Westminster

UK Members of Parliament discussed regional security in the Horn of Africa during a debate in Westminster Hall on Tuesday. Ivan Lewis, Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, responded to the debate representing the UK Government.

The debate focused on issues of security and stability in Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Yemen acknowledging the strategic, economic and cultural importance of these countries. However, a great part of the discussion in Westminster Hall centered around the border problem between Eritrea and Ethiopia as a driver of conflict in the region.

Conservative MP Mark Pritchard opened the discussion on Eritrea and Ethiopia by stating, “What happens in Addis Abeba matters”. Mr Pritchard supports his view by arguing that Ethiopia is one of the most stable countries in the Horn. He told attending MPs that he recently made a visit to Ethiopia and that the country reflects stability regardless of ongoing disputes and tensions with Eritrea.

Mr Pritchard was asked by Jeremey Corbyn, Labour MP from the Islington constituency, if he was able to discuss the issue of border dispute with the Ethiopian Government during his visit to Addis Ababa and whether he believes that there is any chance that the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling might be accepted by both parties.

Mr Pritchard replied that he had discussed it with the Foreign Minister of Ethiopia and other representatives of the Government. He said that it would help if the court would make the effort to visit the border rather than making judgments based on a map from a room in a European capital.

Throughout the debate the Conservative MP appeared to support Ethiopia accusing Eritrea of causing instability in the Horn with the support of Libya, Qatar and Iran. While the Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs tried to emphasise the complexity of the forces driving conflict in the Horn.

“I wonder whether we are not sometimes too simplistic in looking at goodies and baddies, and whether a much higher degree of involvement is needed,” Mr Corbyn said for instance.

Moreover, Labour and Liberal Democrats seemed to support the view that the Algiers Agreement and the Court of Arbitration ruling might be key to solving many problems in the region.

Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ivan Lewis responded to the debate saying,

“To my hon. Friend the Member for Islington, North who raised the issue of the border dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea, I have to say that there was arbitration. The Eritrea-Ethiopia boundary commission made a very clear decision on the border.

Despite our friendship with Ethiopia and our tremendous admiration for the progress it has made, we continue to press it to implement the decision following arbitration. The matter will continue to be a running sore and a cause of much instability until it has done so.

I say to the hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton (Mr. Davey) who asked the question that we continue to make the case for that recommendation to be implemented, because it is a root cause of the significant instability.”

“We support the sanctions regime against Eritrea because we believe that country has consistently flouted international law, which is why we supported UN Security Council resolution 1907. However, that is not an alternative to engagement. Of course, we want to engage with Eritrea, as well as to insist that it does not behave in a way that undermines stability in the horn. It is very important to get that balance right.”

Watch the debate on link below:

WESTMINISTER HALL VIDEO

Eritrea said on Wednesday that its economy will be unaffected by the U.N. sanctions imposed on the nation, which were an international response to Asmara’s alleged support of Islamist rebel groups in Somalia.

Punitive measures including an arms embargo, travel restrictions and asset freezes for some of the country’s top officials raised fears the limitations may slow an economy reliant on financial and moral support from the diaspora.

Remittances from Europe, the United States, the Middle East and other African nations are Eritrea’s biggest source of foreign exchange. Analysts say they continue to flow because high-ranking Eritreans travel to other countries and drum up support for the Red Sea state.

Eritrea has dismissed concerns saying sanctions would not slow development.

“The sanctions should not have any impact on investment, no impact on trade, or Eritrea’s external ties with its economic partners,” Yemane Ghebremeskel, director of the Eritrean president’s office, told Reuters in an interview.

“Our development strategy is not really based on injections of development assistance anyway. There are still extensive development plans in place designed to enhance productivity and expand services in education and health,” he said.

The country would build more than 50 new schools this year, he said.

The U.N. imposed sanctions last month because Security Council members say Eritrea has given support to Islamist insurgents in Somalia who are battling the U.N.-backed transitional government. Violence in the Horn of Africa nation has killed at least 19,000 people since the start of 2007.

‘IT’S WEDDING SEASON’

Yemane said average Eritreans were disappointed in the United Nations over the sanctions but they remained fairly indifferent to the measures themselves.

“They know these sanctions have nothing to do with justice or international law. People don’t give it undue weight — it’s January, wedding season, people are getting on with their business and going to parties,” he said.

