We think there has to be another alternate to war as a solution.

(Aigaforum 03/15/07): -For the last 10 years or so Ethiopia has tried to reason out with the Eritrean government a peaceful coexistence is the only viable option for the two brotherly people to live in peace. It has even traveled the extra mile to make peace with the Shaibya government after the costly war of 1998-2000. However every gesture and every plan it has forwarded has been met with contempt by the Eritrean government.

Today both countries have reached a critical stage where many speculate the time has come either the Eritrean government or the government of PM Meles in Ethiopia has to cease to exist for peace to reign in the region. The two governments have reached in a no return situation. The Eritrean government after trying to destabilize Ethiopia by proxy has resorted to direct interference and sponsorship of terrorism against Ethiopia. The Ethiopian government while not directly or indirectly involved in dismantling the Eritrean government has tired to work within the scope of the Eritrean oppositions to hasten the downfall of Isayas Afeworki’s regime only to realize that the Eritrean oppositions are one dysfunctional extended family that cannot be counted to be a peaceful partner in the event they hold power.

The Ethiopian government in its press release of 03/14/07 has for the first time charged the Eritrean government directly responsible for the recent terrorist act on the visiting British diplomats in the Afar region. While it is commendable the government has realized that Shaibya is not a partner for peace any more and Shaibya provocation will not be tolerated, it needs to step up the pressure on the government of Eritrea and do so in a way that the Eritrean government knows any future terrorist act will be challenged.

Shaibya should not get away unpunished if it does carry terrorist act subversively or directly any more. Ethiopia is too large and too proud a country to tolerate transgression of her sovereignty. The Ethiopian government needs to revise its policy towards Eritrea. Why would Ethiopia allow Shaibya to think it can get away with what ever it does to harm Ethiopia's peace so long it does not invade with full-scale military? At least that is what we heard the Prime Minister saying in his latest interview.

Having said this Aigaforum is not calling for total war with the Eritrean government. Neither Eritrea nor Ethiopia needs war at this time. Both people have suffered much and not in a million years would we want war to solve Ethiopia’s problem with Shaibya. Ethiopia at this moment stand to loose more if war breaks. It has a promising future with a growing economy. Ethiopia needs time to finish the huge public works underway that will be the bedrock for future economy. Ethiopia needs time to strengthen the promising private investment. War can only mean a setback to all the progress Ethiopia has made so far. On the other hand the Eritrean government may loose it’s being if war breaks out but cannot be said it will also loose its economy. Eritrea unfortunately does not have an economy to speak off. Its work force is tied in a trench hole and desert camps as conscripts. In other word Eritrea looses nothing, in fact it may gain as a country if the dictator is removed from power.

The Eritreans need to understand Ethiopia has bleed too much one-way or the other to help them gain their independence. It is time they realize they are about to squander their hard fought independence. Ethiopians are too tired and too mad with their government because of its policy of appeasing Eritrea and its government. Time is running out. Eritreans need to save their country from an impending abyss. If war breaks out there is no stopping and unless there are fools out there, Ethiopia will win the war no matter how long it takes! No one can be sure if there will be a country called Eritrea as we know it after a full-scale war. To the gullible Eritreans this may give them a reason to stand with the dictator but do not say you were not warned! The dictator is taking down Eritrea with him.

The Ethiopian government may be at the 11^th hour to change course with Eritrea. We can only hope the change of policy is not cornered on a total war option. Certainly we have been mad as hell with the Ethiopian government for not stopping Shaibya’s provocation, but we abhor war. We think there has to be another alternate to war as a solution.