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 Network
of Eritreans for Constitutional
Governance
(NECG)
The United States
Stands With The People Of Eritrea
United
States permanent representative at the UN Dr. Susan E. Rice: The
United States stands with the people of Eritrea.
26 December 2009
(Eritrea Daily)-- Speaking to reporters following UN Security
Council's adoption of a resolution [Res. 1907 (2009)] calling for
sanctions under Chapter VII of the UN Charter against Eritrea ruler
Isias Afewarki on Wednesday 23 December 2009, United States permanent
representative at the UN, Ambassador Susan E. Rice, assured the
international community at large and the people of Eritrea in
particular unequivocally and in no uncertain terms that the United
States stands with people of Eritrea all the way.
“The
United States stands with the people of Eritrea who have fought long and
hard for their independence and to build a country in which we have
great hope for the future.” So concluded Rice her remarks
during a media stakeout at the UN. Listen
“Thirdly,
I want to talk about the resolution we just adopted imposing
sanctions on Eritrea. This was an African initiative. It was the
consequence of a decision taken by the African Union. It was
consistent with a prior resolution passed by this Council, 1862, that
demanded prompt action by Eritrea with respect to Djibouti. Nearly a
year later, that action has not been forthcoming. The Council acted
today, not hastily, not aggressively, but with the aim quite
sincerely of encouraging Eritrea to do as this Council and so many of
its members have repeatedly called upon it to do, which is not to
continue actions which destabilize Somalia, to halt assistance to
those violent elements in Somalia that are working to overthrow the
government and attacking AMISOM peacekeepers and to resolve
peacefully and in accordance with Resolution 1862, the border
skirmish and dispute with Djibouti.
From
the United States’ point of view, let me say that we have for
many, many months sought a constructive dialogue with the government
of Eritrea. We have sought to encourage quietly the government of
Eritrea to take the steps that it claims it intends to take, but it
will not take, and has not taken. And we still hope frankly that
they will. We do not see this as the door closing on Eritrea, but on
the contrary, we view this as another opportunity for Eritrea to play
a more responsible and constructive role in the region. We did not
come to this decision with any joy – or with anything other
than a desire to support the stability of peace in the region.
The
United States stands with the people of Eritrea who have fought long
and hard for their independence and to build a country in which we
have great hope for the future.
Thank
you.”
Watch
Ambassador Rice's remarks here
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