The document summarizes news from Eritrea based on articles in the Eritrean newspaper Eritrea Profile published on Saturday, February 11th, 2012. The first article discusses Eritrean nationals residing in France who condemned US sanctions against Eritrea and expressed determination to reinforce national rejection. The second article discusses the beginning of celebrations in Massawa for the 22nd anniversary of Operation Fenkil, noting exhibitions and events commemorating Eritrea's progress and history of liberation. The third article briefly discusses Eritrean nationals in Vancouver holding a meeting to reinforce development efforts in Eritrea and reject enemy conspiracies.

1. Vol 18. No. 99
Saturday,11th of February, 2012
Pages 8, Price 1.50 NFA
Eritrean nationals residing in
France voice determination to
reinforce national rebuff
At a meeting they conducted,
Eritrean nationals residing in France
condemned the unjust US instigated
sanctions resolution against Eritrea
and expressed determination to
reinforce the national rebuff.
They also voiced resolve to back
up the effective implementation
of development programs in the
Homeland.
The Eritrean Ambassador to
France, Mr. Fasil Gebreselasie, gave
extensive briefings regarding the
objective situation in the Homeland
and the world at large, as well as
the ongoing development drive. He
expressed conviction that enemy
conspiracies against Eritrea would
be rebuffed as ever. Mr. Fasil further
called on the nationals to strengthen
their unity and enhance participation
in the nation-building process.
Operation Fenkil commemoration
celebrations get underway
The 22nd Anniversary of Operation
Fenkil commemoration celebrations
under the theme “Fenkil: Gateway
to Liberation and Progress” got
underway in Massawa yesterday
10th of February 2012. Mr. AlAmin Mohammed Seid opened the
celebrations.
The exhibitions by different
government
institutions,
Information and Agitation section
of the Defence Ministry and the
Eritrean Naval Force depict the
progress that Massawa city has
attained, the ongoing construction
activities, infrastructure and social
undertakings, among others.
The exhibition which will stay
open until Sunday includes sculpture,
painting and photographs.
Meanwhile, Salina Offensive of
1977 was marked in connection
with the 22nd commemoration
celebrations of Operation Fenkil
at Salina Martyrs’ Monument in
which a number of students, parents
and others participated.
The living freedom fighters, who
took part in the offensive, said that
Salina amply demonstrated the
steadfastness, commitment and
endurance of the gallant EPLF
freedom fighters.
Recalling
the
demanding
circumstances during the battle
fought 35 years ago, Freedom
Fighter Tesfa Yihdego, said that
the price paid in that moment
was consummated in the historic
Operation Fenkil. He also said that
the current commemoration event
is aimed at bequeathing the heroic
exploits of the battle to youths.
Likewise, Col. Birhane Asefa
explained that Salina was a strategic
offensive that opened the gate for
total liberation. He further called
on the present generation of youths
to preserve such a great legacy
and reinforce contribution towards
building a prosperous nation.
Students Mikal Semere and
Saimon Solomon said on their part
that they take pride in the heroic
exploits of the freedom fighters and
pledged to live up to the trust of
Eritrean nationals residing in
Vancouver City hold rebuff meeting
In a rebuff meeting that Eritrean
nationals residing in Vancouver,
Canada,
conducted,
they
expressed readiness to reinforce
the development drive in the
Homeland.
The participants of the
meeting discussed the objective
situation in the nation and voiced
determination to rebuff enemy
conspiracies, besides enhancing
contribution
to
national
development endeavors.
In briefings he gave at the
meeting, the head of public
affairs, Mr. Semere Gebremariam,
indicated that strong organization
and dedication are the main factors
towards foiling enemy hostilities,
and called on Eritrean nationals in
the City to further strengthen their
unity.
martyrs.
Songs, poems and drama
highlighting the Salina Offensive
were staged at the commemoration
event.
Eritreans living in UK conduct seminar
Eritreans living in London,
Sheffield, Birmingham, Manchester
and other cities conducted seminar
on 5 February 2012.
Speaking at the seminar, Mr.
Osman Saleh, Foreign Minister,
explained that the nation is
establishing firm relations with
different countries in the domains
of trade and investment for mutual
benefit.
He further reminded Eritrean
families to shoulder responsibility
as social agents in nurturing
Eritrean values and nationalism
among the youth.
Also speaking at the seminar, Mr.
Yemane Gebreab, Head of Political
Affairs at the PFDJ, explained the
objective situation in the Homeland
and the region. He pointed out
that at a time when the people
and Government of Eritrea are
registering remarkable economic
and development activities on the
basis of firm unity; the frustration
of enemy quarters is on the rise.
