On a rainy Sunday afternoon, November 17, in Washington, D.C., over 1,200 people gathered to listen to His Excellency Ambassador Girma Asmerom on the current affairs of the state of Eritrea. This was a much needed town hall meeting to put things into perspective for one of the largest communities of Eritreans in the Diaspora. Ambassador Girma started off the seminar with the latest news on the national development campaign known as "Wefri Warsai-Yika’alo," the project that will take Eritrea to the next phase of development. It was stressed that one of the things that we have shortage of in order to expedite this noble cause was the shortage of skilled manpower. The Eritrean Government is doing it's utmost to work closely in acquiring professionals from all walks of life. Eritreans who have a deep interest are highly encouraged to participate. The opportunity is there for all. The ambassador also stressed that the name "Warsai-Yika’alo" was chosen to honor of our Eritrean heroes of past and present who brought about its independence and defended its sovereignty. It is a name given to a project that can be identified with Eritrea's history.

As far as demobilization, it has become clear to all that some of our military are gradually and phase by phase being returned to their respective homes. They are being trained to face the challenges that may come to them in civilian life. As part of Wefri Warsai-Yika’alo, they are also getting proper education and refresher courses that can help them in reintegrating within their communities. More of our youth will be sent home once the demarcation process starts. If we send everyone home now, the country's national security may be threatened. This should not be new to anyone as the threat from our neighbors in the South continues. Angola and Mozambique were used as examples of the negative experience of demobilization gone badly by quickly sending troops back to their homes without adequate preparations.

I will now briefly touch on some of the other issues that were discussed in this town hall meeting. The Eritrean Government is seriously investing in anti-corruption measures. The Special Court strictly deals with corruption cases and has nothing to do with politics as some try to make it. Eritrea is one of the countries that others are using as an example of good governance and in an initiative taken by the United States and President Bush, Eritrea seems to be one of the few who meets the criteria for some financial aid and grants. The demarcation process continues despite some obstacles from the TPLF regime. The Weyane have failed in every way to convince the Border Commission and the international community about their agenda. Eritrea is prevailing and the ruling is final and binding. Satellite images are being used to monitor the situation and there will be no illegal activities. This border demarcation using high-tech equipment by the U.N. is being used as a pilot for future border problems in other parts of the world.

As far as the current political atmosphere, it is becoming clear by the day that all the anti-Eritrean elements are starting to fall apart. The strength and unity of Eritreans is alive and well. All the hoopla about the "SANA’A AXIS OF BELLIGERENCE" comes as no surprise as the TPLF-led Ethiopia cannot live with peace and will try to create a state of perpetual war and instability at any cost. However, using the Sudan and Yemen to cause problems for Eritrea will not work. The Ambassador emphasized heavily on the friendship that has been going on with the people of Sudan for years. The people of the Sudan have played a big role throughout the struggle in supporting the independence of Eritrea. As for Yemen, our problem was solved through the international court and Yemen must abide by the decisions of the court.

One of the issues the ambassador raised was that all those mercenary groups calling themselves “opposition groups” are only tools for our enemy. He added that some organizations had invited him to come for an open dialogue, but they were nowhere to be found in an official Eritrean Government town hall meeting. It is a known fact among many Eritreans that some NGO-FUNDED groups are popping out everywhere to destabilize the unity of Eritreans. Eritrea's survival and its bedrock principle of self-reliance strictly work against the interests of some of these NGOs. So through their funding they create groups that work against the government and people of Eritrea.

The severe drought situation currently facing our country was also high on the agenda. Once it became clear that a major humanitarian crisis is facing our country because of the prolonged severe drought, a group of Eritreans from the many different organizations presented their mini project. About a week ago, members of HABBO, National Union of Eritrean Women, National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students, Eritrean Sports Federation D.C, and a few concerned individuals got together and formed a committee known as “Emergency Drought Relief Committee” (EDRC). This group was well organized and ready to begin a fund-raising project at the meeting. The drought affects all Eritreans, and EDRC is proud to announce that over $40,000 was collected at the town hall meeting in just a couple of hours. The group would like to thank all who donated and it must be stressed that this noble fund-raising project to help our less-fortunate brothers and sisters back home will continue. Many individuals and groups contributed large amounts of money and EDRC is very appreciative of their generosity.

There were also petitions being signed in support of the Government of Eritrea regarding the blatant lie about human rights violations in Eritrea from the State Department. Dr. Girmay Abraham, from the World Bank also gave his analysis on the macro-policy of Eritrea and the prospects of investing in Eritrea. A survey questionnaire was also distributed. Over all, the meeting was a success and when people left they were very much satisfied by the progress of our country and government. A resolution in support of the people and the Government of Eritrea was passed in which was unanimously endorsed by the town hall meeting participants. For more information on this, listen to the Voice of Eritrea (read the resolutions passed at the meeting, posted separately in English and Tigrinya).

Eritreans in the metro D.C area, were treated to a special day and Ambassador Girma Asmerom sent the message of the Government in a clear and democratic manner. He should be commended. Many people were talking about the meeting afterwards and how His Excellency the Ambassador did an outstanding job.

Awet n' Hafash!

Eritrea will prevail!