After being locked up in jail for 6 years by Woyanne dictator Meles Zenawi, Ato Siye Abraha is finally free and next month he will start a public meeting tour in the U.S. His first stop is Washington DC on January 5, 2008.
Ato Siye’s U.S.A. tour is being promoted by almost every Ethiopian media in the Diaspora. Some try to portray him as a national hero. Ethiopian Review is the exception. Our position is that before calling public meetings and ask people to pay $20 or $30 per person to attend his meetings, Ato Siye needs to explain, through a press conference or some other means, about the positions he had held and the actions he had carried out as the former military head of the Woyanne regime.
Let’s face the hard fact before getting excited about Siye’s visit. He has not made any public apology for the enormous death and destruction he had caused as one of the top Woyanne leaders.
During the 1998-2000 war with Eritrea, at least 70,000 fellow Ethiopians had perished — for nothing. The dead did not even get proper burial ceremony. Their families were not compensated. The injured were completely abandoned. There is no national holiday to honor those who died. As one of the major proponents of the war, indeed the leading advocate, Ato Siye has the blood of at least 70,000 poor young Ethiopians on his hand whom he callously sacrificed using an outdated military tactic known as human wave to overrun Eritrean trenches.
Just because Meles locked up Siye Abraha in jail for six years as a result of internal Woyanne power struggle, the crimes he committed do not go away. He must account for his horrible deeds.
It is shameful, to say the least, on the part of many in the media to try to portray Siye Abraha has a national hero. He is a person who swam in the blood of countless poor innocent Ethiopians.
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FORUM | 202 Comments
good job elias !!
all woyane that the melese’s didn’t give him his part from stolen money cannt be a hero. may be tomorrow we give the name hero to seyoum mesfen and others . they jailed one anather not about ethiopia, it is about money and power strugle in woyane.
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December 31st, 2007 at 3:38 AM
Eliase,
You did it again..akafa akafa new malet mechal talak gift new!!
This person is the most evil person in TPLf. This guy mercilessly killed former derg soldiers even when they gave their hand!! As you eliquently described it, this guy started the eritran-ethiopian war to satisfy his insatable apetite for power…
And single handedly continued the war despite the huge loss!! he agreed to sign the algers deal..this lier singed with his ten fingers when the algers deal comes..
the truth later came to light when he tried to topple meles under the pretext that meles was complecent to Eritrea and ofcourse meles came out of this itnernqal power struggle stronger and put seyie abrhas ass behind the bar. Now he is a hero!! This is the guy who ordered the killings of university students and he is the man drentched with blood in his hands!! now he is trying to be a dove!! Let the tigrayns attend the meeting…for the rest of ethiopians, he is a criminal waiting his days for justice!! Siye is the pioneer of independent tigray phylosphy..now thanks to those suckers at the VOA, he got some spotlights…
And, ofcourse, the fifth columinist, Ethio media editor is trying make hero out of this monster and it understandbale, ethiomedia is another wolf in sheep skin!!
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December 31st, 2007 at 3:43 AM
Yes, Elias,
I duelly second your stand! We demand public apology for his atrocities, both in the Ethio-eritrean war, as well as other situations such as tigranization of the Wolqayt-tegede and northern Wollo people. Elias, the later one is the most heinous crime that the Siyie group walked away with unnoticed. Will never pay a penny to smell his blood swarmed hands.
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December 31st, 2007 at 3:46 AM
That is a point worth raising and hammering out. The guy and his family were known for their arrogance, too. Just because the chief devil is still on power and jailed the one just below him, it should not in anyway mean that Siye is a hero. Yes, everyone should account for crimes committed in the past, unless repentance is considered as a way forward for the sake of reconciliation. Whatever the case, the lost lives of innocent citizens should be given the weight they desrve.
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December 31st, 2007 at 3:48 AM
Siye is more dictator than Melese Zenzwi and should be treated like meles and other Woyane members.
He is responsible for the death of 70000 innocent Ethiopians on the war with Eritrea.
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December 31st, 2007 at 4:11 AM
Dear Elias,
I think, you missed two points here.
1. From what I read on all Ethiopian media, nobody said he is a national hero. Mentioning his former government post on the flyer doesn’t imply anything.
2. I also remember that the day he was released on bail by Birtukan, local journalists in Addis asked him what his plans for the future are (that was in 2001). His answer was short:
“I will work for national reconciliation”
I don’t know what reconciliation agenda he has, but I would like to hear from him.
I don’t think your comments on his role during the war is appropriate either. His stand was clear: once we sacrificed that many lives, we should not stop the war short of a decisive victory. This placed him at logger heads with Meles. (No need to mention the consequences)
His position on access to the sea, and other issues ( he read in the court, for which he was kept in solitary confinement) were clear. In my view, that is the reason why many Ethiopians now say, “LET’S GIVE HIM A CHANCE”.
I would like you to keep your comments until you hear directly from him in a matter of days. Let’s see if he is for a genuine reconciliation or not.
