A Thief Can't Be Trusted

The Ethiopian government under Meles Zenawi is a government of thieves and liars. We can't trust them, because of what they have done to our government and people. They have betrayed us and stabbed us on the back. Within two weeks they have looted and destroyed our properties, similar to the way their masters, Haileselassie and Mengistu did.

If the Algiers indirect negotiation would achieve some semblance of peace, it would be good news and we would accept peace with honour and dignity.

Before permanent peace is to be achieved, let us consider the following points:

1. Before any cease-fire is to be signed, Ethiopia must withdraw from all occupied and undisputed Eritrean territories

2. For Eritrea, the status quo ante must be established. Was it not Ethiopia that has been crying for the last two years about the same issue?

3. For Eritrea, the simple message is " aggression should not be rewarded and it must be reversed." Was it not Ethiopia that has been crying for the last two years about the same issue?

4. It is confirmed Eritrea has withdrawn from all of the disputed territories for the sake of peace and in order the OAU plan to be implemented

5. Ethiopia is still holding undisputed Eritrean territories. This is not acceptable for Eritrea to negotiate with good faith

6. Ethiopia must be told in an unambiguous words by the OAU, UN, EU and the USA, there will not be any peace or cease- fire without the redeployment of Ethiopian soldiers from Eritrea

7. If Ethiopia thinks Eritrea can attack back, then is it not logical to think Eritrea would also think Ethiopia can attack back?

8. A thief is always a thief, unless there is 360 degrees turn around and baptism by fire takes place. Hence, the Weyane would not be trusted. There should not be any direct, face-to-face, talks with the thieves of Mekele while they are occupying Eritrean territories. Were they not saying the same thing for the last two years?

9. If there is any guarantees of security that Ethiopia wants, does it not sound logical Eritrea also needs that same kind of guarantee and security? Ethiopia can't give any guarantee. Its soldiers are not peace keepers. They are thieves who live on looting properties.

10. Ethiopian security is not more sacred than Eritrean security

11. The demarcation of the border area would lead to the 2nd liberation of Eritrea. As the referendum confirmed Eritrean independence, the demarcation should also confirm the security of the Eritrean border once and for all

12. After a cease- fire, cessation of hostilities and demarcation, Eritrea should not look toward the south. Its trade partners should be the countries of the Middle East as well as the countries in North Africa, Europe, Asia and Latin America

13. If the issue of compensation is to be raised, let us consider the following:
    1. Ethiopia must compensate all of the deportees
    2. Ethiopia must compensate all of the displaced civilians
    3. Ethiopia must compensate the Eritrean government for all of the destroyed and damaged properties due to aerial bombing and artillery firing
    4. Ethiopia must return any looted properties that belong to the Eritreans
    5. Above all, Eritrea must be compensated for the 30 years war of destruction

14. The root causes of the border crisis must be investigated and the guilty party must be punished with war reparations and monetary compensation

15. It has to be explained to the Weyanes by the mediators that they should not interfere in the internal affairs of the Eritrean government. Their battle cry should no longer be the overthrow of the Eritrean government.

16. It is the Eritreans who should be the masters of their destiny and the captains of their future. There is nothing that can come from the southern wind. It is a whirlwind of deceit, envy, jealousy, distrust, destruction, famine , misery and hopelessness

17. Peace is the ultimate goal of the Eritrean government and people. The current reversal of events shall not deter the government and the people from launching a 2nd phase of reconstruction and rehabilitation of the infrastructure and the economy.

18. When peace is restored and the border is demarcated, Eritrea will move forward and will make an economic leap

19. Within few years, and with peace, Eritrea will be the envy of Africa. The commitment of the people to be self reliant and independent will be accelerated, and not diminished

20. Poverty, diseases, illiteracy and famine will be wiped out of Eritrea very soon

21. Hence, the recovery of Eritrea will remarkable and it will be enhanced.

Ogbazgy
6/2/2000