They say that truth is relative, that one man's terrorist is another's freedom fighter. But when it comes to foreign correspondents who have a degree of detachment from their station of work, one expects some objectivity, an attempt at neutrality, and an effort to disseminate credible information.

Most -foreign correspondents do that - for the sake of there own careers, integrity and credibility. A few get carried away and tilt heavily in favor of their host country. But it would be hard to find a specimen like Alexander Last of Asmara - formally a correspondent of Reuters, BBC and AP, but in real terms - a conduit for Eritrean propaganda.

He has become quite notorious in Ethiopia and the disrepute that he has brought to the profession threatens to distort the view Ethiopians may had of foreign correspondents. If a foreign corespondent is a government's western employee, well that is the end of journalism, isn't it?

The value of a foreign correspondent is that he is foreign - that he is 'non national.' His 'foreigness' gives him credibility because he is believed to be independent. That is why listeners and readers all over the world would believe Alex Last much more than Yemane Gebremeskel - the Eritean President's spokesmen. Although a joke is making its rounds in Addis that Alexander Last may not exist at all. That he is Yemane Gebremaskel. Hence the appellation Alexander Gebremaskel.

But in all seriousness Reuters and the BBC have something to answer for their coverage of the Ethio-Eritrea dispute. How can an international agency simply believe one side and choose to disbelieve the other? And why should that be the case? After all Ethiopia , the BBC and Reuters don't have a conflict of interests do they?

But for people who, since Day One in this conflict - since May 1998 - have followed the reporting coming from Asmara lets use the proper name - Alexander Last the clear bias is unmistakable. It is Ethiopia 'claims,' versus reliable Eritrean reports. "It is both Ethiopia and Eritrea that have problems with accepting the OAU proposal - not just Eritrea." "And Zalambessa is in Eritea, not Ethiopia". It is Ethiopians in Zalambessa that are afraid of shelling from "across the border" in Ethiopia, not Eritreans trying to protect there hold on territory they seized from their southern neighbor.

An Eritrean 'advance' is highlighted, expounded on, described in detail and color is provided regarding measurable Ethiopian POW; - children who were caught sleeping on the battlefield. An Ethiopian breakthrough of the 'well dug in' Eriteans who from 'reliable source' said to have encircled 'five brigades ' is given a couple of lines.

We actually should congratulate Last for writing even that, except for the fact that being the lapdog that he is, he had to get it directly for his mentor Yemane. In his news report dispatched on February 25, 1999 on BBC Network Africa, he transmitted to the audience "the encirclement of five Ethiopian Brigades by the Eritrean troops and the penetration of the Eritean troops 40 km. inside uncontested Ethiopian territory."

By doing so, Last shamelessly lapped up the Eritrean government propaganda and mislead the international audience. But while fact on the ground according AFP report dispatched on Feb. 26, 1999 clearly confirms Ethiopia's "significant victories over" the Eritrea force inflicting heavy causalities during the consecutive days of fierce fightings. And then, Yemane admitted that the defense lives were broken on Feb. 26, 1999, while it happened on the 23rd of Feb.

We can only advise Reuters and the BBC to simply rid themselves of this compromised creature. Internationally reputed institution should not countenance another day with people who are Last with the Truth.