Eritrea Profile_25062014
Transcription
Eritrea Profile_25062014
Vol. 21 No. 34 Wednesday, 25th of June, 2014 Pages 8, Price 1.50 NFA Meeting conducted enabling launching of joint Minister of Local Government indicates research venture between the Eritrean Ministry that human resource development constitutes vital prerequisite for of Health and China’s Shanghai region economic progress A meeting was conducted towards enabling the launching of joint research venture between the Eritrean Ministry of Health and China’s Shanghai region in line with the existing agreements be- tween the two countries in various development domains on the 18th of June 2014. In the course of the meeting, Ms. Amina Nur-Hussein, Minister of Health, noted the historic na- Martyrs Day commemorated with patriotic zeal in various countries abroad ture of Sino-Eritrean relations, and pointed out that the ties between the two countries have witnessed remarkable step in the domain of health. She further lauded the Chinese region’s input in the endeavors being made by Eritrea as regards control of communicable diseases in general and tropical diseases in particular vis-à-vis human resource development. Heading the Chinese delegation, Mr. Han Weijun, Deputy Director General of the Shanghai Municipal Commission’s Health and Family Planning, said that he is in a position to observe the development stride registered by health service institutions in Eritrea. He also expressed the delegation’s readiness to foster the relations. A number of officials from the Eritrean Ministry of Health gave briefings pertaining to the objective situation in communicable and tropical diseases, as well as the research undertakings conducted and the initiatives taken thereof. The Minister of Local Government, Mr. Woldemichael Abraha, said that human resource development constitutes a vital prerequisite for economic progress. He made the remark at a meeting in the port city of Assab with Department Heads, sub-zonal Administrators and PFDJ Heads in the Southern Red Sea region, during which he noted the prevailing work enthusiasm among the Eritrean people as significant factor of the national development drive. Mr. Woldemichael urged the participants of the meeting to do their level best to nurture work discipline among internees, in addition to focusing on proper placement. He further outlined the efforts being exerted by the Ministry with a view to meeting the demand for expertise in Regional and Sub-zonal administrations, and thereby promoting public service. Likewise, the Adminis- trator of the Southern Red Sea region, Mr. Gergis Girmai, called for the compiling of a 3-month report portraying the initiative and work relations among the employed youths in the region. He also expressed conviction that it would encourage training and career promotion. The participants of the meeting voiced readiness to prove commitment in the respective positions they have assumed, and put forth views on some limitations in connection with deployment of manpower. was attended by Ministers, senior PFDJ heads, branch heads of the Education Ministry, and the PRC Ambassador to Eritrea, Mr. N. Xiang. During the occasion, the Administrator of the Central region, Maj. General Ramadan Osman Awliyai, hoisted the national flag in the school. Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Education, Mr. Se- mere Russom, conveyed thanks to the Government of the PRC on behalf of the Eritrean Government. Mr. Semere Russom, Mr. Abraha Asfaha, Minister of Construction, and Maj. General Ramadan Osman Awliyai, handed prizes to Ambassador N. Xiang of the PRC, as well as the Chinese experts who took part in the construction of the school. Newly constructed Erafaile School in Arbaete-Asmara sub-zone inaugurated Reports indicated that Martyrs Day was commemorated in various countries abroad with patriotic zeal. The Eritrean community members in Germany, USA, Norway, Qatar, South Africa, South Sudan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia commemorated the Day with patriotic spirit. The nationals asserted readiness to step up participation in national development programs and raise contribution to the Martyrs Trust Fund. On the momentous Day, the Eritrean nationals living abroad expressed deep respect to the martyrs who laid down their lives so as to restore the dignity of their people. They further reiterated their commitment to live up to the trust of the fallen heroes, raise participation in State affairs and make due contribution in support of the fami- lies of martyrs. Meanwhile, the Eritrean community members in Uganda, Kuwait, UK, Sweden, Republic of Sudan, Canada and USA have asserted readiness to patronize families of martyrs and raise contribution to the Martyrs Trust Fund. They made the pledge at commemorative events they conducted in connection with Martyrs Day. Moreover, the national asserted readiness to step up participation in the implementation of development programs and patronize families of fallen heroes, in addition to raising contribution to the Martyrs Trust Fund. The community members commemorated the momentous Day in a manner that highlight the immense scarifies paid for independence and safeguarding the nation’s dignity. The newly constructed Erafaile Elementary School in ArbaeteAsmara sub-zone was inaugurated on the 21st of June 2014. The construction of the 3-storey school at a cost of USD 3.8 million was funded by the Government of the People’s Republic of China in line with the agreement concluded between the two countries. The inauguration ceremony What Time Is It For Eritrea? Eritrea Profile, Wednesday 25th of June, 2014 By: Amanuel Biedemariam A young Eritrean that was born in the US once said, “When I hear people call Eritrea a new nation, it startles me because I grew knowing Eritrea to be a nation.” Most Eritrean children that grew up in the US before independence have encountered people that told them Eritrea does not exist on the map. Their answers were always that Eritrea existed in their heart and they knew that she will be free. The subtle way the West pulled Eritrea’s annexation left Eritreans empty handed without a country, under primitive tyranny of Ethiopia’s pseudo monarchy. In a flash, they defeated the surrendering Italian army led by British troops into Asmara Palace and not long-after, British soldiers and the US escorted Emperor Haile Selassie into Asmara with his wife and handed him a nation without having to lift a finger. Great Britain’s recently declassified World War II videos show this transaction clearly. Published Every Saturday & Wednesday Managing Director Azzazi Zeremariam Acting Editor Amanuel Mesfun [email protected] P.O.Box: 247 Tel: 11-41-14 Fax: 12-77-49 E-mail: [email protected] Advertisement: 12-50-13 Layout Azieb Habtemariam Eritreans who dreamt of independent Eritrea were forced to flee, killed or imprisoned. That in effect marked the start of the liberation struggle. Eritrea ceased to exist as a nation then. However, Eritrea was alive in the hearts and minds of Eritreans. Heart is the foundation of the Eritrean psyche, the place where Eritrea lives no matter where and it is where it all starts and still continues to date. With