From: Ogbazgy A.Asmerom (ogbazgy@gmail.com)
Date: Sat Feb 20 2010 - 13:01:29 EST
Eritreans’Appeal and Call for Justice and Peace Must be Heard and be Enacted
By Ogbazgy Abbay Asmerom
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere --- Martin Luther King
For more than two months in 2009, when the news on sanctions started
circulating in the halls of the United Nations [UN], Eritreans inside the
country and in the Diaspora have been calling for the UNSC [United Nations
Security Council] to stop passing any sanctions against Eritrea. The initial
call did not get a fair hearing! It appears the UNSC is full of deaf ears.
It shows there is no leadership that listens! The UNSC is a seat of
arrogance and hypocrisy!
Since December 23, 2009, the UNSC has passed unjust, unfair, illegal,
illogical, and an absurd resolution against Eritrea, which was not based on
any founded or any factual evidence. It was an act of retaliation. The
decision was made to please, reward, and help Ethiopia, especially the
leaders of the EPRDF. Hence, Ethiopia has been awarded or given “a gift of
deception” in a silver platter!
The sanctions have angered Eritreans and their friends. Hence, the Eritreans
will not accept it! In any court of law, any illegal action has no validity
to support a case! Thus, it must be condemned and denounced in the strongest
terms possible! Eritreans, their friends, and supporters believe an
injustice happened on 12/23/2009 at the UNSC. Hence, it is time to stop it!
On February 22, 2010, all peace and justice-loving Eritreans of all
lifestyles, young and old, males and females, friends of Eritreans, and
their supporters have decided to organize a Worldwide Peaceful Demonstration
in Geneva, Switzerland; Melbourne, Australia; San Francisco, California; and
Washington, DC, Virginia. It is a well-coordinated plan. It is organized by
grassroots movement and calls that the unjust, unfair, illegal, illogical,
and absurd resolution, 1907/2009, be reversed, stopped, repealed, and
annulled immediately. It will not serve any purpose! It is a foolish act!
The Peaceful Demonstration in the designated cities is a sign of decency
that is found within the Eritrean communities and their supporters.
Eritreans have a level of modesty, unity, perseverance, resiliency, and
survival skills that would help them weather out the UNSC’s onslaught on
their independence.
If the UNSC has any business in talking about regional and worldwide peace
and security, it must find peace within itself. The men and women who
decided on the sanctions must find peace for themselves. They must have
peace within themselves. Peace and justice cannot come if the actors are not
peaceful and just. In the name of Peacekeeping, the UNSC committed several
UN soldiers in various places. It squandered billions of dollars! Yet it has
not achieved any tangible peace. Some peacekeeping forces have been
stationed in some places for more than 60 years, and they have not brought
any stability to those areas. UNTSO [1948] in the Middle East and UNMOGIP
[1949] in India and Pakistan can be cited as failed examples!
It is unfortunate the world is being managed and led by men and women who do
not have any inkling of inner peace and justice in themselves to apply.
Nevertheless, on February 22, 2010, we do hope that these men and women, who
work at the UNSC, may have a heart, a soul, and a mind that may need some
conversion. We also hope that they will have the conversion similar to the
one that happened on “the Road to Damascus”! They may also think twice and
give wise decision, similar to what the wise man, King Solomon, gave to two
competing women who had brought a case to him to be heard.
Eritreans have been calling for justice from the 1940s until the early
1990s. As the axiom, “those who do not remember history are condemned to
repeat it” tells us, history is repeating itself again today in Eritrea!
After 7 years of relative peace, 1991-1997, Eritreans’ call for peace and
justice has been disturbed by Ethiopia and its erstwhile supporters, mainly
the United States of America, the British, the French, and the African
Union. These forces are the forces of inaction, deceit, and injustice. The
British and American administrations know the history of Eritrea very well.
In the 1940s, the British government conspired to partition Eritrea, mainly
between the Sudan and Ethiopia.
