NEW RELICS DISCOVERED IN ADULIS

Vol. 20 No. 98
Wednesday, 5th of February, 2014
Pages 8, Price 1.50 NFA
Commemoration of Operation
Fenkil to be conducted from
7 to 9 February
Photo: Henok Mekonen
Predicted level of harvest could not be met
in 2013 in connection with limited rainfall:
Ministry’s Assessment
The Ministry of Agriculture
indicated that the predicted level of
harvest for the year 2013 could not
be met in connection with limited
rainfall despite the putting in place of
various agricultural infrastructures,
the correlation of which phenomenon
is closely associated with climatic
change.
It made the remark at an assessment
meeting on January 30 and 31, during
which it was stated that a number
of accomplishments have been
registered regarding soil and water
conservation, construction of ponds,
and preparation of farmland, as well
as environmental conservation,
among others. Accordingly, an
instance of desert locust swarm in
some areas of the Northern Red Sea
region could be controlled thanks
to the commitment of agriculture
experts and communities.
Other achievements of the year
as regards animal production also
pertain to furthering feed output
level, vaccination, distribution of
chicks and breeding of dairy and
beef species, while widespread
introduction of energy-conserving
wood stove across the country has
made positive impact as regards
prevention of deforestation.
The meeting further noted that
significant research work has been
made pursuing development of
select seeds, and that a number of
farmers have become beneficiaries
of them, besides the implementation
of an effective program seeking
introduction of temperate fruits.
The Ministry has set a 5-year
program
for
implementation
effective this year which involves
Eritrean students’ sports
week colorfully commences
Eritrean students’ sports week
that will proceed until 8 February
colorfully commenced on 2
February at Asmara Stadium under
the theme “Develop Women’s
Participation in Sports’.
In a speech he delivered during
the opening ceremony in which
Ministers, Sports Commission
officials, representatives of PFDJ
and national associations were
present, Mr. Semere Russom,
Minister of Education, said that the
program is the continuation of the
efforts to identify the potentials of
students and assist them develop,
and that nurturing physically
competent citizens is timely
responsibility of all sectors of the
government.
Continued On Page 5
Photo: Yonatan Yebiyo
a total of 48 projects, and it has
called for integrated community
participation thereof.
The participants of the meeting
exchanged views on several issues.
In closing remarks, the Minister of
Agriculture, Mr. Arefaine Berhe,
noted that the Ministry should
exert efforts towards laying the
groundwork for higher communal
input in a bid to realizing the
cherished food security goal.
The Holidays Coordinating
Committee in the Northern Red Sea
region pointed out that Operation
Fenkil would be commemorated
from 7 to 9 February under
the theme “FENKIL 2014: On
Threshold of a Promising Phase.”
Reports indicated that a number
of committees have been set up
with a view to adding color to the
event, and that they are at the stage
of finalized preparations.
Service businesses in the port
city have equally been carrying out
wide-ranging preparations to meet
service demand in connection with
the momentous event, while various
cultural troupes are expected to
stage shows on the occasion.
The Mayor of Massawa, Mr.
Kidane Woldesilasie, pointed
out that preparations for the 24th
anniversary of the commemoration
of Operation Fenkil have been
finalized.
He further indicated that the
specialty of the current event is due
to entail one involving predominant
community-based activities, and
that more than 10 committees have
been set up in connection with its
organization. He also said that the
participation of government bodies
and communities especially that of
the residents of the port city in the
preparation is commendable.
Accordingly, the 3-day event
would witness communal cultural
shows, bazaar, sports activities,
musical performances, and fashion
show and community festivities,
among others.
Mr. Kidane pointed out that the
occasion is a time when nationals
should reiterate resolve towards
ensuring a bright future for the
nation. He also stated that a number
of special preparations have been
made in a bid to giving added
fervor to the manner the historic
event would be commemorated.
It is to be recalled that national
independence was achieved within
15 months right after victory in
the historic Operation Fenkil in
February 1990.
fact that it held a strategic location
which enabled it to serve as a
gateway to various areas of the
continent’s regions. Evidences
reveal that it served as a doorway
of major merchandizing activities,
thus higher significance of this
work of excavation, she added.
Dr.
Chiara
Zazzaro,
Archaeologist and Lecturer
in Italy’s Oriental University
expressed conviction that Eritrea
would possess various tourist
attraction sites at global level
following the conclusion of the
excavation as discovery of relics
has been continuing.
In the same vein, Prof. Susanna
Bortolotto, Scientific Coordinator
of Conservation Project Polytechnique in Milan, lauded the
endeavors being made to uncover
and restore artifacts from the
sites in an environment friendly
manner.
Among
the
Museum’s
staff members, Mr. Amanuel
Bekuretsion and Mr. Daniel Isaias
pointed out that the joint venture
entails favorable environment for
exchange of experience.
Reports indicate that Adulis
served as a well-known sea
gateway to our region from the
2nd Century BC to the 7th Century
AD, according to reports.
New relics discovered in Adulis
New
relics
have
been
discovered in the excavation
sites in Adulis, the 4-year project
of which task is being carried
out in 5 sites in collaboration
with Italian archaeologists and
paleontologists.
Mr. Yohannes Gebreyesus, Head
of the National Museum’s branch
in the Northern Red Sea region,
disclosed that the excavation is
being conducted on a total area of
40 hectares, while the discoveries
pertain to two temples, ancient
ceramic leftovers from the Middle
East and Far East, as well as walls
and other artifacts.
Among the Italian experts, Prof.
Alfredo Castiglioni, explained that
Eritrea is endowed with hundreds
of thousands of historical sites
the secrets of which are yet to be
unraveled, and that the ancient Port
of Adulis is potentially the oldest
one in African history in line with
the satiated relics it possesses.