nothing but determination, Eritreans embarked on a long and arduous journey to freedom. Without resources and military expertise Eritreans flocked to the field to fight against US funded Ethiopian troops. In no time, Eritrea managed to establish a full-fledged army that included tanks captured from enemy soldiers. Moreover, while the fighting was taking place, Eritreans were focused on reestablishing Eritrea after victory hence embarked on a nation building campaign. The people of Eritrea accomplished the unthinkable, unimaginable and seemingly impossible fit. With principled approach to struggle, clear-aim stemming from the ironwilled Eritrean heart, by empowering Eritreans with education, by organizing, arming-them with everything they need to succeed as a unit and by Self Reliance Eritrea won. The manner in which Eritrea came to life is a history that the Soviet Union, United States and their allies shun to talk or write because it highlights the defeat of their agendas. That also means given a 2 choice these enemies would not have liked to see independent Eritrea. In 1991, the US tried to block Eritrea’s independence but failed because Eritrea knew what to do and where to go. Eritrea took-out the system in Ethiopia and propelled the current regime, in a sense conducted a regime change; a first seamless transition conducted by an African nation, and ensured the signature that sealed independence. No African nation would admit that the current regime in Ethiopia is a byproduct of the struggle propelled to power by Eritrea. Eritrea’s independence was significant historical event that reshaped the Horn of Africa’s geostrategic map. It came at a time when the Soviet Union fell and the US became the sole-superpower. The breakup of the USSR accorded the US opportunity to control the region. Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya and Ethiopia became US client-states with Ethiopia as a hub. Eritrea was also a part of that equation. After the Cold War, the US controlled the region by proxies. At the time the Clinton administration lauded these “new generation African leaders” including His Excellency President Isaias Afwerki as the hope for the future. That was short-lived because while the others kowtowed to US interests Eritrea forged independent path to the dismay of US marking new Era of US Eritrea relations. Eritrea was the only nation thus a spoiler of US hegemony. Cooperation, mutual interests-based bilateral relations with Eritrea would set a bad precedent; hence, a regime change policy was initiated against Eritrea. The machinations to ensnare Eritrea under the pretext of border-war were initiated leading to countless death, loss of limbs and population displacement. Had they succeeded, Eritrea would have been soakedin-blood for generations. Eritrea managed to foil all their sinister attempts. However, these machinations continued. The UN was manipu- lated to pass punitive measures that denied Eritrea her inalienable rights for self-defense with illegally manipulated and fabricated sanctions under the guise of “African nation’s initiative” when the actual violators were Ethiopia and the US that brazenly and violently invaded Somalia, a sovereign nation. The levels of covert and overt activities on Eritrea remain relentless. All the defamatory campaigns and destabilizing activities against Eritrea trace their roots to Ethiopia and US. The US continues the assault with the youth as their key target. Recent State Department regarding Eritrean refugees from the Afar region indicate continuation of a hostile policy geared at encouraging youth flight. The regime change policy is still on play. US authorities are still trying to divide the people of Eritrea from the government. In 2009, on Christmas Eve, when Ambassador Susan Rice boasted the sanction she placed upon the people of Eritrea, she said the US supports the people of Eritrea. In a similar Fashion, when Secretary John Kerry extended his warped independence letter, in May of 2014, he also said the US stands with the people of Eritrea. Although it is an open secret, why deny congratulations to the government that brought independence of Eritrea? That is duplicity and sign of continuation of the policy. Nothing in the history of the US demonstrates US support for the people of Eritrea. The fact that Secretary Kerry deliberately misrepresented Boston Marathon-winner Meb Ki- flezgi’s identity by calling him Kenyan when he knows that Meb is Eritrean-American is evidence that they do not want to acknowledge Eritrea. Cold War Part II During the Cold War, due to the global-geopolitical juxtaposition, Eritrea was caught on a seesaw that affected her negatively. That ended at the time when Eritrea won independence and the fall of USSR. Over the last two decades, the world witnessed the destruction of Iraq, Libya, Syria and unforeseen changes in many places such as Egypt. However, after 23 years of US adventurism, the world is experiencing yet another transition that will influence nations. The situation in Ukraine seems to be the game-changer having monumental impact on world politics. When the US pressured Russia with swift actions including sanctions for Crimea, Russia and China lashed back in ways that changed the world. With a stroke of pen, China and Russia brought downto-earth the notion of US as solesuper-power. By signing huge energy trade agreement, they invalidated the sanction threat and placed the EU-nations that supported the sanctions on a precarious position. Countries such as Germany were forced to retract, in a sense created a wedge between EU and the US. The agreement is diminishing the role of the petro-dollar and re-establishing a new economic order that could counter US’s. The bilateral agreements will have implications on relations between nations, on the UN working-pecking-order, on the global economy, on previously US engineered-UN and other sanctions, and on global politics. A shift on global-alliances independent from US is in place. Hence, for the first time in years, it appears the world is poised for a multi-polar world-order independent from US control. The most import impact however is on the US dollar. When countries start to trade with other currencies, the value of the dollar falls precipitously and it damages the reserve currency that enabled the continued on page 5 Eritrea Profile, Wednesday 25th of June, 2014 Aron Hidru Today’s article is taken from Stephen R. Covey’s book entitled The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. The book is a very inspiring one. This extract is related to becoming a proactive person. Another excellent way to become more self-aware regarding our own degree of proactivity is to look at where we focus our time and energy. We each have a wide range of concerns -- our health, our children, problems at work, the national debt, nuclear war. We could separate those from things in which we have no particular mental or emotional involvement by creating a “Circle of Concern. As we look at those things within our Circle of Concern, it becomes apparent that there are some things over which we have no real control and others that we can do something about. We could identify those concerns in