It is also a historical fact that the British government curved out pieces
of Somali lands and gave them to Kenya and Ethiopia. The northern part of
Kenya belongs to Somalia; and the eastern Ogaden of Ethiopia belongs to
Somalia. The French curved out Djibouti from Somalia and ruled it until
1977. The American government had a highly sophisticated and secretive
military base in Asmara that was designed to track Russian movements in the
Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the whole of the Middle
East. That was during the time of the Cold War. Thus, the American
government conspired to work against Eritrean independence, right from the
beginning of the armed struggle. In fact, since 1903, the time it had
established a diplomatic relation with Ethiopia, it never stopped in
supporting Ethiopian hegemony and adventurism in the Horn of Africa.
Wherever foreign forces set their feet on other areas, there is at least
some form of instability, chaos, and perpetual conflict.
The African Union, formerly Organization of African Unity, which was
established in 1963, has its Headquarters in Addis Abeba, the capital city
of Ethiopia. Hence, it serves the needs and wishes of Ethiopia! The African
Union is the most inept and useless regional entity that failed to solve
African problems. The African Union was used as a tool to press for the
sanctions against Eritrea. Throughout its history of 46 years, it never
raised the Eritrean issue! It has become the tool of foreign forces and has
brought shame upon itself and upon the African continent! The African Union
must be changed and be reformed!
The Eritreans know by heart what John Foster Dulles, the US Secretary of
State said in 1952, when the US forced a vote at the UNSC to federate
Eritrea with Ethiopia. Here is what Mr. Dulles said: “from the point of
justice, the opinions of the Eritrean people must receive consideration.
Nevertheless the strategic interest of the United States in the Red Sea
basin and the consideration of our security and world peace make it
necessary that the country [Eritrea] has to be linked with our ally,
Ethiopia.” This absurd decision never brought peace to Ethiopia or to the
Red Sea basin! It also shows what kind of a negative role the US had played
in Eritrean affairs.
Let us see if we can reverse Dulles’ statement and read it to benefit
Canadians and Mexicans. Let a Mexican diplomat speak, “from the point of
justice, the opinions of the American people must receive due consideration.
Nevertheless the strategic interest of Mexico in the North Atlantic Ocean
basin, the Pacific Ocean rim, and the consideration of Canadian and Mexican
security and world peace make it necessary that the country [USA] has to be
linked with our ally, Canada.”
It is clear any US citizen would go nuts and rise up to fight against the
Mexicans or the Canadians. As a result, all kinds of firepower and weapons
of Mass Destruction would be used to reverse the plan. Therefore, we can
see, the strategic interests of the USA cannot be more valuable than the
ones that Eritrea seeks to have in the Red Sea basin. Eritrea has vital
interests in The Red Sea and the consideration of Eritrean need for peace
and security in the Horn of Africa make it necessary to let the USA know
that it must not meddle in the internal affairs of the countries in the Horn
of Africa, and let the USA be an impartial peace broker. It must also tell
its ally Ethiopia to comply with the Border Commission’s decision.
If Ethiopia and Somalia attain peace, it is conceivable; the whole countries
in the Horn of Africa will achieve peace. Unfortunately, in one way or
another, The Soviets, British, French, and Americans played negative roles
in complicating the Somali problem. They do bear the responsibility of
aggravating the situation!
The call for justice inside Eritrea began in the cities, rural areas, and
the mountains of Sahel, where the Eritrean freedom fighters withstood all
kinds of warfare and aerial bombardment, 1961-1991. For 30 years of a fight
between David and Goliath, there was no ear to hear at the African
Organization or the UN. Nevertheless, on May 24, 1991, under the effective
leadership of the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front [EPLF], the Eritreans
became independent by defeating their enemies. The success in the
battlefield was crowned by the decision made during the referendum of April
1993, where 98.8% voted not to be part of Ethiopia. Hence, on May 24, 1993,
Eritrea became a member of the United Nations. This independence became a
bitter pill for Ethiopia and its supporters to swallow. The strategic
importance of the Red Sea remained an obsession! It became a nostalgic
feeling! For Eritrea, there is no turning point!