Likewise, Prof. Serena Massa,
Scientific Coordinator of the
Project and Lecturer in Catholic
University in Milan, said that
the significance of Adulis as
a historical site over Metera,
Kohaito and Keskese lies on the
Photo: Henok Mekonen
Eritrea Profile, Wednesday 5th of February, 2014
2
Pearl Of The Red Sea: The Very
Gateway To Independence
Rahel Asgedom
If there had been a stronghold
in Eritrea, political and military
officials of the colonial Ethiopian
Derg had boasted of, it was the
port city Massawa. The realization
that surrendering Massawa would
as much likely be as taking their
own lives had compelled the Derg
regime to outwit a plan against
conclusive defeat, they guarded it
in a way they believed would be
more dependable to securing their
hold. There was a consolidated
coastal front line stretching west of
Massawa from Figret to Emberemi
and thence to the North. Still, in
Massawa and its vicinities, there
were three defense strongholds
mostly cemented fortifications
sheltering even tanks and artilleries.
Derg deployed a huge army in those
defense lines, within Massawa and
by the sea.
The sixth infantry and the third
motorized divisions, additional
mechanized brigades and almost
the entire Ethiopian naval force
swarmed all over the area equipped
with hundreds of tanks, tens of
cannons, rocket launchers and
other military hardwares as well
as warships and boats. The setup
added to it the imposing terrain was
quite a formidable challenging to
be faced with . Having penetrated
the first fort of the enemy, the EPLF
forces marched forward across the
plainest lowlands. To enter through
the only passage of the city into
Massawa, it was imperative for
the Eritrean liberation forces to
confront the enemy forces with
an overwhelming victory at the
narrow Bridge of Segalet, which
is surrounded on both sides by the
sea.
Despite the surprising victories in
other areas, for the Derg enclosed
Massawa with heavy arms and
enormous force, it was beyond any
Published Every
Saturday & Wednesday
Managing Director
Azzazi Zeremariam
Acting Editor
Amanuel Mesfun
[email protected]
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Tel: 11-41-14
Fax: 12-77-49
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Saba Tesfatsion
Azieb Habtemariam
speculations of not only the regime
but also the Eritreans in Massawa
that the EPLF could indeed liberate
the city. The historic heroism
‘nothing ventured, nothing gained’
to uproot the enormous enemy
force in a short period might have
seemed a miraculous determination.
Having provisioned strong moral
commitment and sophisticated
weaponry seized from enemy
forces, the extraordinary devotion
demonstrated by the freedom
fighters with amplest popular
support plus the special military
skills gained through training and
experience to liberate Massawa
nineteen years ago forced the Derg
army to vacate the city within two
and a half days. Operation Fenkil,
which pervaded an indomitable
spirit capturing imaginations of
the Eritrean people most, was thus
launched against the Derg in three
directions all unawares.
North of the front on the AsmaraMassawa road, the first direction
of the surprising attack in the west
targeted to move forward storming
the military posts in Figret and
throttling the enemy’s militarism
at Gahtelay on the Asmara road.
Second direction of the attack was
in a position to capture the main
road through May Atal and turn
east to Massawa in the face of
any opposition, thereby breaking
through the center of the enemy’s
fortified strongholds on the hills
around Seker. The third flank of the
attack deployed in the East from the
coastal areas to smash the forts and
strongholds stretching north from
Emberemi and surge to victory of
the port city in the North.
Thursday, February 8, 1990, at
1:00 AM, EPLF forces heralded
the launch of the historic operation
of 72-hours by way of the western
wing to liberate Massawa. Within
the early three or four hours of the
battle, having managed to crush the
paralytic attempts of enemy forces,
the western wing of EPLF forces
captured seven tanks, five BM-21
launcher rockets, submachine guns
as well as other military hardware
and seized control of all the camps
around at daybreak. Laying the first
front line of the enemy in ruins,
liberators held many personnel of
the sixth division – including the
adjutant Colonel – in captivity.
Providing momentum for the
operation in opposition to any
resistance, the EPLF forces
removed the enormous Ethiopian
forces from the second wing of the
frontline in the bloodshed around
Seker, May Atal and Degoli at a
price. After a reorganizing break,
liberation forces at the second
night of the coherent attack routed
the huge enemy forces out of
their strongholds into Massawa.
The third wing of the attack in
the battle, flanked by the infantry
and mechanized units jointly with
the young navy, winged along the
coastal areas in the east against the
enemy’s military formation, which
was armed with massive tanks and
convoys.
Thanks to the thunderbolt freedom
fighters, the western wing reached
the gates of Massawa by Gergsum
in the same breath. In the east the
young naval forces of the EPLF
attacked the enemy forces without
giving a break causing the heaviest
loss since the launch of the operation.
The adequately resourced Ethiopian
army with necessary supplies and
sophisticated military assets could
not trounce the newborn navy of
the EPLF, though. On February 10,
1990 early Saturday morning, the
attack which was launched through
Forto-Massawa flared up into the
inner city.
Hence, they first occupied Edaga
and next conquered Salina, the
place where feasibility appeared
unattainable in 1978, subsequently
reached Girar within a short span
of time. After an efficient speedy
but inevitable bloody battle, naval
base, Twalet as well as Massawa
through and through along with the
territorial waters were liberated.
Indeed, the operation, beyond being
a sweeping victory to the Pearl
City, was a key success to Eritrea
throughout that set the nation free
from the clutches of consecutive
colonizers once and for all.
During the Operation Fenkel, more
than 80 tanks, 7 BM-21 launcher
rockets, 10 anti tank guided missals,
sub-machine guns and artilleries
were captured. Moreover, around
8 thousand Ethiopian soldiers
along with a number of officers
were succumbed under the doughty
EPLF. Napalms and cluster bombs
rained down on the civilian people
by the Ethiopian soldiers as to
avenge their shameful defeat. The
vast number of the retreating and
fleeing Ethiopian soldiers revealed
twilight moments of the downfall
of the regime.
The unparalleled Operation Fenkel
dawned good prospects and uplifted
the hope of every citizen towards
a free state. During the operation,
five armed Ethiopian huge warships
were captured and turned against
the Derg aligning with the EPLF
naval force. Despite Russian-made
war planes: Mig-21 and two Mig23 were dispatched in a bid to give
help for the enemy forces, the EPLF
anti-air craft unit shot down both.