Yemane reiterated the view of President Isaias Afwerki that the sanctions are baseless and contravene international law.

“Those sanctions are not based on international law. The accusations have not been proved and Eritrea has not been given the opportunity to make its case on an independent platform.”

Last week the President told local media that no solid facts have been produced against Eritrea and no proper legal procedures have been applied to discover the truth.

“In the final analysis, the conspiracy was essentially masterminded by U.S. intelligence agencies, especially the CIA,” the President said.

Eritrea’s economy contracted sharply in 2008 while inflation surged to double digits, according to the International Monetary Fund, but better rains in 2009 could have boosted growth to about 3.5 percent. Source: (Reuters)

Hizbawi Mekete Norway

Statement by Hizbawi Mekete Norway

On 24, January 2010, Eritreans residing in Norway gathered on Plaza Hotel in Oslo to discuss the unjust sanction imposed on Eritrea by UNSC under resolution 1907 (2009).

Delegates from Trondheim, Stavanger, Kristiansand and Bergen were among the more than 300 participants who deliberated the resolution.

Chairman of Hizbawi mekete Oslo Mr. Yemane Haile gave a brief description about the content of the meeting and later on invited the distinguished and intellect Professor Gideon Abay Asmerom to elaborate the subject matter of the sanction cases.

Professor Gideon Abay Asmerom, elaborated the meaning and intentions of the sanction and urged participants to be vigilant for the evil actions of the perpetrators.

Finally, the audience exposed the misdeeds of USA against Eritrea and determined to take actions by declaring its manifestation on defiance to the UNSC resolutions and standing firmly to support the people and government of Eritrea.

The resolutions passed by the participants read as follows.

1. We condemn, on strong terms, the decision 1907 (2003) issued on behalf of UNSC, sanctioning Eritrea.
2. We request UNSC to annualizing and lift up this irresponsible, unjust decision.
3. To rein peace and security in Horn of Africa UNSC shall first and utmost see to that of the decision of EEBC shall be exercised on ground immediately and bear its responsibility on its implementation. We strongly demand to evacuate the Ethiopian army, at once, from the occupied Eritrean territories.
4. Our country Eritrea has disguisedly been under threat to undermine its developmental programs and continually is blackmailed. To overcome and win this treat we are determined to stand on the side to the people and government of Eritrea. To date, as always, we all patriotic Eritreans are determined to fulfill our responsibilities to stand on parry.

We remember our martyrs!

Victory to the masses

Hizbawi Mekete Norway

Asmara, 2 January 2010 – Shabait – In continuation of the interview he conducted with national media outlets tonight on the occasion of the New Year, President Isaias Afwerki underlined that the shameful and misguided illegal sanctions resolution against Eritrea is a manifestation of failed adventurous policies designed to victimize the nation.

The President explained that although the TPLF regime may perhaps has something to do with the sanctions, the whole affair is not basically the handwork of the regime. Stating that the TPLF clique, as a servant entity, may have contributed something to that in order to promote its narrow interests, he pointed out that the sanctions resolution has undoubtedly been masterminded by the CIA. This is mainly aimed at creating a crisis situation in Africa and expose its people to animosity among one another, and thus plunder the resources of the continent, besides imposing one’s narrow interests, President Isaias added.

Despite the fact that the United States is the main culprit behind the shameful and unjust resolution emanating from a disturbed mind, Uganda was, nonetheless, chosen as a sponsoring party so as to give the false impression that Africa has a hand in it, the President elaborated.

He went on to say that the policy of hegemony in the Horn of Africa unfolded by end of the Cold War at the time Eritrea achieved independence, Somalia was engulfed in turmoil, Sudan entered into a new political stage and Ethiopia in particular experienced new situation. In this respect, President Isaias underscored that US intelligence agencies were the main instigator of the Eritrean-Ethiopian conflict.

Citing that the baseless sanctions resolution against Eritrea was adopted under the pretext that it extends financial and arms support to ‘extremists’ and non-recognition of the externally imposed transitional government in Somalia, the President explained that such allegations have no substance at all. In this connection, he elucidated that Eritrea does not interfere in the internal affairs of Somalia and that it advocates the existence of a united and sovereign Somali nation. Still, Eritrea has the right to extend political and moral support to the Somali people, the President emphasized.

