Refugee camp hosting over 11,000 Eritrean refugees to be expanded
Addis Ababa, April 28, 2006 (WIC) - The Shemelba Refugee Camp, where over 11,000 Eritrean refugees are accommodated, would be expanded as the influx is on the rise, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) disclosed.
Senior Public Information Assistant with the Regional Liaison Office of UNHCR, Kisut Gebre-Egziabher, told WIC that the camp would be expanded to host additional 5,000 refugees.
He said the camp is overpopulated due to continued influx of refugees to northern Ethiopia from Eritrea. Currently, the camp is the only one with increasing population of refugees in the country.
According to Kisut , the influx was on average 400 people per month between March and May in 2005, while it is about 250 per month this year.
UNHCR has been closely working with the Authority for Refugees and Returnees Affairs on the expansion work expected to be finalized within this year, he stated.
Kisut further noted that the refugees have been getting the necessary protection from the government of Ethiopia and the Commission is rendering 15 kilograms of food rations per head in a month as well as health and sanitary provisions, among others.
UNHCR is seeking a durable solution to the problem of the refugees, Kisut said, adding that it has put in place elementary school facilities and children of school age are attending classes.
Shemelba is one of the seven refugee camps in the country, it was learnt.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Eritrea wants border fixed; Ethiopia wants talks
Thursday, April 27, 2006 Posted: 1652 GMT (0052 HKT)
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) -- Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi pressed neighboring Eritrea on Thursday to accept that negotiations are "the only sane option" for resolving the simmering tensions over the border between the two nations.
Meles was speaking after international mediators postponed talks that were scheduled for Friday in London to discuss the stalled demarcation of the border over which they went to war in 1998, fighting for two-and-a-half years. It was not immediately clear why the talks were delayed and no new date has been set.
Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after a 30-year guerrilla war, but their 1,000-kilometer (621-mile) border was never settled.
"I very much hope the other side recognizes that the only sane option is to sit together and discuss issues and try to resolve them through dialogue by peaceful means," Meles told reporters. "My hope is that some progress will be made. In the end, all conflicts have to be resolved through dialogue."
Eritrea, however, rejected calls for negotiations, saying implementation of their 2000 peace agreement will resolve their border dispute peacefully and legally.
Under the deal, both countries agreed to let an international boundary commission rule on the location of their frontier. They also agreed that the ruling would be final and binding.
The commission issued its ruling in 2002, but the decision has not been implemented because of Ethiopia's refusal to accept the awarding of the town of Badme and other territories to Eritrea.
A frustrated Eritrea has said there is no need for more talks and that the international community should simply ensure the border ruling is implemented.
"A peaceful resolution involves accepting the decision of the boundary commission," Yemani Ghebremeskel, Eritrea's presidential chief of staff, said by telephone from the country's capital, Asmara. "Progress has been hampered every time because of Ethiopia's intransigence."
On March 10, lawyers for the two countries met members of the boundary commission for the first time in three years in an effort to resolve the stalemate. Eritrea, however, said after the talks that it was concerned that Ethiopia was trying to reopen negotiations instead of simply accepting the ruling on the frontier.
Eritrea was referring to a proposal, first made by Meles in 2004, that called for changes to the 2002 ruling, including exchanging land where villages may be divided by the border.
"Our position is well-known," Meles said. "There will be no surprises."
Ethiopia's proposals were illegal and unacceptable because they are calculated to undermine their binding peace agreement, Yemani said.
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) -- Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi pressed neighboring Eritrea on Thursday to accept that negotiations are "the only sane option" for resolving the simmering tensions over the border between the two nations.
Meles was speaking after international mediators postponed talks that were scheduled for Friday in London to discuss the stalled demarcation of the border over which they went to war in 1998, fighting for two-and-a-half years. It was not immediately clear why the talks were delayed and no new date has been set.
Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after a 30-year guerrilla war, but their 1,000-kilometer (621-mile) border was never settled.
"I very much hope the other side recognizes that the only sane option is to sit together and discuss issues and try to resolve them through dialogue by peaceful means," Meles told reporters. "My hope is that some progress will be made. In the end, all conflicts have to be resolved through dialogue."
Eritrea, however, rejected calls for negotiations, saying implementation of their 2000 peace agreement will resolve their border dispute peacefully and legally.
Under the deal, both countries agreed to let an international boundary commission rule on the location of their frontier. They also agreed that the ruling would be final and binding.
The commission issued its ruling in 2002, but the decision has not been implemented because of Ethiopia's refusal to accept the awarding of the town of Badme and other territories to Eritrea.
A frustrated Eritrea has said there is no need for more talks and that the international community should simply ensure the border ruling is implemented.
"A peaceful resolution involves accepting the decision of the boundary commission," Yemani Ghebremeskel, Eritrea's presidential chief of staff, said by telephone from the country's capital, Asmara. "Progress has been hampered every time because of Ethiopia's intransigence."
On March 10, lawyers for the two countries met members of the boundary commission for the first time in three years in an effort to resolve the stalemate. Eritrea, however, said after the talks that it was concerned that Ethiopia was trying to reopen negotiations instead of simply accepting the ruling on the frontier.
Eritrea was referring to a proposal, first made by Meles in 2004, that called for changes to the 2002 ruling, including exchanging land where villages may be divided by the border.
"Our position is well-known," Meles said. "There will be no surprises."
Ethiopia's proposals were illegal and unacceptable because they are calculated to undermine their binding peace agreement, Yemani said.
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
IFJ Condemns Eritrean Authorities Following “Bizarre and Cruel” Reimprisonment of Local Reporter
09/12/2005
The International Federation of Journalists today condemned the “cruel and indifferent” actions of the Eritrean government following the recent release and re-imprisonment of independent reporter Dawit Issac in Asmara.
The IFJ was reacting to the news that after Dawit Isaac, a journalist with Swedish and Eritrean dual nationality and founder of the now-banned weekly Setit, had been released from prison in mid-November he was put back in prison again two days after he was set free.
“This has been a bizarre and disturbing cycle of events,” said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. “We must know if Dawit was ever officially released and if so why he was reimprisoned without clear explanations”.
On 19 November, Dawit was released from Karcheli Prison in the Eritrean capital of Asmara after more than four years in prison. However, he did not receive permission to leave the country and on 21 November he was re-incarcerated in the midst of reports that he had only been released to undergo medical examinations. Dawit was just able to telephone his wife and friends who have found refuge in Sweden, telling them he had just been freed from Karcheli prison in Asmara when, without explanation, he was put back in prison.
Both Dawit Isaac and 12 other colleagues have been locked away without trial and without access to his family and colleagues since the crackdown on the private media by Eritrean authorities in September 2001.
The IFJ is calling for the case of Dawit and the fate of his 12 colleagues to be discussed at the upcoming meeting of the European Union Foreign Ministers on 12 December in Brussels, in which the political situation in Eritrea is foreseen on the agenda.
“We are very disappointed at this tragic turn of events and hope that European leaders can initiate talks with the Eritrean authorities to finally achieve the lasting freedom of all of our colleagues jailed in Eritrea,” said Arne Konig, Vice President of the Swedish Journalists’ Union and Chair of the European Federation of Journalists. “Their continued incarceration is a gross violation of human rights and we will push for all 13 journalists to be released.
The Swedish Union of Journalists, backed by the International Federation of Journalists, had been campaigning vigorously for Dawit´s release in a barrage of letters and protests. “We are dismayed by recent developments and applaud ongoing efforts by our Swedish colleagues to secure the release of Dawit,” said White.
For further information contact: +32 2 235 2207The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries
The International Federation of Journalists today condemned the “cruel and indifferent” actions of the Eritrean government following the recent release and re-imprisonment of independent reporter Dawit Issac in Asmara.
The IFJ was reacting to the news that after Dawit Isaac, a journalist with Swedish and Eritrean dual nationality and founder of the now-banned weekly Setit, had been released from prison in mid-November he was put back in prison again two days after he was set free.
“This has been a bizarre and disturbing cycle of events,” said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. “We must know if Dawit was ever officially released and if so why he was reimprisoned without clear explanations”.
On 19 November, Dawit was released from Karcheli Prison in the Eritrean capital of Asmara after more than four years in prison. However, he did not receive permission to leave the country and on 21 November he was re-incarcerated in the midst of reports that he had only been released to undergo medical examinations. Dawit was just able to telephone his wife and friends who have found refuge in Sweden, telling them he had just been freed from Karcheli prison in Asmara when, without explanation, he was put back in prison.
Both Dawit Isaac and 12 other colleagues have been locked away without trial and without access to his family and colleagues since the crackdown on the private media by Eritrean authorities in September 2001.
The IFJ is calling for the case of Dawit and the fate of his 12 colleagues to be discussed at the upcoming meeting of the European Union Foreign Ministers on 12 December in Brussels, in which the political situation in Eritrea is foreseen on the agenda.
“We are very disappointed at this tragic turn of events and hope that European leaders can initiate talks with the Eritrean authorities to finally achieve the lasting freedom of all of our colleagues jailed in Eritrea,” said Arne Konig, Vice President of the Swedish Journalists’ Union and Chair of the European Federation of Journalists. “Their continued incarceration is a gross violation of human rights and we will push for all 13 journalists to be released.
The Swedish Union of Journalists, backed by the International Federation of Journalists, had been campaigning vigorously for Dawit´s release in a barrage of letters and protests. “We are dismayed by recent developments and applaud ongoing efforts by our Swedish colleagues to secure the release of Dawit,” said White.
