Another successful seminar of �Wedi Bashai� in Minnesota

Community News

By Wolday Gebremichael, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA.

Saint Paul, Minnesota, July 25, 2004 - Commissioner Tesfamariam Tekeste (Wedi Bashai), Eritrea�s Commissioner for Eritreans residing abroad, had conducted a stunning public seminar at the University of Minnesota--Saint Paul campus in which hundreds of Eritreans had participated. His topic was so broad and included the following:

� The meaning and role of his office,

� The unity of Eritreans that had defeated gigantic enemies supported by superpowers,

� The contribution of Eritreans residing abroad to their country�s reconstruction,

� The spectacular reconstruction of� �Wefri Warsai YkeAlo� that is developing our country in an expeditious way, comparable to that of the US after World War II,

� The areas that� the Government of Eritrea is focusing to building our country�s infrastructure such as education, roads, agriculture, health-care, electrification, airports, housing,� much more and

� The entrepreneurial opportunities that are available for Eritreans residing abroad etc

Wedi Bashai used a laptop and Microsoft PowerPoint to deliver his lecture in which he spoke for 5 hours grinding the agenda items he listed in the outset of the seminar. His presentation style was so impressive; hence the seminar attendees were glued to his seminar throughout his lecture time without taking any break as if they were in an entertainment environment watching a blockbuster newly released movie. His bold and visually aided presentation, dissected the material in an easy and conversational style; thus everything he stated was crystal-clear. In final analysis of his lecture, he gave his audience an opportunity to ask questions that they may have in mind. The audience in turn raised some constructive questions and suggestions in which they could be summarized as follows:

� A monthly newsletter and/or a website pertaining to his office should be given a consideration to help Eritrean communities abroad to exchange views and experiences.

� Whether or not an election similar to that of the regional election that recently took place in Eritrea is under consideration to replace the contemporary congress (Baito) of our country.

� As to when our constitution will be implemented

� An individual raised a question about a personal clash he had with some Shmagle Be�Alat coordinators of the Twin Cities,

� If and whether our government is searching means and ways to solve the problem of money transfer that is costing Eritreans extremely high which in turn is making it difficult to help their family as well as to funding their businesses back in Eritrea� and more.

Wedi Bashai answered each and every question/concern to the satisfaction not only to those who raised them, but as well to the whole crowd. Virtually all highpoints including the question and answer sessions have converged with thunderous applauds from the crowd.

The next day, Wedi Bashai conducted two other seminars stretched throughout the day, that is, from 11 am to 9 pm. The first workshop was dedicated to Eritrean youth, and the second was geared to the Eritrean leadership of the Twin Cities that included the Community, the PFDJ Office, local Eritrean businesses, spiritual leaders and more.

�Over all, his lecture was one of its kinds that gave an excellent reflection about the professionalism of the Eritrean leadership and its dynamics that are undertaking in our country. One of his audiences that was impressed by the presentation technology Wedi Bashai applied asked him, �if and whether the Eritrean governmental sectors use such technology.� Wed Bashai replied �absolutely.� In further detailing his answer, he stated that �although computer networking is not as fast in Eritrea as here in the US, yet it is used to an extent. In any case, all government officials including the Eritrean Baito use modern computers, (for the most part laptops) and preserve their documents on CDs and floppy disks and transfer back and forth to each other as well as to the Office of the President. Therefore, information technology is used in day to day activities in Eritrea, especially in governmental sectors.�

Needless to say, the pattern of facts Wedi Bashai�s presented seems to be analogous to the EPLF University that had operated for 30 years in Sahl, with campuses throughout the mountains and fields of Eritrea. The initiative and operation that the EPLF launched successfully from Sahl and therefore that had liberated Eritrea, seems to be cloned once again at a country level, to all villages, towns, cities, schools and companies of the State of Eritrea. Hence, then a miracle from Sahl and now another miracle from Sawa seems to qualify for another metaphor that explains the episode that is undertaking in contemporary Eritrea.

In closing, Wedi Bashai�s presentation reminds one, the strategy that Shaebia applied towards the total liberation of Eritrea in a slow pace motion, but in an assuredly smooth rolling of �Aba Gobye� until all the pieces integrated in one, on May 24, 1991.�

Conversely, the 24/7 shifts that the government of Eritrea is applying to build the country, have already shown up significant and visible marks on the ground, that no one can deny. Thus, this in turn shows that Eritrea once again, seems to be on the verge of finalizing, for another miracle making stage, that will astonish both enemies and friends, in the near future in transforming Eritrea into a competitive and a self sufficient country.

Wetru Awet nHafash

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