the latter group by circumscribing them within a smaller Circle of Influence. By determining which of these two circles is the focus of most of our time and energy, we can discover much about the degree of our proactivity. Proactive people focus their efforts in the Circle of Influence. They work on the things they can do something about. The nature of their energy is positive, enlarging and magnifying, causing their Circle of Influence to increase. Reactive people, on the other hand, focus their efforts in the Circle of Concern. They focus on the weakness of other people, the problems in the environment, and circumstances over which they have no control. Their focus results in blaming and accusing attitudes, reactive language, and increased feelings of victimization. The negative energy generated by that focus, combined with neglect in areas they could do something about, causes their Circle of Influence to shrink. As long as we are working in our Circle of Concern, we empower the things within it to control us. We aren’t taking the proactive initiative necessary to effect positive change. Earlier, I shared with you the story of my son who was having serious problems in school. Sandra and I were deeply concerned about his apparent weaknesses and about the way other people were treating him. But those things were in our Circle of Concern. As long as we focused our efforts on those things, we accomplished nothing, except to increase our own feelings of inadequacy and helplessness and to reinforce our son’s dependence. It was only when we went to work in our Circle of Influence, when we focused on our own paradigms, that we began to create a positive energy that changed ourselves and eventually influenced our son as well. By working on ourselves instead of worrying about conditions, we were able to influence the conditions. Because of position, wealth, role, or relationships, there are some circumstances in which a person’s Circle of Influence is larger than his or her Circle of Concern. This situation reflects on a self-inflicted emotional myopia -- another reactive selfish life-style focused in the Circle of Concern. Though they may have to prioritize the use of their influence, proactive people have a Circle of Concern that is at least as big as their Circle of Influence, accepting the responsibility to use their influence effectively. Direct, Indirect, and No Control The problems we face fall in one of three areas: direct control (problems involving our own behavior); indirect control (problems involving other people’s behavior); or no control (problems we can do nothing about, such as our past or situational realities). The proactive approach puts the first step in the solution of all three kinds of problems within our present Circle of Influence. Direct control problems are solved by working on our habits. They are obviously within our Circle of Influence. Indirect control problems are solved by changing our methods of influence. Most people have only three or four of these methods in their repertoire, starting usually with reasoning, and, if that doesn’t work, moving to flight or fight. How liberating it is to accept the idea that I can learn new methods of human influence instead of constantly trying to use old ineffective methods to “shape up” someone else! No control problems involve taking the responsibility to change the line on the bottom on our face -- to smile, to genuinely and peacefully accept these problems and learn to live with them, even though we don’t like them. In this way, we do not empower these problems to control us. We share in the spirit embodied in the Alcoholics Anonymous prayer, “Lord, give me the courage to change the things which can and ought to be changed, the serenity to accept the things which cannot be changed, and the wisdom to know the difference.” 3 Circle Of Concern And Circle Of Influence Whether a problem is direct, indirect, or no control, we have in our hands the first step to the solution. Changing our habits, changing our methods of influence and changing the way we see our no control problems are all within our Circle of Influence. Expanding the Circle of Influence It is inspiring to realize that in choosing our response to circumstance, we powerfully affect our circumstance. When we change one part of the chemical formula, we change the nature of the results I worked with one organization for several years that was headed by a very dynamic person. He could read trends. He was creative, talented, capable, and brilliant -and everyone knew it. But he had a very dictatorial style of management. He tended to treat people like “gofers,” as if they didn’t have any judgment. His manner of speaking to those who worked in the organization was, “Go for this; go for that; now do this; now do that -- I’ll make the decisions. The net effect was that he alienated almost the entire executive team surrounding him. They would gather in the corridors and complain to each other about him. Their discussion was all very sophisticated, very articulate, as if they were trying to help the situation. But they did it endlessly, absolving themselves of responsibility in the name of the president’s weaknesses. “You can’t imagine what’s happened this time,” someone would say. “The other day he went into my department. I had everything all laid out. But he came in and gave totally different signals. Everything I’d done for months was shot, just like that. I don’t know how I’m supposed to keep working for him. How long will it be until he retires?” “He’s only fifty-nine,” someone else would respond. “Do you think you can survive for six more years?” “I don’t know. He’s the kind of person they probably won’t retire anyway.” But one of the executives was proactive. He was driven by values, not feelings. He took initiative -- he anticipated, he empathized, he read the situation. He was not blind to the president’s weaknesses; but instead of criticizing them, he would compensate for them. Where the president was weak in his style, he’d try to buffer his own people and make such weaknesses irrelevant. And he’d work with the president’s strengths -- his vision, talent, creativity. This man focused on his Circle of Influence. He was treated like a gofer, also. But he would do more than what was expected. He anticipated the president’s need. He read with empathy the president’s underlying concern, so when he presented information, he also gave his analysis and his recommendations based on that analysis. As I sat one day with the president in an advisory capacity, he said, “Stephen, I just can’t believe what this man has done. He’s not only given me the information I requested, but he’s provided additional information that’s exactly what we needed. He even gave me his analysis of it in terms of my deepest concerns, and a list of his recommendations. “The recommendations are consistent with the analysis, and the analysis is consistent with the data. He’s remarkable! What a relief not to have to worry about this part of the business.” At the next meeting, it was “go for this” and “go for that” to all the executives but one. To this man, it was “What’s your opinion?” His Circle of Influence had grown. This caused