For further information contact: +32 2 235 2207The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Don't support the organized destruction of your beloved country
By Habtom Yohannes
April 13 April 2006
It is your Eritrean and Swedish constitutional right to listen to the right hand of the dictator Isaias Afworki who is responsible for the indefinite incarceration of the Swedish-Eritrean national Dawit Isaac. His wife and children are living in Sweden among you. Would you dare to ask Yemane Gebreab about the whereabouts of Dawit Isaac and the other prisoners of conscience? And what their crimes are? And when they will be brought not to special kangaroo courts but to an independent constitutional court. If you do so, you might have an excuse to visit such a money-collecting meetings.
My respected compatriots,
These days you will go from different parts of Europe to Sweden to attend a meeting organised by the sole party in Eritrea: the Peoples Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ). Mr. Yemane Gebreab (Monkey) will address the meeting and probably the Eritrean Ambassador to Sweden (Ato Araya Desta ?) will sit on the right side of Ato Yemane Gebreab and Dr. Musse Misghina will sit on the left side of the party ideologue. Marx, Lenin and Engels.
What do you expect to hear from Mr. Yemane Gebreab and his cohorts? Those of you who have been visiting similar meetings in the past could dream and jot down blindly what the speech will be. Let alone from Yemane Gebreab nothing new is to be expected from President Isaias Afwerki of PFDJ. To expect something new from the apostles of Isaias is like expecting something new from the old mantra's of Mengistoe Hailemariam.
Let me guess some of the ingredients of Ato Yemane's Easter speech:
{{ 1. Ethiopia's refusal to accept the final & binding of the decision of EEBC,
2. Weyane's intransigence; the huge internal problems of Ethiopia. That Weyane is undemocratic and unconstitutional,
3. The West led by the United States of America has been pampering Ethiopia at the cost of Eritrea and the Eritrean people,
4. The Eritrean government has successfully foiled different initiatives to derail the legality of the EEBC-decision,
5. The international community, except Libya, China, Cuba, North Korea and the Republic of Belarus (Lukashenko), is the enemy of the Eritrean people,
6. Against all these odds the Eritrean Government together with the Eritrean Defence Forces will foil these international conspiracies against Eritrea. We will certainly foil them if you, our youth in the Diaspora, stand with us in this patriotic struggle. You have done so in the past - we are very grateful - for that, and we are certain you will continue to support us until victory is achieved,
7. We know the Weyanes, supported by Eritrean sell-outs and traitors will not rest until they seize the ports of Eritrea. But this is only a dream as long us you remain with us,…etcetra.
8. The wonderful achievements of Warsay Yikaalo… }}
He will add to these verses the marvellous economic achievements of the country on the economic level (oil, gold), infrastructural accomplishments of PFDJ and the harvest that feeds not only the Eritrean people but the whole continent. We have offered the hungry Ethiopian people help but they have rejected it,
On the diplomatic level we have been achieving wonderful results. Even the international community and the ever-brotherly government of the Sudan have asked us to bring peace in The Sudan. And as ever before we are doing our best to achieve peace and democracy in our neighbour Sudan,
After the unforgettable speech of Mr. Yemane Gebreab, you will go the dance floor (wegah tibel leyti, dance until down) and Sunday and Monday will arrive. And nothing, not a yota, will change. You have "enjoyed" the festivities, PFDJ will earn money but the Eritrean people will continue to suffer under the regime you support blindly.
Be sure that Ato Yeman Gebreab won't talk about:
1. Why the Eritrean regime has failed diplomatically on almost all fields, even on the border issue while Eritrea has the moral ground on every bit of it?
2. The Constitution of Eritrea (ask him when it will be implemented?),
3. Why the only Eritrean psychiatrist and Eritrean orthodox clergy, Dr. Fitsum Gebrengus has been in detention without any trial together with other intellectual clergy of the Orthodox Church of Eritrea?
4. Why His Holiness, the Eritrean Patriarch Abune Antonios, is removed from power by laymen, like Yuftahe Dimetros with the support of the Eritrean regime.
5. Why the Eritrean regimes have been persecuting believers for believing what they believe as long as they abide by the law, which is none-existent in Eritrea since the Constitution is not implemented. You can’t run a country for ever by decrees and charters?
6. Why the Eritrean regime doesn’t bring the G-11 and other prisoners of conscience to trial?
7. If all the prisoners of conscience are alive; if they are at all alive, why they don't get any visit from their family?
8. Why are innumerable Eritrean youth flocking to neighbouring countries, even to Ethiopia?
9. Why are the Eritrean peoples cursing the Eritrean leaders daily for the predicaments they are in?
10. Why do we have toothless "Eritrean Parliament" and "Eritrean Cabinet of Ministers"? Why is the budget of the country unknown to the Eritrean Parliament or to anybody else except to Isaias and his cohorts?
11. Why are generals and pseudo generals running the country instead of capable administrators?
12. Why are university teachers, university students fleeing the country whenever they get the chance to do so; the courageous students in South Africa?
13. Does the respected gentleman Yemane Gebreab know the whereabouts of the Eritrean journalists -some of whom former fighters for independence like Fessahaye Yohannes, Joshua- who disappeared in 2001 without trace? As the G11 and other prisoners of conscience, nobody knows where they are imprisoned and if they are alive? 5 years long in prison!
14. The Eritrean-Swedish journalist Dawit Isaac is one of them! Ask Yemane Gebreab about him! The wife and children of Dawit Isaac are in Sweden where you are listening to him who is responsible for the misery of the country.
15. Yemane Gebreab won't talk about responsibility and transparency. For they all are accountable to the only god in Eritrea: Isaias Afwerki.
And much more sensitive issues won't be raised. The organisers, the PFDJ, will ask for your money and not for your vote! They are not interested in your vote. They have confiscated your vote without your consent.
My Eritrean youth wake up! Please don't cooperate anymore in the organised destruction of your country. History and I hope your conscience too will hold you accountable for keeping your eyes blind and your ears deaf for the sufferings of your people.
Save Journey to Sweden and back home.
Have a blessed Easter.
And remember those Eritreans who are going to "celeberate" Easter in the dungeons of Ato Yemane Gebreab and Ato Isaias Afwerki. Please ask about them!
Reactions are welcome: habtomy@asmarino.com
Habtom Yohannes
April 13, 2006
April 13 April 2006
It is your Eritrean and Swedish constitutional right to listen to the right hand of the dictator Isaias Afworki who is responsible for the indefinite incarceration of the Swedish-Eritrean national Dawit Isaac. His wife and children are living in Sweden among you. Would you dare to ask Yemane Gebreab about the whereabouts of Dawit Isaac and the other prisoners of conscience? And what their crimes are? And when they will be brought not to special kangaroo courts but to an independent constitutional court. If you do so, you might have an excuse to visit such a money-collecting meetings.
My respected compatriots,
These days you will go from different parts of Europe to Sweden to attend a meeting organised by the sole party in Eritrea: the Peoples Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ). Mr. Yemane Gebreab (Monkey) will address the meeting and probably the Eritrean Ambassador to Sweden (Ato Araya Desta ?) will sit on the right side of Ato Yemane Gebreab and Dr. Musse Misghina will sit on the left side of the party ideologue. Marx, Lenin and Engels.
What do you expect to hear from Mr. Yemane Gebreab and his cohorts? Those of you who have been visiting similar meetings in the past could dream and jot down blindly what the speech will be. Let alone from Yemane Gebreab nothing new is to be expected from President Isaias Afwerki of PFDJ. To expect something new from the apostles of Isaias is like expecting something new from the old mantra's of Mengistoe Hailemariam.
Let me guess some of the ingredients of Ato Yemane's Easter speech:
{{ 1. Ethiopia's refusal to accept the final & binding of the decision of EEBC,
2. Weyane's intransigence; the huge internal problems of Ethiopia. That Weyane is undemocratic and unconstitutional,
3. The West led by the United States of America has been pampering Ethiopia at the cost of Eritrea and the Eritrean people,
4. The Eritrean government has successfully foiled different initiatives to derail the legality of the EEBC-decision,
5. The international community, except Libya, China, Cuba, North Korea and the Republic of Belarus (Lukashenko), is the enemy of the Eritrean people,
6. Against all these odds the Eritrean Government together with the Eritrean Defence Forces will foil these international conspiracies against Eritrea. We will certainly foil them if you, our youth in the Diaspora, stand with us in this patriotic struggle. You have done so in the past - we are very grateful - for that, and we are certain you will continue to support us until victory is achieved,
7. We know the Weyanes, supported by Eritrean sell-outs and traitors will not rest until they seize the ports of Eritrea. But this is only a dream as long us you remain with us,…etcetra.
8. The wonderful achievements of Warsay Yikaalo… }}
He will add to these verses the marvellous economic achievements of the country on the economic level (oil, gold), infrastructural accomplishments of PFDJ and the harvest that feeds not only the Eritrean people but the whole continent. We have offered the hungry Ethiopian people help but they have rejected it,
On the diplomatic level we have been achieving wonderful results. Even the international community and the ever-brotherly government of the Sudan have asked us to bring peace in The Sudan. And as ever before we are doing our best to achieve peace and democracy in our neighbour Sudan,
After the unforgettable speech of Mr. Yemane Gebreab, you will go the dance floor (wegah tibel leyti, dance until down) and Sunday and Monday will arrive. And nothing, not a yota, will change. You have "enjoyed" the festivities, PFDJ will earn money but the Eritrean people will continue to suffer under the regime you support blindly.
