The TPLF's dastardly invasion of Eritrea contains all the elements of a Greek drama: deceit, treachery, ingratitude, and betrayal. Of course, it would require the talents of a Sophocles to put the enormity of the crime into words, to bring the ill deed to life. But when that happens, the drama will be an instant classic, in the tradition of Odipus the King. Some of the world's greatest works of literature are based on TPLF type of infamy.

Twenty-five years ago, the TPLF cut its teeth on Mother Eritrea's milk. Through its infancy and beyond, it was nurtured, armed and trained by the EPLF. In 1991 it entered Addis Ababa "triumphantly" while tagging along Eritrean tanks and armored vehicles. Through the blood of Eritreans, it was put in the seat of power in Menelik's Palace. As soon as the TPLF was ensconced in power it began to plot against its principal benefactorQthe people of Eritrea. EPLF former fighters provided the necessary protection to allow the TPLF to set up the machinery of government. Eritreans and Ethiopian of Eritrean heritage residing in Ethiopia gave the fledgling government crucial assistance in the early days when it was trying to establish legitimacy. Eritreans stuck their neck out for TPLF against the vehement opposition of its internal enemies. Now it has made peace with its former enemies at the expense of Eritrea's independence and sovereignty.

Now in an unparalleled act of ingratitude, the TPLF has put a dagger on Eritrea's back. As Abay Tsehay crudely boasted, the purpose of the cowardly lunge is to cut Eritrea's "spinal cord." Unfortunately for the attackers, the tip of the dagger broke before it reached the spinal cord. Surly it cut some flesh, and may even have severed some minor muscles. But the spinal cord, made out of stainless premium steel is still intact. May be scratched a bit in the ensuing struggle. But intact, nevertheless. You see, the spinal cord is the will of the Eritrean people. Tempered with adversity and steeled with an iron determination, no one, least of all, a Woyane, that despicable of God's creatures, can trifle with Eritreans' will, Eritrea's spinal cord.

Sixty-five years ago Mussolini's Brown Shirts invaded Ethiopia. The world looked the other way. Now it's time for yesterday's victim to become the invader but then driven by the same insatiable appetite for territories. What was wrong then should be wrong now. But we cannot count on the world to see it that way. The world is behaving very much the way it did sixty five years ago: a deafening silence.

This time the Brown Shirts have come wearing green, the colors of the TPLF. Today's invader hopes to defile the land with impunity, just as his was in 1935. At the head of the invading army is Meles Zenawi, a shortish man whose physical resemblance, and use of demagogic language eerily resembles Mussolini's. Yesterday's victim milked the victim-hood to the maximum to extract sympathy from the guilty West. Today's victim would do no such thing. All Eritreans will ask is that the West stops providing the funding for the war.

Eritreans will not ask for sympathy because self-pity has no place in the Eritrean national character. They will handle the enemy, cut the enemy's hands, with the same determination they severed Mengistu's. If Meles has not learned anything from Mengistu's, he will, very, very, soon. The lesson is this: Eritrea is an inhospitable terrain for invaders. It's their final resting-place, their graveyard. Check their tombstones. It tells how and why they perished.