webmaster
© Copyright DEHAI-Eritrea OnLine, 1993-2010
All rights reserved
From: awetnayu@hotmail.com
Date: Tue Jul 20 2010 - 23:51:38 EDT
Meles
Zenawi AKA Meles-ovich Selling Ethiopia
and the Region
Amanuel Biedemariam
In an effort to sell goodwill and to gain the hearts and
minds of Eritreans; soon after Eritrea
won independence, Meles stood on a podium in Asmara stadium and promised, “We will not
scratch your wounds.” After decades of barbaric Ethiopian and Europeans rulers;
years of suffering, bloodshed, looting, rapes, destructions, displacements and
cruelty; after decades of wars, Eritrea
was ready to let go and move on. Eritrea was ready for peace and for
good news. Meles understood Eritrea’s
hunger and need to hear soothing words of peace when he made those statements.
Of course, he never meant it. After gathering himself, he ignited unnecessary
war, expelled more than 75, 000 Eritreans out of Ethiopia, stole their
hard-earned wealth and temporarily destroyed goodwill to heal wounds between the good
people of Eritrea and Ethiopia.
Meles-ovich has been selling everything to bolster his
stature as a strong man and key figure in Africa
and the world consistently. He wanted to be the figurehead and was encouraged
to act the part by his US
and Western financiers; and he performed that part splendidly. The job required
someone with no ethical standards, willing to lie and wreak havoc without
regard to the future of the region or his people. The job required a lot of
selling mainly to the international community. He obliged.
He sold the Badme war while labeling Eritrea the aggressor for a temporary gain and
thus destroying all good will with Eritrea’s leaders. He misled the
Ethiopian people into a war with Eritrea
without a clear and achievable objective by tapping into the hopes of those who
want to retake Eritrea
by force using border issue as excuse with no intention to resolve what he
foolishly started. He sold the Ethiopian people and the world a lie that he won
the Badme decision at The Hague and soon thereafter, he rejected it by calling
the EEBC decision as illegal and virtual demarcation as a “Legal nonsense”.
Then he accepted it in principle and tried to sell the tired and disingenuous
“dialogue” idea.
Meles-ovich is an incessant salesperson who thinks that the
world is buying whatever he sells. He actually deserves a great deal of praise
for trying to follow through on all his pitches albeit to a colossal failures.
He followed through in Somalia
after selling fabricated threats in an effort to invade a sovereign nation. He
tried to sell one Somalia Transitional Government (TFG) after another in the
hopes of screwing a leadership core that favors his repertoire. He overplayed
the terror card that the Bush Administration may have felt out-staged. He sold Eritrea as a
nation that sponsored terrorism and failed.
Moreover, whenever Meles sells Ethiopians, he addresses them
with total disrespect and unashamed arrogance. He does not look or smile, never
interacts and, he lashes with his sharp tongue whenever he utters a word. He simply
talks down to Ethiopians. He says and does anything. He reverses himself at
will; contradicted himself countless times whenever convenient. He never needed
to stay true and principled. He never showed enthusiasm, never cared to tell
the truth, he talked around things and never directly addressed issues. He is
rude. He actually never addresses the Ethiopian people. Moreover, if-and-when
he addresses Ethiopia,
his favorite audience is his rubber stamp parliament that looks dazed. They ask
predetermined questions and express fake frustration on queue. It is simply a
surreal environment, a fantasy-drama world made up for the satisfaction of the
donor communities.
Africa
and probably the world have never seen a Head of State that lacks a shred of
decency like Meles-ovich. Leaders around the world do many things to remain in
power but what Meles-ovich does is simply unprecedented. The intriguing fact is
that this despot actually enjoys selling his agendas and believes that people
will actually buy his lies after lying to them for years. The question is what
is his product or what is he selling? To understand his logic and antiques one
must decipher, a) his target audiences b) the various constituencies he is
trying to address c) understand what his challenges are and, how he
intends to overcome it d) most importantly, what he considers his opportunities
are and how he goes after them.
