LOC21:54
18:54 GMT
KUWAIT, Feb 16 (KUNA) -- Eritrean President Isaias Afworki said his country
enjoyed deeply-rooted historic ties with State of Kuwait which offered
outstanding economic, military and political contributions to Eritrea's
independence.
In an interview to be carried by Kuwait's Al-Anbaa daily on Wednesday, the
Eritrean leader said the two countries proved to be all-weather friends and
their ties stood the test of time.
"We can not forget Kuwait's great contributions to our independence as
Kuwait has acted as a political, diplomatic and media outpost for the Eritrea
question," he said.
"Since the very beginning of our struggle for independence Kuwait's
assistances to Eritrea has not only been restricted to the economic domains
but also extended to the military and political ones," Afworki affirmed.
"Kuwait is now contributing to strategic economic projects in Eritrea such
as the power generating project.
The first stage of rehabilitation of Eritrea's main power generating
station was funded solely by Kuwait. Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development
(KFAED) is now funding the project in partnership with similar funds from the
other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states," he revealed.
"We take pride in our friendly ties with Kuwait. The two countries proved
to be all-weather friends.
"While Kuwait supported our independence with backed up the Kuwait
government and people against invasion launched by Iraq's ex-president Saddam
Hussein," he recalled.
However, the Eritrean leader regretted that Kuwait's ties with some other
African countries outpaced those with Eritrea.
Asked about the content of the message he delivered to His Highness the
Kuwaiti Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Afworki said it had to
do with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1907.
The resolution, adopted on December 23, 2009, imposes sanctions on Eritrea
under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations and urges the East
African nation to comply fully with the terms of the arms embargo imposed on
Somalia.
"I've explained to HH the Amir the background and the complications behind
the resolution," Afworki disclosed.
He praised HH the Amir for his long experience in diplomacy which enabled
him "to understand the nature of the political intrigues of the Horn of Africa
region."
Afworki rapped the UNSC resolution as "unfair" and based on unjustifiable
accusation of his country of involvement in the Somali civil conflict.
"I've exchanged views with HH the Amir on the developments of the
situations in Somalia since the ouster of former president Mohamed Siad Barre
(1969-1991) up till now," he added.
The Eritrean leader refuted the press reports on the existence of Iranian
and Israeli and even Al-Qaeda bases in some Eritrean islands saying that his
country was "not for sale or lease to anybody."
"We attribute great importance to our ties with the GCC member states and
Egypt, because these countries can play a major role in the stability and
security as well as the economic development of the region," Afworki
concluded. (end)
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