quite a stir in the organization. The reactive minds in the executive corridors began shooting their vindictive ammunition at this proactive man. It’s the nature of reactive people to absolve themselves of responsibility. It’s so much safer to say, “I am not responsible.” If I say “I am responsible,” I might have to say, “I am irresponsible.” It would be very hard for me to say that I have the power to choose my response and that the response I have chosen has resulted in my involvement in a negative, collusive environment, especially if for years I have absolved myself of responsibility for results in the name of someone else’s weaknesses. So these executives focused on finding more in- formation, more ammunition, more evidence as to why they weren’t responsible. But this man was proactive toward them, too. Little by little, his Circle of Influence toward them grew also. It continued to expand to the extent that eventually no one made any significant moves in the organization without that man’s involvement and approval, including the president. But the president did not feel threatened because this man’s strength complemented his strength and compensated for his weaknesses. So he had the strength of two people, a complementary team. This man’s success was not dependent on his circumstances. Many others were in the same situation. It was his chosen response to those circumstances, his focus on his Circle of Influence, that made the difference. There are some people who interpret “proactive” to mean pushy, aggressive, or insensitive; but that isn’t the case at all. Proactive people aren’t pushy. They’re smart, they’re value driven, they read reality, and they know what’s needed. Look at Gandhi. While his accusers were in the legislative chambers criticizing him because he wouldn’t join in their Circle of Concern rhetoric condemning the British Empire for their subjugation of the Indian people, Gandhi was out in the rice paddies, quietly, slowly, imperceptibly expanding his Circle of Influence with the field laborers. A ground swell of support, of trust, of confidence followed him through the countryside. Though he held no office or political position, through compassion, courage, fasting, and moral persuasion he eventually brought England to its knees, breaking political domination of 300 million people with the power of his greatly expanded Circle of Influence. Eritrea Profile, Wednesday 25th of June, 2014 The fence that divides the city of Nogales is part of the natural experiment in organizing human societies. North of the fence lies the American city of Nogales, Arizona; south of it lies the Mexican city of Nogales, Sonora. On the American side, average income and life expectancy are higher, crime and corruption are lower, health and roads are better. Yet the geographic environment is identical on both of the fence, and the ethnic makeup of the human population is similar. The reasons for those differences between the two Nogaleses are the differences between the current political and economic institutions of the US and Mexico. This example, which introduces Why Nations Fail by Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson, illustrates on a small scale the book’s subject. Power, prosperity and poverty vary greatly around the world. Norway, the world’s richest country, is 496 times richer than Burundi, the world’s poorest country. Why? That’s a central question of economics. Different economists have different views about the relative importance of the conditions and factors that make countries richer or poorer. The factors they most discuss are so-called “good institutions”, which may be defined as laws and practices that motivate people to work hard, become eco- What Makes Countries Rich Or Poor? nomically productive, and thereby enrich themselves and their countries. They are the basis of the Nogales anecdote, and the focus of Why Nations Fail. In the authors’ words: The reason that Nogales, Arizona, is much richer than Nogales, Sonora, is simple: it is because of the very different institutions on the two sides of the border, which create very different incentives for the inhabitants of Nogales, Arizona, versus Nogales, Sonora. Among the good economic institutions that motivate people to become productive are the protection of their private property rights, predictable enforcement of their contracts, opportunities to invest and retain control of their money, control of inflation, and open exchange of currency. For instance, people are motivated to work hard if they have opportunities to invest their earnings profitably, but not if they have few such opportunities or if their earnings or profits are likely to be confiscated. The strongest evidence supporting this view comes from natural experiments involving borders: i.e., division of a uniform environment and initially uniform human population by a political border that eventually comes to separate different economic and political institutions, which create differences in wealth. Besides Nogales, 4 Part I examples include the contrasts between North and South Korea and between the former East and West tribal organization. That cruel reality underlines the tragedy of modern nations, such as Germany. Many or most economists, including Acemoglu and Robinson, generalize from these examples of bordering countries and deduce that good institutions also explain the differences in wealth between nations that aren’t neighbors and that differ greatly in their geographic environments and human populations. There is no doubt that good institutions are important in determining a country’s wealth. But why have some countries ended up with good institutions, while others haven’t? The most important factor behind their emergence is the historical duration of centralized government. Until the rise of the world’s first states, beginning around 3400 BC, all human societies were bands or tribes or chiefdoms, without any of the complex economic institutions of governments. A long history of government doesn’t guarantee good institutions but at least permits them; a short history makes them very unlikely. One can’t just suddenly introduce government institutions and expect people to adopt them and to unlearn their long history of Papua New Guinea, whose societies were until recently tribal. Oil and mining companies there pay royalties intended for local landowners through village leaders, but the leaders often keep the royalties for themselves. That’s because they have internalized their society’s practice by which clan leaders pursue their personal interests on their own clan’s interests, rather than representing everyone’s interests. The various durations of government around the world are linked to the various durations and productivities of farming that was the prerequisite for the rise of govern- ments. For example, Europe began to acquire highly productive agriculture 9,000 years ago and state government by at least 4,000 years ago, but subequatorial Africa acquired less productive agriculture only between 2,000 and 1,800 years ago and state government even more recently. Those historical differences prove to have huge effects on the modern distribution of wealth. Ola