Above 10 infantry and mechanized
brigades were totally destroyed. In
these vast battles 200 tanks, from
about 85 to 100 different kinds of
Continued On Page 6
Eritrea Profile, Wednesday 5th of February, 2014
Eritrea shares abundant coastal
natural attractions. It possesses an
escarpment with spectacular views
from the highland plateau to the
coastal plains. It is also a country
endowed with around 2,234
kilometers coastline that entertains
a varied unique natural features
including “three seasons in two
hours, and a place with the lowest
point on land: Denakil Depression.
Along the Eritrean coast,
temperatures average is from 27°C
to 30°C in the daytime; whereas
in the Danakil Depression in
the southeast, temperatures may
reach 60°C. Hence, what makes
a potential destination for tourists
to this region is not only the above
mentioned unique features but also
the magnificent scenery and hot
springs, and rich natural habitat of
bird life, wildlife, and marine life .
For this reason, part of the coast,
the Semenawi Bahri (Filfil), a
few kilometres from Asmara, is
protected area for the county’s
national park for it is a region
with numerous species of flora
and fauna. Studies have proved
that the region is rich in wildlife
such as ground hornbill family
bird life that includes francolins,
sunbird, shrikes, canaries, turacou,
serins, starling, green pigeon,
oriole, barbet, robin baboon and
babblers. Moreover here and
there in the cloudy vegetation of
Solomuna area, various love-birds,
wood dove, coucal, warblers,
perinea, cisticola, woodpeckers,
cameroptera, crombeck, varieties
of parrots, warblers, tit and hornbill
are chanting and dancing together
with nature.
Additionally, Abyssinian rollers,
scimitarbill, flocks of starling,
buffalo weavers, varieties of grouse
and wagtail in the scrubland and
Red Sea coast; stork, herons, crab
plovers, larks, sparrow hawk, little
3
The Red Sea: Life Time
Memory In Hand
green bee-eaters,
golden sparrow,
speckle-fronted weavers, chatterers
and kingfisher in Massawa and
environs; francolin, massive thickbilled raven, varieties of pigeon,
hornbill, wheatears, turtle dove,
wagtail and seed-eaters are dancing
along the serene clouds and tranquil
vegetation all along the way from
Massawa to Asmara.
This is not to mention the
enumerable wildlife that are
enjoying the country’s coastlines
with peace and security. Wildlife
such as the greater kudu and Tora
hartebeest, monkeys, olive baboon,
pale or sand fox, common jackal,
black-backed jackal, bat-eared fox,
genet, African wild cat are some
from among the most dominant
ones. And in place like that of
Buri Peninsula & the GhelaloTio-Badda Triangle wildlife that
includes warthog, soemmering’s
gazelle, Abyssinian hare and
ground squirrel, baboons, dik-dik,
dorcas gazelle, wild ass, ostrich
and other small mammals are in
abundance. Moverover, leopard,
bush buck, klipspringer, duiker
and warthog are in plenty around
the Green Belt of the country,
Semenawi & Debubawi Bahri.
Whereas places like Dissei Island
are known for Gazelle and Dahlak
Kebir for Oryx, dugong and green
turtles.
Not only are this but the Eritrean
coastlines and eastern escarpments
also unique for a marine life
with healthy coral reefs around
350 islands of the Red Sea coast
including the Dahlak Archipelago.
It is special for a flat reef gardens
and cliffs that slope down to
the depths of the ocean floor.
According to studies, this place
is identified for large mounds of
brain coral (Porites), and branching
Acropora. It also harbors diverse
of fish species including angelfish
– blue and yellow Arabian, the
yellow bar and the striped emperor,
butterfly fish, the endemic bannerfish with its elongated dorsal fin
and blue-striped and other colorful
varieties.
Moreover,
according
to
researches, the place is a heaven for
parrotfish, groupers, damselfish,
animonefish, dascyllus, scissortail
sergeant, blue and orange sunrise
dotty back, small pipefish, red
squirrelfish and cube-like box
fish and larger fish – jacks,
snappers, emperors, sweetlips and
barracudas. What make it more
unique to this place is that it is rich
in a variety of crabs, black, white
or red sea cucumbers, snails, and
jellyfish.
Hence, tourists are most attracted
to the sandy beach of the Red Sea
taking the pleasure in the wide
sandy beaches and calm sea waves
along the Red Sea coast; these are
the safe heavens to nature-loving
Continued On Page 4
Eritrea Profile, Wednesday 5th of February, 2014
ADS
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMEN
Bisha Mining Share Company is inviting applicants for the following positions for its
Bisha Site Project.
1. Position: -Environmental Superintendent (01)
Major Duties and responsibilities:In collaboration with the Environmental Manager develops a yearly budget for his/ her
area of responsibility.
Assist the Environmental Manager to lead/ direct/ implement/ comply with the15
Element environmental Management System.
4
New Registration for German
Language Courses
The Eritro German Association will start registration for German Language training
courses effective February 01 to February 15, 2014. Classes will be commenced on
February 17, 2014 for beginners and second semester stand.
Training courses are A1 and A2 modules. For further information please contact
us on telephone No. 11-51-71.
Eritro German Association, Asmara
Ensure compliance, updating and implementation of the Environmental Management
plan.
Ensure all Environmental personnel and contractors under his control work in accordance
to relevant laws, regulations, company policies, standards and procedures.
Ensure his/ her section works to the highest of standards and all hazards and risks are
identified and corrective and preventive actions are continually put in place to ensure a
safe and efficient working environment.
Regularly liaise with government departments, cooperate office and community
members.
Coordinate his/her section’s resources- people, equipment, spares/ consumables and
facilities into a proper environmental operational planning system so as to achieve the
environmental section objectives and cost management objectives as set out in the yearly
budget.
Participate in new idea generation/ proposal preparations, general project planning and
scheduling by contributing his/ her particular expertise to ensure a culture of continuous
improvement exists within the department.
Maintain and update the department’s information system including flash reports to
provide accurate and timely information on a daily, weekly, monthly basis.
Ensure the environmental employee development objectives are met.
Act as the Environmental Manager on a regular basis.