Be sure that Ato Yeman Gebreab won't talk about:
1. Why the Eritrean regime has failed diplomatically on almost all fields, even on the border issue while Eritrea has the moral ground on every bit of it?
2. The Constitution of Eritrea (ask him when it will be implemented?),
3. Why the only Eritrean psychiatrist and Eritrean orthodox clergy, Dr. Fitsum Gebrengus has been in detention without any trial together with other intellectual clergy of the Orthodox Church of Eritrea?
4. Why His Holiness, the Eritrean Patriarch Abune Antonios, is removed from power by laymen, like Yuftahe Dimetros with the support of the Eritrean regime.
5. Why the Eritrean regimes have been persecuting believers for believing what they believe as long as they abide by the law, which is none-existent in Eritrea since the Constitution is not implemented. You can’t run a country for ever by decrees and charters?
6. Why the Eritrean regime doesn’t bring the G-11 and other prisoners of conscience to trial?
7. If all the prisoners of conscience are alive; if they are at all alive, why they don't get any visit from their family?
8. Why are innumerable Eritrean youth flocking to neighbouring countries, even to Ethiopia?
9. Why are the Eritrean peoples cursing the Eritrean leaders daily for the predicaments they are in?
10. Why do we have toothless "Eritrean Parliament" and "Eritrean Cabinet of Ministers"? Why is the budget of the country unknown to the Eritrean Parliament or to anybody else except to Isaias and his cohorts?
11. Why are generals and pseudo generals running the country instead of capable administrators?
12. Why are university teachers, university students fleeing the country whenever they get the chance to do so; the courageous students in South Africa?
13. Does the respected gentleman Yemane Gebreab know the whereabouts of the Eritrean journalists -some of whom former fighters for independence like Fessahaye Yohannes, Joshua- who disappeared in 2001 without trace? As the G11 and other prisoners of conscience, nobody knows where they are imprisoned and if they are alive? 5 years long in prison!
14. The Eritrean-Swedish journalist Dawit Isaac is one of them! Ask Yemane Gebreab about him! The wife and children of Dawit Isaac are in Sweden where you are listening to him who is responsible for the misery of the country.
15. Yemane Gebreab won't talk about responsibility and transparency. For they all are accountable to the only god in Eritrea: Isaias Afwerki.
And much more sensitive issues won't be raised. The organisers, the PFDJ, will ask for your money and not for your vote! They are not interested in your vote. They have confiscated your vote without your consent.
My Eritrean youth wake up! Please don't cooperate anymore in the organised destruction of your country. History and I hope your conscience too will hold you accountable for keeping your eyes blind and your ears deaf for the sufferings of your people.
Save Journey to Sweden and back home.
Have a blessed Easter.
And remember those Eritreans who are going to "celeberate" Easter in the dungeons of Ato Yemane Gebreab and Ato Isaias Afwerki. Please ask about them!
Reactions are welcome: habtomy@asmarino.com
Habtom Yohannes
April 13, 2006
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Analysis: Eritrea's 'public distribution system' tested by adversity
Ravinder RenaSpecial to the Middle East TimesApril 20, 2006MAI-NEFHI, Eritrea -- The Eritrea government pledged last year to reduce the inflation rate. Inflation, which had remained manageable following the country's independence in 1993, has been consistently high since 1998 mainly as a result of the war and drought, monetary expansion for deficit financing, and the depreciation of the Nakfa. Prices of many essential commodities have jumped by several hundred percent owing to the 1998-2000 border war with Ethiopia. Unsurprisingly, the poor have been hit hardest. Agricultural growth has fluctuated significantly year-by-year, largely due to weather conditions, while Eritrea's food security has not improved. But greater rainfall last year helped the agricultural sector and bettered food security in the country. In line with its taking the challenge in May 2005 to lower inflation, the Eritrean government established the Hidri Distribution Company along with Dukan Rithawi Waga, or "Fair Price Shops", to distribute sugar, sorghum, wheat, the cereal taff, coffee, tea powder, lentils and other essential items, at below-market prices. The government directed state-owned Hidri Distribution to sell these foods at cut prices - some commodities as low as 50 percent under market prices. In this way the government has been able to hold prices down. A public distribution system (PDS) was set up and based on purchasing goods from farmers at low prices, thereby both providing farmers with guaranteed sales and households with food grain at minimum prices, while creating buffer stocks. This method has already worked successfully in densely populated countries like India, China and many other developing countries. The PDS is unable to provide all the answers, however, to Eritrea's food, fiscal, welfare and development policy needs. Despite it achieving a fairly good level of production in cereals, food insecurity in Eritrea continues to trouble some 1.5 million people. Drought results in malnutrition and acute distress every lean season. This has been acutely so for the last six years. And food insecurity is worsening every season in Eritrea. This widespread problem demands long-term measures, structural-institutional changes and a rewriting of priorities, policies and systems of socio-economic management. Several leading policies and programs, such as the Food Security Strategy and the Poverty Alleviation Strategy, are also helping by accelerating food production. But even though dampening market prices has increased the volume of procured and unsold grain, it has become clear that the production increase will not be sufficient to eradicate hunger. The cost to the state to guarantee minimum support prices to growers can be considered as a consumer subsidy only if the food is actually purchased by the target households. There has been an involuntary addition to food stocks beyond the buffer requirements, brought about by ignoring the price-income frontier or the affordability and preference pattern of the target users. Products supplied by PDS have been diverted to the wealthier sections of the population. Can any public expenditure that does not reach and benefit the target persons, be treated as a 'subsidy' for them? Of course not. A deficit becomes a subsidy only if that service is consumed by the intended citizens. Anyone may shop at Fair Price Shops, including the wealthy and foreign residents. But it would be better to target the poor - and exclude the successful businessmen, highly paid employees, farmers with marketable output - by means of special entitlement cards, distributed directly by officials through a door-to-door survey in each village and slum. This approach will reduce the government burden and stop the diversion of goods away from the underprivileged. Furthermore, other essential items may be added to the existing list of commodities, which can further control the prices. This analysis of PDS mechanics and its interface with households as consuming entities is especially relevant in light of recent developments with the Fair Price Shops in Eritrea. Ravinder Rena is an assistant professor of economics at the Eritrea Institute of Technology and Teacher Education in Mai-Nefhi, Eritrea
Saturday, April 08, 2006
وسط غياب المنظمات الدولية : تزايد تدفقات اللاجئين الإرتريين إلى السودان
كسلا : وكالاتقدم وفد برلماني بالسودان، صوراً قاتمة للأوضاع الصحية وأوضاع اللاجئين بولايتي كسلا والقضارف، واكد استمرار تدفقات اللاجئين الارتريين الى البلاد، في وقت تراجعت فيه المنظمات الدولية عن النهوض بأدوارها تجاههم.
قال نائب رئيس لجنة الشؤون الانسانية بالمجلس الوطني، حسب الرسول عامر، لـ «الصحافة» ان وفد مشتركاً من لجنته ولجنة الصحة وتنمية المجتمع انهى زيارة اخيراً، الى ولايتي القضارف وكسلا، وقف خلالها على اوضاع النازحين واللاجئين والاوضاع الصحية بالولايتين، مبيناً ان معسكرات اللاجئين التي تأوى اكثر من (76) ألف لاجيء تعاني مشكلات حقيقية تتمثل في انعدام المياه الصالحة وعدم توفر الرعاية الصحية لهم، مما يدفعهم الى الذهاب الى المدن الكبيرة لتلقي العلاج، فضلاً عن اعتمادهم على قطع الاشجار للحصول على القوت، مما يلقي بتأثيرات سالبة على البيئة.ودعا عامر، المنظمات الدولية التي تخلت عن دورها - على حد تعبيره - لتحمل مسؤوليتها.وذكر ان تدفقات اللاجئين الارتريين لازالت مستمرة بمعدل 40 - 60 شخصا من صغار السن والنساء في اليوم، مشيراً الى انحسار أعداد اللاجئين المحصورين في المعسكرات لتسللهم الى المدن الكبرى، ومن بينها الخرطوم.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Eritrea blames power cuts on supplier’s shortage of oil
Friday 31 March 2006 16:30.
Mar 31, 2006 (ASMARA) — Eritrea blamed recent severe power cuts on a supplier’s shortage of lubricant oil, denying speculation the outages were caused by a lack of foreign currency to buy fuel to generate power.
"The suppliers of this lubricant oil informed all the countries who import it that for a short time there will be a shortage of it," Information Minister Ali Abdu said.
"The ministry of energy has meticulously planned the distribution time frame of electricity in order not to affect the life and work of the citizens," he told AFP. "In the meantime, the ministry is also engaged in a rural electrification project in 60 villages."
In towns such as the capital Asmara power cuts were extremely rare before this month, but since then they have been occurring almost every day, usually in the evenings for around three hours.
Several diplomatic sources said the government was facing an acute foreign currency shortage and that the cuts could be linked to difficulties in financing the import of diesel to fuel the country’s main electric plant.
But Ali Abdu denied this.
"The cuts are not related to a shortage of diesel and they will not last a long time," he said. "It is a temporary measure until the suppliers can provide more lubricant oil."
Diesel in petrol stations in Eritrea has been rationed since last year. Several taxi drivers said that until last week they were allowed 100 litres (26 gallons) of diesel a month, but that since it had been reduced by half.
"I’ll have to buy the rest on the black market," one taxi driver said.
Mar 31, 2006 (ASMARA) — Eritrea blamed recent severe power cuts on a supplier’s shortage of lubricant oil, denying speculation the outages were caused by a lack of foreign currency to buy fuel to generate power.
