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LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN AGAINST SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON ERITREA
UK Residents - Take Action Now!
The UN Security Council has passed a resolution imposing sanctions on Eritrea on the 23rd of December 2009, with full support from the British government, for allegedly providing financial support to the Somali insurgents and in relation with the conflict with Djibouti. It is now very clear that such manifestly unjust sanctions are not intended to bring peace and stability, but to weaken Eritrea.
We believe that the British government has taken the lead role in creating, promoting and passing the unjust sanctions against Eritrea.
It is important that we make our stance clear by expressing our concerns and opposition to the unjust sanction to those in charge through our representatives. We have compiled letters written by 12 concerned individuals which you could use as a template. These letters can be found at:
Letter 1 Letter 2 Letter 3 Letter 4
Letter 5 Letter 6 Letter 7 Letter 8
Letter 9 Letter 10 Letter 11 Letter 12
It should not take you more than 5 minutes to send a letter to your MP. Here are the steps.
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AGE joins Eritreans in the UK in Condemning the UNSC Sanctions
Press Release
On 17th of January 2010 Eritreans residing in the United Kingdom took part in a seminar organised by the Mekete Committee.
In the seminar, Ambassador Tesfamichael Gerahtu gave a detailed account of current developments in Eritrea and issues pertaining to the sanctions imposed on Eritrea by the United Nations Security Council.
In a hall packed to capacity, members of the Eritrean community and various organisations expressed their anger and condemned in the strongest terms the unjust measures taken by the UNSC against the state and people of Eritrea. The participants called for the sanctions to be annulled immediately.
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E-petition: Say No to the UNjust Sanctions against Eritrea
The UN Security Council passed a resolution imposing sanctions on Eritrea on the 23rd of December 2009, with full support from the British government, for allegedly providing financial support to the Somali insurgents and in relation with the conflict with Djibouti. The sanctions include an arms embargo, travel bans and asset freezes. No evidence has been presented to substantiate the accusations. The British government has classified the evidence it claimed it has and would not disclose it to our community representatives or anyone else for that matter. This has taken place at a time when Ethiopia continues to militarily occupy sovereign Eritrean territories in violation of the UN Charter and the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission´s final and binding delimitation and demarcation decisions.
Are you as angered by this patent injustice as we are? If so, take ACTION now. An e-petition has been set up on Downing Street’s website to register our complaints with the British Prime Minister. Please visit the following link to access the petition:
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/eritrea-sanction/
Important: please follow the instructions below when signing the petition:
· Give your name, address and an e-mail address in the space provided.
· Once you have signed, you will be sent an email asking you to confirm that you have signed the petition.
· Please check your e-mail and click the link provided to confirm. Your name will only be added once you have confirmed. Your personal details including address and e-mail will not be shown.
· You must be a resident in the UK or British citizen to sign the petition.
The petition start date is: 18 January 2010
The petition will be closed on: 18 March 2010
Please urge everyone you know to sign the petition.
Thank you for taking action.
The Action Group for Eritrea – Campaign Team
email: age@eritrea.co.uk, Facebook
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Action Group for Eritrea (AGE) deplores sanctions against Eritrea
Press Release - 05 January 2010
On Wednesday December 23 2009, the UN Security Council, through Resolution 1907 (2009), imposed a number of sanctions against Eritrea. The pretext behind the sanctions is that Eritrea has been providing support to the insurgents in Somalia as well as refusing to withdraw its troops to the ‘status quo ante’ prior to the little known conflict between Djibouti and Eritrea around their common border.
S/RES/1907 (2009) was passed despite a telling absence of credible evidence to support the allegations that were made against Eritrea. On Wednesday December 23 2009, a few hours before the sanctions were passed, members of AGE and representatives of other British based Eritrean organisations including the Eritrean Youth Association in the UK (EYAUK) and Eritrean Relief Association in UK (ERA-UK), held a meeting with the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
During the meeting, the representatives presented a strong case pointing to the flaws of accusations made against Eritrea. We stated that the body of evidence that had been put forward as proof by the UN Arms Monitoring Group was rife with unfounded fabrications and unqualified false claims that cannot be independently verified.
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Eritrea Faces Down Security Council
Sophia Tesfamariam
I borrowed the title for this article from page 345 of John Bolton’s book “Surrender is not an option”. Here is an excerpt:
“…At one point I had a USUN staffer say at a Council experts meeting that the headline so far was “Eritrea Faces Down Security Council.” Characteristically British deputy perm rep Adam Thomson responded protectively that such a statement was “wounding to the Council, as indeed true statements often are…”
Today, it is Eritrea’s statements of truth that are “wounding to the Council” and it has decided to shut Eritrea up. I believe the title is appropriate for this piece, because, just like the US, surrender is not an option, and in defense of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Government and people of Eritrea are once again forced to face down the UN Security Council. The UN Charter is clear, no State may use or encourage the use of economic, political or any other type of measures to coerce another State in order to obtain from it the subordination of the exercise of its sovereign rights, and yet today, the United States and United Kingdom governments want to do just that. Why?
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Taking a Superpower for a Ride
Ghidewon Abay Asmerom December 19, 2009
It is hard to imagine that a Superpower like the U.S. can be easily duped
by dubious players, but that is exactly what has been happening with U.S.
foreign diplomacy for decades. Many state leaders, interest groups and
individuals have been taking American power, influence and wealth for a ride and
exploiting America to suit their various and dangerous agendas. Many times,
when you see long-term American interest being compromised and sacrificed
for the sake of short-term report embellishing, pocket padding, and
personal vendettas, you cannot help it but lament as to where competent and clean
diplomats have gone.
Read more
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Letter to the British Government on the Anniversary of the Algiers Agreement
12 December 2009
Dear Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead,
We are writing to you on the 9th anniversary of the signing of the Algiers Agreement between Eritrea and Ethiopia. The Agreement was signed on the 12th of December 2000 to end the hostility between the two countries that claimed some 100,000 lives and displaced more than one million people from their homes. You will recall that the signing of the agreement was a culmination of long mediation efforts by the international community and was witnessed by guarantors including the UN, the AU, the EU, the US and leaders of a number of countries.
The Algiers Agreement gave legal mandate to an independent commission, composed of five leading international lawyers based in The Hague, to reach a final and binding agreement on the status of the disputed border. It has now been over seven years since the commission rendered its verdict. However, Ethiopia's flagrant disregard for the commission's decision means demarcation of the border is yet to take place.
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Is Britain cooking up evidence to legitimise sanctions against Eritrea?
S Marcos 12 December 2009
In response to a parliamentary question in June 2009, Mr. Chris Bryant, the British Under-Secretary of State, urged for evidence to be presented to prove that Eritrea is supplying weapons to Somali insurgents. He mentioned that the UN Sanctions Monitoring Group is due to present its findings on the issue. Five months later, we still have not seen the report and associated evidence.
In a debate in the House of Lords, on the 16th of July 2009, Lord Malloch Brown, the Minister of State, stated that the British Government is worried by reports of Eritrean Support for insurgent groups in Somalia and again urged the UN to complete its investigation urgently.
Shortly afterwards, the Minister said “it is in all likelihood the case that the Eritrean involvement will be confirmed. As ever, it is enormously important that effective measures are taken against Eritrea.”