Olsson and Douglas Hibbs showed that, on average, nations in which agriculture arose many millennia ago-e.g., European nations-tend to be richer today than nations with a shorter history of agriculture (e.g., subequatorial African nations), and that this factor explains about half of all the modern national variation in wealth. Valerie Bockstette, Areendam Chanda, and Louis Putterman showed further that, if one compares countries that were equally poor fifty years ago (e.g., South Korea and Ghana), the countries with a long history of state government (e.g., South Korea) have on the average been getting rich faster than those with a short history (e.g. Ghana). Jared Diamond Source: GIGEST, January 2014 ads Eritrea Profile, Wednesday 25th of June, 2014 Invitation for Bids VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT Ministry of Marine Resources-Fisheries Development Projects IFAD -- GRANT No. DSF-8060-ER Procurement of Furniture for Library and Office Bisha Mining Share Company is inviting applicants for the following position for its Bisha Site Project. National Competitive Bidding (NCB) IFB No.: MMR/FDP/G/NCB/002/2014 Position: - Heavy Mobile Equipment Trainee Training Officer Required: 01 Major Duties and responsibilities:- • Perform needs analysis on artisans where required. • Train Earthmoving Equipment and normal Diesel Mechanics as outlined in the training curriculum Update training materials where required to suit work related outcomes. • Update training materials where required to suit work related outcomes. • Perform assessments when and where required. • Evaluate and communicate outcomes of training to line management and students Ensures that appropriate training records are maintained. • Ensures that appropriate training records are maintained. • Prepare suitable reports for management. • Adhere to BMSC core values, cardinal rules, disciplinary code; SOP’s including current policies & procedures. Profile: Qualifications and Experience Formal Education, Certifications or Equivalents Working Experience – Nature & Length Leadership ExperienceNature & length of time Other skills and abilities 1. Technical School Certificate or Other Equivalent Certificates 2. Mathematics & Physical Science Compulsory 3. Related Trade Test Certificate or other Qualification Equivalent to Trade certificate 4. Workplace Assessors certificate an added advantage 1. Have at least 1-2 years’ experience as a Diesel Mechanic/Earthmoving Equipment Mechanic in a Workshop-/ Field service environment 2. Automotive Electrical experience will be an added advantage. 1. Supervisory and or leadership skills essential 1. Good computer skills (MS word, Excel & PowerPoint, Outlook) 2. Good English – Spoken & Written General Information and other requirements: • Place of Work: Bisha. • Type of contract: Indefinite period • Salary: As per Company salary scale. • Additional requirement for Nationals: • Having fulfilled his/her National Service obligation and provide evidence of release paper from the Ministry of Defense. • Present clearance paper from current/last employer. • Testimonial documents to be attached (CV, work experience credentials, a copy of your National Identity Card etc.). • Only shortlisted applicants would be considered as potential candidates for an interview. • Application documents will not be returned to sender. • All applications should be sent through the post office. • Deadline for application: 10 days from the day of publication in the Newspaper. • Address: Please mail your applications to; Bisha Mining Share Company, P. O. Box 4276 Asmara, Eritrea Note to Eritrean applicants: Please send a copy of your application to Aliens Employment unit, P. O. Box 7940 Asmara, Eritrea 1. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 5 The Government of the State of Eritrea has received grant from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) toward the cost of Fisheries Development, and it intends to apply part of the proceeds of this grant to payments under the Contract for the procurement of Furniture for Library and Office; IFB No.: MMR/FDP/G/NCB/002/2014. MMR-FDP now invites sealed bids from eligible and qualified bidders for the supply of Furniture for Library and Office. Interested bidders may obtain further information from the MMR-FDP and inspect the Bidding documents at the address given below, from 7.00 – 11.30 AM local time, Monday through Friday. A complete set of bidding documents in English may be purchased by interested bidders on the submission of a written application to the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee of Eritrean Nakfa (ERN) 400.00 (four thousand Eritrean Nakfa or equivalent in foreign currency starting from July 2, 2014. Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before Tuesday, August 5, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. Electronic Bidding will not be permitted. Late Bids will be rejected. Bids will be opened in the presence of bidders or their representatives who choose to attend in person at the address below at 10:15 a.m. on August 5, 2014. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security mentioned in the bidding documents. 9. The address referred to above is: The Ministry of Marine Resources-Fisheries Development Project Contact Person: Mr. Muhammed-Sfaf Hamid Street Address: Hiday Street 748-1 Block and Floor: Dembe Sembel, Block “A”, 4th Floor, RH City: Asmara P.O.Box 923 ZIP code: 748-1 Country: Eritrea Telephone: 291-1-153960 Facsimile number: 291-1-153961 E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] What Time Is It For... continued from page 2 US to print money with impunity. Countries that depended on US finances to sustain their economies will crush. This includes countries like Ethiopia that receive billions of US dollars as food and security aid. Absent of new funding sources these countries will crush. These new geopolitical developments will influence the political dynamics of various regions in Africa. The penetration of China by using/dumping the dollar to gain influence, Russia’s assertivestances at the UN Security council is dissolving previously US dominated roles, thus diminishing US influences profoundly. For example China is building rail infrastructure that connects Kenya, to South Sudan, Uganda, and Rwanda. These global developments will lead to changes of outdated US Africa policy. However, these changes will not come willfully. It will come due to US’s inability to manage situations that are spiraling out of control, changing global realities, and lack of funding. At the end, cost- benefit analysis will force US policy changes. For example Ethiopia will, in short time, be too expensive to manage. To divide-and-rule the TPLF junta divided Ethiopia along ethnic and religious lines. Many Ethiopians have been crying foul due to fears that religious clashes could lead to genocide in Oromia and other places. Dr. Gregory Stanton of Genocide Watch has been warning about genocide in Ethiopia. Moreover, Ethiopia’s interventions in various parts of the region will undoubtedly have repercussions. The effect on Eritrea The difference between 1991 and now Eritrea was stripped-bare then. Today, the reality