His product is any thing that is the opposite of peace. He
has no interest in peace. Therefore, he sells wars as in Somalia, Eritrea,
Sudan, and most importantly
in Ethiopia.
He sells fear and terrorism as excuse to stifle his people. Meles-ovich has
been selling the stability of Ethiopia
as if he is the savior of it by telling his US
and Western financiers if you stop helping me, Ethiopia will break apart along
ethnic and religious lines after he divided the nation deliberately to divide
and rule.
Meles’s target audience is usually the international
community. That is, even when he gives phony interviews to selected
“journalists” mainly from Tigray. However, that changed for a brief period days
before the sham election in May of 2010. Meles-ovich conducted an interview
with Ethiopian TV and answered pre-selected questions sent to him, supposedly
from the public. For the first time in over 13 years, he showed eagerness to
express, explain and most importantly tried to sell his ideas to Ethiopians. It
was by far the most fascinating balancing-act I have ever witnessed albeit
based on fabrication, convenient placement-of-issues, in accordance with his
needs and desired outcomes. It was odd because normally, he sends his henchmen to
do the job namely Sebhat, Ghebru, Siye or the heavy hitter Bereket Simon when
needed. He addressed four areas namely Asseb, the Independence of Eritrea, the
election and Ethiopian stability. His target audience: a) some of the
anti Eritrea “Eritrean” lost souls who are working with him aimlessly in the
hopes of becoming the TFG of Eritrea b) the general Eritrean public c)
Ethiopians in the Diaspora particularly the Amhara, d) and, his
supporters.
What is intriguing is how Meles-ovich cleverly tried to sell
these issues to all segments mentioned above collectively and at once. He told
Eritreans that he is not interested on Asseb, that he respects Eritrean
territories and international laws. This man sent thousands of Ethiopians to
their premature death in 2000 in an effort to capture Asseb. He is the man that
is arming Afar and other ethnic groups from his side and parading them as
Eritreans seeking self-determination. A man that wants to sell to Ethiopians
that, Eritreans opted for independence due to repressive Ethiopian regimes
while, at the same time selling the fragmentation of Eritrea along ethnic and
religious lines by using religious extremist , pedophiles and other criminals
discards.
Furthermore, he is trying to sell Ethiopians that Eritrea wants to destabilize Ethiopia by working, even with those who do not
believe on Eritrea’s
independence and those who claim Asseb. He is also claiming Eritrea is
working with former Derg officials. However, Meles-ovich conveniently forgot,
after the eruption of the border war, he released all the former Derg officers
from prison in order to help him fight Eritrea. Moreover, he knows well,
that Eritreans do not compromise with Eritrean independence and an inch of
their territory. Badme should serve as example. Eritreans will not work with
those who have territorial ambitions on Eritrea. During the recent Ethiopia
and the Horn of Africa conference, Dr. Berhe Habtegiorgis told those who
claimed Asseb is Ethiopian, their claim amounted to a declaration of war.
Meles’s pitch changes from day to day, as he tries to
maximize on his opportunities any way he can. He sells exaggerated economic
growth while millions are starving. He sold democracy until he realized that
democracy threatened his power and disbanded it. His current sales pitch is
that Ethiopia
does not need democracy. He is selling Ethiopians not to focus on political
issues but economic developments. He is touting the tiger economy of China as his
savior. He is selling new military partnership with China
and is trying to sell China,
in effect blackmailing the US.
The Key
The above-mentioned facts are not new; many have pointed
this out ad nauseam. Some have broken it down and spoke the truth to how
Meles-ovich and his gang damaged the lives of women, children, and the
youth .They listed the genocides, crimes against humanities, political
imprisonments, harassment and looting of national treasures. They listed litany
of criminal charges that should have sent the whole regime into prison.