"The suppliers of this lubricant oil informed all the countries who import it that for a short time there will be a shortage of it," Information Minister Ali Abdu said.
"The ministry of energy has meticulously planned the distribution time frame of electricity in order not to affect the life and work of the citizens," he told AFP. "In the meantime, the ministry is also engaged in a rural electrification project in 60 villages."
In towns such as the capital Asmara power cuts were extremely rare before this month, but since then they have been occurring almost every day, usually in the evenings for around three hours.
Several diplomatic sources said the government was facing an acute foreign currency shortage and that the cuts could be linked to difficulties in financing the import of diesel to fuel the country’s main electric plant.
But Ali Abdu denied this.
"The cuts are not related to a shortage of diesel and they will not last a long time," he said. "It is a temporary measure until the suppliers can provide more lubricant oil."
Diesel in petrol stations in Eritrea has been rationed since last year. Several taxi drivers said that until last week they were allowed 100 litres (26 gallons) of diesel a month, but that since it had been reduced by half.
"I’ll have to buy the rest on the black market," one taxi driver said.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Ethiopia "at Crossroads," Warns U.S. Official
28 March 2006
Deputy Assistant Secretary Yamamoto testifies to Congress
Ethiopia is "currently at a crossroads" -- it can continue to move forward or it can lapse into the sort of government that is best encountered in the history books, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Donald Yamamoto told the U.S. Congress March 28.
In testimony before the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations, Yamamoto said, "It is incumbent upon Prime Minister Meles, his government and the various elements of the multifaceted opposition to demonstrate to the world, but, more importantly, to Ethiopians, the sincerity of their professed commitment to democracy through their actions as well as their words."
Yamamoto was called to Capitol Hill to brief the subcommittee on Ethiopia just hours before departing for that country. The deputy assistant secretary called Ethiopia's May 15, 2005, election "historic" and said it "considerably enhanced the democratic consciousness of the people of Ethiopia."
He also told the lawmakers the 2005 election was "much improved over 2000, which had been a great improvement over the 1995 election."
The United States, he added, is "committed to ensuring that the 2010 elections build on the progress of the 2005 elections, in moving toward transparent elections, responsive government and greater power sharing."
That said, he said Ethiopia's post-2005 election problems highlight the need for capacity building and further reform. "Despite our belief that election results overall were generally credible, the United States was deeply concerned about the 31 seats that went to a re-vote on August 21," he told the lawmakers.
Yamamoto said the ruling party won all 31 seats in that re-vote, even among constituencies where the opposition had won a significant majority during the May 15 balloting.
Of even greater concern, he said, was the violence that erupted on June 8, 2005, and November 1, 2005, which led to the arrests of thousands of people after the elections and the detention of 128 Coalition for Unity and Democracy and civil society leaders.
Following is the text of Yamamoto's statement, as prepared for delivery:
(begin text)
Testimony by Deputy Assistant Secretary Donald YamamotoBureau of African Affairs, U.S. Department of State
"Ethiopia's Troubled Internal Situation"
House International Relations CommitteeSubcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International OperationsChairman Christopher H. SmithMarch 28, 2006, 2:00 p.m.
INTRODUCTION
Chairman Smith, members of the subcommittee, I am honored to testify before you today on the internal political situation in Ethiopia. As Africa's second most populous nation, Ethiopia has an important part to play in enhancing the stability of East Africa.
The United States believes that democracy is the best form of government for stability -- in Africa and beyond. Free and transparent elections are the best vehicle for citizens to express their wishes and hold their governments accountable. Democracy should be anything but a zero sum game.
Over the last year, Ethiopians have been tempted by the twin promises of freedom and fairness. Expectations were high during last year's campaign season. This marked the first true multiparty election in Ethiopia's 3,000-year history. Results have been mixed, and hopes for progress have been chilled, as the government has clamped down on individuals' right to assemble and journalists' ability to report events. Meanwhile, several elected opposition officials refused to take their seats in Parliament and have been arrested and charged with capital offenses.
In calling for last May's election, Prime Minister Meles moved his country forward. However, the intolerance that followed in the wake of the results and the opposition's response show that the country has more work to do in progressing toward true, mature democracy.
HOPE FOR DEMOCRACY
Speaking at the Freer Gallery before the G-8 summit last June, President Bush remarked that "the whole world will benefit from prosperity and stability on the African continent. And the peoples of Africa deserve the peace and freedom and opportunity that are the natural rights of all mankind."
The Administration firmly believes in the primacy of democracy. So do the American people and this Congress. Democratic governments will naturally reflect the local cultures and traditions of voters, but this form of government is the single best way to account not only for the needs and wishes of large groups of people, but also for those holding minority viewpoints.
Liberty improves lives, and fair elections and personal liberty protections are universal values. Our goal is to encourage all governments to be responsive to their people and respectful of human dignity. The United States raises these points in the spirit of partnership.
There is every reason to believe that Ethiopians want responsive leadership, and the U.S. Government supports the efforts of students and activists to have their voices heard. As President Bush said in the same speech last June, "All who live in Africa can be certain, as you seize this moment of opportunity, America will be your partner and your friend."
A NEW CHAPTER
The May 15, 2005, elections were momentous and offered the people of Ethiopia the prospect of an important step toward democratic rule and responsive government. The pre-election assessment was impressive. Nearly 26 million people registered to vote, 48% of whom were women. In total, 85% of all eligible voters registered, marking a significant increase over the last election in 2000.
Elections for the lower house featured 1,847 candidates competing for 547 seats. Compared to 2000, this was an increase in participation greater than 80%. Election observers from the United States (U.S.) and European Union (EU) recognized the National Electoral Board for its excellent job registering voters and candidates, and preparing for the elections. Even the state-managed media coverage was considered fair, giving the opposition 56% of the airtime exposure, according to the EU report, while the ruling party received 44% of the coverage.
The opposition parties, much to their own surprise -- and the shock of the ruling party -- earned the keys to Addis Ababa's City Hall on election day. The ruling party acknowledged its loss in the capital, as well as losses in most of Ethiopia's other urban centers. The opposition managed to capture 170 seats, mostly in urban areas. This was significantly more than the meager 12 seats it won in 2000. This success is tempered only by the fact that most Ethiopians reside in rural areas.
The United States hailed the outcome of the May election as an affirmation of Ethiopia's political development. For the first time in their long history, Ethiopians had a democratic choice.
ELECTIONS AND POLITICAL TENSION
The great hope inspired by this election soon gave way to political turmoil. On election day and during the post-election period, there were reports of intimidation and harassment and that in some areas, ballot boxes had been improperly secured. From June 2-8, the opposition raised questions about the results for 299 seats. There was a general transportation strike in Addis Ababa June 6-8, and violence led to the deaths of three-dozen and the arrest of over 3,000 people.
The United States condemned the violence and cautioned that hate messages directed against other ethnic groups could further fracture the delicate ethnic balance within Ethiopia. The U.S. Ambassador in Addis Ababa, Ambassador Aurelia Brazeal, worked with her colleagues from the British, Austrian, EU, and other embassies to broker an agreement on June 10 between the opposition and ruling parties to enhance political engagement and resolve seats under dispute.
Since the departure of Ambassador Brazeal, our Charge, Ambassador Vicki Huddleston, and the U.S. Embassy staff have continued actively to reach out to opposition party leaders from the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF), Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD), and Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement (OFDM). U.S. Embassy staff is working to bridge the political divide separating the opposition parties and the ruling Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). The State Department has also engaged the Ethiopian diaspora in the United States, and the chief opposition leaders, Hailu Shawel, who heads the CUD, and Petros Beyene, head of the UEDF, who have been in the United States.
On numerous occasions, the Assistant Secretary sent me to Addis Ababa to work with the Ethiopian Government and opposition groups in support of U.S. Embassy efforts to encourage a reconciliation of differences between the opposition and the ruling parties, and to discuss ways to improve the political process with the Ethiopian government. We encouraged the opposition parties to take their seats in the Ethiopian Parliament and use their positions as parliamentarians to press for continued political reform and a greater voice for the opposition.
The opposition's stance evolved after May 15, 2005. Their unexpected political gains inspired the confidence to insist on more political control of the process, and they pressed for a review of the 299 seats they lost to the EPRDF. The Administration has encouraged dialogue between the government and opposition parties to resolve the dispute. U.S. government officials have repeatedly stressed that responsible discussions would help enhance confidence and bring about a peaceful resolution. The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), which did a notable job in pre-election efforts, was overwhelmed by post-election tasks. The NEBE clearly requires significant assistance, as it works to build capacity and forge a constructive dialogue between the parties.
Under the existing NEBE process, the Complaints Review Boards (CRB) received 380 complaints of election irregularities and identified 178 cases for the Complaints Investigations Panels (CIP) to investigate. It was unclear why some cases were rejected. The European Union report on the elections asserted that over 90% of the CUD complaints were rejected as opposed to only 30% for the ruling party. It seems clear that the CRB/CIP process did not prove an adequate means for a fair resolution of all electoral disputes.
According to the Carter Center, which monitored the election process along with the European Union, in one-third of the investigations they observed, witnesses appeared frightened or intimidated, and there was credible evidence of intimidation and harassment including beatings and briberies. It is clear that the CRB/CIP is an ad hoc mechanism to review electoral complaints, rather than a reliable process for resolving the Parliamentary seat dispute. The Carter Center recommended that in this instance, and until the NEBE gains the maturity to resolve political disagreements, the opposition refer these cases to the High Court for adjudication.