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December 31st, 2007 at 4:15 AM
I listened to the interview VOA had with Siye Abreha after his release from prison. Any body who knows him can see that he has learnt to be humble and seems ready for compromise. But there is this thing that comes to my mind always when I think of the days when Siye used to serve as the defence minister or a warrior. He once said EPRDF does not only know how to win a war but also how to make it. This is what he said at a time when they were cracking down on the OLF led insurgency to topple the EPRDF/TPLF regime by the use of fire arms and popular uprising. I want to know if he can come forward with an explanation on his past stance and how he intends to heal the hearts and minds he helped damage during his tenure. Other wise there are many pure young minds that can take that country forward and fulfil the ambitions of its people for durable peace and prosperity.
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December 31st, 2007 at 4:17 AM
Let us inject a bit of dynamism in our arguments.
Siye Abraha, the head of the splinter group, had nothing substantial to say during the split of TPLF into two camps except the Eritrean war. No one including Siye himself went beyond criticisms of the way the war was consummated. It was not a split on party lines. It was not anger towards TPLF and its crimes since they got to power. It was not to radically change the ways of TPLF. It was just this Eritrean war. And that is why all the fiasco ended with imprisonment of Siye and his close friends for reasons of corruption.. They had to be locked up because they had nothing substantial to say against the government but aggravate public discontent against the government. For Meles and co, they were sacrificial lamb to muzzle the Ethiopian people. Siye and co were used to cover up all their past gross mistakes.
Remember also Siye’s turn to the opposition groups at that time was seen as treason by TPLF members, EPRDF supporters and those leaning towards the left. The opposition was portrayed as right wing “nationalists” by the media and international as well. We would like to add, Elias don’t make a mountain out of the opposition groups, and they yet have to shed off this rightwing image they have been carrying for the past 16 or so.
Why does Siye want to address the Ethiopian people today? We know a bit about this. Unlike yesteryears, he has quite few things to say against the EPRDF government. He talked about the rule of law, multinational parties rather than ethnic parties, human right abuse that must stop etc. Any crack in the TPLF camp should be embraced, if you know politics. He was one of the top officials of the EPRDF government; who has quite few supporters and is a genuine opposition. Siye abraha may not be a nationalist hero whatever; he has to be heard at least.
And what do you mean by a nationalist hero? If you mean Siye is still TPLF at heart, this is not true. You are wrong. And with whom are you comparing Siye with, Tewodros, or emeye minilik? Why not compare him with Hailu Shawel or Birhanu nega ? Do we have to have nationalist heroes at this moment or are you looking for one today? You must see that this search for heroes is causing us many problems; cult worship (example, Meles, hailu shawel, Lidetu ayalew etc.) Dependence on high flown words like hero and nationalist are not what Ethiopia needs at the moment. What Ethiopia needs is collective leadership.
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December 31st, 2007 at 4:29 AM
I share your point. Why should he be a hero? Can those pro siye websites give us just one reason to prove their position. I dont even have any idea if he revoked his TPLF memebership.
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December 31st, 2007 at 4:33 AM
Hi Elias, this is a spectacular perspective. Seye and his companions are responsible for causing the war by clinging to misguided relationship with Eritrea. In addition he is accountable for huge human loss during Ethio-Eritrea war by placing loyalists in high military posts. If it was not for their pitiable combat strategy tens of thousands of soldiers would be among us. Let alone with out an apology, even if he had expressed regret, it would not be enough to make him a hero. If he really has regrets, he needs to prove it in action. Otherwise we shall not be ladders for him to restore power.
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December 31st, 2007 at 4:39 AM
I agree absolutley. He needs to make many explanations. We need to know about his deeds before he was sent to jail. As mentioned, the Etho-Eritean war is one of the crimes which was commited by him and his co-woyanes. We need to hear his position and his opinion on a number of issues.
Thanks ER
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December 31st, 2007 at 4:40 AM
I absolutely agree with Elias. He has to first speak out boldly his plan, interest, his old mistakes and ask aplogy to the Ethiopian people. Jailed for years is not the smallest measurement to be a hero
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December 31st, 2007 at 5:07 AM
I’m 101% with you, Elias. We need answers!
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December 31st, 2007 at 5:13 AM
That is true Elias. But if you dare to put Isaias as some one who did good for Ethiopia why not Siye? Atleast he calls Ethiopia home. It is good that we see the Woyane officials divide. That would by itself challenge the TPLF and will help the democratizaion process. I am not saying he is a hero, but we can hear what he says and use him for our cause without making ourselves vulnerable.
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December 31st, 2007 at 5:43 AM
Dear Elias
Let us first hear what he has to say don’t prejudge him. It is very easy to say one or two sitting in america breathing nicely. Who are u to blame others?
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December 31st, 2007 at 6:04 AM
Good point Elias, 15 or 16 years ago when OLF and TPLF start fighting, Siye had an interview on the national tv, every one who watched that interview would know his personality. the way he boasted and scorned the oromo people was unforgotten. just because he spent in jail for six years doesn’t make him free from the the blood of innocent Ethiopians. he has to be held accountable for his part. he would be doing the same thing Meles doing right now if he was in power.
thank you Elias good job.