Therefore, it is an established fact that Meles-ovich does not represent the
best interest of the people of Ethiopia
and the region. He and his gang are criminals working under the umbrella of a
legitimized government. It is a forgone conclusion amongst 95% of Ethiopians
that the country is in the worst shape that it has ever been. The recipe for
disaster is already set in motion. Absent of urgent remedies, it is just a
matter of time until the doomsday scenario becomes a reality. The consensus is
that it is impossible to work with Meles-ovich. Hence, it is imperative to
remove him and his henchmen from power for the country and the region to get
peace.
Moreover, it is clear to those who hoped for the
international community particularly, the US or the EU to stand on behalf of
the Ethiopian people in the name of justice, democracy and the rule of law to
wake up. It is like praying to devil outside the gates of hell for deliverance.
In the aftermath of the Cold War, the interest and focus of Western countries
has shifted into protecting energy and other resources. The war against
terrorism and stability of the region are the main excuses used as reasons to
prop up the brutal despots like Meles-ovich and Museveni. The US is his
number one financier. Without US and Western support, Meles-ovich would close
shop in days because he cannot afford to pay his war machinery. He is fully
funded, armed and provided-with unparalleled political, diplomatic and PR-cover
from the international community. And until now, he has done well in pursuing
the agenda of destruction and genocidal missions throughout the region leaving
trails of untold human suffering.
Clearly, Meles-ovich is the most reviled figure in the
history of Ethiopia.
Even those who use to support him have reversed course because they realize
that he is the path to the destabilization of Ethiopia. Why then is he finding
success in the Diaspora in the face of all these disdain? While there are
many reasons, one of the main reasons is that many Ethiopian opinion makers and
agenda setters have, and are working for his agenda knowingly or unknowingly.
As stated earlier, let us be clear here that Meles-ovich
does not have any interest in peace. His interest lies on conflicts, fear and
wars! After he heard about the Qatar
mediation efforts and the agreement it produced between Djibouti and Eritrea he cried foul and decried
the UN for welcoming the development. Any sign of peace and reconciliation
amongst the people in the region brings nightmares to the TPLF gang because
they know that will bring their end. The recent change-of-tone and approach of
the US regarding the
situation in Somalia is
sending shockwaves into the psyche of this Warlord Meles-ovich and his partner
Museveni of Uganda to the point of unilaterally deciding to send thousands of
troops more into Somalia to
the dissatisfaction of the US.
They are threatening to internationalize the threat of Al Shabab to the dismay
of the US
in an effort to regain the funding they lost after they were forced to retreat
in a humiliating defeat. This is the reaction of the US
envoy to Somalia:
“If I could think of any tactfully discreet and
diplomatically clear way to describe the outcome of the 15th Extraordinary
Session of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government on Somalia
without compromising the essence of my message, I would have simply chosen that
approach. Therefore, going crude is the appropriate way: As a patched up
political charade destined to embolden the very extremist elements that it is
intended to subdue and push Somalia deep into anarchy and destruction, the
resolution passed in that session is haphazardly imprudent and wildly
dangerous”.
It is with this outlook in mind that one can say that many
Ethiopian opinion makers and agenda setters are, and have been working for
Meles-ovich’s agenda as it pertains to regional issues for the following
reasons:
1) They failed to talk about humanity and bread and butter
issues for the people in the region in ways that could have united Ethiopians
with the various population segments of the region i.e. Somalia, Gambella and others. 2) They
failed to own up to the issues of Somalia, Gambella, Ogaden, Oromo etc…3) They
failed to recognize their weaknesses and acted and talked as if they rule
Ethiopia when they were in no position. 4) They give Ethiopians exaggerated
expectation of what Western powers particularly the US
can do to bring change in Ethiopia.
5) Most importantly, they keep standing on the wrong side of history as it
regards to Eritrea.
During the wars that erupted in 1998, they sided with Meles. In fact, they were
pleased because they felt it would weaken both antagonists and strengthen their
positions. Many failed to speak about the horrendous uprooting of Eritreans and
Ethiopians from Ethiopia.