It appears that Lord Brown has already made up his mind about punishing Eritrea - with or without evidence. He has passed judgment that Eritrea is guilty until proven innocent. It did not come as a surprise therefore when John Sawers, the British Ambassador to the U.N., called for sanctions to be imposed against Eritrea. After all, what seems to matter more to the British and US governments is punishing Eritrea than resolving the conflict in Somalia.
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Say No to Sanctions against Eritrea - A Call for Action
The Action Group for Eritrea
November 2009
It has been reported that a draft resolution is being circulated among UN Security Council members calling for sanctions against Eritrea for allegedly supplying weapons to Somali insurgents fighting against the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) in violation of a U.N. arms embargo. The draft resolution which was drafted by Uganda calls for arms embargo, freezing of assets and travel ban for members of the Eritrean government. The resolution calls for member states to be authorized to inspect cargos to and from Eritrea if they suspect the cargo.
We wholeheartedly and unequivocally reject the idea of sanction against Eritrea and view it as unjust and irresponsible for the following reasons.
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Sanctions against Eritrea: A blessing in disguise
S. Marcos 02 December 2009
I have not seen so much anger being vented by Eritreans all over the world since the days of Weyane’s invasion of Eritrea in 2000. The sanctions that the UN Security Council is considering against Eritrea are seen by the vast majority of Eritreans as unjust and irresponsible. They have every right to be furious.
A member of the Security Council and others have accused Eritrea of supplying weapons to Somali insurgents fighting against the Transitional Federal Government in violation of a U.N. arms embargo. The government of Eritrea has denied these allegations and asked repeatedly for the accusers to present their evidence. The draft resolution calls for arms embargo, freezing of assets and travel ban for members of the Eritrean government. It is ‘drafted’ by none other than Uganda.
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NO TO SANCTIONS against Eritrea!
Leave this country ALONE!
US Sanctions against Eritrea would be the Extension of the Failed Bush/Cheney Foreign Policy in the Horn of Africa. Eritreans on the Web in and outside Eritrea and friends of the Eritrean People vehemently reject the recent statement by AU (African Union), calling on the UN to impose sanctions on Eritrea for allegedly “providing support to the armed groups” in the current Somalia conflict.
Eritrea has repeatedly refuted any involvement in the deadly conflict in Somalia, and, on many occasions in the past, it strongly challenged the Somali Monitoring Group’s allegations and unsubstantiated charges to present irrefutable and tangible evidences, but to no avail. We would like to remind the Security Council, other organizations and individuals that there has not been any evidence that would warrant sanctions on Eritrea.
Earlier allegations, such as the presence of “2000 Eritrean troops” inside Somalia and also the shipment of “AK-47 rifles” to the insurgents in Somalia have been proven to be pure fabrications. It should be recalled that Mr. Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, in a recent news conference stated that there had not been any evidence to prove the allegations that were made against Eritrea.
We all have a vested interest in seeing peace, stability and security in the Horn region. We believe that Eritrea’s position, which calls on the Somali people to resolve their own differences without external interference, is not only a political stand that Eritrea is entitled to have, but could also turn out to be the best option for Somalia. We urge the UN Security Council to exercise a fair and just practice in evaluating all the facts and evidence to find a lasting peace in the region.
The UN Security Council should not be swayed by certain quarters when the lives of so many are at stake. The mistakes made thus far in Somalia have resulted in the largest humanitarian crises in the history of that country.
If the Security Council chooses to use Eritrea as a scapegoat and takes punitive action based on groundless charges, not only would this not bring peace and security to Somalia but it would also further destabilize the strategic Horn of Africa region.
Eritreans and friends of Eritrea on the Web
Please join the campaign on Facebook here
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Books for Eritrea Campaign Update
We write to thank our members, members of the Eritrean Youth Association and other friends who assisted us over the last couple of weeks in listing, packing and loading books which were sent to Eritrea by a generous Eritrean at his own expenses. We also thank all those who donated books.
It is known that education is the gateway to prosperity and sustainable development. It is in this regard and in line with our objectives that AGE has put a lot of effort in collecting and sending books, computers and other educational materials to Eritrea over the last couple of years in conjunction with our partners.
Many libraries and other institutions have become beneficiaries of our donations in the past. This year we were involved in the shipment of books to the Nursing College in Asmara in collaboration with the Eritrean Relief Association in the UK (ERA-UK). The nursing books were donated by Thames Valley University through our Eritrean brother Mohammed who secured the donation and helped with the collection. ERA not only sorted, listed and packed the books, but also covered the cost of freight in full and ensured the books were cleared at Customs and received by the Nursing School in Asmara. We use this opportunity to thank ERA for their support and generous donations.
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Parliamentary Questions and Answers
Nov 2008
The Countess of Mar: My Lords, as Ethiopia is such a poor country, do we know where it is getting the money to purchase theweapons and other armaments to pursue battles in Somalia and Eritrea?
Lord Dholakia: My Lords, my noble friend Lady Northover raised an important issue about aid agency reports of children being thrown out of hospital. If the Minister does not have the answer, will he look into the matter and place a reply in the Library so that she can have a proper reply to the question?
LordWallace of Saltaire: My Lords, perhaps I may followon from the question asked by the noble Countess, Lady Mar. Ethiopia is currently engaged in military operations in Somalia and in Eritrea. Its operations in Somalia have, as I understand it, been substantially funded by the US Administration of President Bush. Does the Minister join me in hoping that the change in Administration in the United States may change some of the priorities of the Ethiopian Government in this respect?
Lord Avebury: My Lords, while the Ethiopians may not be engaged in any military activities in Eritrea, would it not be possible for Britain and the European Union to increase aid to Ethiopia if it would finally settle its dispute with Eritrea on the frontier, on the lines of the recommendations made by the Lauterpacht commission?
For answers, click here
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DFID Attempts to Justify the Unjustifiable Support to Ethiopia
Sep 2008
It is to be recalled that we had asked you to write a letter of protest to the Department for International Development for supporting the Ethiopian government at a time when their military budget is on the increase and that they are defying the rules of international law.
In response to the many protest letters, DFID states that the support provided by the department is specifically earmarked for poverty reduction and humanitarian assistance programmes and is not a general donation to the central budget. DFID continues to claim that it "imposes strict audit requirements on the Government of Ethiopia to ensure that the money it spends goes directly to poor people and is not for unintended purposes, such as military expenditure".
If the above statement was to be true, the billions of money that is pumped into Ethiopia would have made a difference to the lives of the millions of poor Ethiopians. The fact of the matter is that it hasn't and it will not. We know it and DFID knows it.
DFID has also tried to justify Ethiopia's military expenditure. This is what they had to say:
".......[it] is correct to note that the Government of Ethiopia recently announced a 14% increase in defence spending (an amount of some US$50 million). However given the high levels of inflation currently experienced in Ethiopia, this amounts to a cut in real terms. Indeed, the Ethiopian government's funding to defence and security remains well within acceptable international guidelines, at around 2.5% of GDP."
We don't think that the Ethiopian government would have done a better job in justifying their military spending. It is an insult to our intelligence for DFID to tell us that a country like Ethiopia can afford to wage wars in many fronts and invade a sovereign country with a budget less than 2.5% of its GDP. The people of the Horn of Africa have suffered tremendously and DFID's support to Ethiopia will only prolong the suffering. It is our duty to say enough is enough.
Copy of a typical response from DFID can be found at this link.
We thank all those who responded to our call.
