For the last two years, Ethiopians (both inside and outside Ethiopia) have been occupied in ending up the war with Eritrea. Ethiopians have worked day and night to expose the naked aggression of Eritrea. Nevertheless, the International Community gave a dead ear to the repeated requests of Ethiopians. Then we Ethiopians were obliged to regain our territory by paying our priceless lives. The reason that took Ethiopians all the those kilometres deep into Eritrea was nothing except reversing the aggression when all peaceful solutions were exhausted. Now we are at the negotiating table. Some issues are coming up as a legacy of this border war with Eritrea.

The Issue of Assab

Some writers have come up with a new agenda: ASSAB. I don't need to dwell on the historical developments - as much has been said about it both in the printed and electronic media. Be that as it may, what issues do we have on the ground? The Ethiopian military has proved to be strong and it can go as far as we can imagine. On the other hand, Ethiopians need pragmatic and long-lasting solutions - not illusions and immoral visionaries. Here lies the paradox. Some argue that Eritrea was Ethiopian colony and hence the boundaries should now be demarcated by the Ethiopian leadership so that Ethiopia can easily include Assab. Perhaps this can be also further done by force. But will there be long lasting peace for our people? As far as I am concerned, occupation of Assab won't be a panacea for a long lasting problem. That's why Ethiopians need pragmatic solutions not illusions. Both ports of Assab and Massawa had been under Ethiopian administration for years, and yet little development has been achieved because there was no peace at all. So, should we have to go back to the same situation again? If we go for the option of taking up Assab, will not all Eritreans start war again? Then where would we be? Hailselasie and Derge fought for years, and neither Eritrea nor Ethiopia got what they wanted. Instead, we had famine, under-development, death of our people, etc. I don't think it would make sense to return to such a vicious circle. So why are then, people raising this issue?

If we trust all forceful occupation will retard Ethiopian development, then why would we need to go back to it? The intentions, of the so-called 'elites' for the control of Assab by all means (hook or crook) is, therefore, targeted to destroy the developments of Ethiopia through continued wars with Eritrea for generations. Some of those 'elites' are trying to be smart and opportunist, and warn Ethiopia against being LAND LOCKED. They are advising Ethiopians to go back to zero-start. Is it really a genuine advice? Not really, this is a tactical move and conspiracy to destruct harmony and peace in Ethiopia. The good thing is that such a plot behind the issue of Assab is naked and everybody is aware of the fact. Hence, no one will fall victim for such crocodile tears. The Amharic saying 'AZAGN KIBE ANGOATCH' fits well here. Those raising such issue and pushing us for a continued war have no idea about the value of the life of our people, and no respect for those who have fallen in safeguarding our territory and reversing the Eritrean aggression. However there is also another reality. Those few people raising such issues are far away from Ethiopia! Nevertheless, there could have been some constructive role they could play in the democratisation process as many are doing regardless of the differences in their political categories. If our claims are plausible and justified, there are international rules and regulations.

Tigrean Nationalism

On the other side, some writers (who happen to be in the Diaspora) from the same source are trying to convince us about the possibilities for Tigrean nationalism (see article on Ethio-Eritrea conflict dagmawi web site of 15 July) both in Eritrea and Tigray. A lot could be speculated. On the contrary, history tells us the other way round (see article by East African Forum, 7-24-00, entitled Irrational Prospects and Heretic Views: Stop Undermining Ethiopia's Rich Ethnic Diversity and Harmony!). Such people are not different from those who would like to see Ethiopia's endless bloodshed for Assab. But why are those people so pessimistic about Ethiopian people and unity? Is it because they have some hidden political agenda against our unified Ethiopia? It seems to me that there is some conspiracy, as there has been no time in Ethiopian history that the Tigrean people have considered themselves different other than being Ethiopian.