The expression, “Might makes right”, became the slogan of the Super Powers,
and our region, mainly the Horn of Africa, and the world in general has
become full of chaos, conflicts, and instability. The “powerful nations”
became mangers of crises. A bigger fish began to eat a smaller fish! It is a
travesty of justice that the Five Permanent members of the UNSC have abused
their veto power. They have brought more misery upon our world. They
prescribe a poisonous pill for others and force them to take it. It is a
fact, they do fully know that they are not willing to order or take it for
themselves! They own destructive nuclear weapons, yet they preach and
threaten others not to have them! How would they feel if the veto power
would be reversed, and the smaller countries would use it to punish the
super powers? It is obvious hell would be opened wide and fire and brimstone
would come down out of their amassed Weapons of Mass Destruction and would
consume the rest of us! Here is a lesson to be learned!
The so-called border war of 1998-2000 between Eritrea and Ethiopia had its
hidden agenda. It was designed by some foreign policy architects in the USA,
Europe, UN, Ethiopia, and the African Union to thwart and frustrate Eritrean
independence. Fortunately, the Eritreans did not fall into the trap of men
and women who run the European Union, African Union, the USA, and the United
Nations. At the end of the war, a Border Commission was established to
determine where Badme, the actual place where the battle started, lies and
to whom it belongs. Thus, in April 2002, the Border Commission ruled in
favor of Eritrea as “final and binding” decision. Ethiopia was ordered to
comply. So far, due to the double standard that Ethiopia’s supporters have
used; it did not leave Badme, and did not accept the “final and binding”
ruling! Ethiopia has not complied! First, before waving a stick at Eritrea,
the UNSC must focus its eyes on Ethiopia. If sanctions mean anything to the
UNSC, Ethiopia must be sanctioned! Eritrea must be absolved! Hence, the UNSC
must resolve this burning issue!
While this international ruling has lingered for more than 8 years, the UNSC
came up with tangential action, and wanted to punish Eritrea for the utter
failure and debacle the UNSC faced in Somalia. Eritrea did not create the
Somali crisis! Ethiopia invaded Somalia in December 2006. Weapons from
Ethiopia, Kenya, and the US are circulating in Somalia. Djibouti also became
an appendage to the problem against Eritrea. Djibouti depends on French
subsidies. Obsession over failure became an alarm bell for the British,
French and the USA policy makers. Hence, Eritrea is being presented as a
sacrificial lamb on the altar of UNSC injustice, insensitivity, and
arrogance. The UNSC must clean its act, clean its own house, and put it in
order! The dead bones must be thrown out of the UNSC closet! The UNSC must
absolve itself from shame and embarrassment!
The African Union must clean its own house and must work to solve the
myriads of African problems. African problems must be solved using African
solutions. Instead of making ritual meetings on a yearly basis, eating and
drinking, and dancing in the discotheques of Addis Abeba, the heads of state
must resolve African problems, and must solve them methodically and
systematically. Hence, Africans from Cairo to Johannesburg and from
Mogadishu to Freetown must deal with their own problems. Foreign powers will
not resolve African problems, but complicate them, and make them worse and
the worst.
The UNSC must learn from its mistakes of 60 years in Eritrea. Eritrea
deserves a better treatment! Eritrea, its leaders, and people must not be
demonized for the Somali and Ethiopian problems that “western diplomats’ or
reporters who claim to “know about everything that happens in the area.”
Eritrean psychological make up does not allow distractions and false
accusations. Eritrea is not a warmonger! It seeks peace in its region. In
fact, Eritrea must be taken as a good example of self-reliance and
self-sufficiency. By using its meager resources, it is building an
impressive infrastructure. It has meet most of the targets of The Millennium
Projects.