Under such circumstances, the
Eritrean people inside the country
and abroad are determined to
reinforce the national rebuff.
Mr. Yemane further explained
that in order to attain higher
level of development the main
programs for 2012 and beyond
focus on strengthening the
national economy, enhancing
diplomatic activities, and called
on all nationals to reinforce their
organization and participation in
national development endeavors.
The participants of the seminar
reiterated their resolve to reinforce
the national rebuff standing
alongside fellow citizens and the
Government and thus live up to
expectations.
Fenkil: Gateway To Liberty And Progress

2. Eritrea Profile, Saturday 11th of February, 2012
2
“Food Security Is An Immediate Concern. We Need
To Go Beyond It – We Need To Be Far More Effective
Beyond Self-Sufficiency:” President Isaias Afewerki
On the occasion of the New Year,
His excellency President Isaias
Afwerki conducted an extensive
interview with the local media
from the 27th to 30th of December,
2011, regarding global, regional as
well as local issues. Thirteenth and
final part of the interview follows:
national duty. But of course the
youth need to be well organized
and know what is needed of them.
Even if we look at our military, it
is not recruitment or becoming a
mercenary. It is like a culture here.
But not something that you want to
buckle up and seek for war, rather
it is a national duty. It is a thing that
Mr. President, How do you
assess the political activities
undertaken thus far in terms of
nurturing well organized and
compatible youth? What plans
have been set forth for the times to
come? And it would be insightful
if you could tell us programs
made to reinforce participation of
women in similar manner?
The recently conducted youth
conference had discussed various
topics regarding organization,
contribution, productivity and so
on. It wouldn’t be far from the fact
to say that the youth encompass
majority of the population
statistically. If we look at our
30 years of freedom struggle for
instance, the leading force behind
it was the youth. It is basically their
responsibility to contribute to their
people whenever there is a call for
every national never expects an
order from his superiors or execute
their tasks for monetary benefits.
But then again, such values
emanate from the awareness of
the population. The youth should
be well aware of these values
and raise their understanding in
accordance. What we are calling
here popular awareness is also a
part and parcel of other national
duties such as education, health,
public works, agriculture, as well
as the national rebuff. Awareness is
the core ingredient in this case and
that is why we need to promote the
educational domain. If the youth
is to be productive, it requires
awareness to nurture this value.
What are the states of affairs the
youths are living in? What are the
challenges they need to overcome?
What should be the qualities they
need to be equipped with? These
are the questions which need to
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be answered through raising the
awareness. Unremitting efforts
should be exerted to intensify
the knowledge of the youths.
Someone with the required skills or
knowledge should be responsible
in transferring their know-how to
the young generation. We cannot
simply sit and let them learn
from their own mistakes. But
either ways, the knowledge of the
youth is the primary issue which
should be worked upon and that
is when we start working on their
organization. There are various
organizations such as the NUEYS,
NUEW, NCEW and of course
the population within the country
and abroad has been organized
into communities. But the youths
should be the active players in
the respective organizations
because awareness alone could
not guarantee the intended goal.
Especially at this particular juncture
in our history, the questions our
organizations rely upon are what
are our challenges and chances?
What choices do we have? How
do we achieve efficiency of our
plans? And the founding question
is, how do we organize nationals
within the country and the rest of
the world for a common goal?
What comes afterwards is how
well the youth are equipped.
Knowledge is a tool, skill is a tool
and of course accessibility of the
needed technology is a tool. Indeed,
there exist clashing situations. The
people’s capacity for all rounded
rebuff is heightening. The people
are well aware of the ordeals being
tailored to torment Eritrea. We
are rather doing well and growing
stronger by the day. But what
should the youth do at times like
this? And various other related
inquiries do also exist. Hence,
efforts should be reinforced
to nourish the knowledge and
understanding of the youth.
Personally, I have been to various
places and the performance of
women is outstanding. It is by far
a commendable fact to see women
active in various sectors including
social, cultural, political, diplomatic
and various others. But of course it
shouldn’t be confined there. At one
time, the women were enrolled in
machinery education in Sawa and
their performance was similar with
their male counterparts. But we
don’t see them anymore and their
enrolment in the field faded. This
should be addressed appropriately.
There shouldn’t be any excuse to
expel them from education. They
are equally capable of undertaking
any national duty. They even
qualify more than the males in
some particular duties. In a nut
shell, when we say the youth,
they are found in all fields. It is a
cross-section which needs to be
interrelated with the activities of
other organizations. The Nakfa
conference was a transition for
further growth. And it has been
scheduled to hold an even bigger
conference in summer 2012. The
Nakfa conference might be a good
step for a big breakthrough in the
issue of the youth.
