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¨Isaias sees problems in independence and does not want to rush and create difficulties for himself¨ late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

A vital document that exposes Isaias Afewerki’s hidden agenda in his outlook about the fate of Eritrea is uncovered. It was the late Prime Minister of Ethiopia, who divulged such a vital secret in exceptionally

A vital document that exposes Isaias Afewerki’s hidden agenda in his outlook about the fate of Eritrea is uncovered. It was the late Prime Minister of Ethiopia, who divulged such a vital secret in exceptionally candid interview with Paul B. Henze, former CIA and national security specialist in 1990.

For many Eritreans the still unanswered question is ¨why does Isaias hate the Eritrea people this much, why is he systematically destroying the country? According to late Pm Meles, it is because Isaias doesn’t believe in the very entity of Eritrea in the first place. Twenty three years later when we connect the dots, we can clearly see, where the country is heading. Meles explicitly stated ‘Isaias wants Eritrea to stay as part of Ethiopia, but he lucks the support of his people.’ If that was the case then the people have to be submitted, if not they should get removed from that entity to see that dream alive.

The endless support Isaias to different Ethiopian opposition groups and the change of Eri-tv into unofficial Ethiopian-tv also says something. How long will it take for Eritreans, who support the regime to continue deceived? This is an eye opening document.

PBH: What is your position on separatism?

MZ: We are not separatist. We want a united Ethiopia. But we do not want a centralized Shoan-dominated Ethiopia. I just read the speech you gave to the Eritreans here a couple of weeks ago. I support everything you say. I agree with you that the Ethiopian state is valuable. It should not be destroyed. It should be put back together on a democratic basis and with guarantees of freedom and autonomy for all its peoples, so it can develop economically. Federation is the only way this can be done. We are in favor of federation. This is the only way the damage the Derg has done can be repaired.

PBH: This brings us to Eritrea and the EPLF. How are your relations with the EPLF? Do you talk to Isaias Afewerki?

MZ: I talk to Isaias often. We have no disagreements now. During the 1970s we worked together and had no serious disagreements with them. In 1984 we broke relations. The break was over different understandings of the Soviet Union. They still believed the Soviet Union offered a model for the future and that it could be reformed. They argued that the Soviets were misled on Ethiopia. They wanted to persuade the Soviets to support them instead of the Derg. They thought the Soviet system was a model they could apply in Eritrea. We thought this was foolish because we had learned in Tigray that we had to develop our own model and apply our own system in accordance with our own conditions and practical experience. We watched all these talks where the Soviets tried to use the Italians and the East Germans to bring the Derg and the EPLF together and we always thought nothing could come of them. We were right.

So we had very poor relations with the EPLF for four years, 1984-88. Then we worked out an agreement again. They came to see the Soviet Union the way we did. They gave up their illusions. They saw what was happening in the Soviet Union under Gorbachev . After their great victory over the Derg at Afabet in early 1988, we both began to cooperate again. They have given us help, but we are still a very independent movement. We are not dependant on them. We control all of Tigray now. We would not want to be dependant on anybody from the outside. We won our battle at Enda Sellassie with our own strength. If they had not helped us, it might have taken longer, but we would still have won. But that does not mean that we see everything the way EPLF does. I want to assure you of that.

PBH: What are your differences?

MZ: The EPLF has a much more difficult situation than we do. Many of our differences result from that, and we have an understanding and sympathy for their position. In Tigray we have a united people. No more than 10% of our people are Muslims and our Muslims are Tigreans first and Muslims only second. That is not true in Eritrea. The population is much more divided. The Eritrean Muslims themselves are divided. There are at least three groups among them. They don’t see things the same way the Christians do. The EPLF has some of them with it and its policies have been sensible — it is trying to make the Muslims part of a united movement. But that is not possible and the closer the EPLF comes to taking power in Eritrea the more dangerous this issue becomes. There are serious tensions between Eritrean Christians and Muslims in Sudan. This will become apparent in Eritrea when the Derg’s control is gone. We do not have this problem among Tigrean refugees. They all stick together – the Christians do not resent the Muslims and the Muslims do not feel oppressed by the Christians.

PBH: And separatism – how do you see this issue in comparison with the attitude of Eritreans?

MZ: The EPLF has the problem that the population hates the Derg so much that it has all become separatist. The population wants independence to be declared as soon as the EPLF takes Asmara. Isaias understands some of the difficulties of this because he has thought a lot about it in the past year. But he has terrible pressures from his people. It is a difficult issue for him.

PBH: Are the Eritrean highland Christians as strongly in favor of an immediate declaration of independence as Muslims?

