When New Year comes, it is important to evaluate what we have done during the past year at national level, compared to what we planned to accomplish. What kind of progress did we achieve and what did we fail to meet? What were our achievements and our weaknesses? are some of the main questions that would help us establish a strong base for future endeavors and have a better work strategy.

The aim of the numerous seminars conducted by PFDJ officials inside and outside the country was to evaluate our past experience so as to learn from our failures, and to maintain our momentum for 2008.

In the last ten years, Eritreans have overcome obstacles of different kind. We have challenged the Woyane invasion and other powers’ political and economic conspiracies. We were able to face such unimaginable challenges because we were patient and confident. Above all, we maintain our national security and national pride. Despite the no-peace no-war situation, we were able to establish a strong base for our development endeavors. We have made significant progress without relying on any foreign assistance which again confirms that our strategy for self-reliance is undefeatable. The experience gained in the political, economic, military, social, cultural and diplomatic fields demonstrates the strength of the Eritrean Government and people.

However, there are still obstacles ahead that we should again overcome. Foreign opposition has not ye stopped and we have internal shortcomings that we should be overcome. Now, I would like to emphasis on the major challenges:

The issue of border and peace

In the last ten years, we overcame the Woyane 1998-2000 invasion. Following the peace agreement and the final and binding decision of the boundary commission, we have been working to guarantee a lasting peace by demarcating our legal boundary. On the contrary, since the war was not a boundary dispute for the Woyane, the regime has been working to halt the demarcation process. The regime tried to bring different and irrelevant preconditions regarding demarcation which was a political game, rather than having any significance. The Boundary Commission, in a report to the United Nations, stated that even if Eritrea accepts all the preconditions presented by Ethiopia, the latter is not ready for demarcation.

The Government of Eritrea, however, has realized this from the outset. Clearly identifying all the conspiratory approaches from the other side, Eritrea called for the rule of law. Our stand confirmed that a legal issue could not be bargained. And finally, the Boundary Commission closed its office following the virtual demarcation. The Commission has officially notified that it is closing down its office and thereby relieved of its responsibilities concluding its mission by notifying the virtual demarcation. We haven’t opposed the Commission’s notification. It would have been good if the Commission had stayed until the end. But it is not a big issue since the case was closed in 2000; the decision is in its place. The virtual demarcation by itself was truly a big innovation.

Although the border issue is legally addressed, the tension is still there because the border is not demarcated. The Woyane is rejecting demarcation because avoiding conflict is not in their interest. The ambition of the Woyane is to become a regional power by invading Eritrea and subjugating other Ethiopian people. But this has not only proved to be a failure, but also created a situation that leads the regime to its end. Peaceful and armed opposition against the Woyane has been developing from time to time inside the country. On the other hand, the belief that the Woyane and its backers had about the collapse of the Eritrean economy in a no-war and no-peace situation has come to nothing. Eritrea, thanks to its dedicated and creative people, has challenged all the obstacles and was able to ensure major economic development.

In view of the political situation in Ethiopia on one hand and the progress in Eritrea on the other, plus the dim future of the Woyane in Ethiopia, it would be committing suicide for the regime to accept the boundary decision. So, the only option it has is to complicate the situation and create crisis.

When the Woyane declared war on Eritrea in 1998, it had no major opposition in Ethiopia and it had no problem in Somalia. At the present, however, the regime is facing major resistance from all directions. The cruel action it took against the Ethiopian people in 2005 cannot be forgotten, and it could erupt at any time. The desire of Ethiopians at the moment is to see the Woyane defeated in all the wars it declared against its people, Somalia and Eritrea.

The American opposition

One of the major obstacles we faced in the last years was American support for the Woyane and the Administration’s one sided stand. American opposition is not because America hates Eritrea, or because Eritrea was wrong. It emerges out of the American global strategy of dominance. American interest in the major route of the Red Sea has been expressed for many years. The Americans have chosen Ethiopia as a major and dominant power in the area and has been doing everything possible to help any party that comes to power in Addis Ababa to ensure American interest.

The American antagonism against Eritrea that started in the 1940s is due to this point of view. As a result the American administration in the last ten years worked to strengthen the Woyane and weaken Eritrea; to create a political unrest in Eritrea, to crumple the Eritrean economy through different means and to isolate Eritrea.

Despite all such obstacles, the Government of Eritrea took major diplomatic initiatives to improve the relationship between the two countries and to change the negative American attitude towards Eritrea. However, since the US stand is a long time strategy, it was not easy to change. So, the only option we had was to face the American opposition.

Our priorities for the year 2008

1. Defeating invasion; top national concern

Since we clearly know the aims and plans of the Woyane, of all the defense initiatives we take, military preparations is the most crucial. It is because we have to maintain our national dignity that so many lives were sacrificed. So, our prime objective is to halt the war declared against us by the Woyane and its bosses.

2. Developing a political power

The power of the Eritrean people, now and during the armed struggle, was due to political unity. Our political power enables us resist major obstacles from major world powers. Our political strength lies on the national unity and national esteem that we have built since the armed struggle. Now also, we need to keep and develop this major national asset in order to emerge successful. We face all the challenges not because we posses the power of money or weapons, but because we acquired the power of thinking and the belief in ourselves. Moreover, we need to improve the activities of the Government and the Front, so as to enable them solves problems because an organized and active participation of the public leads to success.

Finally, what is important for successes is not your enemy’s weakness, but your internal strength. So, by building this we could establish a strong basis for a better future.

3. Guaranteeing economic progress and liberation

Since we have been in a state of war for many years and different economic conspiracies were declared up on us on one hand, and since we worked without focusing on short term plans on the other, there are many social problems we face. Our perseverance enabled us to build a base for strong economic development and liberation. The development activities all over the country are enough indicators by themselves. The work done so far, to ensure food security is encouraging. Various activities are also underway to transform our rain fed farming into irrigation farming and the harvest gained this year is a good example in this regard.

Exploiting our marine resource, and sea food development endeavors is growing steadily. Similarly, our mining sector could be one of the encouraging inputs of the national economy in the future. Our mining policy also enables the Government to have a significant share in the ownership of any mining enterprise.

3. Developing diplomatic relations

Our diplomatic relations in the region plays an important role in the success of every plan we have. Our strategy for peace, development and cooperation is also influenced by the strategy of others. Hence, in order to achieve our goals; to avoid risks, we have to ensure regional peace and harmony. Along with developing and strengthening our internal affairs, we should exert more effort in our regional diplomatic activities in a way that gives priority to our national interest.

Generally, it is hoped that the year 2008 will be a year of an overall emancipation and progress.