To clarify about those young
citizens who left the country for
different reasons want to come
back home.
However, such
young people fear about what may
happen to them when they return
home. Can you give us a tangible
answer, Mr. President, just so they
can hear it from your words and
avoid any uncertainties? What
assistance should the Eritrean
missions abroad provide these
youngsters? The government is
saying that they can come back
but they have concerns that there
might be some inconsideration
from some junior officials and
fear arrest upon their return. So,
taking all this into perspective,
what can you say to them?
Empty promises don’t count.
Anyone who really wants to come
back can have his/her papers
registered and do so. Nobody here
has the authority to arrest or punish
them in any way. May be one can
reprimand them or there could
be some belittling and similar
attitudes, but the majority of the
population is civilized enough to
resort into such acts.
Under any circumstances, no
harm will befall upon those willing
to return home. On the contrary,
what I am more worried about is
what they are going to do here? I
think that’s the main challenge.
There were those who were
deported from Egypt last time.
They should have been given an
orientation but instead they were
all sent back to their respective
units, where different measures
might be taken against them. They
should have been asked how they
went or why or who put them up
to it? And then properly welcomed
and instructed on what and how to
do things so they can lead a normal
life. I am sure that with time the
number of returnees will increase.
There can still be some doubtful
regardless of the hopes or promises
given to them, and they can only
be told to take time until all their
doubts are cleared.
But Mr. President, wouldn’t
you think a proclamation would
give more guarantee?
We have not been in the habit
of issuing proclamations. Even if
we did, what would be its primary
purpose? To give them security?
To legalize the matter? To give
them a peace of mind?
What about security?
I don’t think it’s a problem. A
proclamation can be issued.
And what do you suggest they
should do there until they return?
Well, if you are planning to stay
longer, I would say you should be
able to save 10-15 thousand dollars
a year. You need to work hard to
save such an amount. You need to
have a sense of purpose to do that.
You might say “I will work for a
year or two, skipping even lunch
and dinners, and save some money
and go back home,” If this is your
target, you need to be focused to
hit that target. That way, upon
return you can build a home and
start a family.
Continued On Page 3

3. Eritrea Profile, Saturday 11th of February, 2012
3
“Food Security Is An Immediate Concern. We Need
To Go Beyond It – We Need To Be Far . . .
Continued From Page 2
But the question remains how
much can you really save in the
expensive living standards. It’s
a great thing if one can save up
to 20 thousand dollars in a year,
provided of course, he has a
good job. Saving could be hard
for those working in the Middle
East. There, you can’t afford your
own house and are forced to share
rooms with 4-5 others. On top of
that, food items are expensive and,
with expenses on clothing and
other accessories, you’re hardly
left with any money to save.
Anyways, no matter how big or
small your income is, you need to
set a certain amount for savings.
Excellency, it is now a widely
acclaimed fact that no party, in
whatsoever number of elections,
can defeat the People’s Front.
There are comments suggesting
that the Eritrean government
should hold elections just to stop
those quarters that are using the
absence of elections as a tool of
attacking or accusing Eritrea.
What do you say to this?
We are in a war situation due
to the multi-dimensional warfare
imposed upon us for the last
14 years. As I said earlier, we
are not in the habit of making
proclamations, but there have
been long-standing suggestions
that we should declare a ‘state of
emergency.’ We didn’t want to
blow the case out of proportion.
We know very well we are in a war
situation and since such a situation
has its rules and regulations,
we are forced to stand by them.
We have knowingly suspended
some undertakings because going
ahead with them would have only
worsened the situation.
Then there are those issues
pertaining to elections and others.
We refuse to be involved in such
public relations stunts. “They
are saying this so we should do
that to please them!” There is no
such a thing. Elections are not the
priority of our existing situation:
we know what we are doing and
we will never be a part of any
Public Relations gimmick.
In your address at the 20th
Independence Day Anniversary,
you had defined independence as
an evolving process. I will ask you
a two-dimensional question Mr.
President: do you feel any remorse
at not having accomplished
any of the projections made to
lay strong foundations for true
independence on one hand? And
which, if any, makes you proud,
on the other?
Well, this can be looked at
from different perspectives.
When we said we wanted to build
friendships with the peoples of
Ethiopia, Africa or the world; that
only makes us proud and not feel
any sense of regret. But when that
goodwill meets misperception,
you grow more determined and
stop being naïve. It is something
unparalleled for our independence
and sovereignty, amid all the
challenges, to get to its present
status. But at times, you stop
and ponder on whether all the
hindrances were in fact really
necessary. One of the gratifying
things is to be able to do whatever
it is you want to do. But that’s not
easy. To want is one thing, and to
do it is quite another. So if you
ask me, such things could be a
nuisance. You think about the lost
opportunities.