We commend the work of the Carter Center and note the important work that the European Union carried out under difficult conditions. On the overall assessment of the elections, we agree with the final report, which noted that the elections had credibility and that the majority of the constituency results based on the May 15 polling and tabulation are credible and reflect competitive conditions. Our own assessments support this view.
Despite our belief that elections results overall were generally credible, the United States was deeply concerned about the 31 seats that went to a re-vote on August 21. The ruling party won all 31 seats, even among constituencies where the opposition had won a significant majority during May 15 balloting. Election observers noted that voters were perplexed as to why there was a re-vote and noted a dearth of information and increased presence of security forces at polling stations. Of even greater concern was the violence that erupted on June 8 and November 1, 2005, that led to the arrests of thousands of people after the elections and the detention of 128 CUD and civil society leaders. We objected strongly to the violence and the detentions both publicly through several press statements and privately to the government and the opposition.
Of particular concern to the United States are the early-November arrests of much of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) leadership, along with prominent members of civil society, journalists, editors, and publishers. After seven weeks in detention, the Ethiopian government charged 131 individuals with capital offenses of "outrages against the constitution and constitutional order," and, in several cases, "treason" and "attempted genocide." Charges were recently dropped against 18 of the defendants, including five American citizen staff members of Voice of America, who, with five others, were charged in absentia.
In addition to these leaders, Ethiopian authorities detained over 14,000 demonstrators, holding them for as much as nine weeks in detention camps far away from Addis Ababa. While public protests aimed at destabilizing the country are objectionable, there is no excuse for mass arrests and the use of lethal force against civilians who wish to express their opposition to their government.
GLIMMERS OF HOPE
The electoral process of May 15, 2005. was historic and considerably enhanced the democratic consciousness of the people of Ethiopia. It was a much-improved election over 2000, which had been a great improvement over the 1995 election. The United States is committed to ensuring that the 2010 elections build on the progress of the 2005 elections, in moving toward transparent elections, responsive government, and greater power sharing.
That said, the post-2005 election problems point to the need for capacity building and further reform. The Ethiopian government and opposition agree on that score. We are working to help both sides forge a common commitment to work collaboratively toward a shared goal of developing a more democratic political process. We recognize the need for capacity building to strengthen the electoral commission, foster international exchanges that broaden exposure to other political systems, enhance the open and transparent political process -- particularly with regard to Parliamentary procedures that ensure equal participation for opposition members, offer clear and detailed guidance regarding the electoral process, and encourage greater political debate and participation by members of the Ethiopian public.
Over the last year, we have encouraged the opposition parties to continue their political dialogue with the government about the necessity of reform. The Ethiopian citizens who have been detained without charge are of vital concern, and the Administration calls on the Government of Ethiopia to ensure a fair, transparent, and speedy trial for those charged, release of those who have not been charged, and protection of the human rights, health, and safety of all detainees while they remain in detention.
With the engagement of the EU and the Ethiopian government, the opposition and ruling parties have agreed to review parliamentary procedures, the capacity of the NEBE, media law, and the rule of law. The Ethiopian government has also agreed to reviews of domestic political institutions by outside experts from Germany, India, Great Britain, and Canada. The United States will review the media law, and we are working with the EU to encourage elected opposition officials to take their seats in Parliament, and many are. The United States has also engaged with the newly elected Addis Ababa City Counselors and NEBE to enable the opposition to take over City Hall.
We pressed the Ethiopian government to conduct an independent investigation of the violence and the arrests of thousands of civilians in 2005. The completed report from the commission appointed by Parliament is expected soon. We continue to urge the government to apply expeditiously and justly the procedures of the Ethiopian legal process to the cases of the remaining 111 detained CUD and civil society leaders. Resolution of the detention issue would fortify Ethiopia's developing democratic process.
The Administration is also working to ensure the return of the International Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute, and IFES, all of which were expelled before the May 15 election. These organizations can help with capacity building and political reform.
All of these actions have been undertaken in support of good governance and the primacy of democracy. We believe Ethiopia is heading in the right direction; in order to ensure positive momentum, the United States and the international community needs to work with Ethiopia to cultivate and nurture this process.
CONCLUSION
Ethiopia is currently at a crossroads; it can continue to move forward, or it can lapse into the sort of government that's best encountered in history books. It is incumbent upon Prime Minister Meles, his government, and the various elements of the multifaceted opposition to demonstrate to the world, but, more importantly, to Ethiopians, the sincerity of their professed commitment to democracy through their actions as well as their words. The United States has a role, as a partner and friend, to help Ethiopia's leaders to choose the right path to secure peace, stability, freedom, and democracy for the Ethiopian people.
Some interested groups, both within and beyond Ethiopian borders, seek to undermine what is best for the nation of Ethiopia, in favor of what they perceive to be the best for themselves. They cast stones at their adversaries, while engaging in the very acts they accuse their rivals of pursuing.
The challenge for the United States is to share with our Ethiopian partners -- the government, the opposition, civil society, and the broader public -- the lessons of America's own democratic experiment and impede the subversive effects of those who put their own objectives above those of the Ethiopian people. Through diplomatic persuasion, the United States has succeeded in bringing together the government and some opposition groups for dialogue to establish a more equitable political environment that includes respect for the rule of law. U.S. engagement has helped convince the vast majority of opposition Members of Parliament-elect to take their seats, so that they can challenge the political system from within to improve lasting institutions and make tomorrow better. The United States has supported efforts through which opposition members elected to the Addis Ababa city council sought to assume control of the capital city, in accordance with their electoral mandate.
The United States government remains hopeful that Ethiopia can achieve the democratic and development ideals that its people espouse. I am hopeful that Ethiopia's leaders will allow this to happen, and Ethiopia's friends in the United States stand by ready to help.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
childeren aged 15 forced to join army in Eritrea
Reducing the age range for the national service of Eritrea!recently the regime in Asmara has reduced the age range for the national service (forced military conscription)from the age 18 to 15.As a result of this new change in age soldiers have surrounded a number of schools and forced students aged 15 and more to join the army.childeren from the lowlands are taken to Wia in Danakalia and students from the highlands are taken to sawa. This action was taken to stop the fleeing of Eritrean youth to the neighbouring countries but this has not resulted as the regime expected on the contarary the number of eritreans who crossed border in the last few weeks is as follows:
27 February 2006 = 52 people
28 February 2006 = 86 people
1 march 2006 = 59 people
4 march 2006 = 69 people
5 march 2006 = 95 people
6 march 2006 = 40 people
7 march 2006 = 94 people
in another related news a father from the mensae area was arrested after his son fled the country.This old father was sick in jail and was asked to pay 50,000 nakfa, but he couldn't pay that and as a result of the illness he died in the jail.
27 February 2006 = 52 people
28 February 2006 = 86 people
1 march 2006 = 59 people
4 march 2006 = 69 people
5 march 2006 = 95 people
6 march 2006 = 40 people
7 march 2006 = 94 people
in another related news a father from the mensae area was arrested after his son fled the country.This old father was sick in jail and was asked to pay 50,000 nakfa, but he couldn't pay that and as a result of the illness he died in the jail.
قرار بتخفيض سن التجنيد الاجباري للخدمة الالزامية لتشمل الطلبة
أخبار موجزة
إعلام التحالف الديمقراطي الإرتري
27.03.2006
28 آذار مارس
في خطوة جديدة من نوعها قامت سلطات نظام اسمرا بتخفيض سن التجنيد الاجباري للخدمة الالزامية الي سن الخامسة عشر لتشمل الطلبة بما فيهم طلبة المدارس الابتدائية والاعدادية، ناسخةً بذلك قرارها السابق باستثناء الطلبة من التجنيد حتى إكمال المرحلة الثانوية، ففي بداية فبراير 2006م قامت السلطات بمداهمة مدارس الأساس لأخذ طلبتها الي معسكرات الخدمة الالزامية، وقد بلغ من تم أخذهم من قرى ومدارس قلوج، تبلدية، أكللات، قرقف، صابونياي فقط، الأربعة آلاف وسبعمة (( 4700 )) شخصاً، كما تفيد المعلومات التي وصلتنا من مدينة ( عدي خالا ) أنه قد تم شحن خمسٍ وثلاثين (( 35 )) شاحنةً كبيرة ( قندران ) من هذه المدينة فقط.
هذا ويتم الآن أخذ المجندين من المنخفضات الارترية الي معسكر ويعا بجنوب شرق ارتريا والمجندين من المرتفعات الي معسكر ساوا وذلك تفادياً لهروب أفراد كلٍّ من المجموعتين عن طريق الحدود المتاخمة والتي يعرفون مداخلها ومخارجها، ومع ذلك فمسلسل الهروب يتواصل ويتزايد عدداً وعديداً، وفيما يلي اليكم آخر الأرقام في سجلات الهروب اليومي بمعسكر ود شريفي للاجئين الارتريين، والذي يستقبل يومياً هاربين جدد بينهم الطلبة والشباب وقدامى الجنود والمناضلين ومن الجنسين معاً:ـ
27 / 2 / 2006م ............................. اثنان وخمسون ( 52 ) شخصاً
28 / 2 / 2006م ............................. ستٌّ وثمانون ( 86 ) "
1 / 3 / 2006م ............................... تسعٌ وخمسون ( 59 ) "
4 / 3 / 2006م ............................... تسعٌ وستون ( 69 ) "
5 / 3 / 2006م ............................... خمسٌ وتسعون ( 95 ) "
6 / 3 / 2006م ............................... أربعون ( 40 ) "
7 / 3 / 2006م ............................... أربعٌ وتسعون ( 94 ) "
هذا وفي إطار تداعيات مشكلة الهروب وتبرم الحكومة من تزايد معدلاته، قامت السلطات الأمنية بمدينة تسني وفي خطوة قمعية ترهيبية قاسية بإعدام شابين متهمين بتهريب غيرهما الي السودان رمياً بالرصاص أمام حشدٍ من الجمهور دعي خصيصاً لحضور هذا المشهد البربري للاتعاظ وأخذ العبرة.