AGE
British government's support to Ethiopia Continues
July 2008
Dear members and non-members,
You may have seen DFID’s Press Release
(http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/aid-ethiopia-20m.asp)
made public yesterday regarding the release of additional £20 million in
aid to Ethiopia. On 9 June 2008, DFID announced a £10 million emergency
response to the Ethiopian government’s humanitarian appeal, in addition to
the £5 million of relief aid provided the previous month. On 21 of
November 2007, DFID announced a £75 million assistance to be spent on
'water and sanitation projects'. DFID has been looking for every excuse
to provide Ethiopia with large financial aid. DFID has to spend the
budget allocated to them within the budget year to be able to continue to
get the same level of funding from the Treasury and Ethiopia is a country
that they have chosen to spend a large amount of money on regardless of
whether or not the money makes a difference to the lives of Ethiopians.
The Ethiopian government announced that they have increased their military
budget by £50million a year to £400 million on the same day that the
British government pledged to increase the aid given. Ethiopian
government has only been able to finance its invasion of Somalia and
threaten neighbouring countries through the large financial assistance it
has been receiving from the British government and others.
As has been proven time and again, no amount of money pumped into Ethiopia
will make an iota of a difference unless peace is given a chance. DFID
admits this fact. Clause 55 of DFID’s three years plan for Ethiopia
states the following:
“Conflict in the Horn of Africa has caused considerable suffering to large
numbers of people and greatly contributed to current poverty levels.
Greater effort is needed from all stakeholders in the region to put an end
to conflict in the Horn. If that does not happen, there is a high risk
that poverty reduction in Ethiopia will be seriously impeded.”
Unfortunately, we have not seen the British government lift a finger to
prevent conflicts in the Horn of Africa. To the contrary, the British
government has been adding fuel to the fire by providing Ethiopia the
financial and political backing knowing well that it has violated
international laws and many UN resolutions. It is this unjustifiable
support that is encouraging Ethiopia to defy the rule of international
laws and continue with its intransigence, which in turn has created the
instability that we are witnessing in the whole region.
It is important that people of the Horn of Africa and other peace loving
individuals continue to protest against the destructive policies of the
British government by contacting their respective MPs. To protest against
the increase in financial aid, please contact DFID’s Amy Wright on 020
7023 0423 or 020 7023 0600, or send your e-mail at
pressoffice@dfid.gov.uk.
Regards,
AGE
Letter to Chatham House
I am the chairman of an organisation know as the Action Group for Eritrea (AGE). I am writing to you as advised by your Mr Thomas Cargill to make a complaint about the way in which Chatham House has been handling issues regarding Eritrea.
As you know, Chatham House announced at the beginning of 2007 the setting up of the Horn of Africa Group in association with the Royal African Society, the Rift Valley Institute and the Centre of African Studies.
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EDM1700: Ethiopian government encouraged and financed by the US and UK governments
Dear members and non-members,
Thank you to all who have responded to our call. The number of MPs who
have signed EDM1700 is increasing gradually.
Some of them have signed it as a direct result of requests by their
constituencies. Below are the 26 MPs who have signed the Early Day Motion
which expressed disapproval of the Ethiopian government being encouraged
and financed by the US and UK governments.
If your MP is not listed below, please spend 5 minutes of your time and
send them a letter using the brief detail and sample letters given below.
Cohen, Harry
Hoyle, Lindsay
Hopkins, Kelvin
Drew, David
Wareing, Robert N
Durkan, Mark
Russell, Bob
Meale, Alan
Hancock, Mike
Breed, Colin
MacNeil, Angus
Simpson, Alan
Llwyd, Elfyn
Borrow, David S
Bottomley, Peter
Vis, Rudi
Dobbin, Jim
Weir, Mike
Wishart, Pete
Hosie, Stewart
McDonnell, Alasdair
Buck, Karen
Efford, Clive
Cryer, Ann
Galloway, George
Etherington, Bill
Regards,
AGE
Ethiopia - 'Wicked regime that invests its resources in wars rather than feeding its own people'
Dear members and non-members,
We would like to draw your attention to the Early Day Motions (see below)
raised in parliament by Harry Cohen, MP, condemning the Ethiopian
government for its war policy. 20 MPs have signed the latest motion and
have referred the Ethiopian government as a 'wicked regime that invests
its resources in such wars rather than feeding its own people.'
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Demonstration Against Bush Visit
We have been invited by the Stop the War Coalition to participate in the forthcoming demonstration against President Bush's visit to London, his policies and the policy of the British government in supporting him.
Detail of the demonstration is as follows:
Date: Sunday the 15th of June 2008
Time: 5:00 pm
Place: Parliament Square, London SW1
Meeting Point: Corner of King Charles Street and Parliament Street
Please join us.
For further details, click here http://www.stopwar.org.uk/
Large Peaceful Demonstration Outside Downing Street
January 2008
Please be informed that a large peaceful demonstration will be held at
Downing Street on the 16th of January 2007 from 12:00 to 18:00 Hrs. The
demonstration will be one of its kind and will involve from a wide range
of nationalities and ethnic groups including the Somalis, Eritreans,
People from Ogaden and Oromo together with the remaining oppressed
Ethiopian People. It is organised by the Horn of Africa for Peace and
Stability Forum and is expected to draw thousands of people from all over
the UK.
The British government subscribes to the idea that the people of the Horn
of Africa be subservient to the interests of the minority regime in
Ethiopia. It is for this reason that we will be asking the British
government to stop propping up the brutal regime in Ethiopia using
taxpayers’ money in order to end the terrorizing of innocent people;
destruction of properties and invasion, attack of neighbouring states and
wreak havoc in the region.
AGE submits a Petition Letter Signed by over 2000 British Eritreans and Friends to the Office of the British Prime Minister
December 2007
The Action Group for Eritrea (AGE) submitted a petition signed by more
than 2000 Eritreans and friends to the Office of Prime Minister Gordon
Brown on Friday the 14th of December 2007.
The petition called on the Prime Minister to urge the Ethiopian government
to respect the border as determined by the Eritrea Ethiopia Border
Commission (EEBC) and withdraw its army from sovereign Eritrean
territories. The Prime Minister was reminded that the Boundary Commission
has wound up its operations after being frustrated by Ethiopia’s refusal
to allow physical demarcation of the border and the border as delimited by
the EEBC stands as the legal boundary between the two states.
Letter to the President of the EEBC from the Legal Adviser to the President of Eritrea
29 November 2007
Allow me to express our deep regret at your news of the passing of Sir Arthur Watts. I speak on behalf of both the Government of Eritrea and also myself personally in recognizing the great service that Sir Arthur performed as a member of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission as well as to the wider practice of international law.
Eritrea finds it necessary, unfortunately, to answer Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin’s letter of 27 November 2007. This letter’s misstatements of fact, and Ethiopia’s continuing efforts to undermine the finality of the Commission’s decisions, require a response.
1. First. Ethiopia is simply wrong in stating that "neither Ethiopia nor Eritrea have accepted the Commission’s November 26, 2006 demarcation coordinates as constituting a final, valid demarcation." To the contrary, Eritrea acknowledges as both final and valid the coordinates that the Commission has specified and believes that these coordinates are as binding as other Commission decisions. While Eritrea does hope that the Commission will persist in its efforts to arrange for placement of pillars on the ground, this is not because of any lack of finality or validity to the Commission’s identification of coordinates.