Therefore, such advise on imaginative Tigrean nationalism is attempted to challenge all our harmony and Unity. We all know that the Tigrean people in Ethiopia, along with their compatriots have paid sacrifice to reverse the naked aggression of Eritrea. I think this is not a secret - as every Ethiopian clearly knows the reality on ground. Some could think of confusing some innocent Ethiopians. I don't think the Tigirean militiamen had any other reason except for safeguarding their Ethiopian territory when they fought the Eritrean Mechanised invading force in May 1998. If we all remember there was no military force on the Ethiopian side, and we can easily see as the militia would have seen, that they could not stop the invasion. Yet they fought with all they had and gave their life. Why would they die, if they do not believe in Ethiopia? They died because there is as equally strong Ethiopiansim feeling in among Tigreans as there is in the other nations and nationalities in Ethiopia. What the Tigrean people, along with other nations and nationalities in Ethiopia, can not accept is the aggression and a compromise on their identity.

Some predicted and thought that Ethiopia would disintegrate among nations and nationalities, and would accept terms of aggressors. That was also a mis-calculation that lead to the defeat of the Eritrean dictators. Recent attempts of the Somali fundamentalists and the OLF were a futile exercise as it crushed into pieces. Ethiopians have proven that those aggressors are wrong and made them pay the consequences. Our enemies could have their own right of extrapolation to their own liking but their dream can't be true.

The Leadership in Ethiopia

Our leaders have re-affirmed their position in unity. Ethiopian people executed and won the war with Eritrea under a brilliant leadership. This shows nothing but the great sense of harmony and units among Ethiopians. Everyone applauded the popularity for Ethiopians and the government. Now, the unity motto of the leadership has gone even beyond Ethiopia. Efforts are underway for a united Africa. This is a great achievement and congratulations for the Ethiopian people.

The way foreword:

We Ethiopians have learnt more than enough from our experience. There is no doubt about the strength of our leadership in building a unified Ethiopia. The leadership also affirmed that it would not make a move that would cause an endless war. This should be our milestone. Ethiopians, thanks to our bitter experience, have known the different categories. Ethiopians are now in a position to tell who is who. No one can fall victim of cries of peoples like Zeru Kihishen and Belay Abay (see article on Ethio-Eritrea conflict Dagmawi web site of 15 July), ex- Central Committee members of EPRP who both aspire for a leadership post. They are both trying to win the hearts of innocent Ethiopians in the Diaspora. I wonder why they choose a detour rather than putting themselves in the democratic system and forwarding their cases, when political leadership is their motive and aspirations!

The Ethiopian people have shed more than enough blood. The Ethiopian people can't afford another cycle of endless war because they know the price that has been paid. Perhaps for people who would not be directly involved in any war, it might be easy to write on and try to pressure. However these efforts would remain theories that would not come into practice! What Ethiopians wish to see is strategies for economic prosperity, social and political development, not mere causes for endless conflicts and bloodshed!

It is time for us to show the world that we can make a difference on our living and people. We need to manage and develop our river basins - and not be involved in endless wars. Ethiopia is endowed with diversified natural resources, which could be more than enough in our quest for development. We have heard signs of oil in Western Ethiopia. There is untapped potential in mining, hydro and thermal energies throughout the country. Towards this end, there is now a growing interest and concerted effort. We need to materialise our ideas and discussions on the Nile initiatives. We have to develop our hard working sprit and Ethiopianism. Let's take our human resource development efforts further. We, Ethiopians, need to build on our hard working sprit and fight unanimously our main enemy, which is poverty. These are keys to our success! Having a port will not guarantee us development rather the contrary, as we will enter into an endless war to get and maintain it. The Ethiopian GDP showed recently a growth of 6.5% per year (on average) being landlocked, while its GDP growth used to be stagnant (at times negative) with both ports during Haileselasie's and Derg's regime.

For those who are interested in political leadership, please do not wound our harmony and unity at the expense of your self interests. You don't need to wound us! You can come up through the democratic system, a process being implemented in today's Ethiopia. Then, it will be up to us Ethiopians to decide who should come into power and have the leadership! Ethiopians have begun the long journey towards democracy. For those of you who claim to be the elites and want to dictate us, this is my message: Ethiopia has seen enough bloodshed, so leave us alone! Ethiopians are united as ever and would go anywhere for their just cause. That has been proved in the contemporary harmony despite repeated theoretical speculations and pessimism to challenge the quest for integration. But, no to your conspiracies!