Part of Erytrea president interview with Arabiya TV

Below the interview with the Eritrean President Isayas Afewerki aired on Thursday May 10, 2007 by Al-Arabiya satellite TV.

US RELATIONS

Asked about Eritrea’s relations with the United States, Afewerki says the main reason for the "lukewarm" relations between Eritrea and the United States is the latter’s "objection" to the implementation of the Eritrean-Ethiopian border agreement reached in 2002. Asked why the United States would object to the implementation of the agreement reached with Ethiopia, he says the United States has its own strategy in Africa. Responding to another question, he denies that the United States has asked for military bases in Eritrea.

BORDER DISPUTE WITH ETHIOPIA

On whether war is now inevitable between Eritrea and Ethiopia, he says: "On the contrary, why should war break out between Eritrea and Ethiopia if the border issue has been legally resolved? There is a UN resolution and a court decision on this issue. Agreements were also signed. How can any side justify the war? We in Eritrea see no reason for the eruption of war between Eritrea and Ethiopia."

Asked what the Ethiopians want from Eritrea, Afewerki says: "Nothing, there is a weak government which does not represent the majority of people in Ethiopia. This government represents no more than 5 per cent of the Ethiopian society. It came to power under certain circumstances. It does not include basic parties of the Ethiopian society." He adds: "This government believes that depending on a big power will enable it to rule. Even the regional problems raised every now and then are caused by this government’s belief that it can export its problems to other countries by depending on a big power."

Upon being told that the UN secretary general has recently said the United Nations may abandon its efforts to resolve the Eritrean-Ethiopian conflict in November and asked what he expects afterward, especially since "the two sides are massing troops on the border and are involved in a media campaign," Afewerki says: "On the contrary, Ban Ki-moon cannot abandon this legal commitment." He adds that the agreement signed in Algiers binds all, indicating that he "cannot believe that Ban Ki-moon said such a thing." Responding to another question, Afewerki asks "why is all this procrastination by the Security Council and the United Nations in fulfilling their commitment to implement the agreement and the court decision which was binding and final?"

SOMALIA

The interviewer then tells him that US Assistant Secretary of State Jendayi Frazer accused Eritrea of trying to destabilize Somalia, and asked why Eritrea supports the Somali Islamic Courts. Responding, Afewerki says: "Who forced hundreds of thousands of Somalis to seek refuge in Eritrea? A UN report issued a few days ago said the situation in Somalia is the worst disaster in the African continent." He adds: "Before the courts pulled out of Mogadishu, the United Nations issued reports saying Mogadishu enjoyed stability unparalleled in the history of Somalia over the past 15 years. How can we justify the current situation in Somalia and how can one point a finger of accusation at Eritrea?"

Responding to another question on Eritrea’s "support" for the Islamic Courts, Afewerki says: "We do not side with one party against another in Somalia. Our policy has always called for leaving the Somalis alone to solve their problems. The exaggerated reports on tribal problems in Somalia are baseless. The reason behind the problem in Somalia is foreign interference as proven by recent events. The Somalis should be left alone. There are claims that Eritrea supports the courts and not the other parties. We are certainly with the Somali people whose choices should be respected. Somali problems cannot be solved by supporting one party against another. If the Somalis are left alone, they will certainly solve their problems, but what we see is interference and invasion."

With regard to Eritrea’s "support" for the Somali opposition parties, Afewerki says: "The courts are part of the political forces in Somalia although they do not represent all in Somalia." He adds: "All Somali political forces, including the courts, the transitional government, and other forces, should be given a chance to solve their problem."

Asked if political pluralism is needed so that the situation in Somalia can be stabilized, Afewerki says: "In view of the current circumstances and past experience, it is too early to have political pluralism in Somalia." He adds that the country should be rebuilt but this requires the participation of all Somali entities in this effort.

source: Sudan tribune