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Meles remains in illegal occupation of some Eritrean territory
Lord Avebury – 13 December 2007, House of Lords
When the Eritreans finally gained their independence, but war broke out again over the boundary, the international community failed to act firmly against Meles Zenawi's refusal to accept the findings of the boundary commission. Now, after that commission has been disbanded, Meles remains in illegal occupation of some Eritrean territory, and refuses to accept the commission's final recommendation for the boundary to be demarcated by co-ordinates.
AGE to participate in the forthcoming Public Meeting
Press Release – December 2007
We are pleased to announce that the Action Group for Eritrea will participate in the public meeting that will be held in London on the 08th of December 2007. The purpose of the meeting is to mobilise Eritreans to demand justice and galvanize support in defence of their country from aggression. We believe that this meeting will give us the opportunity to advance AGE's objectives in line with our terms of reference, which include:
1. Lobby and campaign the international community in general and the British Government in particular to put pressure on Ethiopia to immediately implement the rulings of the Boundary Commission.
2. Promote and facilitate actions focused on defending the territorial integrity of Eritrea that has been materialised through long struggle and upheld by international law. To achieve the above, we intend to make a brief presentation about AGE and our activities.
We plan to use the opportunity to wage another intensive lobbying campaign. In this regard, a petition letter has been prepared to be submitted to the Office of the Prime Minister after the public meeting. The draft petition letter can be found here. We ask all Eritreans and non-Eritreans to assist in making this campaign successful by distributing the letter and getting as many people as possible to sign the petition using this form.
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America's Latest African Blunder - How an about-face on a boundary issue could destabilize an entire region.
By Michela Wrong
Posted Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007, at 5:38 PM ET
"For reasons I never understood," writes Bolton, "Frazer reversed course, and asked in early February to reopen the 2002 [Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission] decision, which she had concluded was wrong, and award a major piece of disputed territory to Ethiopia. I was at a loss how to explain that to the Security Council, so I didn't."
Books for Eritrea 2007 Campaign Concluded
AGE - Press Release September 2007
The Action group for Eritrea (AGE) is pleased to announce that the Books for Eritrea 2007 campaign has been completed successfully. A 20ft container full of books, computers, scanners, printers, video cassettes and other educational materials was shipped to Eritrea.
The campaign was a continuation of AGE's effort to contribute to the advancement of education in Eritrea and is part of a project that AGE conducts in collaboration with the Eritrean Relief Association (ERA) and the Eritrean Youth Association in the UK (EYAUK). It is to be recalled that last year the Action Group for Eritrea in collaboration with these partners shipped a cargo containing close to 20,000 books which was distributed to the Ministry of Education, the Embagaliano, Hazhaz and Edaga Hamus Public Library, Barentu Public Library and other institutions.
AGE ANNUAL REPORT 2006/2007
Another year has come and gone. The Eritrean Ethiopian border is yet to be demarcated and peace between the two countries remains elusive. The international community continue to abrogate its responsibility and seems to be content in seeing justice and the rule of law being trampled on. Every trick in the book has been used to deny Eritrea and Eritreans their right to live in peace with their borders respected. Against all odds and the immense challenges faced, Eritreans continue to remain steadfast and demand that justice is served. The Action Group for Eritrea (AGE) was set up to do its bit in this struggle and in line with its objectives has been engaged in relentless lobbying campaign to increase awareness and prompt decision-makers within the UK Government to exert the necessary pressures on the Ethiopian Government with the view of bringing peace and stability in the region.
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Rediscovering the ‘Miami of Africa’
Asmara: Africa’s Secret Modernist City at RIBA, July 3rd August 18th 2007
Sponsored by World Monuments Fund in Britain
High up in the mountains in the Horn of Africa seems an unlikely location for a Modernist’s dream, but in the 1930s, Italian architects provided the blueprints for Benito Mussolini’s vision of an Italian Empire in Africa and created Asmara “ Africa’s most modern city that is today one the world’s largest concentrations of Modernist buildings and currently being considered for UNESCO World Heritage Status.
Happy Eritrean Independence Day
Eritrea's 24 May 2007 is Eritrea’s 16 years Anniversary Independence Day. We congratulate the Eritrean population for its hard won victory for independence and sovereignty.
The new Edaga Hamus, Embagaliano and Hazhaz (EHEC) Community Library
Special thank you for Iyassu Yohaness who has sent us the EHEC library pictures.
It is to be recalled that a book collection campaign for EHEC has been run by Action Group for Eritrea in conjunction with the Eritrean Relief Association and the Eritrean Youth Association in the UK.
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Leaders and Representatives of Various Eritrean Community Leaders in the UK met with British Government Officials
Press Release 30 March 2007
On 26 March 2007, representatives of several Eritrean community organisations in the UK met with officials from the British government to discuss the government’s policy with respect to the border conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia and the adverse impact it is having on the people of the region. The meeting was organised by the Action Group for Eritrea (AGE), and the delegation included representatives from the Catholic, Muslim, Orthodox, Wengielawit Lutheran faiths and organisations such as the Alliance of Eritrean Evangelicals, the Eritrean Youth Association, and the Eritrean Relief Association were also represented. The British government was represented by civil servants from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development which included senior Officials and the new deputy Ambassador to Eritrea.
The representatives made a strong representation on behalf of the British Eritrean community in calling the British government to use its influence to urge Ethiopia to accept unconditionally the decision of the Boundary Commission. Noting that it is now 5 years since the verdict of the Boundary commission was announced, representatives of the community put a strong case to show that it is unfair and unjust to leave the people of Eritrea in suspense for so long. Representatives of the Community in unison requested for the British government to play a positive role to bring the conflict to an end.
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Statement made by AGE at a meeting between the Eritrean community and the British government
26 March 2007
First of all, I would like to thank you again for accepting our request and taking your time to meet the Eritrean community, representing various organisations. I would like to make a statement on behalf of the Action Group for Eritrea, who coordinated this meeting. AGE was set up by British Eritreans and friends of Eritrea to promote peace and development in the Horn of Africa. It is currently actively engaged in lobbying those who may be able to help resolve the current conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia. This is because we know that the conflict has the potential to cause unimaginable pain and suffering through instability and economic deprivation.
This is not the first time that we have met with officials from both departments to express our concerns and reservations with respect to the British government’s position on the conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia. We have had many meetings and numerous correspondence on the subject. Unfortunately, we have not seen much of a change that could allay our concern.
Action Group for Eritrea Meet with FCO Officials
Press Release 8 March 2007
Members of Action Group for Eritrea paid a visit to the Foreign and Commonwealth last week. The visit was in regards to the Eritrea Ethiopia Border Commission's (EEBC) decision that was released in April 2002 but five years on, still remains unimplemented due to Ethiopia’s intransigence. Recalling that the Eritrean government has fully and unconditionally accepted the final and binding verdict, AGE is determined to impress upon the United Kingdom government to do its utmost to pressure Ethiopia to accept it without any conditions and make provisions for it complete implementation.
As part of AGE’s continuous action to this effect, our members also met with a Member of the British Parliament and discussed at length the border situation. The discussion touched upon all aspects including the role the British Government can play in ensuring that the EEBC decision is fully implemented.
Noting that only the categorical implementation of the EEBC ruling can usher peace between Eritrea and Ethiopia, AGE has further plans to meet with relevant individuals and groups that can help in its unremitting peace campaign.
During their visit, AGE also had a chance to talk to the media who happened to be outside the FCO to report the hostage situation in Ethiopia. As well as emphasising the fallacy of the Ethiopian claim that Eritrea was responsible for the kidnapping, AGE was also able to discuss the border situation between Eritrea and Ethiopia with the media.
