Bravo Ethiopia!
That which will not be Butter, must be made into Cheese

__________________________________

It’s advantage Meles Zenawi! By a finely-timed and carefully crafted speech to the House of Representatives last week, Meles’ diplomatic blitz left Isaias Afewerki checkmated. Eritrea’s spurious commitment was shuttered into smithereens while Ethiopia’s credibility is given a face-lift. However, because of the emotive nature of the issue under consideration, a large segment of exiled Ethiopians were seen raking their brains not so much on what Meles said, but on what he had not said or on what one’s imagination told us what he had said. So, you can just imagine the rumours and speculations that were scavenging the brains of the gullible.

Thankfully, there was a lighter side to it as well. No sooner had Asmara rejected Ethiopia’s latest peace overture, than word of the imaginary visit of Jesus Christ to Eritrea was put into circulation. Jesus was so irate of Eritrea’s repeated rejections of Ethiopia’s peace plans that he decided to descend on Asmara to convince Isaias to come to terms with Ethiopia. Once in Asmara, Jesus told Isaias: “My son, if you make it up with Ethiopia, I will give you and your nation your heart’s desire. There is, however, a condition to my offer. Whatever I do to Eritrea, I will do twice as much to Ethiopia.” Isaias got up from his chair hugged Jesus and said: “In that case, Lord, quickly destroy half of my tanks, half of my aircrafts, half of my armed forces and our airport terminal.”

One of the attributes of a responsible and listening government is to continually review the positions that it had taken on important issues from time to time so as to take into account changing circumstances. This is done without renouncing the core belief in the merit of the driving force behind the issue. Ethiopia’s Five Point Peace Plan is, therefore, a calibrated response to change of circumstances. The September 2002 rejection of EEBC’s Decision did, indeed, portray Ethiopia as a villain and allowed Eritrea to masquerade as an innocent victim. The government was; therefore, right to address this anomalous situation so that Ethiopians and Ethiopia’s development partners could whole heartedly support Ethiopia’s genuine commitment to peace. Only the politically verdant will argue that government positions ought to be cast in stones like the Medes and Persians.

Yes, Meles has taken, perhaps, the biggest gamble of his political career. But is this not what leadership is all about? By taking the bull by the horns, Meles, has thus far, succeeded in leaving Shabea wrong-footed. Should dialogue with Eritrea, therefore, ever materialise, Meles has the special advantage of attending the round table from a position of strength and not weakness.

Contrary to popular belief, Meles has not declared that he would hand-over Badme to Eritreans on a silver platter. If that was the case, let alone Asmara, the streets of London and Washington would have been packed by Shabea revellers. What Meles means by accepting in principle must be understood contextually. What he must be saying is unlike September 2002, I will not turn my back on the EEBC, but will be a proactive member vigorously defending my corner. In short, it means that Meles Zenawi accepts, in theory, that the Ethio-Eritrean border must be demarcated, but in practice he has his reservations, here and there, which he intends to fight for zealously within, rather than, outside the purview of the EEBC. Meles Zenawi’s government has not departed from its two core beliefs: First, the decision is unfair and unjust. Second, any demarcation has to take into account not soil and rock samples, but the wishes and aspirations of the inhabitants of the area.

The fact that Meles Zenawi had the courage to take stock of the infirmities inherent in his government’s 2002 Decision, has enabled Ethiopia to salvage the peace process. Finally, it might be prudent to note that Meles, of Adwa, needs no reminding that his historic birth place is the grave-yard of thousands of Ethiopians who died for the territorial integrity of the Ethiopia he is entrusted to lead.

May God Continue to Bless Ethiopa.
London, 27th November 2004

home