As regards the Eritrean-Djiboutian issue, President Isaias pointed out that it is a fabricated ploy designed to undermine peace in the region through concocting a non-existing conflict. In this regard, he noted that although the issue could have been resolved on the basis of mutual understanding and even arbitration, the authors as usual sought to exaggerate matters so as to blackmail Eritrea.

The President explained in detail the numerous acts of conspiracy weaved on the part of enemy quarters over the past 11 to 12 years with a view to impeding economic, development and investment programs, as well as achieving food security, putting in place infrastructure facilities and foreign investment.

Moreover, he outlined the various ploys employed through deploying mercenary agents to block the flow of foreign currency into the country in a bid to undermine national security and isolating the country through forming alliances with a number of countries, among others. In this connection, President Isaias commended the Eritrean people’s unmatched steadfastness in rebuffing such obstacles.

Indicating that the attempts made by the CIA to isolate Eritrean nationals from their people and leadership through various ploys in a bid to serve as an opposition force have ended in utter failure, the President underscored the fact that Eritrean nationals, including those who crossed the border illegally continued to uphold unwavering attachment to the Homeland has ever more frustrated and anguished such enemy quarters.

Noting that the Eritrean people have been challenging and putting forth views prior to the adoption of the sanctions resolutions without waiting for directives, President Isaias pointed out that the sanctions move is in its early stage, and that the Eritrean people inside the country and abroad remain resolute as ever to meet challenges.

AU

By Melake Hadgembes

(Political and Economic Analysis)

What could be the effects of the sanction and who is to be blamed for that? If the government of Eritrea did not fail the African Union and resigned from the IGAD nations, Eritrea would not face the Christmas Eve sanction.

Throughout history, the victims of sanctions in many African countries have been the citizens despite their innocence and very limited non democratic participation and influence in the political sphere of their nation. Sanctions are usually the outcome of a conflict of interests at national and international levels.

Decisions are taken by government officials with uninformed consensus and very limited participation from the public sphere. Hence strong nations at international levels publish resolutions if they think that the decisions taken by government officials are dangerous for their interests in the region without weighing its consequences on the livelihoods of the innocent citizens and especially the poor.

Today’s sanction is the result of the long term effect of the Eritrean government failure to the African Union and IGAD nations. Eritrean government decided to avoid African Union and resign from the IGAD nations since their strategy and policy were in conflict. One may ask if that was the right decision. There could be many important questions to raise here.

How can you avoid yourself from some thing that’s part of you although your strategy and ideology is in conflict? If for instance, you are a member of a chaotic family, and you are a responsible person, you can not avoid your family just for that reason. You have to be part of the family and try to understand what is going wrong. Then, slowly you could start to impose a sound strategy in a way that family members could communicate and understand their failure and come back to the right track.

Similarly, as long as Eritrea is a part of the African continent it can not avoid itself from the AU and IGAD nations. If it does so; it would only have a trickle-down effect which already happened with the present sanction. The voice of Eritrea is not represented and heard for whatever agreement or decision taken at regional and international levels despite its economical, political, social and environmental impact upon Eritrea.

This does not mean that the AU or IGAD has good policies and strategies. Neither does it mean that it is the mandate of the Eritrean government to bring changes on the AU or IGAD strategies.

However, if the discourse of a smaller entity as part of a bigger unit is at odds, it can only affect and create changes merely from within the paradigm of the bigger unit.

Politically, economically, and even scientifically, it is difficult and may not be possible for a country like Eritrea to criticise and bring immediate changes in the strategy and policies of the bigger and relatively stronger units AU or IGAD.

The government of Eritrea should have worked at its best with a long term goal to bring changes in the strategy and policy of the organizations from within their paradigm and struggle to foster cooperation, economic growth and sustainable development at regional and international stages. Besides, it is always effective that a government informs and brings its own people into the processes of discussion and decision making.

Eritrea could potentially be a victim of the sanction; economically, politically and otherwise. Although it is questionable and controversial, one of the significant down effect of the sanction is the future condition of the potential mining activities in Eritrea. Nevsun has been operating in the country for the last ten years as a partner in the development of the Bisha mine and has been actively involved in developing a responsible mining industry in Eritrea.

