Resentment and rations as Eritrea nears a crisis

Bread Line in Asmara, Eritrea, Oct 2007

Comment"- A picture tells a thousand words. No matter how hard Jeffrey Gettleman tries to shift the blame for the reality within Eritrea, Shaebia is only responsible for the current harsh suffering of Eritreans

Has the US congress turned itself into a "devils lab"?
By Mekonen Wondimu:-The US congress has recently passed a bill which goes by the name of "HR 2003". This blatant violation of Ethiopia's sovereign right to enact its own laws is another testimony, to the fact that some quarters are not to leave us in peace...

Eritrea security chief survives assassination bid
Eritrea's powerful head of internal security, Colonel Simon Ghebredengel, survived an assassination attempt last week in Asmara, a senior government official said Tuesday.

See Also: Colonel Simon Ghebredengel Shot
Gedab News

Gossip more powerful than truth, researchers say
LONDON (Reuters) - Gossip is more powerful than truth, a study showed on Monday, suggesting people believe what they hear through the grapevine even if they have evidence to the contrary...

President Isaias says border issues "must be resolved"
And admits in his own word he is helping armed rebel fighters to oust the Ethiopian government even though he agreed not to do that when he signed the Algiers agreement!

A Call for sobriety And Justice by the US Senate
It is profoundly disheartening and saddening to observe the recent passage of the HR.2003 Bill by the House of Representatives as a castigating stick against Ethiopia, a strong and close ally of America in its fight against International Terrorism...[U.T.N.A 10/13/07]

Ask Congressman Donald Payne if knows about the following and warn your Senator about the ONLF and HR2003 sponsored by Berhan Nega, Hailu Shawel camps and the ONLF!

• AL-QAEDA ORGANIZATION IN THE ISLAMIC MAGHREB ATTACKED BUSINESS TARGET (AUG. 6, 2007, ETHIOPIA)
  
  
• Al Qaeda’s Secret ONLF Financial Link
  (geeskaafrika.com)
  Does Congressman Donald Payne know his beloved African terrorist organization the ONLF is linked to Al Qaeda?
  

Conservative Columnist: Symbolism and Realpolitik
Amid the complex dynamics of the Horn of Africa, the most significant national interest at stake for the United States is preventing Al-Qaeda...[J. Peter Pham]

White House: Genocide resolution would hurt relations with key ally
Comment:
Democrats in the House will leave no stone unturned to attack President Bush! If it is not HR2003 it is a world war first “crimes"--a war fought nearly 100 years ago-- they are trying to use to attack his presidency. Wouldn’t it be easy for the Democrats led by Donald Payne from New Jersey to use their power to rectify the inequality in New Jersey instead of Turkey!

ISAIAS AFERWERKI - FROM STATESMAN TO DESPOT AND WRECKER
Recollections - A Historical Puzzle
by Paul B. Henze
I returned to Asmara from service as an Observer in the Eritrean Referendum at Om Hager the evening of 26 April 1993. The next morning I had a breakfast time telephone call from Hagos Gebre Hiwot in Provisional President Isaias Aferwerki's office--Isaias wished to talk to me.

Dr.Beyene’s absurdity

I was trying to reconcile Dr. Taye’s choice of word "Eche woyane" to show his disrespect to the ruling party (as if male chauvinism is acceptable in this day and age, though for a party who pays tribute to thousands of female fighters would wear it as a badge of honor) and his lecture about civility in Ethiopian politics, his militancy and CUD’s effort to get legal recognition in Ethiopia when I read Dr.Beyenes cry baby tantrum.

On Ethiopia! as Ben clearly blogged, where you will find an opposition who criticizes the ruling party over Ethnicity insists Dr.Beyene deserved the presidency because he is from the South.
It is only in the last election that Dr. Beyne called for Coalition government contrary to what the constitution states. Does his party’s collaboration with Dr.Negede through Hibret show loyalty to the constitution given the intent of Hibret was to do away with it given an opportunity?
The most interesting is Dr Bulcha’s statement that he got assurance that if elected President he (Dr.Beyene) will be non-partisan as customary in other countries. The question is does Dr.Beyene think that the state of the opposition such in a good condition that he can leave his party and accept the constraints of the presidency? If the Dr has the luxury to go sabbatical from the opposition camp shouldn’t he temper his day in day out complaint on the ruling party? Is his party served when it is led by a person who believes his party post is not worth than a ceremonial presidency?
The fact is Article 70 sub article 4 of the Constitution states that the president can be elected no more than 2 times. The ruling party would have been dictatorial had they tried to elect a president for the third time. Incumbent usually gets re-elected unless there is great dissatisfaction. The re-election of Grima would not have been a surprise. What do you say of a person who equates the new spirit of the millennium to his election to the presidency?
The argument over the presidency says more about the legal opposition who could not decide whether to admit Ethiopia is on a democratic path and work whole heartedly or declare that the ruling party is dictatorial hence struggle to it's overthrow. They end up being cry baby clowns than respected opposition.[Alula Nega,10/13/07]