MZ: There are different opinions on this, but we think that the whole population wants independence. They may not understand what it means. These people were once strongly in favor of unity with Ethiopia. The Shoan Amharas destroyed that feeling. The highlanders are getting more impatient than the leadership of the EPLF. Isaias sees problems in independence and does not want to rush and create difficulties for himself, but he doesn’t have full control over this issue.

PBH: What would be your preferences?

MZ: We look at this from the viewpoints of the interests of Tigray first, and then Ethiopia as a whole. We would like to see Eritrea continuing to have a relationship with Ethiopia. We know that Tigray needs access to the sea, and the only way is through Eritrea. Whether Eritrea is part of Ethiopia or independent, we need this access and, therefore, must have close ties. There are many Tigrayans in Eritrea. They are concerned. They don’t want to be treated as foreigners there. There has always been close connections between Tigray and Eritrea for the highland people are all the same. They have the same history. We are worried about Eritrea because we are not sure that differences among different groups can be kept under control. Everything could be destroyed there if people begin fighting each other. When the EPLF takes over Asmara, they will have a difficult job, because they have to keep the people together. Some of the Muslims will favor separatism but there is no strength in unity among them on this issue. The ELF has no active strength in Eritrea now, but it still exists in Sudan and there are many Muslims who sympathize with it.

PBH: I have the impression that the situation in respect to Asmara is similar to that with Gondar – the Derg’s ability to hold out there is steadily eroding. Eventually the city will fall to the EPLF. Perhaps before that happens the Derg forces there will work out some sort of deal with the EPLF. Do you think this is likely?

MZ: You know that during the coup attempt last May we were in contact with the Derg forces in Asmara and offered a ceasefire and collaboration, just as the Eritreans did. We thought we could work out a truce and lay the basis for a new relationship in the region. We could have done that with the people with whom we made contact. But elements loyal to Mengistu got the upper hand. They thought Mengistu could do wonderful things for them. He probably made all sorts of promises of promotion to them. We think these elements still control Asmara and we have not seen evidence that their control is weakening yet. No one has tried to contact us. The EPLF is moving up the escarpment. If they take Ghinda and Embatcala, they can bring up their heavy artillery – – which they captured from the Russians two years ago – – and strike at Asmara airport. That will be a serious blow against Derg forces and will shorten the time they can hold out.

PBH: But what next? Conditions of life in Asmara are already said to be difficult – no electricity, little water, no fuel for civilian transportation, no fuel for cooking. Surely something will have to give way?

MZ: We don’t know. We would like to see everybody get together and set up a provisional government so that this kind of situation can be avoided.

PBH: Would you expect the EPLF to participate in a provisional government in Addis Abeba?

MZ: We don’t know. We think they could play a constructive role. We would really like to see Eritrea retain a relationship to Ethiopia, but we don’t know if Isaias can work out the situation to make this possible. Our own position is very delicate. We have to have good relations with Eritreans, so we recognize their right to self-determination, going as far as independence if they want it. We endorse their proposal for a referendum because we don’t think there is any other solution for the situation that has developed. But we really hope that Eritrea can remain part of a federated Ethiopia. I agree with what you have written about the advantages for the Eritreans themselves.

Read the whole article http://www.esai.org/myESAi/viewtopic.php?t=4269&sid=0ed4c4bf9f4f0f67bee2de680088df72

aseye.asena@gmail.com

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78 COMMENTS
  • Kalighe April 14, 2013

    Please read: “either the Ethiopian market or economic meltdown”

  • Salih April 14, 2013

    This article tells about the plan of PM to build ABAY TIGRAI by Intimidating our Muslim brothers sisters living in Tigray and Eritrea. Why this person try to neglect Muslim? what is the aim of it? Aren’t muslim in Tigray and in Eritrea part of Human being? Doesn’t have right Muslim brothers and sisters to live in the horn of Africa peacefully with out segregation? According the interview President Isaias is one of the best attitude he had when I compare it with Meles because, Eritrea president IA fight for the unity of Eritrea people regardless of religion and zoba since the beginning fighting. Thanks to God prime Meles life is end so quickly as he had a bad idea of Markisist and Leninist.Long livr to PIA

    • MUSLIM JEBERTI April 14, 2013

      DEAR Salih
      ARE YOU REALLY A MUSLIM? I COULD NOT BELIEVE MY EYES TO READ THIS IGNORANT SUPPORT TO DIA. PRIME MINSTER MMELSE ZENAWI WAS VERY WISE AND INTELLECTUAL PERSON , OF COURSE HE MIGHT HAVE TAKEN SIDE TO WORDS CHRISTIAN ABOVE ALL HE WAS AN IMAGINARY LEADER AND UNITED 85 MILLION PEOPLE. DIA DESTROY OUR COUNTRY, AND ERITREA PEOPLE AND THE AFRICA NEVER SEEN LIKE THIS CRUEL AND DAMP LEADER AT ALL.
      FALL DOWN DIA AND LONG LIFE TO ERITREAN PEOPLE AND WE WILL BE VICTORIOUS ONE DAY
      MUSLIM JEBERTI

      • Zerai April 14, 2013

        yes we wile rise! Eritrea will rise again, DIA will be hunged with his families.