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ERITREA CALLING .....CHARITY STARTS AT HOME
As Eritrean youth increasingly gain global fame in their athletic skills, thanks to role model Zeresenai, the ERITREAN RELIEF ASSOCIATION UK would like to invite men and women to participate in the
BRITISH 10K LONDON RUN.
We are seeking six runners to help us raise £3000 to support two projects in Eritrea. The first is towards the purchase of powder milk for babies born to mothers infected with HIV/AIDS. The second is to provide training and assistance to parents with autistic children.
The fundraising event takes place on Sunday 01 July starting at 0935 from Hyde Park Corner, through Central London and finishing on Whitehall in an atmosphere of great fun and sportsmanship. Almost 400 registered charities will take part this year. The only requirements are that runners are in good health, with a minimum age of 15 and should complete the race in under two hours.
Why not take this opportunity to sharpen your skills for 2012 London Olympics while at the same time help disadvantaged children in Eritrea.
For further information contact ERA UK at 07957 11 33 07. Or write to us at Robin House, 2A Iverson Road, Kilburn, London NW6 2HE.
There are no weaknesses in the Agreement that would not be cured by Ethiopia’s compliance
By HT Tesfay*
Chatham House in London introduced a brief paper titled “Ethiopia and Eritrea; Allergic to Persuasion” and it was written by Martin Plaut, from the BBC World Service, and Sally Healy, an Associate Fellow of the Africa Programme at Chatham House.
Reading through the brief, it gives the impression that it is a well researched paper which is trying to give a broad insight into the conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia. I do not want to dwell too much on the history of the conflict; historians have documented it extensively. However, I would like to highlight parts of the authors’ argument I found disturbing and intellectually dishonest.
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NUBAIART interview with the Ethiopian Ambassador to the UK
Sunday 4 February 2007
The following is NubaiArt's editorial on their interview with the Ethiopian Ambassador.
"......... it was just a coincidence that US aircraft carriers turned up off the Somali coast blocking the UIC escape routes by sea at the same time as the joint Ethiopian-Somali TFG push into Mogadishu!"
His Excellency (H.E.) Berhanu Kebede, Ethiopian Ambassador to the UK
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NUBIART EDITORIAL:
On midweek Nubiart we looked at recent East Afrikan news stories. We started with an interview with He told us that recent floods had affected parts of eastern Ethiopia but that the government had acted quickly to bring relief to the people. They did not need additional aid as they had already received from the World Food Programme.
We moved on to the main topic of the interview which was the Ethiopian military incursion into Somalia in December. H.E. pointed out that Ethiopia had started the first phase of withdrawal. He expected the final phase to coincide with the arrival of an Afrikan Union peacekeeping force in Somalia . Troops have been offered by Uganda , Nigeria , Malawi and Burundi with Benin , Ghana , Rwanda and Tanzania considering it. South Afrika will not send troops but has offered logistical and technical support.
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Eritrea: Allergic to Injustice
Simon Marcos 02 February 2007
I attended a meeting held at Chatham House last week on a briefing paper published on Eritrea and Ethiopia. The briefing paper was titled ‘Ethiopia and Eritrea: Allergic to Persuasion’. The paper was written for Chatham House by Sally Healy, an Associate Fellow of the Africa Programme at Chatham House, and Martin Plaut, the Africa editor at the BBC World Service.
The room was full to capacity and present were people from various organisations including the Foreign Office and various NGOs. The paper was aimed to give policy makers a broader ‘insight’ into the conflict.
Richard Dowden, the Executive Director of the Royal African Society was chairing the meeting. Richard made a remark right at the beginning that implied that “might” and “being a friend of America” is more important than being “right”.
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Allergic to Persuasion: Chatham House's Duplicity and Hypocrisy Exposed
Sophia Tesfamariam 01 February 2007
On 24 January 2007 Chatham House launched a diversionary, self serving, duplicitous and hypocritical paper entitled "Ethiopia and Eritrea: Allergic to Persuasion" co-authored by Sally Healy, Associate Fellow, Chatham House (CH) and Martin Plaut, Africa Editor, BBC News, in which it seemed to be justifying Ethiopia's defiance of international law. Chatham House is the UK's version of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) in the United States, and both work closely with their respective governments and each other in devising global strategies and analysis, including the many campaigns that we see year after year when they target countries to shame and blame.
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Chatham House’s Advocacy for Lawlessness in International Law
Ghidewon Abay-Asmerom and Tekie Fessehatzion January 30, 2007
London’s The Royal Institute of International Affairs, commonly known as The Chatham House, is one of the world’s prestigious think-tank on international relations. Over the years it has analyzed wars and other forms of international crisis, and along the way, provided advice to the British Foreign Office.
Like most think-tanks, however, its output is uneven, sometimes superlative, and at times pedestrian. But when Africa is the issue, the analysis is often shallow, or is based on dubious assumptions, and when and if implemented as policy, the outcome is often dangerous as in the days of British Colonialism in Africa. It may not have shed completely its colonialist orientation. It is a pity that African policy that originates in Washington or London is grounded on self serving analysis that cannot stand to close scrutiny. A case in point is the recent Chatham House report on Eritrea and Ethiopia.
The report entitled “Ethiopia and Eritrea: Allergic to Persuasion”[1] released last week is directed at blaming Eritrea for Ethiopia’s refusal to implement the final and binding Decision of Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC) and the International Community’s dereliction of responsibility. The neutral and Independent Border Commission was created by UN Security Resolution…… the five member body, each party selecting two, is headed by the eminent international jurist, Sir Elihu Lauterpacht. The Secretary of the Commission is the Chief Cartographer for the UN.
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The University of Reading Donated Books
The University of Reading donated over 700 books on various subjects. The collection of the books from the different departments was coordinated by Dr Iyassu Yohannes. It is to be recalled that the University had made substantial contribution in our last campaign.
Donations have been received from the Open University and various colleges and libraries. Over 8,000 books have already been collected as part of the Books-for-Eritrea 2007 campaign. The campaign is being run by Action Group for Eritrea in conjunction with the Eritrean Relief Association and the Eritrean Youth Association in the UK.
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Dr Iyassu with Mrs Pat Harnby of the University of Reading
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Question and Answers in the British Parliament
For questions raised and answers given with regards to the conflict between Eritrean and Ethiopia in the British parliament over the last quarter of 2006, please click here.
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The Algiers Peace Agreement is the Only Way to Peace
The US and the UN should stop undermining it
The organisation of Eritrean Americans
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AGE sends letter to Lord Triesman
Press Release
07 December 2006
On the Occasion of the 6th anniversary of the signing of the Algiers Agreement, the Action Group for Eritrea sent a letter to the Minister Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State, Lord Triesman and other senior officials in the British government and the opposition parties.
The letter highlighted the adverse implications of the unresolved conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia to the security of the entire region and urged the recipients to take the necessary action to bring about peace and stability in the Horn of Africa.
For full contents of the letter click here.
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AGE Receives Letters of Acknowledgement
AGE has recieved letters of appreciation from the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Justice for the book donations made in recent months. As you will recall, AGE, the Eritrean Relief Association and the Eritrean Youth Association in the UK collected and shipped one container full of books to Eritrea.