· وفاة رهينة مريض بالسجن لعجزه عن دفع الفدية المالية
في منتصف فبرارير 2006م قامت سلطات النظام باعتقال مواطن يدعى حُمــَّـــــــد آدم من منطقة المنسع، وذلك بتهمة تهريب ابنه.
هذا وقد كان المعتقل مريضاً طريح الفراش فضلاً عن كبر سنه، وبعد قضاء عدة أيام بالسجن طلب منه أن يوقع على تعهد بدفع مبلغ الغرامة البالغ قدرها خمسين ألف ( 50.000 ) نقفة للسماح بإطلاق سراحه نسبةً لظروفه الصحية السيئة، بيد أنَّ الرجل توفي بالسجن قبل الإفراج عنه، واشترطت السلطات تسليم الجثة لذويه بدفع المبلغ الذي كان في ذمته للحكومة بحجة أن المتوفــَّــى كان قد وقــَّـــــــع على تعهــــُّــــــدٍ بدفعه
Khaliefa: Eritrean communities in Europe play great role in disclosing the practices of the dictator regime
GIC
March 28,2006 (Khartoum)-The Chairman of the Executive Office of the Eritrean Democratic Alliance disclosed to the GIC that his visit to Sweden was positive adding that he had met with officials of the Swedish Government and members of the Swedish Parliament. The Chairman said that the Swedish officials he had met with had full information about the Eritrean political reality, particularly the practices of the Eritrean dictator regime. “I hope that Sweden will support the Eritrean people in its struggle for democratic change as it did during the armed struggle,” stressed Mr.Khaliefa.
The chairman of the EDA said that the activities of the Eritrean communities in Sweden have played a tremendous role in feeding the Swedish public opinion with the facts of the Eritrean political arena.
Concerning his visit to the United Kingdom, the chairman of the EDA said that he had held meetings with British officials in charge of the file of the Horn of Africa, especially Eritrea.” It was really very important meeting where we exchanged views about the development in the Eritrean political course,” emphasized Mr.Khaleifa.
The Chairman of the EDA said that he had held a seminar for the Eritrean communities’ in Britain where he had dealt with the latest developments in the course of the Eritrean Democratic Alliance. Besides, he said that he had met with various media outlets and Eritrean public figures including Mr. Abdella Idreis and many others.
Regarding the meeting of the Eritrean Democratic Alliance’ Supreme leadership Council, he said that the meeting will take place in its scheduled time and place. He added that the head of the Supreme Leadership Council of the EDA has notified all the members about the meeting; appreciating the preparations for the meeting. Concerning the membership in the EDA, he said that the Supreme leadership Council is the only concerned body that sorts out the point of membership of any political party/organization.
March 28,2006 (Khartoum)-The Chairman of the Executive Office of the Eritrean Democratic Alliance disclosed to the GIC that his visit to Sweden was positive adding that he had met with officials of the Swedish Government and members of the Swedish Parliament. The Chairman said that the Swedish officials he had met with had full information about the Eritrean political reality, particularly the practices of the Eritrean dictator regime. “I hope that Sweden will support the Eritrean people in its struggle for democratic change as it did during the armed struggle,” stressed Mr.Khaliefa.
The chairman of the EDA said that the activities of the Eritrean communities in Sweden have played a tremendous role in feeding the Swedish public opinion with the facts of the Eritrean political arena.
Concerning his visit to the United Kingdom, the chairman of the EDA said that he had held meetings with British officials in charge of the file of the Horn of Africa, especially Eritrea.” It was really very important meeting where we exchanged views about the development in the Eritrean political course,” emphasized Mr.Khaleifa.
The Chairman of the EDA said that he had held a seminar for the Eritrean communities’ in Britain where he had dealt with the latest developments in the course of the Eritrean Democratic Alliance. Besides, he said that he had met with various media outlets and Eritrean public figures including Mr. Abdella Idreis and many others.
Regarding the meeting of the Eritrean Democratic Alliance’ Supreme leadership Council, he said that the meeting will take place in its scheduled time and place. He added that the head of the Supreme Leadership Council of the EDA has notified all the members about the meeting; appreciating the preparations for the meeting. Concerning the membership in the EDA, he said that the Supreme leadership Council is the only concerned body that sorts out the point of membership of any political party/organization.
Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of meddling after deadly blasts
March 29, 2006, 1 hour, 45 minutes and 55 seconds ago.
By ANDnetwork .com
Ethiopia on Tuesday accused its bitter archrival Eritrea of trying to foment unrest a day after one person was killed and 15 injured in a series of bombings in the Horn of Africa country.
"The wish of the Eritrean government is to see a divided or at least much weakened Ethiopia," Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said in a speech to parliament.
"To achieve this goal it is coordinating and mobilizing remnants of the Dergue regime, the OLF and its likes," he added, referring to the ousted regime of ex-dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam and separatist Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) rebels based in southern Ethiopia.
Meles did not directly accuse Eritrea of planting the bombs that exploded around Addis Ababa on Monday, but he said that Ethiopia's fierce rival was actively trying to "create hopelessness" in its neighbor.
"The cardinal objective of these forces is to create hopelessness by disrupting our good governance and development efforts that would lead to the destruction of the constitutional order and the unity of the country," he said.
"They also tried to instigate conflict and bloodshed between those citizens who became instruments of these violent elements ... thereby tarnishing the image of our country and creating discord between the people and the government," Meles added, sparking the latest in a long-running volley of accusations and counter-accusations.
But Asmara rejected the accusations, saying that the claims were signs that Meles' regime was in its final moments.
"We deny this accusation. It is a schizophrenic statement from an unstable mind," Eritrean information minister Ali Abdu said via telephone from the port of Massawa.
"Eritrea has a moral obligation to support the Ethiopian people to get rid of this minority regime, but we deny any military support," to the opposition groups, Ali added.
Explosions have become common in the Ethiopian capital in recent months and authorities have heaped blame on separatist rebels from the OLF and the Somali radical Islamist group, Al Itihaad Al Islamiya.
There have also been suspicions that neighboring Eritrea, with which Ethiopia is engaged in a volatile border standoff, might bear some responsibility.
The two countries fought a war from 1998 to 2000 that cost at least 80,000 lives and tensions remain acute.
Earlier this month three grenades exploded in Addis Ababa, injuring four people. Police accused Eritrea of supplying the grenades and helping "terrorists" explode them, a charge denied by Asmara as "outrageous".
In January two grenades were thrown at a bank and a hospital, causing damage but no injuries.-Middle Eastern Times-
By ANDnetwork .com
Ethiopia on Tuesday accused its bitter archrival Eritrea of trying to foment unrest a day after one person was killed and 15 injured in a series of bombings in the Horn of Africa country.
"The wish of the Eritrean government is to see a divided or at least much weakened Ethiopia," Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said in a speech to parliament.
"To achieve this goal it is coordinating and mobilizing remnants of the Dergue regime, the OLF and its likes," he added, referring to the ousted regime of ex-dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam and separatist Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) rebels based in southern Ethiopia.
Meles did not directly accuse Eritrea of planting the bombs that exploded around Addis Ababa on Monday, but he said that Ethiopia's fierce rival was actively trying to "create hopelessness" in its neighbor.
"The cardinal objective of these forces is to create hopelessness by disrupting our good governance and development efforts that would lead to the destruction of the constitutional order and the unity of the country," he said.
"They also tried to instigate conflict and bloodshed between those citizens who became instruments of these violent elements ... thereby tarnishing the image of our country and creating discord between the people and the government," Meles added, sparking the latest in a long-running volley of accusations and counter-accusations.
But Asmara rejected the accusations, saying that the claims were signs that Meles' regime was in its final moments.
"We deny this accusation. It is a schizophrenic statement from an unstable mind," Eritrean information minister Ali Abdu said via telephone from the port of Massawa.
"Eritrea has a moral obligation to support the Ethiopian people to get rid of this minority regime, but we deny any military support," to the opposition groups, Ali added.
Explosions have become common in the Ethiopian capital in recent months and authorities have heaped blame on separatist rebels from the OLF and the Somali radical Islamist group, Al Itihaad Al Islamiya.
There have also been suspicions that neighboring Eritrea, with which Ethiopia is engaged in a volatile border standoff, might bear some responsibility.
The two countries fought a war from 1998 to 2000 that cost at least 80,000 lives and tensions remain acute.
Earlier this month three grenades exploded in Addis Ababa, injuring four people. Police accused Eritrea of supplying the grenades and helping "terrorists" explode them, a charge denied by Asmara as "outrageous".
In January two grenades were thrown at a bank and a hospital, causing damage but no injuries.-Middle Eastern Times-
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Report presented by prime minister Meles Zenawi to the Ethiopian parliament about Ethio-Eritrean boundry conflict
Honorable Speaker,
Honorable Members of the House,
With regard to the Ethio-Eritrean boundary conflict, we have made efforts to resolve the problem on the basis of the five- point peace plan. As this House will recall, even though the decision of the Boundary Commission was flawed, Ethiopia's acceptance of the decision and its readiness to implement it was made clear when we presented the peace plan, and has been reaffirmed since then. However, because of the imperative necessity to implement the decision in a manner that would ensure lasting peace, we have expressed our strong conviction on the need for dialogue for the implementation of the decision, as it is the case in conventional practice in other countries. Since the boundary dispute is not the only cause of conflict between the two countries, we have made our position clear on the need to resolve all other sources of the conflict through dialogue in order to achieve sustainable peace. I have indicated in my previous reports to this House that we will devise a strategy that would help advance our peace plan taking new developments in to account.