Profile: Qualifications and Experience
SRBG Hamelmalo Project
Post: Masons and Plasters (for mortar, putty and paint plastering& ceramic
tiles and terrazzo tiles fixing)
Working Place: Hamelmalo Agricultural College
Salary: 400-500Nkf/day& food allowance (anyone that reaches the requirement
and qualification from the engineer on site)
Valid Time: Within five months
Contact Person& Tel: Yekealo 07250746
The Red Sea:
Life Time . . .
Continued from Page 3
Formal Education, Certifications or
Equivalents
Working Experience – Nature and
Length
Leadership Experience-Nature and
length of time
A Degree/ Diploma in Environmental
Management or related fields.
Minimum 10 years’ experience in
Environmental related work.
At least 7 years’ experience should be in a
senior environmental management position on
a large open cast mine- gold and / or copper.
Thorough knowledge of mining and
environmental legislation and best
practice.
Other skills and abilities
The Environmental Superintendent
should be a team player, results
driven and prepared to contribute
to the company objectives in an
energetic and proactive manner.
Through knowledge of computers,
associated software and the ability
to prepare and present reports and
presentation.
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
tourist. The Gurgusum, Buri Peninsula, Zula
Bay, Mersa Gulbub, Mersa Ibrahim and Ras
Kuba. Dahlak Archipelago with over 350
islands, Dissei Island and Assab Bay islands
entertain tourists with white sandy beaches
and ample opportunities for underwater
exploration.
To the adventure tourists, there lies one
of the majestic volcanoes around Dubbi of
Eritrea which was created by the violent
underground activity of the African Plate
(Nubian) to the west and the Eurasian,
Arabian, Indian, and Somali Plates to the
east. These volcanoes along with other large
number of volcanoes lie along the Great Rift
Valley.
One may also cruise down the southeastern
portion of the coastal plain and enjoy the
Denakil Depression, the lowest and hottest
place on planet, which is also part of The
Great Rift Valley. Again this depression
is the site of what is known as the Alid
volcano. Hence, apart from tourist attraction,
researchers have assessed that the area of this
volcano is a potential for possible geothermal
resources, which may be used in the future to
produce electrical energy for the country.
More importantly, however, the Denakil
depression of Eritrea is most attractive to
tourists for it is part of the Great Rift Valley,
the massive fault system that stretches over
6,400 kilometers from the Jordan Valley
in Israel to Mozambique passes through
Eritrea.
Besides, Eritrea is gifted with natural hot
springs in many locations such as Akwaar,
Mai Wui, Gahtelai and Arafayle. In addition
to that, tourists are welcome to enjoy the
country’s underwater paradise. With the help
of the Eritrean Tourism Service Association,
international divers may appreciate the
colorful underwater life in Eritrea. Snorkeling
and scuba diving in some of the Dahlak
Archipelago environs including: Desie,
Nakura, Kundbulu, Dahlak, Durgam, and
Durgela are once a life time memory.
The underwater adventurers in particular
are most welcome to get pleasure from the
Eritrean Red Sea waters for they possess
the largest number of ancient and wartime
wreck ships. There exist loads of wreck
ships ruined during the Second World War.
There also exists a bulk of Ethiopian wreck
ships destroyed by the Eritrean People’s
Liberation Front during the armed struggle
for independence.
Hence, the historical ships in the Eritrean
Red Sea are “a dream come true” to the
international tourists who may want to
dive in search of wreck ship. Studies have
discovered that the Dahlak Kebir Island
in the Gubbet Musnefit area harbors some
Italian wreck ships of WWII. Some of them
include: Nazario Sauro, Urania, promoeteo,
Giuseppe Mazzini, Bottego …etc.
Likewise, as mentioned above, as the
Eritrean Red Sea possesses natural sandy
beaches, swimming, fishing, and other water
sports are common on the offshore waters.
Not only this, but also the Eritrean Red sea
is attractive for it possesses more than 350
islands out of which the Dahlak archipelago
ranks the biggest archipelago comprising
some 210 islands. Hence, Eritrea serves a
cruise tourism supported by yacht stopovers,
small ship cruises in the Eritrean Red Sea for
the islands lovers.
Source: Travel Tourism Attraction
Eritrea Profile, Wednesday 5th of February, 2014
Aron Hidru
Do you notice that many drivers often have the habit to utter bad
words – they insult the pedestrians?
Could this be because these people
are inherently and particularly not
good? If these people are inherently
and particularly not bad, so what
could be the reason that they tend
to be so? Why are they tempted to
do so?
If we at least hypothetically agree
with the above example, why do
you think that while drivers (being
in their automobile) insult people in
the streets but those who walk in the
streets do not insult others in a similar manner as the drivers tend to do?
Perhaps, we may think that the reason can possibly be that in the first
case you feel protected and the ones
whom you insult are not in a position to react immediately. But in the
second case, you may fear that they
(the pedestrians) may retaliate even
physically.
The manipulative nature of human beings can best be observed
in the interactions of adult people
with children. While we were in a
literature class, what a classmate
told us about what a bus driver did
to a child amazed us very much.
Some in the class also shared similar observations when her story
stimulated them. According to the
narrator of the aforesaid story, on
their way to Asmara on the AsmaraKeren road, they stopped at Balwa
for a while. Then one child entered
the bus in an attempt to sell his commodities. While those children who
sell their items in the streets often
do so, bus drivers have the habit of
treating such children in a less polite
manner. The driver of that particular
bus was more abusive and refused
to let the child get down. He started
the engine of the bus while the child
was still in the bus. Consequently,
he took the child some kilometers
with the passengers as a punishment. While the passengers were
all furious and tried to persuade
him not to punish the child in such
a way, he was a heedless person. If
the person (the child) were an adult
one, do you think the driver would
do so?
When we want to say something
negative about other people, we often do so in their absence; in most
cases, we do not openly criticize
adult people. Instead, we backbite.
The reason is that saying something
negative about other people does
certainly have some negative consequences. Those whom we openly
blame my have their emotional
wellbeing affected negatively. And
this may affect our relationships
with them. So in our relationships
with adult people, we tend either to
praise them or at least we keep quiet
when they are with us and start to
say something negative when they
turn their back.
But the same is not true in the case
of our relationship with children.
Almost all parents are preoccupied
with the situation of their children.
