands came to weep and pray.

Women sobbed openly and Arsema’s distraught father collapsed with grief as his daughter was lowered into her grave.

In this setting of almost biblical simplicity – cattle and donkeys wandered through the eucalyptus trees as four Orthodox priests intoned the requiem – one question was on everyone’s lips.

Epic: Some of the thousands of mourners follow Arsema’s coffin

Last Tuesday, outside the simple village church at Adiaklom, 15 miles south of the Eritrean capital Asmara, a sudden gust of wind sent loose earth and stones swirling around Arsema’s grave.