Nevsun said that it believes “these sanctions should not have any direct impact on the Company or its Bisha project in Eritrea as the Company is focused solely on the development of the Bisha project. It is however uncertain whether these sanctions could indirectly impact the Bisha debt facilities announced in July 2009. The Company is already in discussions with stakeholders to evaluate that possibility and has contemplated alternative finance sources if the sanctions do eventually negatively impact the debt facilities.” Although the company is trying its best to keep the finance in place, the stakeholders may not feel secured enough to keep their stake.  For instance, the share price of the company declined from 3.20 to 2.75, a drop by 14% in just three days after the resolution was passed.

Therefore, the sanction today has happened mainly, among others, because of the relations of the Eritrean government with AU and IGAD. If it was not for the AU or IGAD’s strong involvement and endorsement of the sanctions, the UN and the US would not have done any thing on ground regarding the sanctions. Originally, the government of Eritrea should not have resigned itself from the AU and IGAD as it would only erase its voice and representation at regional and international levels.

Nevsun

Nevsun Resources Ltd. (NSU-TSX/AMEX) announces that the United Nations Security Council has on December 23, 2009 passed a resolution to place sanctions on the State of Eritrea in regards to an arms embargo, certain travel restrictions and asset freezes.

A separate sanctions committee is responsible for designating the actions and parties to which the resolution applies. The implementation of this process may take some time and the details are not yet known. The resolution will be posted at the UN Security Council web site UN Security Council

Nevsun has been operating in Eritrea for over ten years and has developed a strong relationship with the government of Eritrea. The State is a partner in the development of the Bisha mine and it has been a strong supporter of a responsible mining industry within the country. The State has honored all of its commitments in our business arrangement and Nevsun is very pleased to have the State as its partner.

Nevsun believes that these sanctions should not have any direct impact on the Company or its Bisha project in Eritrea as the Company is focused solely on the development of the Bisha project.

It is however uncertain whether these sanctions could indirectly impact the Bisha debt facilities announced in July 2009. The Company is already in discussions with stakeholders to evaluate that possibility and has contemplated alternative finance sources if the sanctions do eventually negatively impact the debt facilities.

The Bisha project continues to be on track to commence operations in late 2010. Updates on the project will continue to be provided periodically.

Forward Looking Statements: The above contains forward-looking statements concerning the impact of the UN sanctions on the Company, its projects and debt facilities. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “potential,” “possible” and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions or results “will,” “may,” “could” or “should” occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and actual achievements of the Company or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, without limitation, those described in the Management Discussion and Analysis of the Company. The Company’s forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made and the Company assumes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements in the future. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

NEVSUN RESOURCES LTD.

“Cliff T. Davis”

Cliff T. Davis

President & Chief Executive Officer

Nsu09-13.doc

For further information, Contact:

Kin Communications

Tel: 604 684 6730

Toll free 1 866 684 6730

Email: ir@kincommunications.com

Website: www.nevsun.com

UNITED NATIONS — AP – The U.N. Security Council has approved an arms embargo and other tough sanctions against Eritrea for supplying weapons to opponents of the Somali government and refusing to resolve a border dispute with neighboring Djibouti.

The U.N.’s most powerful body adopted a resolution Wednesday imposing the measures by a vote of 13-1, with Libya voting “no” and China abstaining.

The resolution bans the import and export of weapons to Eritrea and calls on U.N. member states to inspect all suspect air and sea cargo between the Red Sea nation and Somalia.

The resolution also imposes a travel ban on individuals — including Eritrea’s political and military leadership — who violate the arms embargo and obstruct a border settlement with Djibouti.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council was expected to approve an arms embargo and other tough sanctions against Eritrea for supplying arms to opponents of the Somali government and refusing to resolve a border dispute with neighboring Djibouti.

The U.N.’s most powerful body was likely to approve the sanctions resolution on Wednesday, diplomats said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

It would ban the import and export of weapons to Eritrea and call on U.N. member states to inspect all suspect air and sea cargo between the Red Sea nation and Somalia.

The draft resolution would also impose a travel ban on individuals — including Eritrea’s political and military leadership — who violate the arms embargo, obstruct a border settlement with Djibouti, or “perpetrate acts of violence or terrorist acts against other states or their citizens in the region.” The financial assets of these individuals as well as government and private companies responsible for similar violations would be frozen.

The Security Council committee monitoring sanctions against Somalia would designate the individuals and companies subject to the new sanctions against Eritrea.

Eritrea earlier this month called the proposed resolution “politically motivated,” saying it was based on “unfounded accusations.”