Much of their talk is dominated by
discussions related to their sons and
daughters. In such cases, the most
disappointing thing is that most parents have the habit of comparing the
relative virtues their children happen to have. Worse than this, many
also have the habit of examining the
limitations one of their children may
have with the virtues the other children have. The worst thing is that
this happens in the presence of the
child, without considering the far
reaching consequence this may have
Eritrean students’ sports
week colorfully . . .
Continued from Page 1
He further explained that
putting in place necessary sports
infrastructure, sports materials
and human resources are basic
requisites for the development
of the students’ sports week to
a higher level, and called on
the public, administrations and
schools to work hand in hand for
the development of sports in the
country.
Mr. Mehari Mengisteab, director
of the Minister’s office, on his part
indicated that over 1,100 students
and staff members from junior and
high school as well as technical
schools would be participating,
and expressed conviction that
participants would demonstrate the
good national cultural values.
Students Helen Fitwi from
Gash Barka region and Salwa
Mohammed from Northern Red Sea
regions stated that the sports’ week
would enable them identify their
potentials and become competitive
and provide the opportunity to
share experiences among students,
and that they would work for the
success of the program.
The opening ceremony was
highlighted with cultural and
calisthenics shows by students
from Asmara Comprehensive High
School.
Deterring And
Restraining
5
on the mental setup of the children.
Because children are powerless and
helpless, we feel less restrained in
criticizing them openly as opposed
to what we do in our relationships
with adult people. In their relationship with us (adult people), children
are victimized simply because they
are not able to deter us.
All the above examples are indications that when they are not restrained and deterred, human beings
have the inherent inclination to manipulate the powerless and helpless.
It is not only in political gymnastics
that deterrence is required. It is also
a way of life in the general relationships we establish.
One nation having nuclear weapons is unlikely to attack another with
similar military capability. This is
because it fears that doing so may
expose it to serious equivalently destructive consequences. But if the
other nation is less powerful, it may
not hesitate to wage war against it.
For example, if the United States
learns that Iran or any other nation,
unlike the case in Iraq, has nuclear
weapon this can somehow deter
its actions; in such a circumstance,
we may possibly think that it will
be very unlikely that it is going to
actually attack the nation that has a
deterring capability.
So it must be an inherent human
nature or behavior to abuse the less
powerful ones – the unprotected
ones. While the powerful ones do
feel secure as they can protect themselves, the powerless are always
helpless. For this reason the latter
can be easily abused by the former.
The serfs in the feudal period of history were considered to be socially
Inspiration
not fit simply because they were
unable to protect themselves due to
lack of critical resources; their case
was so not because they were less
competent by their blood or origin
but simply because they lacked
the resources to protect themselves
self-reliantly. For example, this happened to them because, among other
things, they were few in number and
did not have certain critical resources such as land and political power.
And these things considerably affected their social status. They were
forced to serve the powerful as they
were protected in return.
Today’s inspiration is taken from Osho’s book that is entitled ‘the Enlightened Mind’. They are two separate
stimulating stories.
A Sufi fakir was in his hut with his wife, just getting ready to go to sleep. The hut was very small. Somebody
knocked on the door -- it was raining, and the Sufi said to his wife, “Open the door. Somebody is outside and it is
raining.”
The wife said, “But there is no space -- only enough for us two to sleep. There is not enough space here.”
The Sufi said, “There is always space, just the heart is needed. Open the door, I say to you, open the door.”
When the husband said that, the wife reluctantly opened the door. A man came in. The wife then asked the husband, “What shall we do?”
He said, “Nothing is a problem. Two can sleep, three can sit. For sitting there is enough space, so we will sit and
gossip. That traveler may have something to say to us, many stories to tell -- we will enjoy the night!”
Just then somebody knocked on the door. The guest was sitting by the side of the door so the fakir said, “Please
open the door, somebody is outside.”
The guest said, “But there is not enough space; it is already crowded. Let him go.”
The fakir said, “No. That was the argument of my wife about you too: ‘Let him go.’ If we had not opened the
door you would have had to travel in the rain through the forest. It is a dangerous night -- l don’t think you would
have survived or reached to town alive. Open the door!” The guest opened the door, but very reluctantly.
This is how the human mind functions. He could not even think that he was just a guest, he was not the owner.
The man, the second man, came in, and the guest said to the fakir, “Now what are you going to do?”
He said, “We three were sitting comfortably, we four will sit a little uncomfortably. Just come closer -- make
space for the fourth one.” They sat closely together; now it was completely packed. And then there was a strange
knock on the door; it didn’t seem to be coming from a human hand. The fakir said, “I know who is there -- just
open the door.”
The new guest was now seated close to the door. He said, “No, I am not going to open the door. There is no
space, we are overcrowded. I am the person closest to the door and I will not allow anybody to open it. Where is the
space?”
The fakir said, “You should understand one thing clearly: I am the owner; I allowed you in but I can throw you out.
We were sitting comfortably at ease; because of you we are sitting uncomfortably. Now we will be standing. Let him
come in -- nobody can be turned out while there is any space. I am saying we can stand; we will not sit, and so space
will be created.”
What could the guest do? -- he had to open the door. And they were all surprised: a donkey entered.... The guests said
to the fakir, “Is this donkey also going to be here?”
He said, “If you can be here.... Who are you? He is my old friend, we are old acquaintances; he often comes when it
rains. You have never come before -- I can throw you out, but not him. And he is a poor animal. You may find some way
to save yourself, but where can he go? Let him stand just in the middle of all of us. We will stand around the donkey and
he can stand in the middle. We can enjoy ourselves talking, and once in a while he will join in also.”
He said, “Remember one thing: this is a poor man’s hut, not a king’s palace. In a king’s palace there is no space.
Although the palace is big there is no space because the heart is not there. Here space is very limited, but the heart
is unlimited.”
Eritrea Profile, Wednesday 5th of February, 2014
Daniel Semere
Lack of ambition stands as one
of the most serious problems as far
as human resources management is
concerned. Low ambition on the part
of the employees is hindering many
organizations from achieving their
goals. Here, we are not saying that
people aren’t ambitious in general,
rather they don’t put much effort to
learn skills that would advance their
careers. This is because they don’t
have much choice in picking what
they want to do as a job.