Let’s look at the Horn of Africa
for instance. If one were to look at
the map and identify each chain of
events in the past 20 or more years,
one would say “was all this really
necessary?” But on the other hand,
would this people have become as
strong and determined if all those
things didn’t happen? It was that
scenario that resulted in the high
level of awareness that people at
home and abroad have gathered or
this same people’s determination
to build its country and preserve
it sovereignty. Whether the people
really needed it or not it’s another
question but it did boost its might.
So, like I said, you can look at it
from two perspectives.
I always say that ‘if you want to
live longer, then you should never
worry.’ Eritreans as a people never
worry; they are always optimistic
and hoping for the best. They have
very enlightened values and never
retreat when faced with obstacles.
One could wonder “where would
have Eritreans reached, had
everything turned out the way they
wanted?” But in general, Eritreans
are really a very strong people.
Mr. President, you seem to
regard the term “dignity” with
great respect. How would you
define it within the context of the
people and the government?
Dignity is not a big thing really.
It is something that begins from
oneself. And you should not only
respect yourself but others as well.
That’s something that has been
in existence for centuries. And it
becomes significant when it gets
adopted like a national value or
taken up as civilization; not only
for us but for other people as well.
The Somali people for example
are a dignified people because of
their self-respect and the respect
they have for others. They don’t
deserve the famine and humiliation
they are facing at present.
If I am to talk about Eritreans,
it’s a value that we have been a
part of for long. Therefore, yes
the Eritrea people are a dignified
people. I don’t believe the term
or concept of dignity stands only
for one character or nature. I
associate dignity with the people.
The majority of the people knows
and has dignity. It’s not easy to
nurture such a culture. What is of
concern is however the African
dehumanization. One thing that
colonization left on Africans is the
downgrading of oneself, which
is something that has never been
witnessed among our people.
There could be a few exceptions
but dignity in this nation stands
for country, people, civilization
and resistance. Personally, I would
say that dignity in this country
exists in its highest standard than
anywhere else.
In the end, Mr. President, on
the occasion of the New Year
2012, we would like to give you
an opportunity to extend your
good wishes to Eritreans at home
and abroad and their Defense
Forces...
I hope and I am confident that
we will work hard to reach a
higher stage in 2012. What we
have registered in 2011 is not
also simple, but we need to work
more and harder. But the driving
force is always the people. When
I welcome the New Year, I do so
knowing what the Eritrean people
can do. I wish for the Eritrean
people to achieve the true reward
of its hard work and sacrifices. I
also wish that the New Year we are
beginning with hopes, we also get
to finish it with even higher hopes.
And I have no doubts we will.
Once again Happy New Year
Mr. President and thank you!

4. Eritrea Profile, Saturday 11th of February, 2012
4
Local News
Inhabitants call on concerned
body to build fences for BelewKelew historical site
The inhabitants of Senafe subzone have called on the concerned
body to build fences for BelewKelew historical site.
Pointing out that Belew-Kelew
is one of the county’s ancient
historical sites, Mr. Beyene
Abraham, called on the Eritrean
National Museum to reinforce
endeavors to preserve historical
artifacts and places.
Merigeta Kifle Gebreselasie
indicated that efforts have been
made to enhance public awareness
regarding the preservation of
historical
artifacts.
Beyene
Abraha, a clerk, equally explained
that Senafe sub-zone, a center
of historical heritage, has been
visited by a number of local and
foreign tourists.
The historical Belew-Kelew site
is located 2 Km. south of Senafe
town, and is one of the places
expected to be registered in the
World Heritage List.
Community-based forestation
activities in Central region
making good progress
schemes, besides the digging of
holes for the plantation of trees.
Reports indicated that the
participation of the public in the
forestation activities has been
commendable.
The Administrator of the Central
region, Mr. Kahsai Gebrehiwet,
stressed that effective work plan
and follow-up are vital components
of the program, and reminded the
public to take proper care of the
tree seedlings thus planted.
DAYS OF
OPERA
TION
Mon, Thu, Fri, Sun
Mon, Thu, Fri, Sun
Notice
Mrs. Rawya Mahmud Seid presented a statement of claim to the effect
that the Court should give her a decree of divorce, for her husband, Mr.
Rajew Bisker Korista, has not supplied her with proper maintenance,
and so forth.