      • belay nega April 14, 2013

        MUSLIM JEBERT

        “DEAR Salih
        ARE YOU REALLY A MUSLIM? I COULD NOT BELIEVE MY EYES TO READ THIS IGNORANT SUPPORT TO DIA”

        YOU IDIOT ERITREA IS ONE OF THE COUNTRIES IN WHICH FRIDAY[JEMAA] AND SUNDAY ARE CELEBRATED PEACEFULLY

        • Bus.zone April 15, 2013

          Since when Friday is public holiday in Eritrea as Sunday Mr belay nega .?…..?

      • Salih April 15, 2013

        You are AGAME SAHSAH

  • Kalighe April 14, 2013

    “Eritrea president IA fight for the unity of Eritrea people regardless of religion and zoba since the beginning fighting”

    Salih

    Where did you get this information?.
    What you are saying is the exact opposite of what has happened in the last 30+ years. First, Iseyas is the most brutal polarizer Eritrea has ever seen in its history. He started by claiming that ELF killed hundreds of Christians intellectuals who came to join its ranks without giving names of the victims. This was followed by a manifesto he issued in which he declared that his organization was made of Christians. However, it did not take long before he started purging Christian intellectuals within the EPLF with the support of eastern lowland Muslim elements in the leadership, with whom he had made a strategic alliance. Throughout the years, he has managed to split highlanders along regional lines (Hamasien versus Akeleguzai). He also instigated a similar conflict along tribal lines in the lowlands among the Beni-Amer and Marya. Elements of Marya tribe are now the most trusted security agents of the regime. Iseyas uses them to do a lot of dirty work in Sudan and in Eritrea.
    In a nutshell, Isyeas has succeeded where the Ethiopians had failed. He has dismantled the whole social fabric in Eritrea. He doesn’t care about religion, he is godless. But he has been using religion as the most effective tool, to manipulate people and remain in power.

    • senay April 14, 2013

      Wise comment I agree 100%.

    • belay nega April 14, 2013

      kalighe

      ““Eritrea president IA fight for the unity of Eritrea people regardless of religion and zoba since the beginning fighting”
      Salih
      Where did you get this information?.”

      ESAYAS AFEWORKI IS A SURVIVAL OF JEBHA’S WRONG DOING

      FOR THE [SEWRA]TO SUCCEED HE HAD TO ADOPT A HOT IRON WHICH BURNS WHOMSOEVER TOUCH IT DESPITE WHERE HE/SHE COMES FROM WHAT RELIGION HE/SHE FOLLOWS

      THAT IS WHY THE ISSUE[ERITREAN FREEDOM] WHICH APPEARED TO LOOK IMPOSSIBLE GOT POSSIBLE

      LAST BUT NOT LEAST “THE END JUSTIFIES THE MEANS”

      • eritrea April 14, 2013

        Not all Jebha are bad people it was only few leaders all Jebha were fighting for freedom

    • Salih April 15, 2013

      Entirely the articles is not based on fact. I gave the comment from the article mentioned. Mele was originally aiming for ABAY TIGRAY with 10% of muslim ( Nearly neglected) while PIA for the 100% unity of all regardless of Religion.

    • Mozama April 16, 2013

      * Hamasien , akeleguzai does not EXIST ANYMORE so stop with the lies agame!

      * He mediated in 1994 between Beni Amer and Marya..

      * Security agents are always ex military, meaning soldiers from 98 – 2000 war.

      * Hade libi hade hizbi slogan is well known in eritrea.

      YOU HAVE NOT BEEN IN ERITREA FOR 20 YEARS MY FRIEND! STOP BULLSHITING!

  • Haqi Merar April 14, 2013

    We Eriteans was and still are foolish to beleive on Isaias Afowerki. Please (PBH, or who ever) do not bring us into temptation to believe what PM Meles said. PM Meles was once a sympatizer of the Albanian communisim. Whatever he said is irrelevant. Don´t forget that PMM is enemy ( # 2 after Isaias) of the Eritrean people.

