!

It may be hard to imagine now, but no one should doubt that Eritrea will emerge a stronger nation once peace returns and people are able to pick up the broken pieces and get back to the rudely interrupted task of nation-building. On the other hand, the longer the Weyane stay on this road of self-destruction, just so they could bomb and destroy a few more towns, turn Eritrea into ashes, dismantle the government and the armed forces - just for the sake of it, the deeper a grave they are digging for themselves. The reason is simple, they are dealing with a people that through its well-documented unity and steadfastness knows how to fight and win the worst of invasions. By contrast, an early end to their fruitless adventure, may make it easier for them to deal with the questions awaiting them from Ethiopian parents: Where are our children? Whose war was that anyway? They are doomed, unless they accept the peace plan on the table now!

Afterall, Eritrea shall prevail not because there is justice in the world or its enemies will stop trying to annihilate it, but because Eritrea is blessed with what it takes to preserve its sovereignty and dignity: selfless leaders and a population which instinctively defends the country - no matter what. The Eritrean people have been tested by successive invaders and they have come out more united and more determined to be free each time. There is a lot of virtue in suffering - it builds character and steadfastness.

Under normal circumstances, the latest invasion by the senseless Weyane gangs, whose main target are civilian villages and towns, would have been enough to scare women and children into surrendering. Instead, within a matter of hours, in collaboration with the government, populations under the threat of being brutalized by the Weyane temporarily abandoned their belongings and homes and chose to endure extreme hardship in the wilderness in order to preserve their freedom and pride. Now that the heroic Eritrean Defense Forces have liberated most of these villages and towns, we are hearing that some of them are returning home to start life from scratch - yet again. It is another chapter in our history on how to avert death and suffering in the hands of the barbaric Ethiopian army.

The intention of this ongoing offensive is clear: it is from the big book that Weyane has written on how to dismantle and destroy Eritrea and subjugate Eritreans: annihilate the people, break the backbone of the army, weaken its economy, etc. The problem is the Eritrean people are far too familiar with such attempts and are hardened by similar inhumane acts out of similar 'how to' books written by previous Ethiopian governments: Haileselassie and the Dergue.

Actually, this time round the manual has an additional chapter - how to dispose of the popular government, a government admired the world around for its commitment and vision, and replace it with a puppet government that would make Eritrea conducive for Ethiopia's manipulation and exploitation.

There is something that makes the Weyane attempt incomprehnsible and unforgivable. They should have known better. TPLF, perhaps more than any other group in Ethiopia, know of the Eritrean people's resolve when it comes to their sovereignty and national integrity. After all, they are the beneficiaries of Eritrea's experience in fighting and winning a fight for ones own right. What happened to the passionate expressions of respect and gratitude for Eritrea and Eritreans? How short a memory they have, or was that just part of the grandiose plan of an enemy who poses as a friend?

Almost a month after Ethiopia expended endless young lives, millions of dollars and celebrations of victories that never were, Meles' plan to incapacitate the Eritran Army has failed miserably. The Eritrean defense force is still strong and kicking; the Eritrean people's morale is as high as ever, the leadership has the unwavering support of the whole population.

True to its form of behavior, the Weyane government today announced that it needs time to consider a peace plan - a plan it had been negotiating for two weeks with a full understanding of its contents and consequences. They may think they are fooling the world, but their evil intention of gaining a few more days to destroy Eritrea further is too transparent.

It is time to give up and make peace -- first and foremost within themselves. It is time to wake up from this unrealizable dream and apologize both to the peoples of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Because, in the end Eritreans will no doubt stand united mourn their dead together, and rebuild what has been destroyed., but a loser Weyane is doomed in hostile Ethiopia.