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December 31st, 2007 at 6:13 AM
Yes, this is the right thing that must be resolved beforehand. We should think of a democratic Ethiopia where everyone one should be held accountable for all wrongdoings while appreciating the good deeds. Even if they apologise, they should first pay the price. There is no way a murderer be a hero. There is no such a national hero swam in a blood of 70000 innocents. We have to stop somewhere and teach them that they were killers and these shouldn’t happen again.
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December 31st, 2007 at 6:22 AM
I agree, everybody should be held acoounted for his alleged crime before the court irrespective of the time, place and and other factors afterwards
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December 31st, 2007 at 6:24 AM
I completely agree, he is not a hero at all. In fact he was one of the evils strived for the Tigrian supremacy. Being jailed for the wrong reason does not make him a hero. He did not do any good for Ethiopia. My people; be so cautious. If he regrets what he had done and vows to make right what he had done wrong, then we could forgive him. Otherwise he is still a Woyane.
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December 31st, 2007 at 6:26 AM
yes, siye Abraha doesn’t deserve any attention , and he is not a national hero. He is accountable for a lot of political and ethnic crisis. He was/is one of the ethnocentric minded person in the Woyane clique. He was considering himself and his group as special races. groups, and even he made the military institution to be only the office of Only Tgrians in most important positions. I have a very strong and personal evidence for this. He was so corrupted and have had a number of euro-trucks and other hidden businesses. He is accountable for the death of nearly 80,000 poor Ethiopian sons, and for the wasteful war. He must have been feeling shame for his plan to meet Ethiopians in his tour in US or Europe, is considering these people he wants to meet artificials. What does he have to tell us and share us? He was/is anti-Ethiopian sentiments, who is he to approach us after he scrambled,,are we the garbage stores that we receive them such stupid, promiscuous, narrow minded, and killers like Siye. Finally, getting banned or fired from WOyane service, and staying in jails or being insulted and criticized by Meles, doesn’t help one to qualify for acceptance by the victims, what is counting on is the crimes and wrong doings he did during his leadership times, and even his ways of thinking and attitude he had count more for me as he used them to harass, discriminate,degrade others.He was the one time promoter of the Tigrians and his group as the only brave and good fighters, and he used to look down others. Whatever, he wants to tell us is a mere excuse for his still deep seated negative thoughts and a defense mechanism. He is the most stupid killer, and he deserves no attention.
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December 31st, 2007 at 6:46 AM
Dear Elias,
You hit the nail on the head. Siye is no better than the butcher of Addis himself. He is far from being a hero. A hero is someone with a distinguished bravery and strength, with selfless, caring and responsible traits. Had Siye been not at loggerheads with Meles, he would have been the very person who would order Agazi baby-killers to kill and maim innocent people all over the country. As Elias put it rightly, Siye should be accounted for the loss of 70,000 lives.Distancing himself from Meles now can not make him in any way to evade responsibility. Time to face the music will come soon.
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December 31st, 2007 at 7:09 AM
Eliyas
Thankyou very much!!!!
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December 31st, 2007 at 7:19 AM
Seye is not a hero. Seye and his faction went out of woyane’s camp because of their power greed not in favour of Ethiopian unity that they worked day and night to destroy. May the God of Ethiopia restore our nation.
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December 31st, 2007 at 7:19 AM
Tariku geremew, Well said. I really like the way you put the facts straight.
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December 31st, 2007 at 7:24 AM
Elias, then how come you had Esayas Afewrki as one of the choice for person of year? was not he part of the problem in the Ethiopia-Eritrea war of 1998? Either you have to condemn all who took part in it or you should give the same chance to all without taking a side. Besides at least Seya stood firm against Meles when it comes to Ethiopia’s interest whereas Esayas is working 24/7 to harm Ethiopia. If you have questions, then you should be in the meeting and ask him tough questions. Otherwise, you should stop blaming other website for anouncing the meeting.
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December 31st, 2007 at 7:34 AM
You also forgot the fact that he is one of the archtects of woyanes who signed the land locked status of Ethiopia with his 10 fingers before the united nation and now he is presenting himself as a hero. Oh Almighyty!!! forgive us please! As a matter of facts Siye Abraha also advocated that ethiopa colonized eritrea and the eritrean question was that of a colony issue and he fought in nakfa against ethiopa.
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December 31st, 2007 at 7:41 AM
Take five for this geniun comment. Really you are always exceptional (although I don’t agree on some issues you raised). We should test his back ground. He should confess the mistakes he made. Atleast he has to recognise the willingly done ones.
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December 31st, 2007 at 8:13 AM
he is just a soldier. I don’t think he can be a politician. He doesnot have any persuasive language skills also. Moreover, the points you have raised should be underlined… He should apologise for the ethiopian people if he thinks he made dicisions as a politician. Otherwise he might have fullfilled his duties as a soldier and will continue to do so.
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December 31st, 2007 at 8:25 AM
Elias,
Please give Siye second chance.I have heard him begging for the second chance in his VOA INTERVIEW. Every bobdy deserves a second chance.
My second point is let’s hear from him again. If he is concilliatory, I think that is another way of apology.
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December 31st, 2007 at 8:41 AM
you are right elias. we just get caried away with emotion. we forget too quick
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December 31st, 2007 at 8:53 AM
Wow . .Elias.. This is the first time I agree with you.