Moreover, and unfortunately, they are still steering Ethiopians into a
conversation of Eritrea
and Eritrean territories as if they have any ability to change the facts on the
ground. Thus, placing the focus and attention away from Meles-ovich and
provide fuel for his fire.
They keep doing a disservice to Ethiopia time after time. It is
somewhat baffling to see them duped easily by sales gimmicks Meles-ovich and
his gangs throw at them. Weeks before the last sham election, at a time when
Ethiopians were planning and conducting a significant conference in North America, Meles-ovich sent a select group from his
henchmen and paraded them as opposition. Many Ethiopians actually fell for it
and engaged Medrek-stars on tour. What is ironic is that they forgot that Siye
and Meles actually have fought together for the same cause, Tigray. How can
they think someone who sacrificed to come to power hand-over power on their demand?
In addition, how could they believe; opposition that is on tour for weeks in
the US
during a crucial phase of the election is a legitimate? This shows a serious
weakness and ill judgment.
Concluding Remarks
Meles-Ovich has sold everything to the point that he has
nothing left to sell. He sold sham elections until he realized what happened in
Kenya
could happen to him; power sharing. He preempted his opponents by intimidating,
jailing and harassment. However, the sad part is, even after Meles-ovich
declared his complete victory humiliating the Ethiopian people, some dinosaurs
or elites actually found it opportune time to talk about other issues namely
Eritrean ports and asking for political space from Meles-ovich. The question is
when will they learn? When will they realize the truth and the reality as it is?
When will they know their limitations and work within the scope of what they
can realistically achieve? When will they learn to stop asking Meles-ovich to
give them “some-political- space” in other words power, when in reality,
Meles-ovich has denied them their country and identity. Plain and simple! How
is it possible for any one with an ounce of brain, to think that Meles-ovich,
who actually sacrificed to get to where he is possible to invite individuals to
share power simply because they can eloquently describe democracy? Furthermore,
why are these elites and educated personalities always assuming that the West
and the US will actually work against their own interest and press Meles-ovich (funded by them) to bring
change against his will? Their logic and approach is primitive, misleading and
unrealistic.
Meles-ovich has drawn the line on the sand. He has
unambiguously told the world, I rule my way and there is not a damn thing you
can do about it! However, the elites are still pointing-out how bad,
Meles-ovich is and, they are trying to plan on what to do next. Moreover, why
are they not recognizing the efforts of those who are giving their foreheads to
save Ethiopia?
Do they still believe that their words and letters alone will be enough to
dethrone Meles-ovich and his gang? Furthermore, do these elites actually
believe that those who are paying sacrifices with their lives now (EPPF, OLF,
ONLF etc…) will give them political space once they achieve victory? When will
they stop playing on neutral grounds and take hard stands? When will they
declare their positions regarding the OLF, Ogaden,
Somalia, and whether to work
with Eritrea
and other related matters?
It is
a matter of record and history that there has been no major achievement in the
fight against Meles-ovich. Based on this sad history, it is obvious there is a
need for some fresh thinking and a shot of new blood to reenergize this
hopeless situation. The one thing that Ethiopians need to realize is that
Meles-ovich and his gangs are not only Ethiopia’s problem they are
regional vermin. In order to cleanse the situation and plan for peaceful
beginning towards successful coexistence, all options need exploring.
In these endeavors, the only country that is standing for
the people of the region is Eritrea.
The only country that is standing for justice in the region is Eritrea. The
people of Eritrea want to
see Ethiopia, Somalia and a
region that is successful. Moreover, as President Isaias Afwerki stated, “Eritrea is not threatened by a strong and
successful Ethiopia.”
Therefore, it is high time for all to declare their solidarity and focus on the
bull’s eye but do so fully respecting Eritrean territories and sovereignty.
_________________________________________________________________
The New Busy is not the old busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox.
http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_3
----[This List to be used for Eritrea Related News Only]----