It is well known that the international community has been making various efforts to resolve the dispute peacefully. As I indicated in my previous report, the initiative taken by the United States Government in this regard is exemplary and commendable. Following that initiative, the witnesses to the Algiers Agreement held a meeting and forwarded a proposal which they believed would enable the peaceful resolution of the dispute. It has to be noted positively that this proposal, among other things, recognizes the need for dialogue to implement the decision. We believe that the support given by the United Nations Security Council to this proposal is also a positive step. As one of the recommendations made in this process was that the Boundary Commission convene a meeting with representatives of the two governments, a meeting was held in London. Even though the meeting by itself can be mentioned as a positive step, it did not achieve a breakthrough. Progress that could have been made through this initiative has been frustrated due to the insistence of the Eritrean Government on the mechanical implementation of the decision without any dialogue, against international conventional practice, emanating from its habitual rigidity and lack of readiness to show any flexibility.
The consistent position and desire of the Ethiopian Government is the peaceful resolution of the boundary dispute in accordance with international law and practice in a manner that will ensure durable peace. We will always be ready for the implementation of this and other proposals contained in our peace plan.
As we did in the past, we will listen with an open mind, to proposals coming from peace loving forces that we believe will advance the peace process. We will do whatever is expected of us to implement constructive proposals. On the other hand, we will continue to make the necessary effort to deter the Government of Eritrea from initiating armed conflict, and in the event that it resorts to armed conflict, to ensure a lasting resolution of the dispute.
After the debacle of the attempted Orange Revolution, instigated by the violent leaders of the CUD, general peace and stability has prevailed in the country. However, the forces of violence have continued to make relentless efforts to disturb our peace. The main goal of these violent forces is to disrupt our truly encouraging development endeavor by disturbing the peace in our country. They also tried to instigate conflict and bloodshed between those citizens who became instruments of these violent elements and the law enforcement forces, thereby tarnishing the image of our country and creating discord between the people and the Government. The cardinal objective of these forces is to create hopelessness by disrupting our good governance and development efforts that would lead to the destruction of the constitutional order and the unity of the country. The agenda of these forces is similar to the selfish animal in the Ethiopian proverb which said that it would not care if grass stopped growing after its death which is tantamount to “ Apre moi le deluge!”.
The forces that oppose federalism from two extremes, namely those who promote secession as an objective and oppose unity based on federalism on the one hand; and those forces that oppose the protection of the rights of nations nationalities and peoples through federalism on the other, are working hand in glove in an unholy alliance masterminded by the Eritrean Government. The wish of the Eritrean Government is to see a divided or at least much weakened Ethiopia. To achieve this goal it is coordinating and mobilizing remnants of the Dergue regime, the OLF and its likes. Obviously the common objective of these forces is based on the principle of the selfish animal in the Ethiopian proverb which doesn't care if the grass ceased to exist after it is gone.
The Government, mindful of this situation, has mobilized the people and the law enforcement forces to thwart this danger. Because of the strong determination of the people for the eradication of poverty and the establishment of good governance, the coordinated plot of the anti-peace forces was successfully foiled. Even in those few towns and secondary schools where these violent forces temporarily managed to disrupt the teaching-learning process, the role of the people has been critical in stabilizing the situation. The Government, while supporting the initiative of the people for peace and stability, has in the mean time achieved successful results in gradually dismantling the clandestine network organized by these forces, and in bringing the perpetrators to the court of law. Those who calculated to take advantage of the violence as an opportunity to put pressure on the Government to change its course, have been proven wrong when the Government rather than changing its course dismantled the forces of destruction. The process, in a way, has helped the Government to build its capacity and to gain valuable experience. Even in those few localities where the teaching-learning process has been disrupted, we are confident that, by working with the people, we will be able to find lasting and sustainable solution in the coming few months.
Monday, March 27, 2006
Jan Eliasson Sweden's new foreign minister
Published: 27th March 2006 10:40 CET
Jan Eliasson has been named as Sweden's new foreign minister.
The announcement was made by prime minister Göran Persson at a press conference at Rosenbad on Monday morning.
Eliasson takes over from Laila Freivalds, who was forced to resign last week amid allegations that she had lied to the press over her involvement in contact between foreign ministry officials and an internet company which hosted a site with pictures of the prophet Muhammad.
Currently the president of the UN General Assembly, Eliasson will begin his new role on April 24th. Until then Carin Jämtin, the international aid minister in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, will be acting foreign minister.
"Jan Eliasson is a person with a large international contact network and he will be able to give Sweden a prominent role in international politics," said Persson.
"When you have access to a candidate with Eliasson's qualifications it's a simple choice to make," he added.
Jan Eliasson served as Sweden's ambassador in Washington, state secretary in the foreign ministry and ambassador to the UN, before becoming the UN's assembly president last September.
"I am honoured and proud," he told reporters.
"We live in a changing world and must have dynamic policies. There is a respect for Swedish politics - I hope we will maintain that.
"As well as remaining in her role as aid minister, Carin Jämtin - who was tipped to take over after Laila Freivalds - will become deputy foreign minister. She said that she had great respect for her new boss.
"That respect has grown during the last two years," said Jämtin, adding that she looked forward to working with Eliasson.
Hans Dahlgren will continue in his role as cabinet secretary in the foreign ministry.
Jan Eliasson's will remain as president of the UN General Assembly until September 11th. He said that would not affect his work as Sweden's foreign minister, but the leader of the Moderates, Fredrik Reinfeldt, was not so sure.
"You could say that Sweden now has a foreign minister who will de facto be based in New York," said Reinfeldt."But the fact that Eliasson has been chosen could at least lay the foundations for a more nuanced and realistic image of the USA," he added.
Eliasson, 65, was born in Gothenburg and has been one of Sweden's foremost public servants in the field of foreign affairs. In 1967 he took his first foreign ministry role as an attaché, and from 1983 to 1987 he was head of the ministry's political department.
Between 1988 and 1992 he was Sweden's ambassador to the UN, and in 1994 he became cabinet secretary, the foreign ministry's most senior civil servant.
Eliasson was the personal advisor to Olof Palme during the murdered prime minister's mediation work in the Iran-Iraq conflict. From 2000 to 2005 he was Sweden's ambassador to the United States.
Eritrea ! Where in the world ?
By
Russom Asmerom " The best place to live " varies greatly for each of us - depending on our experience, cultural backgrounds and value systems. There are a variety of reports that claim to have the answer.Here are some samples of how the world we live in is rated.As you can see, the results vary greatly depending on the criteria chosen.
FREEDOM IN THE WORLD
Since 1978, Freedom House has published freedom in the world, an annual comparative assessment of the state of political rights & civil liberties around the world. Widely used by policy makers, journalists,and scholars. The 2005 ratings reflect global events from Dec.1, 2003 through Nov.30,2004. According to these 600 page survey, 89 countries are FREE. Their 2.8 billion inhabitants (i.e., 44% world's population ) enjoy a broad range of rights. Most West European, North america and some Latin countries are grouped under these free world category.South Africa, Ghana and Senegal are the only African countries included in these group.
54 Countries representing 1.2 billion people ( 19 % world's population )are PARTLY FREE. Political rights & civil liberties are more limited in these countries, in which corruption, dominant ruling parties, or in some cases, ethnic or religion strife is often the norm.Kenya, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Gabon, Uganda & Ethiopia are grouped under these category.
The survey finds that 49 countries ARENOT FREE.The 2.4 billion inhabitants ( 37% world's population ) of these countries, nearly three-fifth of whom line in China, are denied most basic political rights & civil liberties. In 2004, Russia was the only country register a negative category change, moving from partly free to not free.Freedom House's separate listing of territories reveals that four territories received the lowest possible political rating: Chechnya ( Russia ), Kashmir ( Pakistan ), Tibet ( China ) and Western Sahara( Morocco ). Eritrea is located nearly at the bottom but higher than Libya, North Korea, Sudan, Syria & Turkmenistan.
MOST AND LEAST LIVABLE COUNTRIES
The human develpoment index( HDI ), published annually by the UN, ranks nations according to their citizens quality of life, rather than by a nations traditional economic figures.The critrea for calculating rankings include life expectancy, educational attainment,and adjusted real income. The three " MOST LIVABLE " countries ( in 2005 ) are Norway, Iceland and Australia. USA ranks tenth. Eritrea is one of the " LEAST LIVABLE" countries in seventeenth rank.But the very least one are Niger, Sierra Leone and Burkina Faso. Ethiopia ranks at eighth, from bottom.
LEAST AND MOST CORRUPT COUNTRIES
The transparency international corruption index defines corruption as the abuse of public office for private gain, and measures the degree to which corruption is perceived to exist among a country's public officials & politicians. According to these repprt, Iceland, Finland and New Zealand are the least three corrupt contries. USA located on seventeenth rank, Eritrea 107, Ethiopia 137, Sudan 144, Nigeria 152. The three most corrupt countries are Chad, Bangladesh & Haiti , in combination with Myanamar & Turkmenistan.