According to some statistical data the author consulted, and what has been
gleaned from The Africa Report magazine, December 2009 - January 2010
edition, Eritrea has better results in literacy and life expectancy than
many African countries. In literacy rate, Eritrea is ahead of some 17
countries. Some of the counties include Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Liberia,
Senegal, Sierra Leone, Morocco and others. In terms of life expectancy,
Eritrea is ahead of 35 countries. Some of the countries include Ethiopia,
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda and others. Mind you,
most of these African countries were independent in the early 1960s! In
fact, most of them will be celebrating their 50th anniversary of
independence this year! It is going to be a hollow celebration!
The United States must relearn that the American Revolutionary War did not
spill American blood to let the British rule over the 13 colonies again. If
American aspirations and dreams are accepted as normal and transferable
commodities, why not accept Eritrean ways of life and the concept of
self-reliance? Eritrea has its own yardstick of measuring its success and
hurdles.
The Eritreans do not want any foreign power to mess up with their
independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, dreams, and aspirations.
These were achieved through blood, sweat, and tears. These were not shed in
vain! They are precious reminders of sacrifices that each Eritrean family
had paid. If Europeans and American can boast and claim of their heritage,
and talk or write more about what their ancestors have done for posterity,
why deny the same opportunity to the Eritreans? If the Jews all over the
world can stand firm for Israel, support it, and protect it, why not let the
Eritreans all over the world do the same thing and stand firm for Eritrea,
and protect it? Peace-loving Eritreans do not look down, but look up and
maintain their self-esteem. There is no retreat for Eritreans!
Therefore, the Worldwide Peaceful Demonstration planned for February 22,
2010, calls for JUSTICE to PREVAIL! It sends a message of solidarity and
unity with others, including peace-loving Ethiopians, and exposes the evil
machinations of foreign powers that do not have any stake in the future
development of Eritrea or the Horn of Africa. The Eritreans are not asking
for any thing else that is not achievable. Justice must come! All things
considered, Eritreans do not show any sense of fear, desperation, or
despondency! They are resolute in their position. In spite of all of the
negative press coverage directed against the unity of the people, the
Eritreans will continue to survive, At this time, they want justice to come
out of the opaque walls of the UNSC! They want the White House, the State
Department in Washington, DC, and the US UN Mission in New York to sober up!
Eritreans are calling for dignity and respect.
Eritrean-Americans who voted in the elections of 2006 and 2008 know what had
happened! They do not want the same mistakes repeated in the elections of
2010 and 2012! They will not allow themselves to be burned more than once!
Eritrean-American voters must put on notice their local, state, and federal
representatives and should let them know what is at stake!
If the worldwide appeals and calls of Eritreans’ for justice are not heard
and enacted, the US policy makers in the White House, the State Department,
and US UN mission will be seized by the matter and will be responsible for
any consequences that may happen in the Horn of Africa, especially if
Ethiopia attacks Eritrea, and Eritrean sovereignty is threatened by hostile
enemies.
In 8 years, The Bush Administration has not contemplated on any sanctions
against Eritrea. Thus, the Bush Administration must get some credit for its
position. There were other issues that Jendayi Fraser was trying to do!
Nevertheless, she did not succeed! The evil plan failed.
In more than 12 months, Eritreans, Eritrean-Americans, and their supporters
have learned more about the new tricks and intrigues being played by the
Obama Administration!
Let the UNSC, USA, the British, French, Russians, Chinese, and the African
Union wise up! Let them see the difference between light and darkness, the
difference between good and evil, the difference between justice and
injustice.
Let the unjust, unfair, illegal, illogical, and absurd sanctions be lifted,
stopped, reversed, repealed, and annulled immediately! Let Eritreans’ voices
be heard on February 22, 2010! Let justice prevail! May the carnal mind and
conscience of the members of the UNSC be pricked, and let their hearts and
minds bear the fruits of the spirit of peace and justice!
THE END
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