Therefore, the defendant, Mr. Rajew Bisker Korista, is hereby summoned
to appear in person, or through an agent, at the Asmara Sheria Court on
22/02/2012, and that Court will proceed with his case in his absence
where he, or his agent, fails to appear on that date.
SECTOR
FL NO.
T.
DEP.
ARR.
Round Trip fares inclusive of taxes
B8-374 10:10 19:40
B8-375 20:40 02:25
• 34" Seat pitch in economy and 50" Seat pitch in business class.
• Buy one and get one free ticket in business class.**
• One free ticket on purchase of every 15 return tickets. **
• 40 kg baggage allowance for economy & 50 kg for business class.
• 50% diplomatic discount for diplomats.**
For bookings contact:
: +291 1 124111, E-mail: reservations@eritrean.org
: +291 1 125501 /125500, E-mail: eralsales@eritrean.org
*Subject to change without prior notice. ** Conditions Apply
At an annual assessment
meeting held on February 7 at
the Asmara Municipality Hall, it
was disclosed that communitybased forestation activities in the
Central region are making good
progress.
According to reports, eucalyptus
tree seedlings of, palm trees
and jacaranda, among others;
have been planted, in addition
to renovation and construction
of terraces and water diversion

5. Eritrea Profile, Saturday 11th of February, 2012
5
State Of Agriculture
In Denkalia Region
Tesfahans Isaak
The concept of modern
agriculture hopes an inspiration for
the use of irrigation in the Denkalia
Region. The motive for this good
start of agricultural activity thus is
going well in this region during its
first steps.
With the aim of introducing
various ongoing practices designed
to improve the quality of rural life,
as Eritrea’s best regards, there lays
a platform for the inhabitants of
the Denkalia region to extend their
strives towards the resurrection of
agricultural activities. Despite the
fact that agriculture has been hardly
experienced in the Denkalia Region,
the virgin land is now identified for
its abundance in underground water
and soil fertility.
The whole region had been best
renowned for its volcano-burned soil
types and hot temperatures; above
all, the type of water throughout
the region was generalized to
have been hard water which is not
suitable for rendering agriculture.
For this reason, agriculture was not
common among the inhabitants, but
they are good at herding livestock.
They practice nomadic ways of life
wandering from place to place in
search of grass and water for their
flocks of animals. Their herding
includes goats, sheep and cattle to
their lesser extent.
To date, everywhere you go
through the entire region, you
find five to six pilot projects
of agricultural practice with
encouraging soil fertility and
presence of pure water for
irrigation. All sorts of crops, fruits
and vegetables are being witnessed
to be the region’s best seeds and
pips. Such kinds of preliminary
irrigation activities have started
to prove that the region’s volcanic
or alluvial soils that previously
believed unfertile are especially
productive. All in all, throughout
the Denakil area of hot temperatures
and burned soil, the origins of soils-perhaps from volcanic action or
from materials carried by streams-
-must be more important for the
better enhancement of agricultural
developments.
To this juncture, some indigenous
wild forest, mainly the palm trees
divulge the region’s soil fertility
and the existence of abundant
underground water. As palm trees
are overwhelmingly tropical in
distribution, they are found in the
region in abundance, especially
along the river lines of sand soil.
They occur there in habituated
ranging from deserts to mangrove
swamps of the Eritrean Red Sea
coastlines. Their distribution in the
whole region, however, is uneven.
Nevertheless, it is the region’s
dominant types of tree all along
the distance from the village of
Harsille, Abo-Kliema through
Ga’ero to Rehaita.
Besides they are important
sources of foods, palm trees are
sources of useful fibers. The
Denakil native palm trees are the
best source of Doma [a traditional
drink of the Afar people]. This
drink is made from the tree’s sap as
one kind of beverage. The Doma
traditional drink is believed by
the native people to be good body
temperature regulator relating
to the changes of weather in the
environs. A palm tree is therefore
a multipurpose plant to the afar
people for it sometimes transforms
them form seasons of famine to
Afar land, some from Djibouti, and
others from Somalia and many for
the surrounding just for the purpose
of feeding themselves on the palm
good harvests.
I recall the other days, in the
second week of January, 2012,
that we conducted development
activities in the Southern Red Sea
Region, an elderly man told us the
inhabitants of the Abo village are
gathered from different parts of the
products. The people witness that
the palm fruits are best foods of
theirs as the flashy part of the fruits
contain all sorts of food nutrients
like proteins and minerals. Leaf
stalks are used for basketry and
wickerwork, leaves are woven
into bags and mats, and fiber from
both is made into cordage. Special
carpets and huts could also be made
with the help of these palm tree
leaves.