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December 31st, 2007 at 8:58 AM
I some times wonder why people forget.
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December 31st, 2007 at 9:06 AM
Kifle,
Yes you are right. Being locked up by Meles does not entitle the name hero.
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December 31st, 2007 at 9:07 AM
We have some problem all around. We most of us had portrayed Dr Taye W/sema as a hero because he was locked by woyane. This kind of distorted and misguided conception we have had is inflating the egos of many of these people like Dr Taye as if they are loved ones. I was telling at several times that we have to stop this kind of mis conceptions. We most of us know now where we are with people like Dr Taye and his colleagues. I have no exception to alert when it comes to Seye Abraha as well until he made public apology and tell his clear positions to our future struggles.
Thanks for surfacing this issue which is really very important that every one of us should learn how to treat and raise people.
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December 31st, 2007 at 9:09 AM
u are right, he would have led the Addis and Ogaden massacres if still in position, just opposing the government after ejected with out achieving nothing good to the ppl doesn’t make him a hero at all,
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December 31st, 2007 at 9:20 AM
Ato Siye has committed so many crimes in the country. For instance he was one of the TPLF clique who committed the crime: making the country landlocked, for the death of 70,000 citizens for aimless war, monopolizing the country’s economy under TPLF companies, practicining of ethnocentric politics, unlimitted corruption etc… We can count so many crimes that TPLF cliques have been committing in the country since 1991. Thus, it is shame to say he is a national hero. Ato Siye is trying to fool Ethiopian people for the second time.
Ethiopian will prevail.
Nahom(TD)
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December 31st, 2007 at 9:23 AM
It is a pity that we have such a short memory and gallible -Siye Abraha was one of the most arrogant Woyane who bullied just about everyone during his tenure as the TPLF politburo member. He is only here talking to us due to his falling out with his murderous leader Meles Zenawi – Siye felt so important that he started to show rivalry to Meles and the Adwa thugs. Meles the tyrant is cruel but intelligent – on the contrary Siye is brutal and not so intelligent. When it comes to cruelity towards Ethiopia and Ethiopians, they are one and the same. Siye is equally responsible for the killing of hundreds and thousands of Ethiopians and responsible for the looting of Ethiopia.
Siye’s arrogance even trickled down to his brothers, sisters and nephews that all of whom acted rude and most of all cruel. I only wish to remember one of his role as Board chairman of the Ethiopian Airlines where he acted so out of control and laughable – a friend of mine referred to him as King Bokassa. I will get to the details of what this guy has done in many other occasions in the future – but wish to remind Ethiopians in Diaspora that Siye is one criminal who has yet to be tried for the crimes aginst Ethiopians by the future Democratic Ethiopia.
His brother Assefa Abraha who is still in prison was also anothr character – they both seem to belong to characters from George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”.
Fellow Ethiopians celebrating this guy is so misguided that we are mocking fellow Ethiopians who were and still are there victims.
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December 31st, 2007 at 9:32 AM
May be we agree today in this point. I knew what he did. He was opening his mouth with out limit when he was in power. He is no more good citizen of this country let alone to be called national hero.
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December 31st, 2007 at 9:36 AM
Of course, and indeed, we do agree to what presented about Isye’s role and participation not only for applying the obselete battle tactic which had resulted in the lose of the most precious and priceless blood of Ethiopians, he must also be facing the questions from all Ethiopians why wasn’t he with Ethiopians when Ethiopia was attacked all sorts of eenemies, mainly by Shabya?
If we mean and serious about Ethiopia of the past and Eethiopia of the present, and Ethiopia in the future, every single question we aske him must anchored and based on beginning the past to the present day, meaning, we must ask him by starting from the past, not either from the middle or from the acme of the problem.
He is free to ask Ethiopians what they did to prevent Ethiopia from falling into the hands of Meles Naziawi and wwe will ask him what he did to prevent Ethiopia from falling into the murderous hands of woyanetplf boss that hitler Meles Zinawi. If he proves to Ethiopians that he did he could like the rest of Ethiopians who gave their priceless lives to saving and protecting Ethiopia from being captured and squeezed to her bone, he should be ready to address the issue to all Ethiopians and clear his name for once and for all.
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December 31st, 2007 at 9:38 AM
That\’s right he is one of the biggest criminals of the regime & what makes him different from addisu legesse and others
is that is is\’nt living in the pallace of woyanne….
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December 31st, 2007 at 9:39 AM
ER, I fully agree with you on this but not always. Syie must apologize Ethiopian people before he is calling any public meeting. If I go to this meeting, definitely I will challenge him. He can not be a hero while he had blood on his hand. The least he can do is apologize to Ethiopian people then individual’s decide to follow him or not in his future vision or political struggle.
KT
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December 31st, 2007 at 9:43 AM
That is my position, too. Let all of us raise the question; what did Siye does as a top EPRDF/Woyane official to deserve our ears at his meetings? First of all, he was part of a dictatorial rule that is responsible for the killings of thousands and arrests and tortures of millions. It started from day one. He approved the Eritrean session. He was part of the ruling party who killed many when AAU students took the streets to express their disapproval of the way the Eritrean questions was being handled.