  • Wedi Mekonnen April 14, 2013

    Brothers and sisters,

    Given the natural resources they have, the legacy of European colonization, and as hard working as they were, no doubt the Eritrean peoples could have built a self-reliant economy had PFDJ/EPLF been democratic. The problem is PFDJ/EPLF and their blind supporters dominated by a backward and ignorant ‘hagerawinet’ ideology wanted to continue their self-destructive, parasitic, and mafia-style economic policies!

    Isayas wanted to protect Eritrea and its economic interests – but utterly in the wrong way! The article and interview says posted says little about what Meles meant, but I think most of the comments I read here are too shallow and racial and didn’t get the mentioned point Meles tried to make.

    When Meles said ‘…Isaias sees problems in independence and does not want to rush and create difficulties for himself…, he simply means Isayas wanted to keep his parasitic economic policy…. nothing more and nothing less.

    There was no question at all that Isayas would declare Eritrean independence sooner or later. However, Isayas wanted to take undeserved advantage by delaying the referendum. TPLF/EPRDF didn’t want this since it would mean a political coup on them – not in terms of the industrialization of Tigray or something else – but merely because no party or country would allow an independent country’s leadership such as PFDJ to keep a mafia-style black market structure in another country (in this case Ethiopia).

    No matter how much TPLF/EPRDF sympathize and supported the Eritean peoples’ struggle, they could not be expected to commit a suicide!

    That is why I insist at this time of PFDJ’s failure that we should misrepresent issues and and get distracted by race or identity (not sure who can trace who came from where counting back a few generations back as I repeatedly mention). Let’s stop the blood-cleansing sickness from the political stage and rather fight for Eritrean values!

    Let’s not question figures like Isayas gave themselves for the Eritrean cause! However, but let’s establish that as good as they were to lead the armed struggle, PFDJ/EPLF leaders are not good enough to lead Eritrea in peace time.

    Their leadership style has no place to build a democratic, lawful, free, and prosperous society and they simply have to give way or to be removed!

  • eritrea April 14, 2013

    Wow…..Meles was such a gifted and smart guy . The was he analyse and relate histroy and politics. He was just in the field when he was interviewed ….He was so smart eventough he had mad a big mistake to engage in a war with our mad president that destroy our people and our brother and sisters (ethiopian)

  • MeselyEyu April 14, 2013

    It was all ok for us to hate the Dergue, as the derg was a butcher. however, EPLF helped us see ethiopia in the same eye we saw the dergi/hailesellasie. Thus, independence became an optionless option. Yet, now i realize, our intellectuals should have tried hard to help our people see all the options at hand before embarking on the ultimate – independence. I like it when Meles wedi zenai said..”There are different opinions on this, but we think that the whole population wants independence. They may not understand what it means.” it is true we all rallied for independence, but that to engage the varying opinions, it should have been done in a democratic manner. To mean that it should have been debated to the bottom. sadly, EPLF was not a democratic organisation, so all the options were not considered. It is too late now, but what is best for the future is, in my opinion, we have to come to our senses and stand bold and face PFDJ needs to transition into a democratic track or give the chance to the people. For all the problems we are now facing is due to the lack of DEMOCRACY. added to it, if we had had Accountability and transparency, all this mess would not have occured. If the system is not healthy, it should definitely seek HELP. Thanks

  • Tes April 14, 2013

    I think what’s happening in eritrea right now is what MELES feard would happen to eritrea some twenty years ago, simply brillient mind of Meles.

  • L.T April 15, 2013

    He was very cleaver but not enough to his job finshed.Their head always for short term won’t worry even for dark age future so thatway Tigria is in croos road any time.
    Ofcourse Jeberti are there and here,Saho in Tigria are cristians and Kunama are Eritreans who live inside Tigria and they are welcome to Tigria and Afar in Eritrea are the pure Eritanist who hated Ethiopiam fm their deeply heart.
    Tigringa are all proud to be Eritrean first.Rest on this interview back 1990 in America I don’t understand why come now on this site.I readed this articles on Setit news local peper in 1998 drunig war between Eritrea and Weyane junta.Give us a sense news next time.

  • Harinet April 15, 2013

    My understanding is that at independence the EPLF had more mechanized units (a division?) than the TPLF. As a power sharing government, who would control the air force? As an internal political issue the TPLF would not have been able to garnish international support or funding at the time. The EPLF was the more senior and respected of “Ethiopian” political organizations and could have used such acknowledgement as a means to relatively marginalize the TPLF domestically and internationally. Who knows, as an internal issue both parties may have not opted for a military conflict if they thought that doing so would create too much room for other Ethiopian groups to make a power play (a factor Issias clearly contemplated as significant factor). The EPLF restricted itself by confining itself to Eritrea, and the TPLF was allowed to grow into the large Ethiopian state. But the limitations of the Eritrean state did conflicted the EPLF’s self image as a major regional player

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