The African Union asked the Security Council to impose sanctions on Eritrea for providing support to armed groups trying to destabilize Somalia.

A U.N. panel monitoring an arms embargo against Somalia has accused Eritrea of secretly shipping large quantities of arms, including missiles and explosives, to Islamic insurgents trying to overthrow the country’s Western-backed transitional government.

Somalia has not had an effective government since 1991 when warlords overthrew longtime dictator Mohamed Siad Barre and then turned on each other, plunging the country into chaos and anarchy. The fragile U.N.-backed government and an undermanned, poorly resourced African Union peacekeeping force have struggled to defend government buildings, the port and airport in the capital, Mogadishu, against the militant al-Shabab group and other Islamic insurgents.

The draft resolution demands that all U.N. member states, “in particular Eritrea, cease arming, training and equipping armed groups and their members including al-Shabab, that aim to destabilize the region or incite violence and civil strife in Djibouti.”

The African Union expressed grave concern at Eritrea’s failure to withdraw its forces from the Djibouti border.

Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after a 30-year guerrilla war. It has been feuding over its border with Ethiopia ever since, and uncertainty over its border with the tiny port nation of Djibouti led to hostilities between the two countries twice in the 1990s.

In June 2008, the Security Council condemned Eritrea for launching an attack against Djibouti, a key U.S. ally in the Horn of Africa, which the U.S. said left 44 Djiboutian soldiers dead and many more missing. The council called for a cease-fire and urged the two countries to withdraw their forces from the border, which overlooks key Red Sea shipping lanes. Djibouti did withdraw, but Eritrea has not.

The draft resolution demands that Eritrea immediately comply with the 2008 resolution and pull back its troops. It also demands that Eritrea provide information about Djibouti combatants missing in action since the clashes.

By Edith M Lederer (AP)

UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. Security Council was expected to approve an arms embargo and other tough sanctions against Eritrea for supplying arms to opponents of the Somali government and refusing to resolve a border dispute with neighboring Djibouti.

The U.N.’s most powerful body was likely to approve the sanctions resolution on Wednesday, diplomats said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

It would ban the import and export of weapons to Eritrea and call on U.N. member states to inspect all suspect air and sea cargo between the Red Sea nation and Somalia.

The draft resolution would also impose a travel ban on individuals — including Eritrea’s political and military leadership — who violate the arms embargo, obstruct a border settlement with Djibouti, or “perpetrate acts of violence or terrorist acts against other states or their citizens in the region.” The financial assets of these individuals as well as government and private companies responsible for similar violations would be frozen.

The Security Council committee monitoring sanctions against Somalia would designate the individuals and companies subject to the new sanctions against Eritrea.

Eritrea earlier this month called the proposed resolution “politically motivated,” saying it was based on “unfounded accusations.”

The African Union asked the Security Council to impose sanctions on Eritrea for providing support to armed groups trying to destabilize Somalia.

A U.N. panel monitoring an arms embargo against Somalia has accused Eritrea of secretly shipping large quantities of arms, including missiles and explosives, to Islamic insurgents trying to overthrow the country’s Western-backed transitional government.

Somalia has not had an effective government since 1991 when warlords overthrew longtime dictator Mohamed Siad Barre and then turned on each other, plunging the country into chaos and anarchy. The fragile U.N.-backed government and an undermanned, poorly resourced African Union peacekeeping force have struggled to defend government buildings, the port and airport in the capital, Mogadishu, against the militant al-Shabab group and other Islamic insurgents.

The draft resolution demands that all U.N. member states, “in particular Eritrea, cease arming, training and equipping armed groups and their members including al-Shabab, that aim to destabilize the region or incite violence and civil strife in Djibouti.”

The African Union expressed grave concern at Eritrea’s failure to withdraw its forces from the Djibouti border.

Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after a 30-year guerrilla war. It has been feuding over its border with Ethiopia ever since, and uncertainty over its border with the tiny port nation of Djibouti led to hostilities between the two countries twice in the 1990s.

In June 2008, the Security Council condemned Eritrea for launching an attack against Djibouti, a key U.S. ally in the Horn of Africa, which the U.S. said left 44 Djiboutian soldiers dead and many more missing. The council called for a cease-fire and urged the two countries to withdraw their forces from the border, which overlooks key Red Sea shipping lanes. Djibouti did withdraw, but Eritrea has not.

