---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Tesfai Kflu <Tesfai.Kflu_at_fredonia.edu>
Date: Sun, Jan 29, 2012 at 1:44 AM
Subject: Zenawi
A part of an interesting dialog... Tazabi-1 is a FORUM
(Ethiopian Review) participant who happened to assume that because of the
recent happening in Dankalia Meles is likely to invade Eritrea... and
others who don't seem to agree with his assumption are telling him that he
got it wrong.
........
5:43 pm
"Semira,
You are absolutely right! This article is driven not by a single fact
but by the usual Amharaphobia syndrome. Let me add this:
1. Why should Meles need to appease the Amharas on the first place? Do they
hold the power or the security apparatus? No, so what is the reason to try
to appease them now? Meles has no need to bring back Assab as a special
gift to the Amhara because they are not an immediate threat. At least for
now. So, Tazabi-1's whole assessment is based not on facts but as I said on
the usual Amharaphobia syndrome.
2. When it comes to defending Eritrean territory, including Assab, Meles
was ready to risk even his own power when he was exposed to an immediate
threat from the Siye group, which he survived very narrowly. When he did
not compromise in the midst of immediate threat to his power when it comes
to Eritrean territories like Assab, how comes he is now ready to compromise
when he has no immediate threat? It doesn't add up. On the contrary, the
TPLF meetings recently conducted in Mekele show another story. Tigreans
were told to accept the Court's decision and be ready to give away Badme.
These are the facts.
3. Tazabi-1's assertion that Meles is recalling retired armed forces is
simply not true. If this was true, then we would have known it very early
because this kind of news will go like a wild fire. On the contrary, Meles
is currently forcing long serving mostly Tigrean army officers and generals
into early retirement. So the hard facts on the ground are just the
opposite.
All in all, Tazabi-1's analysis shows how little he knows Meles.
Whatever may be said about Meles, no one should make a mistake about one
thing. No other Ethiopian is so much committed to accept and acknowledge
the territorial integrity of Eritrea. He never gave even a hint in his 20
years rule that make people believe he is not committed to the territorial
integrity of Eritrea. He always defended that Assab was Eritrean even
during and after the Badme war. He was the one who proposed the
international court to decide even after Ethiopia already got the
territories and in the midst of harsh critiques from both the Siye group
and other Ethiopians.
Yes, Meles seems to be nervous lately and yes he will do everything to
hold on his power but believe me undermining the territorial integrity of
Eritrea will be the very last thing he will do.... and so and so forth."