Second, as ex-chairman of the Ethiopian Airlines board, he nearly “killed” the Airline. Can you imagine Siye, a guerilla fighter leading one of the toughest, the most competitive and dynamic industry in the world? That was a deliberate plan to kill the Ethiopian Airlines because it promotes Ethiopia.
Third, he was a top official of a ruling party that grossly abuses human and democratic rights. These massive violations throughout the country are well documented and reported by several leading human rights advocates, organizations, and the U.S. Department of State. There is no way Siye should get away with it.
Fourth, he was part of a ruling party that represses the rights of expression ad organization. Thousands of journalists were arrested, detained, tortured, and even killed during his tenure as a top Woyane official. To claim that he is not responsible is to claim that he was not a top official at all during those times. The fact as we know is he did.
Fifth, he and his party led Ethiopians to a war with no purpose. As W/o Aregash and Ato Gebru admitted on VOA, Woyane didn’t do anything to straighten relationships with Eritrea at the right time [when Eritrea became a state] and didn’t deal with the border and other issues including Ethiopia’s rights to access to ports (either Massawa or Assab). This is a total negligence, incompetence, and failure on the part of Woyane, if not a deliberate move to “kill” Ethiopia. Siye can be no different. He is responsible for the war with Eritrea because his administration failed to deal with border and port issues at the right time.
Sixth, he is responsible for the deaths of close to 100,000 Ethiopians during the war with Eritrea. He was part of the military central command that used human beings (Ethiopian kids) to detonate land mines by running over explosives. The military tactic (human wave) is an archaic tactic well known for causing high causality. The dead and the injured didn’t receive due respect and attention. Their families were left alone. Millions of dollars collected from the people was not reported or audited. The list can go on and on…
The bottom line is Siye is responsible for all these and the attempt to portray him as a hero is only pathetic.
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December 31st, 2007 at 9:47 AM
Yes, Elias. I agree with you. Ato Siye was the most arrogant person, even more than Meles before he was arrested. It is after thrown out from power he tried to say Weyane is bad. Would he say this had he been in power? I am sure, no. Beccause his friends who are still in power are performing their mission against Ethiopia and its people. I see no difference between him and them.
I will go to the meeting, but it is to thank Meles for arresting him and enabling him to think as Ethiopia and great people of Tigrian, enen though his charges were fabricated and false. I wish Meles arrests all of them who serve him.
But I still hope that, as coming from the great people and born and grown on the land of Alula, he would not die in this name and deed. He has a lot of time and potential to contribute to the demorcacy and sovereignty of Ehtiopia. And I am sure we all support and stand at his side.
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December 31st, 2007 at 9:48 AM
Yes. What you said is absolutely true. I feel sorry that we are people who forget what happened yesterday and carried over on what is happening to day.
Keep up the good work.
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December 31st, 2007 at 9:49 AM
Elia, agree with your stand. He was in jail for six years not becouse of a national or public ajenda. It was only becouse of internal power or financial struggle. Didn’t he contributed a lot to make Ethiopia a land locked country? We can mention thousends of blames upon him. He must make a public apology for the enormous death and destruction he had caused as one of the top TPLF leaders and for all crimes he made to the Country.
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December 31st, 2007 at 9:51 AM
Elias, I agree with you that Ato Siye is no hero of what so ever type. Nevertheless, their are two things I’m not sharing with you. The identity of Ato Siye is not evaluated from the perespective of Ethio-Eritrean conflict. One single individual is not answerable to that and Eritrean issue needs to be adressed a little differently. I don’t know why you picked the Eritrean issue to condemn Ato Siye. The second issue here is a question of being a hero or not a hero. Why in the first place you assumed that he maybe a hero? Is it because he was a war lord? For me a hero of a nation is someone who sacrificed his entire life for the benefit of his country: Nelson Mandela. Dont misuse the term. For me Ato Siye is one simple individual, I mean, as far as the political problem of Ethiopia is concerned. As an ordinary Ethiopian, what does this person has to tell us in ameeting? What do we expect from someone who had been part of a political force that distracted a nation to its bottom? etc. I don’t give Ato Siye any value with regard to the durable democratic solution that our people are seeking to achieve. His accountability can not be overshadowed by the term he served in jail, for reason he and Meles know. No hero, no Eritrea, please lets treat our own issue in our own teritory.
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December 31st, 2007 at 10:02 AM
Mr. Editor:
There is much legitimacy in your demand. Seye has to do first-thing-first. If he choses the DC event as his forum to explain the past and to launch his “new” vision, so be it.
Seye’s VOA interview immediately after prison makes me wnat to listen to him more. I am one ot the growing number of Ethiopians who believe in second chances and in expanding circle of friends. What an interesting departure from the past intransignt political culture. Yeah, I will go listen…and thank u so much for bringing out issues that others are timid about.
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December 31st, 2007 at 10:14 AM
I agree with you, that’s why i disagree with you standing up with Isayas Afeworki as some one who did good for Ethiopia and Ethiopians in 2007.But if i get a chance to ask him questions i would.