THE FAILED STATES INDEX
Foreign policy & the Fund for peace have ranked 60 troubled countries that are in danger of collapse.The countries are ranked according to twelve social, economic, political, and military indicators, including economic decline and inequality, demographic pressures, war and corruption. These are the top 10 most vulnerable countries : Cote D'IVOIRE, Dem. Rep.of Congo, Sudan, Iraq, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Chad, Yemen, Liberia & Haiti.
RICHEST AND POOREST COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD
Luxembourg, Norway and USA are the first three richest countries. Sudan ranks 136, Kenya 138, Eritrea 165 & Ethiopia on 169.East Timor, Somalia & Sierra Leone are the least three poorest in the world.
RICHEST AFRICAN COUNTRIES ( GDP-per Capita, US Dollars )
Mauritus is the richest country in the continent ( With 11, 400 GDP per capita ), South Africa is the second ( 10,700 ) and Botswana the third ( 9000 ). Sudan is located on 19-th with 1, 900. Eritrea's GDP per capita is 710, Ethiopia's is 610.
AFRICAN COUNTRIES RECEIVING THE MOST AID ( in US dollars )
Mozambique is by far take the highest stake, 2.58 billion every year. Ethiopia is second which receiving 1.307 billion and Egypt is the third- 1.286 billion.
LARGEST MILITARY EXPENDITURES, 2004 ( in US dollars )
USA spend 455.3 billions on military, which is 47 % world's share. UK and France are the second and third countries, spend 47.4 billion and 46.2 billion, respectively.China spend 35.4 billion next to Japan, which spends 42.4 billlion.Israel also spend 10.7 billions. However, North Korea ( by spending 22.9% per GDP ), Jordan ( 20.20 %) and Eritrea ( 11.80 % ) are the countries with the highest military spending in the world. Ethiopia spends 5.20 %, located on fifteenth rank. USA military expenditure per capita is 1.2 % only, which ranks USA on 50-th.
PRINCIPAL SOURCES OF REFUGEES
The first three countries ( or trrritories ) that generated the greatest number of refugees & asylum seekers in the world are former Palestin 2,985, 500, Afghanistan 2,088, 200 and Sudan 703, 500. Eritrea generated 204, 200, Ethiopia 52,100. According to the report on world refugee survey, 2004, the persons granted permanet status in countries doesnot included in this figure.
COUNTRIES HOSTING REFUGEES
Although developed countries contribute most of the funding to assist refugees, developing countries host the majority of the world's refugees, i.e., more than two-third of all refugees .In West-Gaza only, there are 635,000 refugees, in Libanon 265, 800 , in Syria 701, 700, in Kenya 269,900 : in Sudan 225,900 and in USA 232, 800.
MOST POPULOUS COUNTRIES, 2005
China is still remaining on the highest population record, 1,306, 313, 812. India is the second- 1,080, 264, 388 and USA third- 295,734,134.The most populous African country is Nigeria- 128,771,988. Ethiopian population is also estimated 73,053,286. Eritrea's population is 4,561,599.
MOST POPULOUS CITIES OF THE WORLD
The first three populous cities of the world are Bombay (India), 11, 914,398 inhabitants; Shangai ( China ), 10,996,500, Sao paulo ( Brazil ) 10,677,019
TO BE CONTINUED
Sources & references;
Reports of HDI,UNDP,UNHCR, World refugee survey, 2005 ( US comittee on refugees ),World Bank, CIA facts book,encyclopedia-2005
Russom Asmerom " The best place to live " varies greatly for each of us - depending on our experience, cultural backgrounds and value systems. There are a variety of reports that claim to have the answer.Here are some samples of how the world we live in is rated.As you can see, the results vary greatly depending on the criteria chosen.
FREEDOM IN THE WORLD
Since 1978, Freedom House has published freedom in the world, an annual comparative assessment of the state of political rights & civil liberties around the world. Widely used by policy makers, journalists,and scholars. The 2005 ratings reflect global events from Dec.1, 2003 through Nov.30,2004. According to these 600 page survey, 89 countries are FREE. Their 2.8 billion inhabitants (i.e., 44% world's population ) enjoy a broad range of rights. Most West European, North america and some Latin countries are grouped under these free world category.South Africa, Ghana and Senegal are the only African countries included in these group.
54 Countries representing 1.2 billion people ( 19 % world's population )are PARTLY FREE. Political rights & civil liberties are more limited in these countries, in which corruption, dominant ruling parties, or in some cases, ethnic or religion strife is often the norm.Kenya, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Gabon, Uganda & Ethiopia are grouped under these category.
The survey finds that 49 countries ARENOT FREE.The 2.4 billion inhabitants ( 37% world's population ) of these countries, nearly three-fifth of whom line in China, are denied most basic political rights & civil liberties. In 2004, Russia was the only country register a negative category change, moving from partly free to not free.Freedom House's separate listing of territories reveals that four territories received the lowest possible political rating: Chechnya ( Russia ), Kashmir ( Pakistan ), Tibet ( China ) and Western Sahara( Morocco ). Eritrea is located nearly at the bottom but higher than Libya, North Korea, Sudan, Syria & Turkmenistan.
MOST AND LEAST LIVABLE COUNTRIES
The human develpoment index( HDI ), published annually by the UN, ranks nations according to their citizens quality of life, rather than by a nations traditional economic figures.The critrea for calculating rankings include life expectancy, educational attainment,and adjusted real income. The three " MOST LIVABLE " countries ( in 2005 ) are Norway, Iceland and Australia. USA ranks tenth. Eritrea is one of the " LEAST LIVABLE" countries in seventeenth rank.But the very least one are Niger, Sierra Leone and Burkina Faso. Ethiopia ranks at eighth, from bottom.
LEAST AND MOST CORRUPT COUNTRIES
The transparency international corruption index defines corruption as the abuse of public office for private gain, and measures the degree to which corruption is perceived to exist among a country's public officials & politicians. According to these repprt, Iceland, Finland and New Zealand are the least three corrupt contries. USA located on seventeenth rank, Eritrea 107, Ethiopia 137, Sudan 144, Nigeria 152. The three most corrupt countries are Chad, Bangladesh & Haiti , in combination with Myanamar & Turkmenistan.
THE FAILED STATES INDEX
Foreign policy & the Fund for peace have ranked 60 troubled countries that are in danger of collapse.The countries are ranked according to twelve social, economic, political, and military indicators, including economic decline and inequality, demographic pressures, war and corruption. These are the top 10 most vulnerable countries : Cote D'IVOIRE, Dem. Rep.of Congo, Sudan, Iraq, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Chad, Yemen, Liberia & Haiti.
RICHEST AND POOREST COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD
Luxembourg, Norway and USA are the first three richest countries. Sudan ranks 136, Kenya 138, Eritrea 165 & Ethiopia on 169.East Timor, Somalia & Sierra Leone are the least three poorest in the world.
RICHEST AFRICAN COUNTRIES ( GDP-per Capita, US Dollars )
Mauritus is the richest country in the continent ( With 11, 400 GDP per capita ), South Africa is the second ( 10,700 ) and Botswana the third ( 9000 ). Sudan is located on 19-th with 1, 900. Eritrea's GDP per capita is 710, Ethiopia's is 610.
AFRICAN COUNTRIES RECEIVING THE MOST AID ( in US dollars )
Mozambique is by far take the highest stake, 2.58 billion every year. Ethiopia is second which receiving 1.307 billion and Egypt is the third- 1.286 billion.
LARGEST MILITARY EXPENDITURES, 2004 ( in US dollars )
USA spend 455.3 billions on military, which is 47 % world's share. UK and France are the second and third countries, spend 47.4 billion and 46.2 billion, respectively.China spend 35.4 billion next to Japan, which spends 42.4 billlion.Israel also spend 10.7 billions. However, North Korea ( by spending 22.9% per GDP ), Jordan ( 20.20 %) and Eritrea ( 11.80 % ) are the countries with the highest military spending in the world. Ethiopia spends 5.20 %, located on fifteenth rank. USA military expenditure per capita is 1.2 % only, which ranks USA on 50-th.
PRINCIPAL SOURCES OF REFUGEES
The first three countries ( or trrritories ) that generated the greatest number of refugees & asylum seekers in the world are former Palestin 2,985, 500, Afghanistan 2,088, 200 and Sudan 703, 500. Eritrea generated 204, 200, Ethiopia 52,100. According to the report on world refugee survey, 2004, the persons granted permanet status in countries doesnot included in this figure.
COUNTRIES HOSTING REFUGEES
Although developed countries contribute most of the funding to assist refugees, developing countries host the majority of the world's refugees, i.e., more than two-third of all refugees .In West-Gaza only, there are 635,000 refugees, in Libanon 265, 800 , in Syria 701, 700, in Kenya 269,900 : in Sudan 225,900 and in USA 232, 800.
MOST POPULOUS COUNTRIES, 2005
China is still remaining on the highest population record, 1,306, 313, 812. India is the second- 1,080, 264, 388 and USA third- 295,734,134.The most populous African country is Nigeria- 128,771,988. Ethiopian population is also estimated 73,053,286. Eritrea's population is 4,561,599.
MOST POPULOUS CITIES OF THE WORLD
The first three populous cities of the world are Bombay (India), 11, 914,398 inhabitants; Shangai ( China ), 10,996,500, Sao paulo ( Brazil ) 10,677,019
TO BE CONTINUED
Sources & references;
Reports of HDI,UNDP,UNHCR, World refugee survey, 2005 ( US comittee on refugees ),World Bank, CIA facts book,encyclopedia-2005
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