In a recent book entitled Seven
Ways to Elevate Ambition, a couple
of points were forwarded to address
the point of ambition. It acknowledges the essentiality of ambition
as a precursor of any achievement.
And this is especially relevant in
an organization or any firm. Even
at individual level there couldn’t be
any progress without first being ambitious. Following is the brief summary of the book. It is distinctively
of western countries’ point of view
but it could also help us in certain
way and even come up with our
own version and perspective that
suits our situation. It therefore, is
worth looking at.
No ambition is likely to draw
others to it, or sustain itself for
long, without a appealing to a great
sense of purpose. A noble calling
-- relieving suffering or improving
the environment -- is the highest
expression of moral purpose. But
more commercial undertakings can
also assume a greatness of purpose.
Leaders can do at least seven things
to help people look beyond themselves in pursuit of a dream
Achieve excellence in whatever
you do. Individual achievers -- artists, athletes, adventurers -- usually
excel in their chosen field. They
seek, and they offer in return, recognition for high performance. Being
the best at what one does is a deeply
held aspiration that transcends the
individual leader. Especially if they
are the founder or prime mover of
an organization, they establish excellence in product or service quality as a high purpose.
Create great value. High achievers recognize the connection between quality and value. They see
that social and economic value is
created through effective execution. A company like Wal-Mart creates value through efficient systems
that save customers money. A great
nonprofit takes pride in the number
of lives changed as a measure of its
value creation.
Empower the individual. High
Raising The
Ambition
achievers find ways to attain their
dreams, exercise their potential,
and exceed previous limitations.
Enlightened leaders also give colleagues the information, authority,
and resources, to make their own
decisions on behalf of customers.
But an even higher sense of purpose
is possible when people join to empower customers. Apple Computer,
for instance, has always strived to
build simple machines that help
people learn and be creative. That
sense of shared power has seen the
company through difficult times.
Improve the human condition.
Millions of healthcare professionals,
teachers, religious and social workers, and public workers dedicate
themselves to improving the lives
of others. Occasionally an extraordinary individual -- a Mother Teressa or Martin Luther King -- assumes
an almost mythical standing. But
leaders of such businesses as Ben
& Jerry’s, The Body Shop make human service an explicit part of their
mission -- and contribute a share of
the profits to the public good. And
the stated ambition of Monsanto’s
Robert Shapiro was nothing less
than “to feed the world.”
Create fun and pleasure. Effective leaders appeal to a sense of enjoyment, as well as purpose, in their
colleagues and customers. Entertainment companies find a natural
link between purpose and pleasure.
But leaders like Southwest Airlines
Chairman Herb Kelleher make fun
and good-heartedness essential
parts of their organizational culture
and strategy.
Invent the future. Great dreamers and doers strive to change the
world. Thomas Edison, Guglielmo
Marconi, and Jonas Salk did just
that. But thousands of Internet startups, biotechnology firms, and social
ventures are inventing new ways of
doing business and rallying people
to a cause.
Improve the environment. Every
human activity and organization
exacts a price on the environment.
One way to elevate one’s cause is to
make a point of promoting conservation, mitigating damage, and raising awareness. Tom’s of Maine, for
instance, uses only environmentally
benign ingredients -- and its respect
for the environment is integral to its
mission.
Good human resource management means getting the most out of
our human capabilities to achieve
organizational goal. Lack of ambition on the part of our human
resource, therefore automatically
becomes a challenge, as one cannot expect much from such people.
That’s why it is crucial to get a hold
on this issue before we can expect
good result from our effort as individuals or organizations.
Pearl Of The Red Sea, The
Very . . .
Continued from Page 2
cannons and other weapons were
launched together erupting like
a volcanic outburst, ranging the
magnitude of the battle than any
land of Eritrea had ever attested.
The scope of the battle and the
military formation of the enemy
forces during the Operation Fenkel
extended from Morara, Bri-Gemal,
Tsehaf-Lam, Kudo, Afgergr around
the green-belt region under the 69th
Birgade of the 10th division to the
right, to the left the Shabah plains
under the 113th brigade, in the
northeast close to Kentibay under the
83rd brigade, and 500th brigade near
Emberemi around the area which
they referred to as 101kilometer
road representing the left flank
in an area of about 1560Km2. As
regards the mechanized resource:
302 motorized Brigade in the
island, the tank-armed 4th Brigade
from Massawa to Goroyto, 29th
mechanized Brigade near MayWeuy and Gahtelay, and 27th
mechanized Brigade stretched
out around Foro. Apart from the
aforementioned resources, the
infantry brigade 21 in the areas
around Adi-Ile, other infantry and
mechanized units of the Dergue,
the 66th and 167th battalions of the 10th
division were among the units that
served reservedly.
Confrontation in this enormous
battle by breaking through the
strongholds of the enemy that
were armed with about 180 tanks
was nothing but an invincible
bravery. However, the EPLF had
utilized sophisticated military
plans to win the battle. The sincere
secret of the success was just the
hunger for freedom and disciplined
stoicism of the people envisioning
to secure independence of the
nation, which Eritrea has been
deprived of for decades due to
injustice and colonization. That’s
why the Fenkel operation, through
its astounding victory, managed to
capture minds of not only friends
of the EPLF and its foes but also
the whole world. It did not at the
same time reveal only the definite
defeat of the Ethiopian regime, but
6
also demonstrated the ultimate goal
of the long and bitter struggle for
independence. It only took months
for complete liberation of Eritrea
upon successful accomplishment of
the operation, realizing the dream
that seemed distant.
Operation Fenkel has been
commemorated for the last twenty
three years on the 2nd week of
February with honor in a cordial
mood for the history it bears.
Thus, the occasion should not be
confined to an event of exuberant
celebration, but must be a juncture
to renew our commitments to
safeguard the sovereignty and
peace of the country. Through
the nation building campaign, the
Eritrean people have managed
to achieve cures for the former
colonial legacies of Massawa,
if not thoroughly, but mostly,
replacing the ruined image of the
port city. Today Massawa has many
modern and comfortable residential
complexes, a big national air port,
modern port, great infrastructures,
hotels and many recreational cafes.