In his letter, Minister Osman Saleh acknowledged 'the noble contribution' that AGE and partners have made to the Ministry and other institutions in Eritrea. He added that "sustainable educational development is secured essentially with such exemplary participation and contribution of the public in general and the youth in particular". He further extended the Ministry's appreciation to all members in recognition of their valuable contribution.
The Ministry of Justice appreciated 'the relentless efforts' made by members to make the project a reality. In his letter, Mr Michael Ghebrenegus from the Office of the Minister, stated that the books will "make great intellectual contribution to the professionals in the field".
There is no doubt that these acknowledgements will encourage our members and partners to work harder in the future and continue with the noble cause of playing part in the development of the country.
For full content of the letters click here: http://www.eritrea.co.uk/books-for-eritrea/letters_of_acknowledgement
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Books for Eritrea 2007
A meeting was held on 28 October to discuss on the setting up of a book sub-committee. We are pleased to inform you that the sub-committee has been set up with a mandate to oversee the fundraising, storing, collection, sorting/packaging and transporting of books and other educational materials to Eritrea.
In the meeting, an in depth discussion was held and an assessment made on of our performance and all other issues pertaining to the last campaign. Some measures were agreed up on to avoid the problems faced and minimise the efforts spended. It was also agreed to ship one container of books by March 2007. The following members have agreed to assume responsibilities as indicated below:
Habtom Tesfay- Overall coordination
Sirak Bahlbi- Media and sorting/packaging
Simon Marcos - Collection of books, sorting/packaging
Seble Ephrem – Letter writing, coordination with donors & organisations in Eritrea
Rahel Habtegiorgis - Fundraising and Campaign Report writing
Yonathan Haile - Storage
In addition to the above, six more members have joined the sub-committee to date. We will need more people to assist us in whatever way they can, including the collection of books in their respective areas
A new e-mail account books@eritrea.co.uk will be set up for all those who wish to be involved in the campaign. If you wish to join the sub-committee and be included in the mailing list, please e-mail us on age@eritrea.co.uk.
Up to now, over 6000 books have been collected. Donations continue to come from individuals, the Open University and Local Authorities. We are in the process of compiling feedbacks from recipients of the last donations and preparing a brief report with the aim of using it as a campaign material and ensure that past and prospective donors have the full confidence that their donations will be used for the intended purpose.
We also intend to organise a one day sorting and packaging of the books already collected over the Christmas holiday. We will let you know the detail nearer the time.
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Books for Eritrea 2006 - Final Update
We are pleased to inform you that the “Books for Eritrea” campaign has been completed successfully. As planned, the 20ft container filled with books and other materials was sent to Eritrea on Monday the 31 of July 2006.
On the last day alone 5560 Books were collected from various places,
sorted, packed and labelled by volunteers. What had appeared to be an impossible task was completed successfully through sheer determination and hard work. The 15 or so volunteers worked with zeal and enthusiasm until 9:00 pm in the evening to ensure that all was ready for shipment. The atmosphere was great and the achievement far exceeded all expectations. These same youth returned back the next day to load many boxes of heavy books and other materials in to the container. Photos will be
forwarded in due course.
NUBIART EDITORIAL: Interview with Samson Isaac
“A constitution is not something you erect in one day…A constitution is full of ideals which are to be striven for.” – Samson Isaacs, Eritrean Commentator
On midweek Nubiart interviewed Samson Isaacs, an Eritrean commentator about the situation in Eritrea and its implications for the rest of Afrika. Samson left Eritrea during the 1980’s due to the fighting then going on for Eritrean independence against the Ethiopian Derg regime. He came to Britain and studied both Business Studies and Cosmology.
He thinks that for a young nation Eritrea has done very well in establishing itself. He felt that it was not clear what the politicians and journalists, jailed for saying that the government ratified constitution did not follow the policies agreed when they were fighting for independence, were trying to achieve. It also came at a bad time as Eritrea was at war with Ethiopia and national security was a major issue. He pointed out that Eritrea had little support during its independence struggle and so it is highly valued by the people. “My freedom or anybody’s freedom shouldn’t be at the detriment of the nation’s security or the overall good of the people.”
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Books for Eritrea – Update: 13 Days (2 Weekends) to Go
17 July 2006
Dear all,
We have less than two weeks to complete our "Books for Eritrea" campaign. Shipment of the books is scheduled for the 31st of July. We have come to learn over the weekend what a difference an extra pair of hands can make.
If we are to complete the drive successfully, we need many more helping hands and once again, we call upon all our members and friends to come along and share the burden with those who have been spending all their
weekends and are still struggling to cope with the work load.
Fundraising Appeal
13 July 2006
Dear all,
Thanks to your effort, we are now well on target to achieve the 10,000 books limit that we had set for ourselves by the time we complete our campaign on the 30th of July 2006. With the books collected so far, the container will be 80% full and we are hopeful that you will all continue to support the campaign right to the end. The books collected include journals, novels, children's reading books, college and university level text books, technical books on specialised subjects, books on skills and hobbies, and others. There is no doubt that these books will be very useful to Eritrean children, students and professionals alike.
The Action Group for Eritrea held a Series of Meetings with British MPs
Press Release – June 2006
The Action Group for Eritrea (AGE) and other Eritreans representing different organizations held a series of discussions with Members of Parliament from different parties. The meetings which took place in the House of Commons at Westminster were aimed at lobbying support for expediting the demarcation of the Eritrean-Ethiopian border and explore ways of creating an All Party Parliamentarian Group for Eritrea.
AGE presented to the MPs a robust case for the unequivocal implementation of the EEBC decision backed up by a wealth of evidence. The presentation touched upon issues including the Eritrean-Ethiopian conflict and its genesis as well as its adverse political, economic and social consequences. AGE also elaborated on the urgent need for peace, stability and development in Eritrea and Ethiopia and the telling benefits this would have in the Horn of Africa.
US State Department Officials Serving as Ethiopian Lobbyists
Ghidewon Abay-Asmerom 14 June 2006
Source: Alenalki.com
The Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Mr. Donald Y. Yamamoto, is not new when it comes to the politics of the Horn of Africa. He was Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d'Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Asmara; he had served as Deputy Director for East African Affairs. He was the U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti and lately as Deputy Assistant for African Affairs. Given such an experience one would expect Mr. Yamamoto to have an understanding of the complex politics of the Horn of Africa. Unfortunately, this doesn’t seem to be the case. Quite to the contrary along with Dr. Jendayi Frazer, the Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, he is overseeing another misguided US policy for the Horn of Africa, and all these at a grave consequence to US interests and tax dollars. The latest news from Somalia is a case in point. The problem in the Sudan and the Eritrea-Ethiopia border issue being others.
Books for Eritrea Update - 5 Weeks to Go
13 June 2006
The past two weeks have been the most successful since the "Books for Eritrea" project was initiated. The vetting and packing exercise on the 4th of June went better than our expectations. It is very encouraging to see more and more people getting involved in the collection, delivering and packing of books. Below is a brief summary of what was done over The last two weeks.
US diplomatic blunder on Eritrea, Ethiopia border row
US Ambassador Donald Yamamoto Dangerously Out of Line on the Eritrean Ethiopian Demarcation Issue
By Sophia Tesfamariam
June 8, 2006 — On 02 June 2006 Ambassador Donald Yamamoto, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs discussing his latest trip to Ethiopia and other African States made some undiplomatic and unwarranted statements in an interview with Africa program of the Voice of America. I for one was surprised and dismayed by Ambassador Yamamoto’s diplomatic blunder. To hear such undiplomatic and defiant statements that compromise and distort the Eritrea Ethiopia Boundary Commission’s final and binding decision, and the rule of law from an American official who is handling the issue, is indeed a great disappointment.
Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission Report
June 2006
Letter dated 21 May 2006 from the President of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission addressed to the Secretary-General
Although the next quarterly report of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission is not due until the end of May, in view of the present concern of the Security Council with the problem of the demarcation of the boundary between Eritrea and Ethiopia, I wish to report without delay on the meeting that the Boundary Commission held with the parties in London on 17 May 2006.
Books for Eritrea Update - 8 Weeks to Go
22 May 2006
Dear members and friends
Sunday, the 4th of June is set for collecting, sorting, listing and labelling of all books donated so far. We will need as many volunteers as we can get to be able to do the required work. Please contact us if you are able to help.
Over the last two weeks, we have received donations from a number of libraries. Cricklewood library donated two boxes of fictions and text books. Other Brent Libraries have also donated children's story books. All in all, about 800 books were collected during this period. Promises have been made from a number of other libraries including professional
ones such as the Institute of Civil Engineers and we hope that more books will be donated in the coming weeks. We have had donations from individuals as well.
We have now collected approximately 4000 books in total. This is just under half of what the container can take. No progress was made in sorting and boxing the books due to lack of volunteers. Only one third of the books collected so far have been packed.
We had hoped that by now at least two third of books needed would be collected and packed. We are therefore well behind schedule. In order to get back on track, we need as many volunteers as possible on Sunday the 4th of June.
The following members have kindly agreed to co-ordinate collection of books in their respective areas. If you live in their area, and wish to donate books or assist them, please contact us at age@eritrea.co.uk.
Zewdi Sereke in South West of London
Rahel Habtegiorgis in South East London
Simon Marcos in North West London
Further financial donations were also received from the following: Zewdi Sereke - £50; Bisrat Marcos - £50; Anonymous - £50; Anonymous - £5
Total donation so far is £1155. We are still short of money. A number of promises have also been made from individuals. A number of individuals are followings leads from a number of charities. All donations above £1 are welcome. If you wish to make donations, no matter how small, AGE's account detail is: Halifax PLC, Account Number 00300025, Sort Code 11-04-87 (Or Roll No. D/94586824-1).
Together we can make a difference.
AGE on NUBIART – SOUND RADIO 1503AM
AGE Members Dr Bereket Fessehatzion, Huriy Ghirmai and Simon Marcos discuss current developments in Eritrea with the presenter of NubiArt, Kubara Zamani on Sound Radio 1503AM on Wednesday the 17th of May 2006 at 5pm.
The interview covers a wide ranging issues including AGE’s activities, Eritreans in the UK, free press, Eritrea-Ethiopia conflict and drought in Eritrea and many more.
Sound Radio’s terrestrial coverage area is north to Whipps Cross, west to Paddington, east to Thurrock and south to Bromley.
The programme will also be aired at www.soundradio.info at the same time.
The programme is produced by Afrikan Quest which was established to cover events of interest to Afrikan people.
Nubiart: Every Wed - 5pm & Fri - 10pm on Sound Radio 1503AM. For more info contact: Kubara Zamani, Afrikan Quest, PO Box 35165, London, SE5 8WU
Tel: 07811 494 969 E-mail: afrikanquest@hotmail.com
Web: www.southwark.tv/quest/aqhome.asp
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The World Health Report 2006: Basic indicators for Member States
(Compiled by the WHO to ensure comparability)
|
Member state |
Total population (000) |
Annual growth rate (%) |
Total fertility rate |
Life expectancy at birth (years) Both sexes |
Under-5 mortality rate (per 1000) Both sexes |
|
2004 |
1994-2004 |
2004 |
2004 |
2004 |
|
|
Djibouti |
779 |
2.7 |
4.9 |
56 |
126 |
|
Eritrea |
4,232 |
3.3 |
5.4 |
60 |
82 |
|
Ethiopia |
75,600 |
2.6 |
5.7 |
50 |
166 |
|
Ghana |
21,664 |
2.3 |
4.2 |
57 |
112 |
|
Kenya |
33,467 |
2.4 |
5.0 |
51 |
120 |
|
Nigeria |
128,709 |
2.4 |
5.7 |
46 |
197 |
|
Senegal |
11,386 |
2.5 |
4.9 |
55 |
137 |
|
South Africa |
47,208 |
1.4 |
2.8 |
48 |
67 |
|
Sudan |
35,523 |
2.2 |
4.3 |
58 |
91 |
|
Uganda |
27,821 |
3.2 |
7.1 |
49 |
138 |
Among the deliberately selected 10 African countries listed on the table, Eritrea has registered the lowest Under-5 Mortality (after South Africa). Furthermore, Life Expectancy at Birth and the Annual Growth Rate (during the period 1994-2004) are the highest in Eritrea.
Brief analysis of under-5 mortality rate in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana and Kenya
According to the UN World Population Prospects: 2002 Revision, Volume I - the average proportion of children under-5 in 2005 in Africa was about 16% of the total population
|
Member state |
Total population (000) |
Population of under-5 children (16%) |
Under-5 mortality rate (per 1000) Both sexes |
Number of under-5 deaths |
Number of under-5 deaths if mortality rate was 82/1000 |
|
|
2004 |
2004 |
2004 |
2004 |
82/1000 |
Difference |
|
|
Eritrea |
4,232 |
677,120 |
82 |
55,524 |
55,524 |
0 |
|
Ethiopia |
75,600 |
12,096,000 |
166 |
2,007,936 |
991,872 |
1,016,064 |
|
Ghana |
21,664 |
3,466,240 |
112 |
388,219 |
284,219 |
104,000 |
|
Kenya |
33,467 |
5,354,720 |
120 |
642,566 |
434,087 |
208,479 |
Conclusion: If the under-5 mortality rates in Ethiopia, Ghana and Kenya were as low as in Eritrea (82/1000), the deaths of one million children in Ethiopia; 100,000 in Ghana; and 200,000 in Kenya would have been averted each year.
Dr. G. Ogbaselassie (FRCOG), Harare, Zimbabwe
May 2005
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Church of England Newspaper Apologised
28 April 2006
Further to the article AGE published on 24 April 2006 under the headline 'Eritrea portrayed as an Islamic Country', we are pleased to say that the Church of England Newspaper has published an apology. These is what the paper published on the 28 April 2006.
"In our edition of April 7, under the headline ‘Eritrea pressuring Christians to convert’, we said that Christians in Eritrea were under pressure to convert to Islam. It has been drawn to our attention that this is not the case and was not included anywhere in the report from Open Doors, on which the report was based. We apologise for the error and we are happy to set the record straight."
We thank the Editor, Colin Blakely, for investigating the matter and correcting it. We also thank our members and others who brought the matter to his attention in good time.
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Lord Avebury - A Friend Indeed
25 April 2006
Dear members and friends,
You may have heard that the Lord Avebury, a long time and loyal friend of Eritrea, has been told that he has a lung cancer and is undergoing treatment. He had an operation last week and seems to be recovering well.
It has been stated on a newspaper how transparent the good Lord has been with everything that he does in life. Twenty years ago, Lord Avebry told the Londoner’s Diary he wanted to give his body to Battersea Dogs’ Home. The paper added, when this offer was turned down, he, as a Buddhist, opted to have his skeleton put on display in a Buddhist monastery in Northamptonshire so that monks could contemplate it. He is now telling the world in his usual candour way about his illness by posting all his scans, x-rays and biopsies he has undergone at King’s College Hospital on his blog.
