I am rather surprised both at the volume and bitterness of the response to the questions raised by Dagmawi regarding the prospects of rapprochement between the TPLF and EPLF. Perhaps because he dared raise this inconvenient question at an inappropriate time - interrupting our euphoric celebration of our boys' victory in the desert-the vitriol is everywhere.

If we were to be honest with ourselves, we must admit that all he did was place in the public forum questions, which had crossed our minds at least once over the last two years. If truth be told, we all recall that only two years ago any Eritrean had more rights and privileges than any Amara or Oromo or etc. man in our national capital. Dagmawi's deep seated fears of the prospects of reconciliation only reflect our collective memory of that bitter experience which is after all just two years behind us.

Were I a member of the EPDRF or a supporter thereof, I will take the expression of such fear to mean that the people need to be reassured--not muzzled. Even if I were to believe that such fear is unfounded, it will serve no constructive purpose to paint the fearful citizen as an enemy. In a democracy, what this calls for is greater openness including openness of the negotiation process. It calls for consultation with the citizenry both through its elected representatives and directly through a referendum as to what the outlying parameters of the negotiation should be. Expressions of concern by citizens call for a democratically elected government to gauge the sentiment of the population on whose behalf it is to enter the negotiation. For instance, a democratic government would take the population's sentiment regarding the restoration of Ethiopia's access to the sea as one of the parameters of the negotiation.

The last few months were the best of times in recent memory though we had to battle both an invading army and the forces of nature. We came together as one, and as we have always done in such times, we overcame our enemies. It will be a shame if we were to retreat to the dark days instead of building on this recent rare gain and the widespread expressions of good will. Name calling never served our national interest before and it will not serve our national interest now. Anyone who has the national interest at heart must make it a point resist the urge to plunge oneself in negative discourse. The governed have fulfilled their duty. It is now up to those who govern to do their part and to be mindful of the fears and aspirations of the population which gave so much to the collective good. The king should not be unduly annoyed with the one who dares say that the king has no clothes.