Letter to the Editor
The Monitor - Addis Ababa
P.O. Box 4502, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tel: 251-1-156400 | Fax: 251-1-512121
E-mail: themonitor@telecom.net.et
July 30, 1998
Addis Ababa - Dear Editor: The desire for peace, shared by almost all Ethiopians, seems to have led your columnist Yosef B. to accepting the Eritrean leadership's proposals for a settlement of the conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia.
That Ethiopia should accept to surrender part of its territories to some kind of international control is appeasement of the kind that was practiced by the League of Nations following the fascist aggression against Ethiopia in 1935, and that eventually led to the Second World War. Just imagine if Germany seized parts of France (or vice versa) would anyone propose in this day and age that the results of the aggression be sanctified by the international community and that people of these areas, rather than be administered by their elected compatriots would be subject to rule by foreigners?
If there are any lessons to be learnt from history, it is that aggression cannot and should never be rewarded by appeasement.
As for Isaias' proposal for face to face talks between himself and Prime Minister Meles, this is a gimmick and a distraction, and reflects the totalitarian nature of the Eritrean regime which is essentially a one man show.
While Isaias may feel confident that he can speak for Eritrea without fear of contradiction or criticism, Meles is answerable to the Ethiopian Parliament and the Ethiopian people. The position of the Ethiopian Parliament and people is clear - before any talks Eritrea must withdraw from the Ethiopian territories it has seized.
Perhaps Yosef B. is unaware that there was a bi-partite Border Commission meeting until the aggression took place, looking into the issue of demarcating the border. Both sides had pledged to resolve all outstanding disputes by negotiations, and not to resort to force.
Now that the Eritrean leadership, diplomatically isolated and with its economy under siege is starting to realize that its gamble to divide Ethiopians against one and other has failed, along with its unrealistic ambitions to establish hegemony in the region, care must be taken by Ethiopians not to provide support for their war aims, for whatever reasons and for whatever motives. We can be sure that the EPLF, which has never allowed the mildest criticism internally, will be happy to publicize this article as evidence that the Ethiopian people accept the justice of their case.
Your sincerely,
Mohammed Hassan