The draft resolution demands that Eritrea immediately comply with the 2008 resolution and pull back its troops. It also demands that Eritrea provide information about Djibouti combatants missing in action since the clashes.

By Louis Charbonneau

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Eritrea has warned the U.N. Security Council that a draft sanctions resolution would impose “ludicrous punitive measures” on Asmara for aiding Somali rebels and might further destabilize the Horn of Africa.

“Eritrea urges all members of the U.N. Security Council to use their influence to ensure the rejection of this draft resolution in its entirety,” Eritrea’s U.N. ambassador, Araya Desta, said in a letter to the 15-nation Security Council.

“This measure risks engulfing the region into another cycle of conflict as it may encourage Ethiopia to contemplate reckless military adventures,” he said in the letter, dated Dec. 15 and obtained by Reuters on Friday.

The United States and other council members accuse Asmara of supplying Islamist al Shabaab rebels with funds and arms as they fight to topple a fragile U.N.-backed transitional government in Somalia, a virtually lawless Horn of Africa nation.

Eritrea’s regional rival Ethiopia invaded Somalia in 2006 with tacit U.S. backing to rout an Islamic courts movement from Mogadishu. It withdrew its troops earlier this year and denies accusations by Somalia’s rebels that they have returned. Addis Ababa backs Somalia’s transitional government.

Uganda is credited with drafting the sanctions resolution, which would impose an arms embargo and asset freezes and travel bans on designated Eritrean individuals and firms. But Desta said in his letter that Washington was its true author.

“In reality, the main architect of this resolution and the single country which has been campaigning frantically in the corridors of the U.N. premises in New York … for its adoption is the United States,” he said.

ERITREA WANTS NEW AU MEETING

Desta also reiterated Asmara’s denials that his country is supporting al Shabaab in any way.

In May, the African Union called on the Security Council to sanction Eritrea.

In a telephone interview with Reuters, Desta insisted that “many African nations do not support the idea of sanctions.” He said Eritrea was urging the AU to hold another summit meeting next year to discuss the sanctions issue.

“When we speak with African leaders, many of them say they had no idea that sanctions are being considered against Eritrea,” he said. “They don’t like the idea.”

The AU officially supports sanctions against Asmara, but the organization’s current chair, Libya, has said it would vote against the Ugandan draft resolution. The Libyans have a temporary seat on the U.N. Security Council until the end of December.

Council diplomats told Reuters on condition of anonymity that they expected the council to vote on the resolution before the end of the year and predicted it would get 14 votes in favor. Libya is likely to cast the sole vote against it.

Security Council members from the West had originally expected negotiations on the resolution to run into next year. But diplomats said an agreement had emerged after Russia and China took an “unusually cooperative” stance on the resolution.

A U.N. arms monitoring body, which was set up to record violations of a 1992 arms embargo on Somalia, has said Asmara was sending munitions to Somali rebels, as well as providing them with logistical support.

Somalia has been mired in chaos for nearly two decades and there is little sign the latest attempt to establish a central government is proving any more successful than the 14 previous efforts since a dictator was ousted in 1991.

(Editing by Eric Beech)

Asmara, 25 November 2009 – President Isaias Afwerki underscored that the distorted and baseless anti-Eritrea accusations and intended measures in connection with the Somali issue would be a resort the authors and implementers of which stand to regret.

The President made the salient remarks in an interview he conducted today with the Washington Post newspaper here in Asmara. Indicating that the course being pursued by the international community in general and the forces directly involved in the Somali issue in particular has failed to bear any fruitful outcome, he emphasized that it is unjustified to level accusation against Eritrea, and that the failure of various past attempts fully attest to Eritrea’s correct stance.

President Isaias stated that there is no reason for Eritrea to support one party against another regarding the Somali issue, and that it has nothing to gain from such a game. He further pointed out that there is no reason at all for Eritrea to send arms to Somalia where there exists huge arsenal of armaments for a long time and is still the center of arms sales. In this connection, the President reminded the international community to draw lesson from a failed experience and strive for the realization of a comprehensive political solution to the Somali issue.

