First, about the postmodern politics. Fifty years of the Cold War developed to perfection a new super-power warfare -- propaganda. After all this Cold War was very virtual in nature; there was so-called arms race, but the real battle was over the minds, it was the great game of fear and imagination.Propaganda and agitation had to wait for arrival of the high-tech; Hitler loved radio, Clinton -- television. We know that our facts are not stubborn at all. We live in relativist reality, where the idea of reality is in question. For more on this topic I recommend Baudliard's book about the Gulf War, my purpose is local -- a few comments on applications of pomo (postmodern) methods in the current war between Eritrea and Ethiopia.
Of course, the Eritrean side is older and more sofisticated in propaganda wars. "Eritreans: A peace-loving people in an unwanted war" -- if you are in political studies class, read and translate it from the double-speak into English. Use the simple method we used in Moscow to read "Pravda" -- substitute the keywords with their annonimous. Then the above title would be read as "Eritreans: A war-loving people in a desired war"... You see, "peace-loving people" is a nonsense and there must be some reason for this rediculous statement. Why would someone write it if not to "cover-up"... you guessed it, the opposite. Do you know how I learn to detect propaganda? The idiocy gives it up! One word "people" the answer -- of course, it's not the people who want the war of even demanded it. People die in wars. And what about "unwanted war"? Propaganda in all languages use the same method -- it takes you for an idiot.
The most advanced propaganda is advertising. The basic rule is repetition. you have to hummer the same message over and over, till it becomes common and unquestionable like the multuplication tables. Persistance works miracles! And you have to cook the history books. The best way is to gave NEW names for old facts. Orwell called it "newspeak" -- since the old fact gets a new name, it gets a new meaning. Simple. For example, let say "freedom-fighters"! We like both words -- freedom and fighting. What freedom we talk about? Who cares! We won't go into explaination why a criminal resisting arrest is not a freedom-fighter, because the propaganda mind (we call it "brain-washed") doesn't compare things. If you know how manipulate such brains, you are a postmodern politician....
Since our readership is not exclusively Ethiopian, I had to provide some historical background for people who are not familiar with Ethiopian history.Photo from 1963, Shifta's attack near US military base.The 20th century rich with social experimentation proved that the socialist ideology is a perfect demagoguery screen for those war lords all around the world to legitimize their power. The institutionalized decentralization of Ethiopia, known as nationalities policy suites shifta well. The Era of Princes was perfect setting for their existence. The power vacuum allows them to hold the power in the hands of the limited few, but they can’t develop any civic structure, because by nature they are against the rule of law. To ask men of this tradition to implement “democratic” institutions is an absurd. “Man with a Rifle” is a part of Abissinian history and the basis for both war parties -- EPLF and TPLF.
This paramilitary tradition is a result of centuries when Ethiopia had no central power (till mid 19 century and Emperor Teowdoros). There was another 100 years of centralization, when Ethiopia re-emerged as an empire and returned to the world history. The centrifugal tendancies of today will remove Ethiopia from the map of the big history.
In my 1995 observations of free press in Addis Ababa I came to a conclusion that the government allows opprosition publications not because of the freedom of the press, but simply because it has no time for supressing something which they can ignore. They have total military control and the opposition in Ethiopia is not more influential on Ethiopian actual politics than the debates on EthioForum. Why bother? They and everybody else alredy understood that Ethiopia cannot afford another military opposition and more years of intensive civil war. They are in power by default and they will stay in power, because Ethiopian society is powerless.
The revolution destroyed the old traditional social structure and the new never was built. The army can’t govern any country and the Dergue experience is just another example of this rule of history. Till the new societal structure in Ethiopia emerges, the country will be in hands of the armed road criminals.
Ethiopian problems are not political or economical, Ethiopians have to make their minds and decide what future do they want. Nothing can be done till then.
April 2, 1999
Unmediated 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 crossroads 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 abbreviation "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 about 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 proud and poor? Could they be proud of their prosperity? It is shameful to be rich in our 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 offort socialism, 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 alternative 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 necessarily 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 amnesty 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 catastrophe 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 apology 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 foreigners. As you thought that the elite regime of governing is gone in 1974? It is more alive than ever.
For centuries Ethiopia lived in isolation, because Ethiopia had life of its own. Till now, when Ethiopians ashamed to be Ethiopians. Even at the times of war.
Texts are updated for the web pages. AA
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