Dear Aiga Admin. I never express opinion before I have to break my silence after reading Tecola’s writing. I hop you can post.

I read professor Tecola’s article with interest and it is amazing to me what he has to say at this point in time. I never wrote an article before but I just can’t resist on this one especially when he is calling all Ethiopians and Tigreans in particular to " rise up" when they are busy with their daily life to take advantage of the opportunity of peace and democracy gained through sacrifice so they can lift themselves up. I don't think they care to listen to what professor Tecola has to say anyway.

 I’m really tired of hearing all these nonsense writing from professors like Tecola. Please professor stop being as they say in Amharic " ye tecula daba lebash"(when they refer to an enemy who pretends to be a friend). I try to follow you over the years out of respect to your education and hoping to learn something but you disappoint me many times, what you say and the reality of Ethiopia today is totally out of touch.

What do you mean by "Now we all have a clear picture of both Meles Zenawi and Sebhat Nega"? Of course I know what you mean, silly me, I wish you said a few of us instead of all of us anyway. I just have to say Professor Tecola as an Ethiopian of Tigrai decent I saw the pictures of Aboy Sebhat Nega and Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and I like what I see. What a wonderful pictures I am seeing. I am afraid professor the overwhelming majority of Ethiopians as well as Tigreans like it too, for that matter any good wisher for the well being of Ethiopia and it’s people feels the same way about the picture of Ethiopia today. I mean unless one was asleep through the last sixteen years and is awaken now just to find out Ethiopia is under E.P.R.D.F leadership without knowing the political and economical progress going on now, he may feel just like you professor, assuming he did not like the organization or its leadership in the first place. No matter how one feels about the personality of the leaders one should not miss what has been accomplished so far. Is there a room for criticism or improvement? You bet there is but it has to be constructive so that we can build upon it.

Professor Tecola, you are proving at least to me and others that hate can cloud one’s clear thinking. I can’t think of any other reason that leads one to call for such a drastic measure that can halt the progress Ethiopia is making in all fronts and going back to instability to say the least. No no no Ethiopia will not change course now it will never go backward anymore! She already has planted both feet on a solid ground, I mean really deep and holding the torch so high that people are turning heads from around Africa and the world to see where this light of hope is coming from.

I just can’t resist but to ask the professor if he ever visited the country say in the last ten years. I doubt it and that may be the reason for his gloom and doom messages. What else is the reason for painting such a gloom a picture? I wish professor Tecola and others aligned themselves with the times and use their resources constructively and contribute to the well being of their country and its people instead of going back to the dark ages.

Tsegay Asghedom

June 09.2007