On Eritrean-US relations, President Isaias explained that the cause for problems in relations between the two countries was the fruitless policy pursued by Washington over the past 20 years both globally and at the level of the Horn region. As such, it is not because the US pursues hostile policy towards Eritrea, he added. Noting that Washington’s policy of ensuring control in Africa in general and the Horn in particular through regional giants has been further complicating regional problems, the President indicated that the hasty and unstudied steps taken in various parts of the world after 9/11 not only complicated issues but also made solutions impossible.

As a significant world power, the USA is duty-bound to formulate a workable and fruitful policy fit for the 21st century through reviewing past policies and the problems resulting thereof, he elaborated.

Replying to a question regarding the intention on the part of youths to migrate abroad, President Isaias said that such a phenomenon being witnessed in all corners of the world emanates from the desire to lead ‘high standard of living’ in foreign lands, and that it is not only becoming a headache to the countries of migration but is also the source of organized crimes.

He went on to explain that if at all youth migration is considered as brain drain ploy, the available potentials in Eritrea could never be an easy target for that sinister design. President Isaias underlined that although there are instances in which Eritrean youths migrate abroad due to temporary problems, their devotion to their people and the Homeland is nonetheless unquestionable, as being amply demonstrated in their active participation in the activities of Eritrean communities in the Diaspora. Source: (Shabait.com)

Fiji Islands

Last Thursday, a U.N. Security Council draft called for sanctions including an arms embargo against Eritrea. The alleged sanction in the name of “aiding Islamist insurgents in Somalia” targets at travel bans and asset freezes for government officials and military leaders.

However, there are also claims that the call for sanctions against Eritrea touches on trade barriers for protecting its domestic market. U.N. diplomats said that the resolution was drafted by temporary Security Council member Uganda and has been circulated to other members of the 15-nation panel.

IGAD is supporting the sanction strongly. IGAD member States include – Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda. The accusation against Eritrea claims supplying al Shabaab rebels with money and weapons to Islamist insurgents in Somalia.

The draft includes the ban of all sales of weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment, and spare parts  to Asmara. Besides, it is targeting technical assistance, training, financial and other assistance, related to the military activities.”

Eritrea denies supporting al Shabaab and has said that the threat of U.N. sanctions is of “no concern at all’’. However, the Security Council, African Union (AU) and United States insist that Eritrea is destabilizing Somalia. They accuse Asmara of sending plane- and boatloads of munitions to Somali rebels, as well as providing them with logistical support.

Yet it is not clear when the council would vote on the resolution. Nevertheless, diplomats call for the need to revise the case to avoid a veto from China and Russia, which are not pro-sanctions.

Reuters reports that ‘’the resolution would authorize U.N. member states to inspect “all cargo to and from Somalia and Eritrea” via land and sea if there were grounds to suspect that the cargo included banned items.’’

However, the draft is not clear and lacks substance. First of all, the council has yet not provided any evidence on ground regarding the case to the public. Besides, the accusations should not include the issue of trade barriers. The US by itself protects its farmers through subsidies and the same goes to the European Union killing many subsistence farmers in the third world who do not have the capability to compete.

It is very tempting to draw the line between “smart sanctions” and “smart bombs”.  The new “smart bomb”, which helps to shape new geo-political and economic realities, is called “smart sanction” and can hit a specific target like a precision guided munition. They call it modern warfare and it’s like star wars.

Some analyst caution that the widespread belief targeted sanctions could not hurt the ordinary population could be misleading.

Perhaps sanctions are not smart at all as the example of a small island nation in the South Pacific Ocean comprising of an archipelago of about 322 islands and a population of 849,000 shows.

The state is called Fiji and is ranked number 40 in the list of the world’s smallest countries next to Qatar and Cyprus.

Sugar exports and a strong tourism sector were the backbones of the national economy providing major income from foreign exchange and a strong growth in GDP. In 1999, Australia and New Zealand used to have close ties with Fiji because of business interests in tourism, natural resources and fisheries.

In 2006 a military commander of the armed forces staged a military takeover accusing the prime minister of promoting corruption in the government. It has to be mentioned that there had been two military coups earlier in 1987 and 2000. Nevertheless, as a consequence of the coup in 2006 Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the United States followed by the international community implemented the so called “smart sanctions” against the tiny island state.

Academics at the department of economics at the University of the South Pacific warned the international community to be mindful regarding sanctions as they could be counterproductive and hurt Fiji as a whole. They were referring to developments such as the announcement by the Government of New Zealand to exclude Fiji from a guest worker scheme for seasonal workers and stop issuing scholarships to Fiji students.