in Eritrea is different. The mere fact that food security is attained is a game changer. Eritrea is in much better place and able to stand independently. Eritrea is the only country able to withstand aggressive US adventurism. It is ironic that Eritrea, a country that ascended at the fall USSR is managing to witness yet another cold war like event on the offing. Except this time the table appears to be turning with US super-power status on the decline while China and Russia rise. Even when nations knew Eritrea is standing truthfully by the law, no one stood for justice on the side of Eritrea for fear of retaliation by US. Regardless, the people of Eritrea knew, as President Isaias Afewerki said, “That this adventurism will not last.” The people of Eritrea stood together and fought knowing that the fight is for the very-existence of Eritrea and paid the price demonstrating that Eritrea can stand without having to depend on any power. As a result, today, countries are looking for allies and Eritrea is a perfect choice. Eritrea’s ability to defend herself and the neutral stances are bearing fruit. Eritrea was able to withstand the wrath because of the UNITY of the people, and successful nationalservice program. Every Eritrean, no matter where they live or who they are, has to participate. As a result Eritrea has the most disci- plined military population on the world. The people of Eritrea know how to respect the gun and live with it while protecting the nation. The mature-nature and the discipline makes Eritrea the most peaceful nation in Africa. Eritrea’s greatest resources are the people not the rich natural resources the nation is endowed with. It is also national service and the unity of the people. And not surprisingly the enemies’ main targets are Eritrea’s human resources. The US and Ethiopia are doing everything to deny Eritrea her youth; attack the national service program and create divisions amongst the people. Their main aim is to find or create a crack. Conclusion Eritrea stood strong by the incorruptible leadership that brought Eritrea the time and space necessary to roll-with-the-punches. They secured the room necessary that allowed Eritreans to see global developments and learned from it with patience. Eritrea focused on the bigger picture avoiding traps of temporary PR gains. They showed sacrifice and selflessness that the people can identify. They showed resilience under pressure and told the world we will do it our way, the Eritrean way. Most importantly Eritrea is here by the united-will and strength of the people. It is time to strengthen our unity and stand for what the martyrs gave their lives. Above all, be smart; lift each-other and our communities no matter where we are. That is what time it is. Wetru Awet N-Hafash Zel-Alemawi Zikri N-Sema-etatna Eritrea Profile, Wednesday 25th of June, 2014 Daniel Semere Implications POLITICALIMPLICATION: sovereignty and independence Even though the developing world have gained independence, the political and economic interest of the former colonial masters are deeply entrenched in the third world through commerce, trade, investment and aid programs. This influence in the developing countries is what we call neocolonialism because it perpetuates the pattern of dependence established during colonialism and demonstrates the reluctance of the former masters to change the world order. The choice of development strategy of the third world therefore, is often influenced by economic and political ties with the developed countries and this has been restricting the freedom of developing countries to choose a strategy that is appropriate to its needs. Developing countries thus have been vulnerable. One of the vulnerability has to do with food insecurity. It has been long since the food insecurity of Africa has been exploited and serves as a pretext to interference through aid. As a result the sovereignty of states has been violated. In this respect there are two topics through which food becomes a political tool, food aid and the dilemma of Genetically Modified Food. It’s been long since food aid has been used as a political toll to advance different agendas. A US law, PL 480, for example explicitly tied food aid to political goals in favor of non-communist countries during the cold war. Aid is an instrument not a gift. According 6 AGRICULTURE: For Stability, Independence, & Development Part III to US department of Agriculture over 36 million Americans were living in food insecure household in 2008. Why then is the US concerned about the wellbeing of the people in other countries than its own? It is because for western countries and institutions it plays key role in their overall strategy to maintain and expand their influence in Africa. For this reason they even force poor nation to take aid. When for example, in 2002 Zambia refuses to take GM food aid, it was accused of starving its own people and Senator Frist threatened to cancel away the aid in AIDS medicine from Africa who said no to GM aid. Food aid comes with condition as a political demand such as ‘open your market’ or ‘get rid Corporation find foreign market. lem with this is that it hurts local of state support system’. This is because food aid has really meant about helping US agri-business The US food aid program for example, requires all food aid be produced in the US. The prob- farmers of recipient country by putting them out of market which in turn exacerbates the problem of dependency. A fair question could be asked, like if aid is meant to help Africa, why the food shouldn’t be procured from local farmer that could have a double effect as they would get market that could increased their capacity to produce enough food for their people. Aid thus, becomes a recipe for dependency, which in turn make the government vulnerable for political manipulation and finally bargain away the sovereignty. Moreover relying on aid undermines the development of basic institution needed to govern. It also instills the psychology of impotence as it promotes the culture of dependency. The other threat to developing countries is the problem with Genetically Modified Foods. These are crops or seeds which are designed in a laboratory to give large amount of yield. The agricultural revolution was the result of this technology. The problem is however is that a seed has to be processed in a laboratory before it could be planted. This technology is only found in developed world, but has been a topic of disagreement as GM seeds can contaminate the bio-diversity of local varieties. Should this happen, we will have to depend on this technology for our survival. And hence, this gives leverage for countries who own this technology and some has been working to use this as a political weapon in their attempt to control countries. For instance, since the new millennium the USAID and WFP have sent shipment of food aid containing GM amounting to some 3.5 million tones per year. In most cases the recipient countries hasn’t been notified and run the risk of being contaminated. In 2002 US gave aid to South Africa for famine reason, but the government wasn’t notified until it was proved to be GM. There are many examples of food aid containing