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Government and Opposition

If Ethiopia would be a democratic country, the government in Addis would fall in May of 1998 and be replaced by another people, who know better friends and enemies of Ethiopia. Nobody asked for resignation of the Meles cabinet but all rushed to support it. The catactrophe benefited the government; that's why weak governments love wars.

I never heard any calls for punishment of the officicals in charge of the state defence, security and intelligence. The Eritrean agression is not an earthquake or flood, and the government is in power to act, not to react. The same people, the same face now dealing with the situiation they have created. The same methods. All this indicates that not only the government but the opposition is far from standards of democracy. Democracy is not the laws, but the state of mind of the citizens.

So, if you want to be heard and understood, you have to be consistant. I don’t know who is in prison because of their political activities and who is there because of their crime against Ethiopia during the Dergue era. In 1995 in Addis I met former officers of the Mensitu’s army and people who were released after 15 years imprisonment. I draw the line between the Dergue leaders and the millions who were living through those times in Ethiopia. I know that my understanding of situation as a long civil war in the country isn’t shared by many and people prefer to see Eritrean problem as external, but I still believe that the defeat of Mengistu was due not only to the strength of ETPL or TPLF, but those millions of Ethiopians, including the army, who refuses to fight for Mengistu. Many who came out of the Mengistu’s prisons had no resentment to those who weren’t in prison or underground. I thought it was wise and promicing sign.

You, who ask for "unconditional support" -- Maybe I missed it, but I never heard you advocating for return and trial of Mensitu. In fact, I was surprised that Meles or Issayas never pushed for his trial. Do you think he is forgotten? No, he is forgiven! Well, as long as guilty goes unpunished, the innocent will suffer.

The more I read this debate, the more I am inclined to listen to Wondimu. Expecially, now -- it takes courage to be unpopular, and it is difficult to demand the release of prisoners when Ethiopia is at war.

What is so wrong with "Wondimu and Co." rejection of the Meles government? He doesn’t believe that this government represents the nation and there are many good reasons to see it this way. Does or does not Meles share with Issayas the gult for the thousands of dead in this war? Never mind, their comradery, any government is responsible for the defence of the lives of its citizens first -- no, not the territory, power or even national pride. The people! If you are fair in your resquest for responsibility of opposition (democrations), shouldn't you ask the government for accountability, too? Why the government, you ask to support, and not the society must be valued?

This war is the most obvious example that Meles doesn’t know how to lead Ethiopia. Every patriot should ask the government to answer before the country. In one of my previous posts I call this forum a brain separated from the body of the country (which is already a sign of sickness), but during the last weeks I have to rethink it. Something wrong with the brains, with the reactions of Ethioforum to what the body of the country experiences. Ethiopians didn’t ask for this war, but they’re fighting and dying, because it is a war.

One would think that the crisis of this proportions would bring to life new forces, new thinking, new name and groups... The most destressing for me is that the war hasn't change anybody's mind. The political disposition is the same and this is bad news for Ethiopian, for her future.

One would think that the tragic outcome of Eritrean indepence, self-determination, total freedom and etc. would teach other ethnic groups a lessons of moderation. You be a judge how much we learned from history at the price of many young lives.

On this forum to this day dominates the polular notion that Eritrea and Eritreans do not belong to EthioForum. At the time of the war with Eritrea. I thought that people on this forum would understand that the war the sign that Eritrea was and will be again a part of Ethiopia.

Opposition doesn't live of the government's action. It has to have its position, program, ideas, plans for Ethiopia. I don't what to be academic, but allow me to quote from the dictionary:
Op-po-si-tion -- the relation between two propositions having the same subject... Ethiopia
...a configuration in one celestial body is opposite another in the sky...
...a political party opposing and prepared to replace the party in power...

What are those celestial bodies in Ethiopian skies?

What are those different propositions?

Where is this political party prepared to replace the party in power?

For more on TPLF government see 'PILLAGE OF ETHIOPIA BY TPLF AND EPLF' Dr. Assefa Negash.

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For EthioForum

Unmoderated list requires self-moderation on the part of participants. I came to EthioForum to learn. I see so many people who want to teach and even preach. I'm grateful for the experience I had, many pages of my websites are due to inspiration or disagreement with the voices on this list, but the growth is everything. This time is a crossroad for Ethiopia and I thought the electronic Ethiopians will play their historical role, because Ethiopia needs public forum, not a chat room.

If people on this forum believe in Ethiopia's future, they should know that Ethiopia's troubles won't end tomorrow. Whatever we didn't do today somebody has to do it after us. If it will take another generation to put it right, let it be.

When I said -- historical moment -- I mean that the thousands lost lives must have place in nation's history and must make a difference. I can't continue reading the posts as if nothing happened -- the same personal attacks, name calling, inflated egos. To all you claiming to be proud Ethiopians, let Ethiopia be proud of you.