The spreading palm fronds
create sufficient shade to enable
the cultivation of other crops.
Cattle also feed on these fronds
and fruits of the palm trees. With
the heat resistant nature of the palm
tree in general, we observed an
encouraging investment initiations
on Date palms with the prospect
of good results in the near future,
during our stay in the region.
Around 400 Date palms are planted
so far at Abo on a fertile land of
not more than half-a-meter deep
underground water.
The date palms are treated with the
help of irrigation system only until
they get their roots grew to about
half-a-meter. Since then onwards,
the date palms will absorb as much
water as they need through their
roosts from the rich underground
water. All the surrounding is not
only rich in the underground water
but also the type of water is pure
which is very important for all sorts
of crops and vegetables.
Apart from the growing
investment endeavors being carried
out on the plantation of date palms,
diversified irrigation activities are
also initiated with great enthusiasm
by individual farmers. Every were
around the village we happen
to encounter farmers looking
after their gardens and once we
contacted them about the general
conditions of their activities we
could understand one fundamental
common problem, lack of pesticide
provisions. The introduction of
modern agriculture in the region is
on the threshold of clear line despite
some problems in agricultural
extension assistances. But all in all
the region’s agricultural activities
are moving in a good pace.

6. Eritrea Profile, Saturday 11th of February, 2012
6
Football and English are two international languages that are understood all over the world.
This Premier Skills story can help you with both of these world languages.
Newcastle United
It doesn’t matter if you’re a football fanatic or you know nothing about the beautiful game – there
will be something interesting here for you. There are 20 stories in the series – one for each Barclays
Premier League club . Each story has activities written by English teachers to help you learn.
A DIFFERENT ENGLISH
Newcastle
United
1. If you played football in a foreign country, would you learn the language? Can you
imagine if you had to understand a special accent as well? Newcastle United’s overseas
players have to understand a famous English accent called Geordie. Geordie is the kind
of English that people speak in Newcastle. In Newcastle’s regional accent, people say
some vowel sounds differently: ‘house’ is pronounced ‘hoose’, and ‘town’ is ‘toon’.
Established: 1892
Home:
St. James Park
Capacity:
53,387
Nickname: The Magpies
Colours:
Black and
white stripes
ACTIVITY 3
Complete the sentences with the
words from
the crossword.
a) India and the USA are the wor
ld’s largest
____________ countries.
b) I’ve got an Australian ______
______,
because I was born in Sydney.
c) What does the ____________
‘Howay the
lads!’ mean?
4. Has Newcastle United always had
foreign players?
Newcastle United was one of the first major
English clubs to sign overseas players back in
the 1950’s, when Chilean George Robledo joined
the club. Other Newcastle stars have included
French winger David Ginola, and Colombian
striker, Faustino Asprilla.
Now, nearly half of the squad are not from
English speaking countries. They don’t need to
speak fluent English, but they need to be able
to be able to communicate on the pitch. And off
the pitch, they need a good understanding of
Geordie as well.
2. Is it easy to learn Geordie?
Paolo, a Brazilian student at Newcastle University
thinks so. “I found it hard at first to speak to local
people, because I couldn’t understand what
they were saying. I’m learning Geordie in the
same way I learned English – by listening to the
way people pronounce words, and by talking to
people as much as I can. And my girlfriend is from
Newcastle, so I’m getting better at understanding
Geordie, especially now that I’m a member of the
‘Toon Army’.
3. What does the phrase ‘Toon Army’ mean?
Paolo explains: “It’s what we Newcastle United
fans call ourselves. And when we’re watching a
Newcastle United game, we all shout ‘Howay the
lads!’ ‘Howay’ is a Geordie word meaning ‘Come
on’, and ‘lads’ means ‘boys’. There’s even a big
sign at the ground saying ‘Howay the lads’. The
stadium where Newcastle play, St James’ Park,
is right in the centre of the city. People shopping
in the city centre know when Newcastle score
because they hear the cheers from the thousands
of supporters inside the stadium!
by Keith Hackett and Paul Trevillion
Copyright Guardian News & Media Ltd 2009.
ACTIVITY 4
What different regional accents are there
in your country? In which parts of the country
can you hear these accents? Email us at
premierskills@britishcouncil.org and let us know.
Find out more. Use the internet to find where
these accents are used.