GM like for example in Sudan in 2000, GM soy given to Cambodia and Uganda in 2001, GM maize given to Bolivia in 2002. Food security therefore has come to mean political independence and that is why Africa should be selfsufficient in food if it is going to regain its sovereignty once again. Promoting agriculture might just be the answer for this. Eritrea Profile, Wednesday 25th of June, 2014 Kesete Ghebrehiwet There is a friend of mine, who usually gets attracted and too much engrossed by the overall beauty of Asmara’s (Asmarino) ladies. I could only guess about what makes him attracted to such an indescribable beauty for the exact reason behind his remark is not yet known to me. He usually exclaims saying “The ladies of Asmara…!”And ladies think of his over repeated remark as if he had a bad experience in a relationship. His reply is just so simple that ladies have never wronged him nor will they wrong anybody. “I have never heard of a lady’s misdeed against her lover, the reality is to the contrary” is what he says. Much of his conversation is preoccupied with the topic of ladies’ beauty (the beauty of Eritrean ladies). If the conversation is mainly focused on the issue of ladies, it makes one feel engrossed to his rhetoric expression. As if one is ordered to be a listener alone, nobody wants to say any for the topic seems much relevant to him alone. He is indeed an expert in describing ladies’ beauty. Asmara is indeed a beautiful city which is needless to say much about, but such a beauty is by far enhanced by the beauty of its ladies’. “You have beautiful ladies, who are feast to the eyes, around the Cathedral Road,” once said an expa- Perfect Match: Beautiful 7 Asmara And Its Young Ladies triate instructor who was teaching us English and African literature at Eritrea Institute of Technology (EIT). His view about the beauties of Asmara was quite strange for us all; who were attending his lectures for he is a man in his late sixties. What is really true about the ladies of Asmara is that they attract any body regardless of age group. However, as if to agree with an Eritrean saying “A gold at hand is just like insignificant piece of cloth”, the beauty of Eritrean ladies continues to be an ordinary one for us all who get accustomed to such a great beauty and for those who are not yet awake to see the unique attractiveness they possess. As if Asmara only let’s to have a beauty that equals to its prettiness, Asmarino ladies are exceedingly beautiful-a beauty that goes parallel to the city’s attractiveness. Thus, the ladies who make walks in the main streets of Asmara are perfect matches to be mingled with a scenery that is worth watching without being deviated. If someone is lucky enough, it is out of question that everybody would not hesitate to have an Asmarino lady to be his lifetime partner. They are in short the apple of everybody’s eye. Once I saw a foreign tourist exited by the grace of Asmarnio girls, it called my attention to make a close observation of a beauty I was not much aware of. It was indeed a beauty that not only called my at- tention but also altered my views for it made me notice a beauty that was hidden to me. Personal hygiene is an enhancement to their natural beauty is what another friend of mine says while he tries to admire ladies of Asmara. “Tidiness is what they are known for.” He says. They never grumble; not even when their wellnourished hand nails get cracked due to an engagement in unpleasant household chores. In the course of admiring the beauty of Asmara’s ladies, there is nothing these friends would not say about. If a survey is to be made by the Eritrean Telecommunications Service (Eri-Tel), the number of girls who always make flash calls would exceed by 100 folds of that of the boys. It is surprising to read a text massage written by a number of ladies to be “Dewleley” (Please give me a call). If this is true, it is indeed another hidden thing which needs to be researched. But, no matter whether such a remark is true or not, it could not blemish the beauty of Asmara’s ladies. At times, that is when a group of girls gather for a recreation at any given café in Asmara, they collaborate in paying a bill. However, they break the culture of sharing when a guy joins them. They just let him cover all the expenses, as if it is a taboo to pay a bill in the presence of any guy. However, ladies of Asmara are very clever in buying bus ticket even for a dozen of people, is what my friend says. The beauty of Eritrean ladies is so incredible. And such a beauty has not come from an excessive make up but is rather so natural. Thus, they almost invest nothing to embellish their look. It makes one feel that there exists a clever sculpture in the womb of Eritrean mothers. One may mistakenly think that the streets of Asmara are closed for plump ladies. The truth is however, there are hardly any overweight girls. If someone happens to see a few ladies, who go to GYM to make exercise so as to lose some weight, it is mostly a pretense they employ when they need to hang around the main streets of Asmara. In an attempt to stay slimmer, ladies who regularly lose weight and who make frequent visits to tailor shops to resize their dresses are not few in number. Some tailors have regular clients- ladies who are always in tune with every new fashion. A number of Eritrean singer, who make close observation of such slim bodies have composed different lyrics that admire the beauty of Eritrean ladies and particularly about their perfectly shaped waists. The beauty of Asmarino ladies is indeed a fest to the eyes and above all their internal beauty has a soothing effect to the mind. Eritrea Profile, Wednesday 25th of June, 2014 8 Japan To Bring About Robotic Revolution: Pm Japan says it intends to make the necessary preparations to materialize what it calls a robotic revolution and calls robots a massive economic growth factor. On Thursday, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said, “We would like to set up a council on making a robotic revolution a reality in order to aid Japan’s growth.” “We want to make robots a ma- jor pillar of our economic growth strategy,” he noted. The premier voiced interest in the country’s hosting Robot Olympics in 2020. “In 2020 I would like to gather all of the world’s robots and aim to hold an Olympics where they compete in technical skills.” Abe also revealed plans for a taskforce to develop Japan’s robot industry and to triple the size of Microwave Helmet Can Speed Up Stroke Diagnoses The Swedish scientists have developed a device called microwave helmet that is able to determine the occurrence and type of a stroke in the brain. The newly designed device can raise chances of stroke recovery and limit any brain damage through speeding diagnosis and treatment of stroke. The wearable cap is slated to be given to ambulance crews after successful results in early studies with 45 patients as it needs more testing. When a person has a stroke, doctors first need to find out if the stroke is caused by a leaky blood vessel or one blocked by a clot, while the time at this stage plays vital role in treatment. While any delay at this “golden hour” of treatment opportunity could hinder