What is America with its 200 years of state history? Do you know why US is a super-power today? Because of the choices made by the Americans. Because they did what was good for Americans. I wish Ethiopia could take care of her problems before going into the obvious critique of Eritrea and Eritreans. Thousands are lost over this issue and nevertheless we see the debates over Oromo non-Ethiopian identity. That much for lessons of history. That much for personal choices. If French can be French and Europeans at the same time, why Oromo can't be Oromo and Ethiopians? Look at Eritreans -- they are not Ethiopians, not Africans, not Arabs, the list of what they are not is long.

Since I didn't know who shall I address my letter, I thought that it's better just to write an article about Ethiopian politics for Ethiopia section at Suite101, where I am an editor. My readership is wide in demographics and appreciate their desire to know more about Ethiopia. So many on EthioForum have all the answers. We can only wonder why Ethiopia goes from one trouble to another.

Ethiopian opposition resembles Ethiopian government. Both have no ideas or long-term plans for the country. It's a reactive methodology, when something has to take place in order for them to react. There are no visions for Ethiopia in both camps. As reactive behavior goes, it's always about what went wrong, but never a plan what should be done. Since no one takes active role, the course of Ethiopian history is rather predictable, it repeats the path of other nations which behaved the same way.

It's an intellectual anarchy, when Ethiopians have learned the political correctness of postmodern democracy without experiencing democracy. It's politically embarrassing to recall the traditional forms of Orthodoxy or monarchy. But every time this abbriviation "TPLF" I wonder why 50 years since the classic "1984" was written we still don't understand the double speak. There is not even one letter is abour Ethiopia in this party title! Who is representing Ethiopia? All the parties are about different ethnic agendas. And don't we know by now that "People" means that people will be killed -- that is what "front" stands for -- the war. Liberation? They mean there will be no liberties. George Orwell gave rather simple formula to understand their non-Ethiopian language. When they say peace, it means war. When they say bright future, it means darkness. Aren't you disturbed to see this word "heroic" Ethiopian armforces? Do you know why they put this word "heroic" in every sentence? Because it is the cheapest way to cover the tragedy -- lost lives. Because only heroism can save Ethiopia from stupidity of its leadership. Why should Ethiopians be pround and poor? Could they be proud of their prosperity? It is shamefull to be rich in politically correct world.

Seems to me that Ethiopians are ready to get into discussion of meaning "Shabia" instead on identifying this party on the basis of their ideology, which is socialist at best. They can call themselves the way they want, I don't have to accept their definitions. National-socialism is a socialism and Issayas is Eritrean only to enforce his socialist models. That's why he can throw away so many lives of actual Eritreans. EPLF and TPLF unity was based on their convictions and they hadn't change.

In Sweden they can offord socialsm, for Ethiopia socialism is a prescription to stay poor. In fact, as long as Ethiopia and Eritrea stay poor, the parties in Addis and Asmara will stay in power. This war serves them right, the moment Ethiopia will have middle class there will real alterative power structure. Both governments will prolong this conflict as long as they possibly can, because what is good for Ethiopians and Eritreans are bad for them. In how many words can we express the simple fact that they are NOT REPRESENTATIVE (elected) governments? How many other history lesson do we need to understand that someone born in Ethiopia is not necesseraly to serve Ethiopia's interests above his own? The diaspora itself is a proof that personal interests are more powerful than interests of the country. Why should it different for people in Addis? They are in Menelik palace because it is more beneficial for them at the moment than to move to Washington D.C. How much do they have Ethiopia in their hearts? What is out there I missed in TPLF documents, which can tell me that their party was originated for the benefit of Ethiopia? If they indeed fight for Ethiopia, why doesn't TPLF make itself all-inclusive ETHIOPIAN organization?

Maybe I'm in minority but the war made me more critical of Meles, not less. I was supportive till the lessons of 1998-99, I wanted to believe that the civil war is over. The years of the great war didn't turn Stalin into nationalist, he sent the war heroes into labor camps and died a communist. The new jail sentences in Addis to opposition is an indication that the government is not about to become Ethiopian for all Ethiopians. There is no amnisty for prisoners, which traditionally is done at the time of war. There are no changes made since May 1998, when Meles should re-evaluate his policies. If this event is not big enough to change the political direction of the government, I don't know what other catastrophy Ethiopia has to live through to have any hope for changes?

We live in the times without any shame. I don't expect Meles will resign or offer some oppology to Ethiopia. Let Eritreans ask for accountability from Issayas, Ethiopians should ask it from their leaders. As long as it's not a demand of the nation, the country lives under a colonial government of foriegners. As you thought that the elite regime of governing is gone in 1974? It is more alive than ever. Was it "500 who owned the coutry"? How about one dozen?

For centuries Ethiopia lived in isolation, because Ethiopia had life of its own. Till now, when Ethiopians ashame to be Ethiopians. Even at the times of war.

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