The danger of “smart sanctions” becomes also evident in the example of how the European Union dealt with the blurry and distorted definitions of targeted sanctions. For example in 2007 the European Union froze funds used to subsidize sugar farmers in Fiji categorizing them as non-humanitarian aid.

It was the experience made in Fiji that generic travel bans on all citizens serving on government or quasi government boards only seemed to undermine governance and social stability. In a recent statement the Australia Fiji Business Council called the international community to lift travel bans because it limits the ability of both the public and private sector from recruiting and training the best available talents.

The fact is that the public and private business sector heavily depends on the freedom of movement of public servants, government officials and local authorities especially in small countries such as Fiji or Eritrea. “Smart sanctions” do not translate into practice in general, not for citizens in Fiji or in any other country of this world.

As a result of the “smart sanction” Fiji’s sugar exporting industry has been harmed and brought to a still stand, tourism arrivals were down by 6% in 2007. The tourism industry is damaged and facing uncertain recovery time. The fact is that “smart sanctions” target the GDP of a country which is basically the same as targeting the population of a nation.

In 2007 the GDP of Fiji dropped by 7% hurting directly the people of Fiji. In the list of countries ranked by their GDP Fiji dropped by 16 places from number 137 in 2005 to 153 in 2008. The problems between the current Fiji government and the international community have not improved and constructive dialogue has been replaced by tension and mistrust. The latest development is that Fiji is turning its back on the West looking for new allies such as China, which has strategic interests in the Pacific region.

Fact is there is no such thing as “smart sanctions” and isolating Eritrea might make things worse for Eritreans. The good news is there is hope that the permanent UN Security Council member states China and Russia might block any resolution to put sanction against Eritrea in place.

The question is does it make a difference or not? Just recently a student holding an Eritrean passport in Europe told me, “I have been one of the best performer at my University and was competing for a scholarship at my faculty due to a lack of funds. They refused to support me because today it can make a big difference, whether you are Eritrean or Kenyan. There was a time not too long ago you could get scholarships from Universities in places such as Canada, USA, England, Netherlands and Sweden without any problem. This has changed! We are singled out!”

* Steps include arms embargo, asset freezes, travel bans

* Russia, China will have problems with draft – diplomats

By Louis Charbonneau

UNITED NATIONS, Nov 19 (Reuters) – A draft U.N. Security Council resolution calls for an arms embargo against Eritrea and travel bans and asset freezes for members of its government and military for aiding Islamist insurgents in Somalia.

The resolution, obtained by Reuters on Thursday, was drafted by temporary Security Council member Uganda and has been circulated to other members of the 15-nation panel, U.N. diplomats said.

The United States and other council members accuse Eritrea of supplying al Shabaab rebels with money and weapons as they fight to topple the fragile U.N.-backed transitional government of Somali President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, the official leader of the virtually lawless Horn of Africa nation.

The fighting in Somalia has killed nearly 19,000 civilians since the start of 2007 and driven 1.5 million from their homes.

Among the measures called for in the draft is a ban on all sales to Asmara of “weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment, and spare parts.”

The draft also calls for a ban on providing Eritrea with “technical assistance, training, financial and other assistance, related to the military activities.”

The Security Council, African Union (AU) and United States have all warned Asmara against destabilizing Somalia. Eritrea denies supporting al Shabaab and has said that the threat of U.N. sanctions is of “no concern at all.”

A U.N. arms monitoring body — which was set up to record violations of a 1992 arms embargo on Somalia — has said Asmara was sending plane- and boatloads of munitions to Somali rebels, as well as providing them with logistical support.

It was not clear when the council would vote on the resolution. Diplomats said it would need to be revised if it was to avoid a veto from China and Russia, which dislike sanctions in general.

The resolution would authorize U.N. member states to inspect “all cargo to and from Somalia and Eritrea” via land and sea if there were grounds to suspect that the cargo included banned items.

It would also impose a travel ban and freeze the assets of the “Eritrean political and military leadership” and other Eritrean individuals and firms suspected of supporting the hard-line Islamist rebels.

Somalia has been mired in chaos for nearly two decades and there is little sign the latest attempt to establish central government is proving any more successful than the 14 previous efforts since a dictator was ousted in 1991. (Editing by David Storey)