ERITREAN-AMRICANS IN DEFENSE OF  ERITREA

 

By

Wolday Gebremichael

 

Eritrean Americans in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis and St. Paul) have conducted a town hall meeting on March 3, 2002 and discussed thoroughly the misguided, adventurous and chauvinistic interference of the European Parliament (EP) in the internal and sovereign affairs of the state of Eritrea.

 

Attendees of the conference represented all ages and walks of life of the Eritrean American community of the Twine Cities. Men, women, clergies, Moslems and Christians, young children and as old as  80 years former veterans of the Eritrean Armed struggle have attended and expressed their dismay and anger on the action taken by the European Parliament against Eritrea.

 

Some of the speakers revisited the unequal and exploitative historical relationship of Europe and Africa that enslaved more than 100-mllion Africans. Furthermore, some expressed their anger saying that,  “the relationship of Europe and Africa has never been based on equal partnership basis. To the contrary, it has been a master and servant type of a relationship. In other words,  relationship between the Europeans and Africans have always been based to ensure the vested interest of the Europeans at the expense,  misery and exploitation of Africans.”  Moreover, some elaborated that the resolution of the European Parliament that was passed on February 7, 2002 is a typical and classic example that portrays the behavior and policy of Europe toward Africa and in this case toward Eritrea.

 

Furthermore, the attendees of the conference expressed their support and congratulated the 14th National Assembly of the state of Eritrea. Meanwhile, some people have also condemned the action taken by the so called  D-15, G-13, and other meddlers who have invited foreign powers to dictate the policy and diplomacy of Eritrea using some European Ambassadors as a pressure mechanism.

 

In final analysis, the conference was adjourned by passing a resolution intended to send a clear message to the European Parliament. The resolution will be written in a press release format and copies will be send to EP, the African Union, the United Nations and other international organizations. Once again, the objective of the press release is to demand EP to reverse its biased, unfounded, and chauvinistic policy of interference in the internal and sovereign affairs of Eritrea.

 

In closing, the Eritrean-American community of Minnesota vowed to do whatever is expected of them to support their original country, whether be it in terms of  financial, political, or diplomatic. Meanwhile, they have also unanimously agreed to continue their demand on EP until EP officially reverses its policy of interference in Eritrea.  On this historic occasion, the Eritrean-American community of Minnesota decided to call Eritrean communities in the diaspora to replicate the course of action taken here in Minnesota and orchestrate a world wide pressure on EP until EP reverses its policy of aggression on Eritrea.

 

Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA

March 5, 2002

 


Wolday Gebremichael is the sole bearer of the responsibility for this article.