When Shabia drew the first blood in May 1998 by bombing civilians and school children, some of us talked about supporting the Ethiopian defense forces and standing for Ethiopian sovereignty. Most of us argued on the merit and justness of the cause. Along this line most of us thought that this opportunity might open some dialogue between various groups and the government on the issue of the release of political prisoners, article 37 of the constitution and the issue of ethnic Kilils etc. Someone however argued and mentioned a historical reference to the Derg after the Somali border conflict. They said that the Derg turned on its people and started Red Terror after it came victorious from the Ogaden. They said that the EPRDF regime might start a free season and hunt all its critics and opponents after this border conflict. The reason is that almost all forms of government feel that they have a mandate to do what they wish domestically after coming victorious over an external enemy. Most of us argued that time has changed for the better. Those critics may have a point. It has not passed two months when the slander the labeling of individuals as enemies of the people starts. It is officially declared that Dagmawi is a Shabia agent. Who knows what follows?

"The article Renewal of the Ethio-Eritrean alliance: What prospects, by Dagmawi can only be described as divisive and as a Trojan Horse bent on injecting animosity and hatred between the peoples of Ethiopia whose solid unity could not be put to test even by its avowed enemies like Sha'ebia."

Pardon me, I have not read a single line that injects animosity and hatred. I may or may not agree with Dagmawi's thesis of TPLF's "Tigriyan Nationalism", but by no means, Tigryan Nationalism is not equal to the people of Tigray. Please understand there are millions of Tigryans who may not care to subscribe to TPLF's Tigryan Nationalism. Besides ANDM's and OPDO's prescribed nationalisms are not even remotely close to any form of nationalism. I can go on in depth about nationalism and its manifestations, but I would rather not bore the readers.

"The article tells a great deal about the individual's character and political alliance. There has been many attempts by the old guard and recently by the sha'ebia to try to put a wedge between the people of Tigray and the rest of Ethiopians. Their campaign has not worked so far, and will not work in the future."

Is any critic of TPLF/EPRDF or for that matter Tigryan Nationalism an old guard, a member of some conspiracy addressed as 'them', 'they'? What is an old guard any way? It fails me to understand what pleases TPLF's cadres about diverse views. When Eritrean intellectuals do not dissent with EPLF we call them brain dead. When Ethiopian intellectual's dissent with TPLF you call them traitors and enemies.

"The Ethiopian people, with the exception of the likes of the writer and the discredited sha'ebia, know the nature of their government. After all it is the Ethiopians that have voted the EPRDF to power."

Oh my god! EPRDF came to power in 1991. The author claims that that the Ethiopians voted the EPRDF to power. I am not even going to challenge his ridiculous claim. I will simply say WOW! Any thing to incriminate someone. Now I see how journalists, teachers, professors and other political dissidents go to jail and get charged with outlandish claims.

"The only purpose of the author of the article might be to ingratiate himself with the diehard old guard and Sha'ebia. The old guard hanker for a return to yester years. These people continue to hold the firm belief or rather a dream that without them Ethiopia will disintegrate and collapse. They actually believe that they and they alone were destined to lead Ethiopia. Eight years after the fall of the Derg and five years after the establishment of the Democratic Republic, Ethiopia is going from strength to strength. Its people are more united to-day than ever before. The young Democracy is-growing and its people are enjoying a freedom the likes of which were never seen in this land. An open and transparent multiparty election was conducted for the second time. The Ethiopian people have given their verdict. They have reaffirmed their confidence in the EPRDF, of which the TPLF is a partner, and a committed partner indeed. Ethiopia has never had a truly representative multinational or in the words of Dagmawi a "multi-ethnic" government until the coming of the EPRDF. This is the first time in history that all the peoples of Ethiopia are fairly represented in the executive and the legislate branches of the government. The overwhelming majority of the Ethiopian peoples have for the first time been recognized as true citizens of this ancient country with all that it connotes."

The author and other TPLF protagonists use yester years as it fits them necessary. Now the auther is telling us that the country just came out of darkness, thanks to TPLF. Few days back, he and his likes were claiming the we had an impeccable history defending our country against foreign aggressors, united and undivided for centuries. Which is it? Years back he and his likes were telling us our history and existence was a mere 100 years, then again, few months back they were telling us about our proud history of over 5000 years, today he is telling us the country saw day light for the first time in history under TPLF. The author wants to tell us about the free and fair election. Need I say more than, please listen to the people of Hadya and Kembata, please listen to Dr. Beyene Petros, please listen to the survivors of the martyrs in the south who were killed by their on government for free and unbiased elections, while their brothers were fighting and dying for their country. They will tell you how free and fair the election was.

"What we read in this article, which could have been written by supporters of the sha'ebia or members of the old guard is a sense of sour grapes. The later because their hope of returning to power is dashed once and for all. Eight years after the fall of the Derg the EPRDF has gained in popularity. It is going from strength to strength. The devolution of power to the member states is irreversible. The constitution is clear as to how change of government comes about, by the ballet box. EPRDF's strength and popularity and therefore that of the TPLF, ANDM and OPDO, are obviously the result of its time tested commitment to the political, economic social and cultural emancipation of the hitherto down trodden peoples of Ethiopia."

Haven't we heard the same rhetoric before? It looks like de ja vous all over again. For a moment I thought that I was listening to Asefa Yirgu, the radio announcer of the Derg era, with a back ground music of Yirga Dubale - YEFIYEL WOTETE. To kiss up to TPLF is one thing, to idolize TPLF is another, to brown nose and drool is disgusting.

Here is a note for you Mr. Gebre Amlak. Before there as a Walta, before there was a commentator named Gebre Amlak, there was this little homestead web site on a geocities that helped us understand the nature and evil of Shabaia. Not the foreign ministry of Ethiopia, not any Ethiopian Embassy in the world, not any TPLF and government news media devoted itself to the exposure of shabia and its evils than Dagmawi's web site. This site was a source of wisdom on Ethiopian History, on Ethiopian Unity, on the nature and geneses of Shabia and it colonized mentality. He fought harder than any one I know except those brave children of Ethiopia in the battlefront. Look what he got, the moment he criticized the regime? I am afraid this whip of mud may transform into a whip of bullets against any critic of TPLF.