Cockney
Brummie
Scouse
ACTIVITY 2
1
3
4
h. regional
g. speak
f. fluent
e. vowel
d. pronounce
a. English speaking
Across
5. Regional
7. English Speaking
8. Phrase
Activity 3
Activity 2
7
c. phrase
b. accent
8
6. Talk (paragraph 2)
Learn more at www.britishcouncil.org/premierskills
KEY
6
Down
1. Accent
5
Down
2. Pronounce
R
3. Vowel
2
4. Fluent
P
6. Speak
5. Describing something from an area (paragraph 1)
7. Describing a place where English is a main language
(paragraph 4; _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _)
8. Two or more words together (paragraph 3)
Use common sense. If there is no colour clash with any other
players on the pitch, there is no reason to intervene. Refereeing
expert Keith Hackett adds: You are paid to make sensible
decisions. Instead of stopping the game unnecessarily, allow
either a blue or white undershirt to be worn.
Across
The home side are wearing blue-and-white shirts,
with one sleeve blue and one sleeve white.
But halfway through, you realise the undershirt
worn by their star midfielder is illegal because
of the colour of the sleeves: Law 4 says that any
undershirt should be the same colour as the sleeve
above it.
What action do you take?
e learning.
The text contains several words and phrases connected with languag
the text. We have given you some letters to help.
Complete the crossword with words from
3. Sound or letter like a, e, i o, or u (paragraph 1)
4. Able to speak a language well (paragraph 4)
YOU ARE THE REF
5. So is Geordie English OK?
Paolo: “When I got to Newcastle, I was surprised,
because the English I heard here was so different
from the English I learned at school. But now
I realise that there are lots of different kinds of
English all over the world. And they’re all really
useful. After three years living here, I’m happy
when people say I have a Geordie accent.
It’s who I am.”
ACTIVITY 1
1. The way people from one area speak a language
(paragraphs 1 & 5)
2. Make the sound of a letter or word (paragraph 2)
d) How do you ____________ your
name?
e) The words ‘house’ and ‘town’
have the same
____________ sound.
f) I’m now ____________ in Span
ish,
after living in Spain for 5 years.
g) I can ____________ Hindi quit
e well,
but I’m not fluent.
h) The ____________ newspap
ers in my
country, like the Manchester Even
ing News,
are more popular than the natio
nal ones.

7. Eritrea Profile, Saturday 11th of February, 2012
By: Bethlhem Teame
Every woman has a list of criteria
she needs in a man. Whether she
truly sticks to those killer criteria
or not is another controversial issue
to raise and talk about, nevertheless
the list exists, in different forms of
manifestations of course.
It all starts off like this, ‘tall,
dark, handsome, well-physique
with broad shoulders, brooding
eyes, deep rich voice, breathtaking
smile, smart with a great sense of
humor, kind, reliable, composed
and sensitive, good financial
stand….’ the list goes on and
on. The list might be different in
listing, wording and the details
might vary but the general picture
is pretty much the same. The
contents of the list are too grand to
describe a mere man.
A woman’s checklist of
requirements of her suitor is not
only lengthy and absurd but also
a bit farfetched and fanciful than
the reality she ends up with. By
the end of the road, ironically she
would end up with someone who is
totally the opposite of each entry in
her checklist. Unfortunately, only
few, very few lucky women get to
meet and end up with a man who
scored high in the test of criteria
and requirements (this happens
rarely). The majority of the woman
population however isn’t so lucky
in finding the man on the blueprint
of their creation. Any woman
would be lucky if she could find a
man who fulfills only half of the
criteria in her checklist. Maybe
it is because the list of the criteria
is so lengthy and farfetched from
reality but the magical man women
dream about rarely makes an
appearance in reality. Unless there
is a magic or a miracle involved,
it is difficult if not impossible to
meet a man who fulfills the list
items in the checklist.
If it were possible every woman
would like to conjure her own man
that fulfills every single criteria
of her checklist. The blueprint of
the man every woman needs is a
magical creature because no man
can compare to him or beat him.
‘Tall, dark, handsome, well-built,
smart, rich, sensitive, caring, deep
voice, composed…’ the list goes
on and on when in reality a man
owns utmost one or two of the
criteria in the checklist.
Just the other time a friend of
mine who happened to throw her
checklist of criteria in a man in
the trash bin and decided to get
married to a man who represents
everything she hated in a man,
come to me and decided to play
the matchmaker in my love life.
After giving me the longest and
boring lecture ever on love and
marriage, she asked me to jot down
the list of criteria I want in a man
and promised to help me find the
right man within a short period of
time. She said her husband has a
very large social network and that
she would find me a suitor soon- I
doubt it. Anyway when I worked
on my checklist and handed her
the paper, she looked at me with
mixed emotions of anger and pity
at the same time. She was angry
at me for thinking that I could
find what she hasn’t been able to
after searching high and low and at
the same time she was filled with
overwhelming pity towards me for
believing that I could find a man
who fulfills these criteria.
