Subject: CLINTON ACCEPTS CREDENTIALS OF ERITREAN ENVOY RUSSOM
From: USIA
Date: 1997/09/11
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USIS Washington File
10 September 1997
TEXTS: CLINTON ACCEPTS CREDENTIALS OF ERITREAN ENVOY RUSSOM
(Both critical of Sudan) (1730)
WASHINGTON -- Eritrea and the United States "have embarked on an
exciting and noteworthy investment partnership for economic
development," President Clinton has told that country's new ambassador
to the United States.
In accepting the credentials of Ambassador Semere Russom in the Oval
Office on September 8, Clinton said, "By cooperating on the design and
implementation of development projects, we will be able to address
your government's most pressing priorities and assure the American
public that United States resources are being used as efficiently and
effectively as possible."
Clinton said he was "especially pleased" that the Peace Corps has
returned to Eritrea.
"Most importantly," Clinton added, "Eritrea has also embarked on an
exciting effort to build a democratic government."
Additionally, Clinton noted that "Eritrea is located in an unsettled
and often dangerous region.... The government in Sudan continues to
wage a fratricidal war against its internal enemies and to seek the
destabilization of its neighbors, including Eritrea. Obviously,
Sudan's history of aggression toward its neighbors must stop.
"The United States," Clinton pledged, "will remain steadfast in its
support of a peaceful resolution of the Sudanese civil war through a
process which involves all the people of the region."
Ambassador Russom thanked Clinton and the American business community
for "contributing positively to our efforts for development.... Your
Administration's policy to strengthen trade and investment partnership
with Africa and involve the other members of the G-8 in that regard,
is...good news."
Russom also criticized Sudan, noting that "these constructive regional
and global efforts towards economic development under peaceful and
stable environment have, unfortunately, been contradicted by the
negative behavior of the NIF regime in the Sudan.
"Ever since it came to power in 1989, this regime has been bent on
destabilizing, not only the hard-won independence in Eritrea, but all
its neighbors in the region and the international community at
large....
"The laxity with which this regime's acts have been tolerated in the
past must, therefore, be tightened and prompt action taken to stem its
illegal activities.
"Therefore, it is my firm belief that we will stand alongside each
other and exert the necessary energy and resources to bring under
control this evil regime whose avowed commitment is disruption of
peace and stability everywhere.
Following are the texts of the remarks by Ambassador Semere Russom and
President Clinton, as prepared for delivery:
(BEGIN RUSSOM TEXT)
Your Excellency,
I am highly honored to be accredited to the United States of America
as Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the state of Eritrea
at a time when our two nations and peoples are witnessing and enjoying
the ever-growing warm relations. I am also singularly privileged to
convey to your excellency, and through you to members of your
administration and the friendly people of the United States of
America, the warmest greetings and best wishes of H.E. President
Isaias Afwerki, members of the Eritrean government and the people of
Eritrea.
Mr. President,
My government is engaged in multifaceted activities to lay a proper
ground for the promotion of sustainable economic and social
development in Eritrea. War-ravaged infrastructure is under
rehabilitation. Conducive legal and institutional frameworks for
investment and trade promotion have been put in place. Practical steps
have been taken to make sure that the private sector will play the
role of a prime mover of the economic development of future Eritrea.
As a matter of fact, more than 35 previously government-owned
companies are presently made available for sale to private owners. The
new Eritrean Currency, NACFA, will soon replace the Ethiopian Birr,
which has served as a means of transaction in our nation since
liberation in 1991. A new Eritrean Constitution has been ratified in
June 1997, following a two-year [period of] full and democratic
participation of all sectors of the population at home and overseas in
developing it. That is truly a landmark achievement in our history.
The cumulative result of all these exercises has witnessed a marked
progress in a positive direction.
It is appropriate, Mr. President, to mention here that your
administration and segments of the American business community are
contributing positively to our efforts for development. My government
and people appreciate highly the assistance and moral support so far
extended. Your administration's policy to strengthen trade and
investment partnership with Africa and involve the other members of
the G-8 in that regard, is a long yearned good news. For it can
replace Africa's marginalization with its integration in the ongoing
dynamic global trade and investment interaction. Hence, it merits our
common tireless endeavor.
In another front, Eritrea has joined a number of regional and
international organizations in order to be a contributing member of
the international community. It holds high the preservation of peace
and stability in our region and the world in general. Eritrea's
proposition of using the arbitration process in the handling of the
dispute between Yemen and Eritrea over the ownership of Hanish-Zuqar
Archipelago in the Red Sea is a proper way of dealing with issues
between neighboring countries. The matter is now under the hands of
legal experts.