the progress of recovery, speeding up the process is urgently needed. The researchers from Chalmers University of Technology, Sahlgrenska Academy and Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Sweden, have come up with the portable device that can speed up the process. The newly made helmet uses microwave signals to build a picture of what is going on throughout the brain according to the study report published in Transactions on Biomedical Engineering journal. “When a stroke strikes, the brain is starved of oxygen, and brain cells in the affected area die. Diagnosing and treating stroke as quickly as possible is crucial,” said Dr Shamim Quadir, of the UK’s Stroke Association. As the new microwave-based system is portable and affordable could help rapidly identify the type of occurred stroke and speed up treatment, Quadir also explained. A South Korean court is to hear evidence in the trial of the captain and 14 crew members of a ferry that sank in April, killing more than 300. The crew are charged with negligence and abandoning ship. The captain and three officers are also charged with “homicide through wilful negligence”. Captain Lee Joon-sok’s lawyer suggested he would contest the murder charge because there was no intent to kill. The Sewol ferry capsized and sank on 16 April, with 476 people on board. A total of 304 people are believed to have died. Divers have conducted an extensive search of the sunken ship to recover their bodies and on Tuesday retrieved the remains of a female passenger. That brings the number of bodies recovered to 293, with 11 people still unaccounted for. Most of those on board the ferry were teenagers on a school trip. Prosecutors say the ship capsized because it was overloaded, with cargo improperly stowed. Five executives from ferry operator Chonghaejin Marine are also facing charges. South Africa Strike Officially Over: Workers Union Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe the market for the machines to 2.4 trillion yen (USD 24 billion). The country has proven a robotic industry juggernaut. A Japanese telecommunications and Internet corporation recently said it is to sell anthropoid androids meant to serve in different sectors. At a press conference in Tokyo, SoftBank Corp said the sales are to begin in February with an eye on making up for understaffed sectors like medical care. The automatons, which can serve as baby-sitters, nurses, emergency medical workers or even party companions, are to be offered at 198,000 yen (USD 1,900). CEO Masayoshi Son hailed the robots capability of ‘emotion’ and ‘learning,’ saying, “People describe others as being robots because they have no emotions, no heart. For the first time in human history, we’re giving a robot a heart, emotions.” Protesting mineworkers march to Lonmin platinum mine near Rustenburg, South Africa. (file photo) South Africa’s union of mineworkers has said that a five-month platinum strike is “officially over”, putting an end to the longest work stoppage in the country’s history. “The strike is officially over,” said Joseph Mathunjwa, leader of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), after asking a gathering of thousands of miners at Rustenburg’s Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Monday about a new wage offer from platinum producers and receiving their approval. “Today we are creating a historic day in the mining sector,” Mathunjwa told the crowd, adding, “The platinum sector will never be the same. What other unions have failed to do over many years, you have achieved in five months.” The strike started on January 23, when over 70,000 mineworkers walked out at Amplats, Implats and Lonmin platinum producers, demanding that their minimum wage be doubled. The move has affected around 40 percent of the global platinum production. “I’m very glad the strike is over, because we made a terrible wound in the South African economy and we are happy to heal that wound. Our children are suffering because they had no food,” Lucas Makgwe, a miner at Amplats, said. In late March, the three platinum firms said they had lost nearly 10 billion rands (about $921 million) in revenues because of the strikes. In February, the South African Chamber of Mines said the protests in the platinum mines had cost the country around 400 million rands (over $36 million) a day. South Africa’s mining sector has been shaken by strikes and violent protests since August 2012. Dozens of people have been killed in the strike-related violence ever since. The country holds some 80 percent of the world’s known platinum reserves. Amazon Introduces 3dCapable Smartphone Fire Daring to take on saber-toothed competition, retail colossus Amazon has introduced a smartphone with 3D capabilities. The company’s CEO Jeff Bezos allowed the media to have an eyeful of the Fire, as the device has been named, at the company’s headquarters in Seattle on Wednesday. The 4.7-inch device’s three-di- mensional display features include depth perception in maps and pictures, and the ability to shift perspectives depending on how the user tilts the screen. It also sports object and audio recognition feature Firefly, which allows the users to identify an object by taking a picture of it. A promotional video, titled “Find The tragedy has caused shock and outrage in South Korea. The crew have been accused of prioritising their own safety over that of passengers, and also of causing more deaths by instructing people to remain in their cabins instead of evacuating the ship. They are being tried at the district court in the southern city of Gwangju. But, reports the BBC’s John Sudworth from the court, questions are being asked about the possibility of a fair trial given the wide assumption of guilt in the South Korean media. Meanwhile President Park Guenhye, whose government has also faced tough criticism over the disas- ter, suffered another blow when her second nominee for prime minister withdrew from consideration. The incumbent, Chung Hongwon, has tendered his resignation over the handling of the ferry disaster. But Ms Park’s first choice as his replacement withdrew amid questions over his finances, and her second, Moon Chang-keuk, over controversial Japan-related comments that he made. In 2011 Mr Moon had described Japan’s 35-year colonisation of the Korean peninsula as “God’s will”. The Sewol ferry capsized and then sank off South Korea’s southern coast on 16 April South Korea Ferry: Court To Hear Evidence out what these Amazon customers are talking about,” had featured people admiring something they were holding out of sight of the camera. It showed users’ swaying the device from side to side, which has prompted rumors about its eyetracking technology, said to be capable of creating 3D imagery viewable without the aid of special glasses. Comments included “it moved with me” and “it’s very real life and uncomparable to anything I’ve ever seen. The phone, which joins Amazon’s “Fire” lineup of tablets and streaming devices, will start at USD 199.99 for a 32-gigabyte storage version with a two-year contract on AT&T. Amazon.com founder and CEO Jeff Bezos presents the company’s first smartphone, the Fire Phone, on June 18, 2014 in Seattle, Washington