Eritrea Profile, Wednesday 5th of February, 2014
7
‘Tri Ebdi’: The Crazy
Month of Weddings
Meron Abraha
It’s no wonder why Eritreans
for long have dubbed the month
of January as ‘Tri Ebdi’, meaning
crazy January. The name has its
source from the wedding spree that
characterizes this month.
This past weekend was the fourth
since fasting ended on Christmas
day and Asmarinos have been busy
attending to weddings.
Although no one knows for sure
the reason why weddings usually
take place in this months, the general explanation is that since farmers get enough crop after harvests
(usually the winter season), they
habitually prefer to have weddings
after the harvest, hence the months
of January–March, right before
Lent sets in.
As much glorious occasions
weddings are, they also tend to be
among the wearisome yet unavoidable social obligations.
When I was much younger and
had to spend as well. And she was
only talking about one weekend
only. She was also probably wondering of the many more weddings
she would be going to the two or
three months that followed.
Usually there are two types of
wedding receptions: those where
money is accepted as contribution
to the family and the other type
where you don’t have to pay anything. In the former, usually two
people with a notebook sit at the
entrance of the party tent and accept money from the guests, who
after paying are led to their seats by
a strict master of ceremonies.
In the second type, the wedding
ceremonies usually take place in
reception halls and most of the
times involve a specific lunch or
dinner banquet. But then there are
those people who feel they should
bring something to the feast and
usually take a bottle of Areki, an
aniseed based liquor.
barely heeded to social obligations like weddings and funerals,
I used to wonder why my parents
expressed annoyance about having
to attend various weddings, sometimes several stacked in one day.
Now I know what that fuss was
all about! Just this past Sunday I
had to go to three weddings, all in
the evening. Imagine the hassle!
Whenever I hear about the increased number of weddings my
minds travels a few years back to a
moment I witnessed at my cousins’
house. It was this time of year and
my aunt was grumbling about the
stack of invitation cards piled on
the table. She was complaining not
only of the number of weddings
she had to go to but of the considerable amount of money that she
I recall the invitation card of
a wealthy businessperson to his
daughter’s wedding clearly specifying that guests should not bring
anything along. In spite of his
abundance, I thought that it was a
caring gesture, if not a showy one,
on his part.
Meanwhile there is also the question of reckless spending. How
many of these weddings are being
held in a mild or prudent manner?
And how many are lavishing extravagant receptions and long entourage of cars and limousines.
I know there are people with the
opinion that weddings happen only
once in a lifetime and no expense
should be spared, but a little parsimony wouldn’t hurt.
To say that a large amount of
money goes into such extravagant
celebrations would only be stating
the obvious. In the days leading
to the grand event, the bride and
groom’s respective households are
engaged in countless preparations,
at times accompanied by music
bands, sending the expenditures
even higher.
Starting from the dresses, jewelry, the rent and decoration of the
reception hall and cars, the catering, the music band, the invitation
cards… the list of expenditures
goes on and on, rounding up to
hundreds of thousands of Nakfa.
This has quite a significant toll in
the economy of that family, unless
of course it’s one of an immense
wealth. The ‘economic crisis’ also
befalls upon the guests, who are
subjected to heavy spending on
gifts for the newlyweds or money
to be contributed.
And then when the big day
comes, although it might differ
from family to family, the wedding
ceremony takes place in two days.
The Saturday is devoted for the
church ceremony and the entailing
breakfast and photo shoots. Then
comes Sunday when the official
wedding reception takes place.
As my father always insists,
money spent in extravagant weddings should have been used for
the livelihood of the newlyweds
or in some other useful things such
as buying household items, etc,
because people seem to care less
for the couple once the wedding is
over.
“What is the use of spending
money on something that is going
to last for few hours when you are
making a vow to spend the rest of
your life with someone and have
nothing at your house to begin this
new journey of life?” Winta Weldeyesus had posed that question in
her article ‘What Matters More
Marriage or Wedding?’ a couple of
years ago.
Winta talks about the transformation of weddings, both in magnitude and kind, and elucidates with
examples some of the wedding
reforms in our culture. She also
gave examples of what she called
the ‘irksome glitches’ of wedding
ceremonies. I couldn’t help but
laugh at the mention of how some
musicians use inappropriate songs
at weddings.
What goes on in weddings, both
the idyllic and irritating aspects, is
another story for another time.
Eritrea Profile, Wednesday 5th of February, 2014
8
Mit Researchers Create Wearable Books
Researchers at Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (MIT) in
the United States have developed
a wearable book that enables the
readers to experience the characters’ feelings as they read the
story.
The book, which has been created under a project dubbed sensory fiction, is covered in sensors
and actuators and is hooked up to
a vest.
The vest has a personal heating
device to change the temperature of the readers’ skin as well
as a compression system to make
them feel tightness or loosening
via airbags. It also alters vibrations to match the mood of the
Scientists have developed a wearable book using temperature and
lighting to imitate the experiences of
a book’s protagonist
book.
The book itself possesses 150
LEDs to create ambient light,
which changes based on the setting and mood of the story.
“Changes in the protagonist’s
emotional or physical state trigger
Food Poisoning Bacterium
May Cause Multiple Sclerosis
Animal study indicates that a
type of food poisoning bacterium
known as Clostridium perfringens
can develop Multiple Sclerosis
damage in the brain.
Researchers from Weill Cornell
Medical College in the United
States, through lab tests in mice,
found that a toxin made by a rare
strain of C. perfringens is responsible for MS-like damage.
While the exact cause of Multiple sclerosis (MS) has not been
identified yet, mixture of genetic
and environmental factors seems
to play significant role in this neurological disease.
MS is an inflammatory disease
which sees the body’s immune
system attack how nerves transmit
signals to the rest of the body.
C. perfringens, which is found
in soil and contaminated undercooked meat, comes in different
strains and a particular strain of
the bacterium, Type B produces a
toxin that can move through blood
and enter the brain, according to
the study report published in PLoS
ONE.