Mr. President,
These constructive regional and global efforts towards economic
development under peaceful and stable environment have, unfortunately,
been contradicted by the negative behavior of the NIF regime in the
Sudan. Ever since it came to power in 1989, this regime has been bent
on destabilizing, not only the hard-won independence in Eritrea, but
all its neighbors in the region and the international community at
large. As if its assassination attempt on the life of Egypt's
President Hosni Mubarak in June 1995 was not enough to demonstrate its
unacceptable excesses, it concocted another plot this year to
assassinate my president, Mr. Isaias Afwerki. Had it succeeded, this
act would have had grave consequences for national and international
security.
The attempt by the NIF regime to assassinate the head of state of
Eritrea, while it has a pending case in the United Nations for
complicity in a similar act, indeed, demonstrates its utter contempt
of international conventions and institutions. The laxity with which
this regime's acts have been tolerated in the past must, therefore, be
tightened and prompt action taken to stem its illegal activities.
Therefore, it is my firm belief that we will stand alongside each
other and exert the necessary energy and resources to bring under
control this evil regime whose avowed commitment is disruption of
peace and stability everywhere. Allow me, Mr. President, to reaffirm
my belief that our diplomatic relationship will expand the already
strong ties between the peoples and governments of the United States
of America and Eritrea.
I also want to assure you, Mr. President, that I will do my best to
help maintain and further strengthen these relations of friendship and
good understanding which exist between our two countries and peoples.
With these words, I have the honor to request that your excellency
kindly receive the letter of my appointment as ambassador of the state
of Eritrea to the United States of America.
(END RUSSOM TEXT)
(BEGIN CLINTON TEXT)
Mr. Ambassador:
I am pleased to accept the Letter of Credence issued by President
Isaias Afwerki appointing you Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of the State of Eritrea to the United States of
America. I extend a warm welcome to you and your wife. I also
acknowledge the Letter of Recall of your predecessor, Ambassador
Amdemichael Khasai.
On behalf of the American people, I wish to extend my best wishes to
President Isaias and all the people of Eritrea.
I welcome this opportunity to reaffirm the warm relations between our
two countries. Eritrea's thirty-year struggle for independence is an
inspiration to all who face daunting challenges. Because of its past
success, I have no doubt about the ultimate success of Eritrea's
efforts to build a prosperous, free-market, democratic nation. Indeed,
the efforts your government has already made to replace infrastructure
destroyed during the war and to develop private-sector-led growth have
already begun to attract the interest of investors. I hope that the
expertise and energy of American companies will play a large role in
Eritrea's economic development.
Eritrea lies at the heart of one of the most strategic regions on the
globe. The Red Sea, a major artery for the world's shipping, also
provides economic opportunities to Eritrea in fishing, tourism, and
possibly even petroleum. The ports of Assab and Massawa can facilitate
trade between the landlocked countries of eastern Africa and the
nations of the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Eritrea is located in an unsettled and often dangerous region. It is
gratifying to know that, in a small way, we have been able to support
Eritrea's ability to defend itself through the non-lethal military
equipment provided under the Front Line States Initiative. The
government in Sudan continues to wage a fratricidal war against its
internal enemies and to seek the destabilization of its neighbors,
including Eritrea. Obviously, Sudan's history of aggression toward its
neighbors must stop. The United States will remain steadfast in its
support of a peaceful resolution of the Sudanese civil war through a
process which involves all the people of the region.
Eritrea and the United States have embarked on an exciting and
noteworthy investment partnership for economic development. By
cooperating on the design and implementation of development projects,
we will be able to address your government's most pressing priorities
and assure the American public that United States resources are being
used as efficiently and effectively as possible. I am especially
pleased that the Peace Corps, which I understand contributed to your
own education, has returned to Eritrea.
Most importantly, Eritrea has also embarked on an exciting effort to
build a democratic government. Your constitutional drafting and review
process involved the citizenry to an impressive extent. As you
continue to consolidate democratic reforms, hold Eritrea's first
national elections under the new constitution, and extend human rights
protections to each of your citizens, you have our support and best
wishes.
Finally, I would like to reiterate my congratulations and my warm
wishes for your stay in Washington. I have high hopes for a continued
close relationship between Eritrea and the United States and am sure
your time here will be interesting, fruitful, and enjoyable.
(END CLINTON TEXT)