The Eritrean government has a very bad history: Ambassador Gazem Ak Alaghbari
May
02, 2008
The Eritrean government has a very bad history: Ambassador Gazem Ak Alaghbari
Amb. Gazem Ak Alaghbari
Apart from its magnificent efforts to pull itself out of the quagmire of poverty, Ethiopia fully understands and works day in day out for peace and stability in the Horn in particular and the Continent in general. It also struggles against the revival of terrorists in the region in collaboration with peace loving countries. One of the countries that usually stand by Ethiopia is Yemen. The two countries have mutual understanding and common views in various bilateral and international issues. His Excellency Ambassador Gazem Ak Alahgbari, Yemeni Ambassador in Ethiopia, in his interview with WIC elaborated the current status of the bilateral relations between the two countries and Yemeni’s stance in Ethiopia’s effort to bring peace and stability in the Horn.
WIC:- Your Excellency Ambassador Gazem Ak Alaghbari, Yemeni Ambassador in Ethiopia, first of all, I, on behalf of Walta Information Center, would like to appreciate your willingness for the Interview.
Ambassador Gazem:- Thank you very much. I’m also happy to see you in my office to discuss on current issues, which is an indication of the good relations that my Embassy has with WIC.
WIC: - Let’s start with the bilateral relations of the two countries; could you give us an overview of the current status of the political, economic and social relations of the two countries: Ethiopia and Yemen?
Ambassador Gazem:- The Ethio-Yemeni relationship is moving from better to better. We had a lot of enhancements in all fields political economical and social. On the political side, Yemen coordinates with Ethiopia on regional and international forums. We have mutual concerns on issues like human trafficking and other regional as well as international problems.
We are working closely in different areas that there is close understanding of the political leadership both in Yemen and Ethiopia. Premier Meles Zenaw is always in touch with President Ali Abdela Salah. I believe that in the political arena, the two countries have no problem. They are cooperating, exchanging views and helping to one another either bilaterally or on the International forum.
Therefore, we have very close political relation. Recently Dr. Tekeda Alemu, the Minister of state for Foreign Affairs, has visited Yemen. He met the president, Prime Minister, speaker of the consultative assembly and Foreign Minister of Yemen. He had a very fruitful discussion with them. I think, the visit also marks a turning point in the enhancement of our political relationship
Economically, I think we are lagging behind. This is a problem which we are trying to solve through encouraging the private sector to widely invest in both countries. Yemeni businessmen have shown interest in investing in Ethiopia. We set up a joint Business Council in January 2008 so that business people of the two countries could work together.
The first meeting of the Business Council will take place in the coming June in Sana’a. This is a step forward in encouraging the private sector. Both governments want the private sector to function without any government involvement. They simply assist the council in facilitating and creating a healthy environment for investment in both countries. Ethiopians could invest in Yemen and Yemenis could do the same in Ethiopia without any obstacle. There is a conducive environment for investment in both countries and I hope in the first meeting of Ethio-Yemeni Business Council, we will encourage the Yemenis and Ethiopians to invest in both countries.
Socially, Yemenis and Ethiopians feel one people and one country. Many Ethiopians are living in Yemen happily and they are treated like Yemenis and there are about 75,000 Ethiopians in Yemen and there are also lots of Yemenis in Ethiopia. One problem in this area is the illegal smuggling of Ethiopians to Yemen. Smuggled Ethiopians do not get the status of refugee because we believe that Ethiopia is politically, economically and socially stable country.
On the contrary, Eritreans and Somalis have this refugee status as their countries are not stable. Ethiopians can go to Yemen legally anytime they want. There is an Embassy here and there is also Ethiopia’s Embassy there in Sana’a and if Ethiopians want to go to Sana’a there won’t be any problem. About three hundred visas are issued to Ethiopians every month. So, there is no need to go to Somalia and try to cross to Yemen illegally.
WIC: - Ethiopia is exerting a marvelous effort to ensure peace and stability in the Horn. Its participation in Somalia's peace restoring efforts is one of the indications of Ethiopia’s devotion for peace and stability of the region. What is your countries stance on Ethiopia’s position in Somalia?
Ambassador Gazem: - We commend the Ethiopian role in the Horn of Africa. I think Ethiopia as a great country; great nation in the region is exerting greater effort to bring peace and security to the region. Somalia, of course, is one example. Yemen is one of the first countries who stood by Ethiopia in its action in Somalia. We still do, we cooperate with Ethiopia in what it is doing in Somalia. I think it is doing a great job, we command that job, our country our president in particular has always stood by Ethiopia in its effort to bring peace and stability because it is doing its level best for peace and help the region.
WIC: - What tangible contribution has Yemen made in stabilizing Somalia?
Ambassador Gazem: - Yemen has made lots of contributions for the last 16 years. It had invited all the factions who were fighting in Somalia to Yemen for discussion, it hosted lots of dialogues, it hosted lots of reconciliation conferences, it has sent lots of food and medicine. Because the sooner stability brought back to Somalia, the sooner will be the Somalis harboring in Yemen go back to their country. At the moment, there are about 900, 000 Somalis in Yemen. The international community helps only 60 to 70 thousand people out of the total displaced Somalis. And Yemen, as you know, is not very rich. So, it is one of our national interests to see peace and stability in Somalia. That is why we stand shoulder to shoulder with Ethiopia to help Somali people settle their differences and bring peace to their country. We insist them to use the golden opportunity now. There is a government in Mogadishu and Ethiopia is helping this government with its own invitation. Yemen also supports Ethiopia and it wants Ethiopia to continue in its efforts to bring peace and stability to Somalia.
WIC: - Although countries like Ethiopia are working for peace and stability in the Horn, there are peace disturbing dictator governments like that of Eritrea and its allies. What is your country's stance to the consistent peace disturbing actions of the Eritrean government that has been adding fuel to any situation in the Horn?
Ambassador Gazem: - I believe that Yemeni position is very clear as far as peace and security in the region is concerned. Those countries who are behaving irresponsibly, I think, it is about time for them, to recognize the time and the fact that creating instability in the region could put them ion danger at the end of the day. We know that Eritrea has been behaving irresponsibly in the region. In 1995, everybody remembers the aggression that it took against Yemen. Eritrean government has a very bad history since Eritrea’s independence. And as a Yemeni citizen, I call upon Eritrea to refrain from creating any irresponsible acts in any country. Besides, Eritrea should also sit with Ethiopia and solve problems peacefully and this is not only the interest of Ethiopia but also Yemen and other peace loving international community.
WIC: - Your Excellency Ambassador Gazem, thank you very much for your time and cooperation and finally, if there is anything you want to add, WIC is ready to entertain it?
Ambassador Gazem:- What I want to add is that I wish Ethiopia to be successful, prosperous and face a happy future as it deserves. And I would like to congratulate the efforts of your government in enhancing democracy in the country. May I also take this opportunity to congratulate the Ethiopian people for their success in the local election? I think, Ethiopians are highly respected people and I, on behalf of my country, would like to congratulate them.
