Eritrea: President Isaias Afwerki's interview with Reuters Part 2 (May 13, 2008) Eritrea’s mineral resources occupy top list in the region, President underlinesBy StaffMay 14, 2008, 14:08Asmara, 14 May 2008 - President Isaias Afwerki said that Eritrea’s mineral resources, especially gold, occupies top list in the region. He made the remarks in an interview with the news agency Reuters, focusing on political and economic issues. Stating that the yet unexploited resource is both huge and extensive, the President stressed the need to properly harness these resources in the interest of the people. He further underscored that Eritrea’s policy as regards to the share of profits with partners is fair. President Isaias went on to explain that in addition to the mining sector, efforts are being stepped up to develop agriculture, fisheries and tourism so as to improve the people’s standard of living as well as raise income per capita and narrow the gap between the rich and poor. In this connection, the country has registered noticeable progress, he added. Noting that the principle of self-reliance, as some parties erroneously describe, is not an exclusive tendency but rather one that lays the groundwork for fair partnership, the President indicated that Eritrea strongly advocates coordination, partnership and complimentary efforts for common benefit. As regards talks that the withdrawal of the peacekeeping force could lead to ‘possible’ renewed war, President Isaias elaborated that such baseless fabrications and the usual game of intimidation on the part of the UN Security Council and the Secretary General are resorted to in a bid to cover up their weaknesses and failure. As the Eritrea-Ethiopia border issue has reached legal conclusion, there is no reason at all for confrontation and tension, he explained.Indicating that the term “terrorism” in the wake of 9/11 is being employed as a precondition for resorting to any wrong and unjustified practice, the President stated that it is essentially wrong and dangerous to link a particular issue with terrorism simply because one fails to realize a certain objective. Regarding attempts made by the United States and other parties to categorize the just cause of the Somali people under terrorism, President Isaias underlined that such attempts are aimed at weakening the popular opposition of the Somali people.