Asmara — President Isaias Afwerki said that the Eritrean people achieved independence through steadfast struggle involving huge sacrifice on the basis of self-reliance, and not relying on external forces. He also underlined that in the post-independence period too, the Eritrean people are implementing national programs on the basis of the same political culture. The President made the remarks in an extensive interview he gave to Al-Arabia Television highlighting national, regional and international issues.

"We do not make any compromise at all as regards our rights in order to satisfy the stance of others," President Isaias asserted. He further indicated that the Eritrean people are not the ones who sell their dignity to serve the interest of others. As such, he underscored: "The Eritreans are noble people who enjoy a leadership determined to keep intact its self-respect."

Replying to a question regarding the Eritrea-Ethiopia border issue, the President explained that following the end of the war of aggression against Eritrea under the pretext of border through the signing of the Algiers Peace Agreement, the Boundary Commission which was set up in accordance with the Agreement announced its final and binding ruling on border delimitation in April 2002. He indicated that due to the failure of the international community to fulfill its obligation of implementing the ruling over the past five years, however, the Commission was compelled to close down its office by effecting virtual demarcation and presenting it to the two sides and the concerned parties, thus providing legal and technical culmination to the issue. Hence, the only remaining issue is the withdrawal of the Ethiopian forces from occupied sovereign Eritrean territories, President Isaias underlined.

Noting that the people and governments of this region have no choice other than resolving their problems themselves, the President stated that if at all there exist internal problems, they should be resolved within a regional context without external interference. In this respect, he elaborated that the problems and obstacles currently witnessed in our region basically emanate from the meddling of external forces. Regardless of the might of any international force, it cannot solve internal and regional problems, he added.

Expressing Eritrea's principled stance of fostering regional cooperation provided the programs, plans and objectives are clearly defined, President Isaias emphasized, however, that the alliances thus formed should not only have a hidden agenda but also should not be a cause for conflict and tension.

Pointing out that the destruction being witnessed in some countries on the basis of tribal, religious and clan diversity cannot at all be described as "democratic pluralism," President Isaias noted that such an assessment would but only lead to the doom of these countries' future. "As far as we are concerned, we remain committed to serving the wishes and aspirations of our people, and not the wish of foreign forces," he underscored. After all, President Isaias stressed, the most important thing is creating conducive ground for reinforcing communal harmony and one that ensures active popular participation.