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December 31st, 2007 at 10:21 AM
ጅብ ከማያውቁት አገር ሄዶ ቁርበት አንጥፉልኝ ይላል
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December 31st, 2007 at 10:24 AM
It takes courage to take a principled stand. At a time when most of us afraid to tell the truth or to say it as we see it, you have my admiration for telling the truth about Seye: He is the one in the forefront of the war to dismember Ethiopa. He is the one who believed in The Tigray Liberation Front’s progrmme: Independance of Eriteria, the formation of Tigrian Republic, The brake up Ethiopia. Equally important is his accusation of Amhara for the plight of Tigtres and the other ethnnic group.
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December 31st, 2007 at 10:26 AM
Thanks ER for pointing that out.There are some who are begging for Seye to get a second chance. What about the people who perished under his command? Is there any second chance? Because Meles locked him in jail for few years does not clear him from his wrong doings. I think we have a very short memory indeed.
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December 31st, 2007 at 10:30 AM
hi elias,
i think, we should give him a chance. i see him as a hero, though not necessarily national, as he is one of those brave former TPLF leaders who challenged blood thirsty zenawi.
seye is different from the rest in that he planned to do something that is the key to the solution to ethiopia’s problems: killing meles zenawi.
who knows, if he is given the chance, he has the gut and bravery to do just that.
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December 31st, 2007 at 10:35 AM
Thanks Elias. I agree with you. Emagine this people, if Melese Zenawi went to jail for one month, and they will tell us a hero. It’s a shame. Come on people.
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December 31st, 2007 at 10:53 AM
Siye Abraha can not be an Ethiopian hero because he was thrown to jail by Melese Zenawi.As a matter of fact his hands are washed with Ethioians blood in millions.He was part of the genocidal TPLF regime almost for 13 years and he sides with EPLF when Ethiopians were fighting for their country for 30 years.A criminal doesn’t desrve a heros welcome.He is equally responsible for all crimes against humanity.Probably he is a hero for die hard woyanes not to Ethiopians.He is a traitor to Ethiopians.No Ethiopian should go to the meeting.
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December 31st, 2007 at 11:00 AM
How could anybody consider Siye a hero? A- isn’t he part of the architect of “divide and rule” of Ethiopia, B- isn’t he part of the architect of hate among many Ethiopian ethnicity, C- isn’t he the one that said before he went to prison, “Asmara megbat nebern”, as the mountains and valleys were filled with death of so many innocent young Ethiopians and Eritreans, D- isn’t he part of the architect that deported thousands of Eri-Ethio origins with out anything on their back, E- isn’t he part of the architect that caused so much hate among the people of Eritrea, Tigry, and Ethiopia. Please refrain yourself from calling this thug a hero because he is one but he is also responsible for so destruction and future destructions of Ethiopia. I don’t see any difference between the thugs who are ruling Ethiopia now and himself.
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December 31st, 2007 at 11:01 AM
My first agreement with you. It is very true that every body langushed in Woyane Jail doesn’t qualify him/her as hero. This must hold to Berhanu group who claim to be the “only” hero who deserve to govern Ethiopia.
Elias, it is nice start. Keep it up.
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December 31st, 2007 at 11:03 AM
Almost on every issue I agreed with Elias. Elias, you are one of the greatest journalists of our time—the Paulos GnoGno of the modern era, I would say.
On this issue, however, I beg to differ. In politics you do not have permanent enemies or friends. You push an agenda and get all the help you get from all. Also true in politics is to win your opponents and bring them to your side. If a woyane sees the light and wants to help in the democratization process of Ethiopia, for us to deny them that based on their past would be a big strategical error, in my view. If we go back and cite their past as a proof of purity to lead Ethiopia, we won’t have that many clean leaders.
Besides, Seye Abraha(despite being a woyane,) challenged dictatorship in his own way. He has demonstrated being pro Ethiopian as opposed to Meles Zenawis tendency of weakening Ethiopian identity and interests.
Probably one of the most important reasons why we should accept Seye Abraha is: his rejection by us will be a negative message to all those who want to come back and be on the side of the people in the democratization process of Ethiopia. I encourage all Ethiopians to participate in a respectful and encouraging way in the upcoming public meetings called by Seye Abraha. Thank You!!
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December 31st, 2007 at 11:05 AM
Let us work with who ever it is if they stand against WEYANE!
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December 31st, 2007 at 11:18 AM
Siye is one of the founders of today’s tyranic govrenment.He was personnaly and idiologiclly at odds with Meles and the inner circle of TPLF.The reason for his inprisonment was a fear of a COUP’DETA and a possible elimination of individuals including Meles by means of assasination.The corruption charge was a cover to dominate his mass support by the EPRDF army and the Tigrai people.
He was freed as a result of lobying and mediation of noted TPLF activists and Tigrean SIMAGILLES.
No matter who Siye is Ethiopian Review has no moral position to judge him.
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December 31st, 2007 at 11:24 AM
The crime against humanity committed by this thug is unpardonable as most of the above commentators already said. Murderer Siye must be brought to justice at international level just like other leaders who committed war crimes and crime against civilians in their respective countries and neighboring countries.Rather than preparing to welcome Siye, all sincere Ethiopian must prepare the necessary evidences for his arrest and fair trial at the International Court in Prague/Brussels.