‘Darling… ’ she trailed off as
her fingers brushed my hands in
a gesture of condolence for she
was about to crash into pieces
my girlish fantasies of Prince
Charming. ‘Honey, if I had
believed I could find a man of
my dreams, I wouldn’t have given
up on the chase to find him. And
even if I could find him right now,
I wouldn’t hook him up with you.
I would divorce my husband and
elope with this man instead. Why
on earth would I give him to you?
I too am a romantic fool at heart.’
with that she patted my hands with
a knowing meaning and advised
me to make amendments with the
reality around me and adjust my
list in the context of the ‘grownups’
world.
‘Please wake up and smell the
coffee. This is not some movie with
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen in it,
where you could bump into your
Prince Charming any minute now
and he falls for you the moment he
laid his eyes on you. Life is not as
easy as these twins make it seem
in their movies, it is a lot harsher.’
She went on a monologue as if
she was an actress rehearsing her
script lines, she was looking but
not seeing, a blank expression
shadowing her face as she told
me how she was blinded by the
fantasy of her knight in a shining
armor coming to her rescue any
minute now and how at last she
was disappointed at herself, the
books and movies and the world
at large. She told me that love is
not all about finding a guy with the
highest score in the checklist but
about finding a heart that could be
a lifetime partner to your heart. ‘it
7
Mr. Magical
is about partnering the hearts.’ as
she said this she was so lost in her
own world, as if she was preaching
it more to her old self than me.
The fact that she mocked my
girlish fantasies as being too
childish and farfetched infuriated
and bruised my ego but soon
enough I realized a harsh truth
setting in to my senses. I stopped
and contemplated my ways and
asked myself a dozen of questions
and doubts I had over the years,
maybe I am chasing Mr. Right and
have forgotten all about the chase
for love. From what I see this
man I am looking for is too good
to be human. No man can be this
perfect unless he is some magical
creature created with some illusion
seasoned with some deep fantasy.
And I would pay everything I own
to materialize this man from the
checklist into reality.
The funny part of the chase to
finding Mr. Magical is that upon
finding him, every woman believes
that her problems would vanish
into the thin air.
For some unknown reason
women of all generation have
come to believe that meeting the
right man changes the course of
their life’s avenue from wrong to
right, from sad to happier, from
distress to joy and richer statues.
They think that the man who
fulfills the requirement in their
checklist is a panacea for every
wrong and mishaps in life. ‘When
I meet my Mr. Right, I will be
happier, healthier, and achieve this
and that…’ little would they know
that finding the right man (which
is almost impossible) doesn’t
necessarily guarantee peace of
mind, happiness of the heart and the
whole shebang of good promises
of life. If anything, your troubles
would double or triple trying to
keep an eye on your perfect man
that is also the ideal man to all the
women out there. It is about time
that I should point that most if not
all women share the same taste
in men. The list of checklists of
most women is identical in pattern
and content. What woman would
deny a man who is tall, well-built,
dark, handsome, smart, caring and
sensitive, attentive, good sense of
humor, employed with a steady
income and most of all composed?
So can you imagine the intense
of the competition to make this
particular man yours?
Yes, yes, I assure that no
woman, no matter how seemingly
unromantic she claims to be,
dreams of a knight in a shining
armor to come to her rescue
from all the troubles of her liferegardless of the kinds of troubles
she is involved in; loneliness,
illness, distress, ups and downs of
life.
But finding Mr. Right doesn’t
guarantee a happy ever after and as
such we are embarking the wrong
way to the ultimate desire of our
heart, the search for love has been
replaced by our shallow infatuation
with Mr. Magical. And as far as I
am convinced, Mr. Magical makes
a rare appearance in the world of
reality. But there is something
about love and romance that I like
so much, for it is in their nature to
manifest themselves just when you
say you have given up and thrown
the towel in. Love has a funny
way of sneaking on you without
the presence of your Mr. MagicalI still haven’t decided whether I
should be happy or miserable with
this piece of revelation I came
across. What about you?
Efforts underway to upgrade
Asmara Public Library
Efforts are underway to upgrade
Asmara Public Library, stated
Mr. Ephrem Matewos, the chief
librarian.
He explained that the main
objective of the library is to develop
the reading habit among citizens,
and that it has been striving to
provide digitalized service. Mr.
Ephrem further indicated that the
necessary preparations are being
made to commence such service
soon. He also stated that increasing
the band-width of the internet service
fourfold would enable beneficiaries
to get efficient service.
Likewise, Mr. Ephrem explained
that the library imported about
17,000 new books in late 2010 and
2011.

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