Read more
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Eritrea Portrayed as an Islamic Country
24 April 2006
Dear members and friends,
You may have seen a number of newspaper articles that depicts Eritrea as an Islamic country where Christians are being pressed to convert to Islam.
The Express on Sunday stated in an article published on the 12 February 2006 that hardline Muslims in Eritrea have ordered a clampdown on the lifestyles of Christians in a "modern day holy war". They further added that the action comes as tensions increase between Islamic fundamentalists and the West, with riots over the publication of cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed. Release International is quoted in the article.
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Books For Eritrea Update
Dear members and friends
The Action Group Eritrea in conjunction with the Eritrean Relief Association and the Eritrean Youth Group in the UK have launched a book collection drive known as “Books for Eritrea”.
The recipients of the books are identified and contacts established. The plan is to send one container full of books to Eritrea by mid July. To date, over 2500 books have been collected. The target is about 8000 books to be collected in the next three months. It is a challenge and we therefore need the active participation of all members to achieve this task.
We will need approximately £2200 to ship the books to Eritrea. So far we have raised £1000. If you wish to make donations or think you may be able to help us raise the required money, please let us know.
The publicity leaflet is produced for you to help out in collecting more books. If you need to contact your local library, school, university or work place, please contact us on age@eritrea.co.uk so that we can provide you with a formal letter.
We will also need volunteers to help with sorting the books. If you think you can help, please contact us.
We will soon post an update with the list of books donated, the donors and recipients on our website.
Together we can make a difference!
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13 April 2006 - A DAY OF ACTION
Dear members and friends,
Today is the 13th of April 2006, an important date in the Eritrean calender. It is the fourth anniversary of the announcement of the decision of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission. After four long years have elapsed, Ethiopia still refuses to allow the border between the two countries to be demarcated.
The International community has failed in doing even the minimum by not exerting enough pressure on Ethiopia to abide by the agreement.
We as AGE have written a letter to ministers in the British government to register our complaints and remind them of their responsibilities. For details, follow this link: http://www.eritrea.co.uk/letters/letter-13-04-2006.pdf/view
The Organisation of Eritrean Americans has also called for action on this important date. For details, please see below or visit their website at http://www.eritreanamerican.org for sample letters and guides.
We urge all our members and friends to take 5 minutes of your time to do your bit
so that our collective voice can be heard. Please write and send your message to at least your MP - using the website http://www.writetothem.com/ . Also contact Jack Straw, Lord Triesman and Hilary Benn to urge them to take action.
You may phone the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 0207 0081500, if you wish to speak to the desk officers for Eritrea and Ethiopia. Call 0207 2193000 to speak to Lord Triesman's Office. Raise your concern politely on the British government's one sided policy and the lack of action in pushing for the immediate implementation of the EEBC's decision to demarcate the Eritrea-Ethiopia border.
Your action is important.
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A CALL TO ACTION - THE FOURTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE EEBC DECISION!
Organization of Eritrean Americans
Thursday, April 13, 2006 will mark the fourth year that has passed without implementation of the final and binding EEBC decision to demarcate the Eritrea-Ethiopia border.
The Organization of Eritrean Americans urges you to take 5 MINUTES and take action on this day to remind the world that this decision must be immediately enforced.
OEA has provided contact information of US executive and legislative officials, EU representatives, UN Security Council members, and EEBC officials. Please call/fax/e-mail these leaders on Thrusday April 13th and tell them, in clear
terms, that you want demarcation now!
The link provided below offers useful guides for what to say. Contact one or contact them all. However, do NOT let this day pass without letting your voice be heard.
http://www.eritreanamerican.org
For four years, the rule of law has been trampled upon and millions of lives have been held in limbo due to the disregard of the EEBC decision. Take 5 MINUTES on April 13th to help ensure that we never have to commemorate this day
again
Go to http://www.eritreanamerican.org and follow the instructions provided.
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BOOKS FOR ERITREA
AGE is pleased to announce the launch of 'Books for Eritrea' campaign in collaboration with the Eritrean Relief Association (ERA) and the Eritrean Youth association in the UK (EYAUK).
For Details Click here.
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Action Group for Eritrea: Annual General Meeting
AGE – Press Release
March 2006
On Sunday, March 19, the Action Group for Eritrea (AGE) held its Annual General Meeting at Thorpe Close in London, UK. AGE was officially launched a year ago with the aim of working towards the development of Eritrea in which its people can live in peace. At the present time, the main efforts of AGE are focussed on campaigning for the complete and unconditional implementation of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Border Commission (EEBC) decision.
To this end, to date, AGE has conducted various campaigns including two major demonstrations in the UK as well as actively participating in the historic Europe-wide demonstration in the city of Strasbourg, France that culminated outside the European Parliament.
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DEMARCATION ACCORDING TO DELIMITATION DECISION
By Habtom Tesfay - 22 March 2006
A critical analysis of the current development
Most media outlets have reported that the meeting of the legal representatives of both Eritrea and Ethiopia was a point in the right direction. The meeting was chaired by the EEBC with both the US and United Nations representatives present. The second meeting is scheduled for late April. The question, however, is whether or not the first meeting was a success. Should we feel optimistic about it?
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Eritrea - Ethiopia Boundary Commission
Press Statement dated 13 March 2006:
"The Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission met with the Parties on 10 March 2006 in London, in order to discuss arrangements for the resumption of demarcation activities which had been halted in 2003 due to circumstances beyond the Commission's control. A further meeting between the Commission and the Parties to discuss progress on demarcation is scheduled to take place in late April this year. The Permanent Court of Arbitration with its seat at the Peace Palace in The Hague acts as Registry for both the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary and Claims Commissions."
Link to website of Permanent Court of Arbitration
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The EEBC: the only Neutral Facilitator
By Huriy Ghirmai 13 March 2006
The United Nations Security Council may have, yet again, called on Ethiopia to allow border demarcation without delay or precondition; nothing-new there. And the so-called witnesses may have had a convention of sorts and called for the implementation of the EEBC decision “fully and without qualification”; well, that is interesting – and only interesting.
Like always, almost on cue, most media reports have reduced the two statements to the most redundant component. With the exception of a few feeble attempts at originality by way of different headlines and so forth, most reports have mainly focussed on one thing: that only by virtue of the USA coming into the mix, we ought to be optimistic about finding a solution to the ‘impasse’.
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Demarcation Watch - From Delimitation to Demarcation: A Primer
by Tekie Fessehatzion
"The Government of Eritrea looks forward solely to the professional dispensation of the final technicalities based on the Directives of the Boundary Commission, nothing less and nothing more."--Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, 27 February 2006, Asmara
Eritrea's position on the demarcation process should be understood within the context of the circumstances the Eritrean state was born. Coming into this world very much in defiance of the wishes of the Big Powers who never wanted it to be born in the first place, Eritrea remains painfully aware that if it is not sufficiently vigilant its hard-won could easily dissipate. Fifty years of political shenanigans by the Big Powers almost aborted Eritrea's independence. Eritrea has every reason to worry about current U.S- sponsored initiatives, which if not scrupulously scrutinized, may ultimately demean and dilute Eritrea's hard won sovereignty and independence.
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Read Part 1: Demarcation Watch: Is this IT?
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