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December 31st, 2007 at 11:25 AM
What you said about siye is right.But why you drag your feet when it comes to shabiya/Isaias,the ruthless anti-Ethiopia who bent to distroy our contry.For this moment Ethiopia’s enemies are the Two brothers;Meles and Iaias.Seye is less now.
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December 31st, 2007 at 11:25 AM
Siye or any other former TPLF member should not be trusted. These are the people who used to intimidate and kill people. They were the main reason for many Ethiopians leave the country and die helplessly in prison. Ato Siye was the chief architect behind the session of Eritrea. He was the one who used to go the European embassies in Addis and requested the European embassies recognize Eritrea as an independent State. I really do not see him differently from Meles Zenawi and Co. Therefore, a cry by him or other former members of the TPLF gangs should be taken seriously.
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December 31st, 2007 at 11:32 AM
Yeah! Yeah! guys.
I always recall Ato (Marshal) Siye’s words he said when he was Woyane’s Minister of Defence. Let me put it in Amharic as he said. “Ehadeg torinetin mashenef bicha sayhon torinetin mesratim yichilal”; meaning “EPRDF (Woyane) is able not only to win wars but also to make (create) wars.” And as a top politico-military bull of the Woyane regime, he was advancing that idea i.e. making wars everywhere he could with all his capacity, with all his knowledge, with all his willingness, interest and intentions. As part of the top leaders and executive officers of Meles Zenawi’s Woyane he with his bosses engineered and orcherstrated several evil wars among the Ethiopian citizens on the basis of languistic and ethnic backgrounds in various parts of the country. Just to mention a few, wars betweenAmhara and Oromo in Arsi, Harargie, and many other places, wars between Somali and Oromo, Oromo and Sidama, Oromo and Gedeo, among various tribes of Oromo (such as Guji and Borena), Oromo and Guragie, among the Guragie family, etc etc. He with his bosses authored and staged the Bedeno and the inquftu dramas in Harargie at the expense of human life. He is a man who was part of Zenawi’s barbaric group, that has no tiny respect for human life and diginity, who used to and may still does represent the narrowest possible ethnic centered mind, who was not and may be is not able to accept human being as human being unless one is from a particular ethnic group, can never be mentioned as a man of national respect be it national hero.
Ato Siye is one of the prime responssible persons for converting the entire region of Oromia into war situation and for the susequent prevalence of the de facto state of emergency in Oromia, which is still in effect. He is personally accountable for mass massacre of civilia demonstrators in Water and Langie (both in Harargie) in 1992.
During his reign as Woyane’s military head, in many parts of the country and speciall in Oromia his army was looting and/or confiscating forcefully in the same manner and ways as done by colonial occupation forces. They were looting business men, NGOs, religious institutions etc. Both as in defence minister and later as civilian official, he led one of the most corrupted organization.
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December 31st, 2007 at 11:43 AM
Some times it is good to forget what happened yesterday, so that we should not be preoccupied by repeating it all the time and overlooking today’s affairs. We as people of God have the capacities to forget or forgive peccadilloes or monumental ones committed knowingly by some of our people whom we condemn as our adversaries. If such criminals honestly repent from their hearts and ask mercy from us the victims of their heinous crimes, we should not be hardheaded; we must accept and forgive them without any remorse. This is, I think, the way a civilized society operates in this modern world of ours. Therefore, we shall wait and see what Ato Siye Abraha has to say for himself before we rash to pass our verdicts, not on the man himself, but on his actions that have, some of us believe, offended many Ethiopians.
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December 31st, 2007 at 11:49 AM
While I agree with your assessment of Seye’s past misdeeds, I don’t share your view about his future prospects. In fact, I suggest that Seye’s case should be treated as an example of how people like him and Gebru Asrat should be treated.
I believe that when accomplices of Melles and company recognize their mistakes and decide to change to something more in line with the genuine interests of the Ethiopian people, the right response should be to think along the lines of setting clear criteria for determining whether they are foxes in sheep’s clothing or whether they are for real. Condemning and castigating them as Elias has done is, as someone has already stated, a strategic mistake.
In the case of Seye, the following should be the criteria he should be required to meet if he has any hope of being forgiven for all the crimes he has committed against the Ethiopian people:
1. Is he prepared to go down on his knees and beg for forgiveness of the Ethiopian people for having been an accomplice with Melles & company in making Ethiopia an landlocked country; for the disastrous results of the totally useless war against Eritrea; for his dismissal of numerous competent and professional employees in Ethiopian Airlines simply because they were not Tigreyans, for the corruption perpetrated by TPLF companies which he helped establish; for dismantling the Ethiopian defense forces including the navy; etc. etc. etc. etc.?
2. Does he renounce the socialist land tenure system which he helped institute in order to abust the Ethiopian as a serf or a slave?
3. Does he reject Article 39 of the constitution which he and Melles’ cohorts introduced, as enemies of Ethiopia, in order to continue dismantling the nation?
