Getahun Geber-Amlak
Jan 27, 2007

I have been off the electronic media for some time now, and when I come back whom do I meet? No other but Alem G. and his usual face saving piece of work. Alem G. and all the misguided writers like him are cowards at heart. They dare not write about Eritrea and the brutal dictator PIA without saying some thing negative and often blatant lies about Ethiopia and its prime minister. They have to paint a dark picture of PMMZ before criticizing PIA. Alem G seems to be one such people.

Let me begin by saying that there is no basis what so ever to put PlA in the same category as PMMZ. Nor is there any comparison between Ethiopia and Eritrea. You can call Eritrea a failed State, because that is what it is to day thanks to the brutal killer PIA, who has taken the country and its people back many decades. It would be nice for people like Alem G. to meet the Eritreans that cross the border daily and come to find peace and security in Ethiopia. They could also talk to other Eritreans that live in this country and see how they live.

Ethiopia to day is the beacon of hope and promise in Africa. This is true both in the political and economic fields. Democracy with all its growing pains is flourishing and is here to stay thanks to the dedication and hard work of the leadership and the party in power. Over the last four year\s the Ethiopian economy has been growing on the average at the rate of over 10% per year. The social and basic infrastructures are being transformed at a feverish speed. Roads, electric power distribution and telephone are being extended to every village. Ethiopia is finally arriving at UPE and secondary schools are to day found in every district. In the next three years over 50% of the households will have electric supply? The development and diversification of agriculture is such that life in the villages is fast changing and the farmers are talking in terms of cash income of tens of thousands of Birr. Can you see why you cannot in any way compare Eritrea to Ethiopia? Eritrean towns to day have no electric power and even the ordinary candle is not available in the shops. Eritrea which had a great deal of promise is to day a failed State all because of a mad dictator who runs that poor, tiny country with an iron fist. I am sure Alem G. and the like know that there is no semblance of the rule of law in that poor country. In fact there has not been any semblance of the rule of law to speak of since independence or during the time of struggle. Only things that have the approval of the supremo can be done. The spirit of collective decision-making did not exist. That is why many Eritreans were either killed or thrown to jail simply when they disagree with the dictator PIA. Yes! That is why many Eritreans are to day voting with their feet and coming to Ethiopia or going to the Sudan just as they did during the time of Italian rule and the time of the Derg.

As to the situation in Somalia no one was found napping or with his pants down. Ethiopia was indeed following every development in Somalia closely. However it did not have any intention to meddle in the internal affairs of any country and that includes Somalia. Ethiopia did support the IGAD position and was helping the transitional government in Somalia. Solving the internal problem of that country was not an Ethiopian responsibility, but of the Somalis themselves. Thus the reason why Ethiopia wanted its differences with the UIC resolved peacefully. That is why a number of face-to-face talks were held with the UIC. But the Ethiopian effort and good will did not seem to impress the hard-liners UIC and they chose a warpath and declared jihad against Ethiopia. Yes Ethiopia did not rush to respond in kind and was still ready and willing to give peace a chance. The Ethiopian overture for peace might have been, as us usual, misunderstood by the UIC and their mentor PIA. He continued to arm and train the UIC extremists and send not only war materiel but also Eritrean soldiers to train and fight along side the extremists.

Ethiopian patience however had it limits. It could not sit quietly when it is attacked. I am sure by now you know what transpired in Somalia, and how quickly and decisively the Ethiopian army dealt with those extremist. It was in a way a repeat of what it did with the sha'ebia in the north. Ethiopia's decisive action against the extremists has helped the Somali people breath an air of freedom peace and stability. It has ended a turmoil that had lasted for over sixteen years. The Somalis are once more hoping to have a stable and viable government. That is why they accepted the Ethiopian army with open arms. The transitional government has got the ball rolling, and the Somali people everywhere are happy. Alem G and co. please read what the international media and all what the peace loving nations in the West and East are saying about the role That Ethiopia, led by PMMZ, played in Somalia. Would you not wish that PMMZ replicated this brilliant act in Eritrea! You might not, but the long-suffering peoples of Eritrea would. It takes courage and honesty to admit ones mistakes. I wonder if, dear Alem G, you have these qualities. I suggest you read guhuy I'bu's article "Oromai Shaebia" in awate.com, if you have not done so already. There is an honest Eritean for you!

As to democracy in Ethiopia it has never been stronger than it is to day. People, including former Dergists are having a role, a say in the affairs of their country. The only pre-condition is that they accept the constitution and the laws of the country. To go against these two pillars of democracy is criminal. Surely you do know that this is true for any democratic country in the world. The past history of an individual is something else. If they were proven criminals they would have been apprehended and brought before the law. In any case a person is innocent until proven guilty. That is the reason why all the top Dergist and known killers were dealt through the court. I am sure you have heard of the court's recent verdict. If the government's attorney general disagrees with the verdict all he can do is appeal. Guess what would have been the fate of these anti-people criminals in Eritrea and PIA, summary killing. Indeed many Eritreans who in the eyes of the brutal PIA have committed an offence have, as you surely know, been summarily killed without any semblance of the law. There in lies the difference between Ethiopian and Eritrea.

People who formed their own parties and took part in the elections have been free to participate. They did so because under the constitution. Every citizen has the right to join an organization and to elect and be elected. This is the fundamental right of all citizens. That is why many parties are represented in parliament to day. There was no way that the PMMZ can prevent or impede them from forming a party and running for office. Thus your assumption, rather your suggestion that PMMZ should have forbidden their participation would be contrary to the constitution of the land.

PMMZ is popular with the people of Ethiopian as indeed he is a world recognized and respected statesman. His position could not have been stronger than it is to day. I am sure he is still open for talks on the border issue. It is your PIA who is not. There are fundamental errors in the decision that could have been easily resolved through direct talks. But, who is one to talk to? Anger is not a solution. The best stance for Eritrea, if it had a responsible government, would have been to engage in direct talks. The very people in the border area of the two countries who are blood relations could have in fact easily resolved the problem had they been given the opportunity. Surely you do realise that they know where-is-what, more than the men at The Hague.

Just before saying bye, I would like to extend my invitation to Alem G and Co. to come and visit Ethiopia. If you do you will see with your own eyes what to day is taking place in this country. The booming building industry, the fast industrialisation and the rapid transformation of basic infrastructures and social services are there for anyone to see and learn from. Come visit some of the twenty-two universities across the country, thirteen of which are opened this year, come with an open mind. If you do come let me know, and you have my standing invitation at the beer garden, the newest addition to our beauty of the beautiful city of Addis Ababa, Bye for now!

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