I promised to provide a commentary on:''Renewal of the EPLF-TPLF alliance:what prospects?''by Dagmawi,Ethio-Eritrean conflict page,July 15,2000. After series of consultations with friends,colleagues,and reading Dagmawi's critiqued article,the following is my summary:

A:- General observations/comments:

Dagmawi has no track records of being a critic of the TPLF'S policies with respect to Ethio-Eritrean war, going by his coverage on the website he maintains for this purpose.If anything, Dagmawi's website is indistinguishable from walta's on this issue. This means,I fail to see how Dagmawi could be perceived as a pro-Eritrean by his critics. Dagmawi appears worried that as "Ethio-Eritrean conflict is winding down- - -direct talks, without the presence of outside observers, would reduce the talks to the level of a private TPLF-EPLF reconciliation conference".

May be. One does not know what it may end up being, though there is no guarantee which-ever way. But, Dagmawi is entitled to his informed speculations based on past relationships between the two organizations referred to. Dagmawi states that both the TPLF and the EPLF promote variants of the same "Tigrean nationalism", one in Ethiopia and the other in Eritrea. This is true to some degrees, but not the whole picture or account on this matter. Why?

Several reputable scholars have noted 'the cross-fertilizations' between Tigrean nationalism in Tigray proper and a version of its Eritrean nationalism, including the backgrounds of the founders of Eritrean nationalism and Tigrean nationalism respectively. Don't we know of the organization called : "Tigre-Tigrigne in Ethiopia?"

What does this group imply by this description of itself as such? The most prominent form of this articulation is "the Tigre-Tigrygna" linguistic and cultural aspirations, based on the assumption that highlander Eritreans are historically the "same ethnic group" as the Tigrygna speaking Ethiopians in "Greater Tigray". It is argued that both the TPLF and the EPLF leaders have, on occasions used, this "ethnic commonality" as a bridging lubricant for what is otherwise an ideological differences between the two fronts. The other side of the coin is that "Tigrean nationalism" as is being promoted by the TPLF is incompatible in its "ethnic" shape with Eritrean nationalism of "state building on the ex-colonial territory called Eritrea". This is to state that "Eritrean nationalism is greater in scope than is presupposed by Tigrean nationalism as its constituent elements are bigger than common ethnic identity shared with the people of Tigray in Ethiopia" - See Ian Lewis, Nationalism in The Horn of Africa,1985.

This fact makes the two variants of 'Tigrean nationalisms' across the Mereb river incompatible with each other. Added to this gap, is the impact of war,different experiences under separate statehoods and the fact that both Eritrea and Tigray through their respective leaderships aspire to controlling of resources outside their main lands in ''Greater Ethiopia!' Indeed, some argue that the genesis of the current war is rooted in mutually exclusive economic interests between an independent Eritrean state and the near independent Tigray 'regional state within Ethiopia'. What this means is that the rapprochement between the EPLF and the TPLF is difficult to achieve/sustain, but not impossible by all means! Hence, this scenario makes Dagmawi's thesis on the future alliance between the EPLF and the TPLF a theoretical possibility!

Remember that Prime Meles was quoted as saying that the TPLF welcomes "a change of heart or a change of government in Eritrea." Mr.Seyoum Mesfin said something similar.The TPLF appears to have both contingencies planned for,the latter in the form of support to Eritrean movements based in Ethiopia although the groups state categorically that even Badme is a part of Eritrea and no negotiation is acceptable/entertain-able to them on the status of Asseb. Dagmawi's Tigrean critics do not seem to appreciate the intricacies involved in this kind of consideration or most likely deliberately overlook what Dagmawi has tried to imply. Also, bear in mind that no non-Tigrean says anything regarding the TPLF'S appalling records and mis-governance. Their''eyes are wide shut''on the failings of their leadership. What Tigrean critics are good at is labeling anybody who utters a criticism, even a mild one! Dagmawi,despite his staunch support to TPLF so far has 'gone beyond acceptable red line drawn for his likes as did Girma Wakjjira!' Dagmawi for TPLF'S tigreans is 'Sha'beia's trojan horse'-what a shame!

Dagmawi's other comment focuses on whether the UN peace keeping force is to Ethiopia's national interests. This, again, is a difficult area as people have their own various views. I, personally, welcome the UN'S intervention based on the OAU'S peace plan. Retrospectively, many Ethiopians have begun realizing that the Ethio-Eritrean war was a massive waste of human and material resources. There is no scope for the two governments to resolve differences through a round table state-state negotiation. This leaves only one viable option-using the international body. I think we should be grateful that a large scale slaughter of our people was halted following the signing of the cessation of hostilities between Ethiopia and Eritrea. What is LEFT IS A SPEEDY COMPLETION of the remaining process itself!!

If we really care about the welfare of Ethiopians at large, we should support The OAU'S and The UN'S Objectives with respect to this wasteful war! I don't really care whether this involves direct talks between the EPLF and the TPLF or through the third party negotiation-it is unavoidable that at some level/stage they have to face each other-is it not? The point is we gain or have gained nothing from this tragic war!! Given time, perhaps under different leaderships we may still manage a mutually beneficial relationship with Eritrea. Hence,unlike Dagmawi, I am not pessimistic in my assessment of what may emerge over-time between Eritrea and Ethiopia, although I do accept that Dagmawi's view in this regard is as valid as anybody else's.

B:- Concluding remarks:

Unlike Dagmawi's Tigrean critics,I found Dagmawi's case well argued and well informed/presented. Labeling Dagmawi as an Eritrean agent based on the particular article under consideration is the most intolerant approach. Personally, I see no justifiable reason for attack on Dagmawi by the likes of Getahun Gebre-Amlak, Kibralem G.Germany, etc-Walta Information Center, July 26,00. Then, I do not expect these people to behave differently,anyway!!!! Hope I have made a meaningful contribution to the debate!