Eritrea - Ministry of Information

There are explanations as to why the reality on the ground has changed. Firms like GM, Ford and Chrysler are no longer based solely in the US. They have production plants dispersed everywhere on the planet. Similarly, French, German and other European automobile industries have been outsourced to other regions of the world. In contrast, China and India have raised their industrial capacities. So has Brazil. Even Russia has found its feet again after stumbling for a while.

It has been said that the Government of Eritrea views family politics and the oppression of the majority by the few as being the essential reasons behind the unrest in North Africa and the Middle East. And a clear consequence of this trend is the disproportionate distribution of wealth. What are the characteristics of family politics and inequitable distribution of wealth? What is your take on the positive correlation between the power emanating from the flow of money in a single direction and the wealth that is generated by power?

Before we deviate from topics concerning our region, it may be recalled that there is no clear policy or consensus among the riparian countries with regards to the utilization of the Nile River’s waters. Could you give us a broad perspective of the implications of this standstill and what, in your view, should be done to reach an agreement among the riparian countries?

Mr. President, I will raise another question based on your detailed analysis. Our region has seen an event unravel this year: the secession of South Sudan which will be official in June. Suspended issues however still prevail like the allocation of resources, delimitation of the border and the Abye issue... What influences, including from the obstructers’ perspective, will this change in the structure and politics have on our region? And how will be the relation between Eritrea and the two Sudans in the future? And what possible advents, if any, do you think the new state should be cautious about?

Some strategic studies of the US suggest that the main cause for the American hostility towards Eritrea is that President Isaias was not willing to join the camp of what the Administration calls “Africa’s New Bread Leaders”.  Was the situation like that? What does to join mean? How do they treat those leaders who join in? What do they expect from them? What reward do they get?

Your Excellency, what information could you provide us regarding the developments in trade, industry, construction and mining sectors and the plan on hand for encouraging external investment and cooperation?