The researchers observed that the
toxin, called epsilon, crossed the
blood-brain barrier and damaged
myelin-producing cells, which is
typical occurrence in MS patients.
“The findings are important because if it can be confirmed that
epsilon toxin is a trigger of MS,
a vaccine or antibody against the
toxin might be able to halt or prevent this debilitating disease,” said
the lead investigator Jennifer Linden.
“Though the findings now need
to be validated in larger studies,
discovering potential causes or
triggers for MS could enable us to
develop better treatments or even,
one day, prevent the condition,”
Head of Biomedical Research at
the MS Society Dr Susan Kohlhaas stated.
discrete feedback in the wearable
[vest], whether by changing the
heartbeat rate, creating constriction through air pressure bags,
or causing localized temperature
fluctuations” the MIT researchers
noted.
The project was developed by
Felix Heibeck, Alexis Hope and
Julie Legault at MIT’s media lab
as part of the Science Fiction to
Science Fabrication class.
The researchers used James Tiptree Jr’s Hugo award-winning novella The Girl Who Was Plugged
in as their prototype story for creating the wearable book.
The novella was chosen because it displayed “an incredible
range of settings and emotions,”
the researchers said, adding,
“The main protagonist experiences both deep love and ultimate
despair.”
“While the project explores
new ways of reading with digital
augmentations, this is not a product idea but rather an exploration
in the context of science fiction
stories,” said Heibeck.
Meanwhile, some authors are
doubtful about whether physical
emotions could be as strong as
those created in the minds of the
readers.
Flooding Continues To Batter
Italy, Uk
An aerial photo shows submerged
houses in the Italian city Pontedera
in the province of Pisa on January
31, 2014
Italy and the UK are still struggling with flooding, with more rain
and high spring tides forecasted for
the coming days.
In Italy, torrential rain has caused
severe flooding in several cities
across the country, including the
capital Rome and the central city
Pisa.
At least three people died on
Sunday after the car in which they
were traveling was swept away by
floods in the Italian region of Sicily. Another four people in the car
Aid Needed For 20m People In Africa’s Sahel
Belt: Un
The United Nations has appealed to the world governments
to contribute more than USD 2
billion for humanitarian aid to a
record 20 million people across
Africa’s Sahel belt.
Food shortages have plagued
the Savannah region due to conflicts in Mali, Nigeria, Sudan
and the Central African Republic, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
(OCHA) warned Monday.
“It’s the year we see if we can
translate theory into practice
and start bringing aid workers
Changing Climate Killing Baby Penguins: Scientists
Climate change, which leads to
more extreme weather, is claiming
the lives of baby penguins, a longterm study suggests.
The research, which was published in the journal PLOS ONE
on Wednesday, said that drenching
rainstorms as well as unusual heat
have killed a large number of young
Magellanic penguins at the bottom
tip of South America.
The chicks that are very vulnerable when they are nine to 23 days
old are also too big for their parents
to protect and too young to have
grown waterproof feathers.
If the youngsters get soaked they
usually die despite the attention of
their parents, scientists said.
The study revealed that over a
27-year period, an average of 65
percent of chicks died yearly.
About 40 percent of baby penguins starved to death while cli-
A baby Magellanic penguin
mate change was responsible for
killing an average of seven percent
of chicks per year.
However, changing climate killed
43 and 50 percent of all new chicks
in two extreme weather years.
The research was conducted in
Punta Tombo peninsula in Argentina, at the world’s largest breeding
area for Magellanic penguins.
“It’s the first long-term study to
show climate change having a major impact on chick survival and
reproductive success,” said lead
survived, as they were able to get
out of the vehicle.
Italian authorities said they are
working to manage the raging
Tiber River, which has swelled to
dangerous levels and the flooding
could worsen, according to predictions.
Meanwhile, much of southern
England and parts of Midlands
have experienced twice the average rainfall in the first month of the
year.
The British army continued to be
on alert in Somerset in South West
England to help the flooded areas.
Several villages in Somerset have
been cut off by the recent floods, as
the area is experiencing the worst
floods in 20 years.
Experts say the main reason for
the wet weather is a predominance
of west and south-west winds,
bringing in mild air from the Atlantic.
author Dee Boersma, who is a biology professor at the University of
Washington.
Some 200,000 pairs of Magellanic penguins make their nests on the
peninsula every year and stay there
in arid conditions from September
until February to hatch their young.
The number of storms at the
breeding site in the first two weeks
of December, when the babies are
less than 25 days old, rose between
1983 and 2010.
“Penguins live in the desert and
what’s really happening with these
rain storms, they are turning their
nests into swimming pools and they
really don’t like to be wet,” added
Boersma.
“We’re going to see years where
almost no chicks survive if climate
change makes storms bigger and
more frequent during vulnerable
times of the breeding season as
climatologists predict,” stated coauthor Ginger Rebstock.
Meanwhile, in a separate research
also published in PLOS ONE, scientists showed that changes in seaice have an impact on Adelie penguins in Antarctica.
They discovered that in normal
conditions, the penguins have no
problem in finding food at relatively low sea-ice concentrations.
However, these penguins will face
major difficulties in coping with
infrequent, extreme environmental
events such as the presence of giant
icebergs.
Lead researcher Amelie Lescroel
from the French National Center
for Scientific Research said extreme environmental events “such
as the calving of giant icebergs, can
dramatically modify the relationship between Adelie penguins and
sea ice.”
together to work with national
governments and reverse these
trends that have been deteriorating year after year,” said the UN
regional humanitarian coordinator for the Sahel, Robert Piper,
on Monday.
However, aid workers warn
that funds may be hard to come
by due to a slow global economic recovery.
The UN were funded just over
60 percent of the USD 1.72 billion appeal for Sahel last year.
The Sahel belt of Africa,
which stretches from Senegal to
Eritrea, is particularly sensitive
to drought and famine. Some 10
million people were affected by
a severe food crisis in the region
in 2010.
The international aid agency,
Oxfam, has announced that harvests plummeted 25 percent in
the region compared to 2010 because of inadequate rainfall.
This will also leave more than
one million children with severe
malnutrition.