4. Is he now opposed to the disastrous ethnic policy which he and his friends introduced to divide and rule the country?
5. Does he recognize his responsibility for Ethiopia’s continued abject poverty despite his party having been in power for 17 years: Eth. is 170th out of 177 countries in Human Development Index?
6. Does he now reject the fact that his party’s name is still ….Liberation Front? Liberation from what? Does Seye believe in Ethiopia’s unity?
7. Does Seye accept that those responsible for the murder of 198 Ethiopians following the May ’05 elections should be brought to justice?
Whether Seye should be accepted into the fold or whether he should be treated as a criminal should depend on his response to the above and similar specific questions.
Wase
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December 31st, 2007 at 11:52 AM
Seye will be held criminally responsible for allowing the massacre of Bedeno, Arbagugu, Assebot monastery, Arsi… to take place under the noses of his Weyane troops. Apart from that, the perpetrators of the massacre were armed by people under his command.
How can Seye be considered a national hero after causing death and destruction in Ethiopia? He was one of these irrational thinking & reckless ethno-centrists, who pushed our country toward fragmentation. He was an arrogant, heartless warmonger & a violent Woyane who doesn’t care one bit if Ethiopians are killed or maimed as long as it serves the Weyane agenda of making TPLF and its region the undisputed power in Ethiopia.
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December 31st, 2007 at 11:56 AM
Men! it seems you forget the main point all what he did to Ethiopia and our hope for democracy since they(TPLF/EPRDF) came to power.Whatever he did in the war is a single incident and insignificant when you compare that to the fact that he was one of the perpetrators of all the attrocities and human right violations.Just to reminde some of the facts think of the 1990′s prosecutions of citizines with out due process of law or are you gonna call them thieves just like them. What about those who were imprisoned like him when he is in power.Anyways, by now you should get the whole pictue of his involvement in the creation of dictatorship in Ethiopia.Accordingly you should dare to say that he was one of the few gangsters who create a false pretext of EPRDF-a party which has no existance as party – so as to put the whole nation under seige.This guy and all other members of his party were members and the real players of that group.
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December 31st, 2007 at 12:02 PM
Some times it is hard to understand what HERO means. He is bloody killer of 70,000, 100,000 or more people. Are you guys for real to pay money for this killer?
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December 31st, 2007 at 12:02 PM
Siye the Tambien Tigre was thrown in jail because his ego grew so large that he challenged the Adwa murderous thugs NOT because he stood for Ethiopia’s interest. During his tenure as Defense Minister and Board chairman of several government enterprises, Siye tried very hard to prove himself more cruel than Meles – in which the murderous Meles and his Adwa thugs outsmarted him.
Fellow Ethiopians: I don’t understand how we perceive the concept of justice – In my humble opinion justice is not limited to neither confession nor apology. Even if one confesses and apologizes that doesn’t absolve him from the crime – One has to pay for the crime he committed in the people’s court when the time comes. As far as I am concerned Siye was and still is a CRIMINAL certainly not a hero.
Elias: Keep up the good work – unmasking hypocrisy and self-righteousness!!!
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December 31st, 2007 at 12:14 PM
I realy agree with u. I share all the comments that people wrote about what Ato Siye had done when he was in power. He is not a hero at all. However, if siye realy regrets and ready to apologize, we have to give him a chance because Meles is still in charge with his dummy AGAZI soldiers. So probably Ato Siye might do somthing different to get rid off zenawi and his loyalists by using the majority of good Tigreans and his famous name in that region. What i am trying to say is, let’s meet him and challenge him. May God bless ETHIOPIA!
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December 31st, 2007 at 12:25 PM
Thank you Elias you raised good point. Many ppl said it well what I want said above but my question for Seye is why did he decided to come to America before talking to the ppl of Ethiopia? I’m sure he won’t say there is no democracy in Ethiopia because he was the one building democracy before he was locked up. I think he see a gold rush in America and he want to be a part of it. We all should boycott him until he talk to Ethiopian ppl back home. Greed greed greed make ppl blind. shame
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December 31st, 2007 at 12:29 PM
yigermal…how quick we forget that siye was and continues to be zeregna just like his bosses in minilik palace. some of us lost family members because of what siye did…he publicly stomped on cigarette butt indicating that is how he will stomp on the “amharas”. this type of action caused friction between ethnic groups specially between oromos and amharas and we all know what happened to those poor amharas in hahar province..they got slaughtered. sisye is a criminal and needs to be taken to court for his destructive past…i’d say let him face the charge of treason given his stand on eritrea. look, daniel and netsanet were falsely accused by woyane of trumped up chages for simply trying to eradicate poverty from ethiopia; and yet we have this criminal siye acting as if he is clean and a hero. why the double standard. i think we need to send siye to kality for good…i have no dout that he will face justice one day.
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December 31st, 2007 at 12:31 PM
In the exception of Shabia agents and supports Seye has gained support and respect from the rest of Ethiopians in the diaspora..
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December 31st, 2007 at 12:42 PM
Back in 1992-94, when TPLF was laying down its network of domination in the Ethiopian body-politic, Seye Abraha was the one TPLF sends on the Eth. TV to spew his venom of arrogance, hate and demeaning diatribe on the Ethiopian people. His limited vocabulary at the time consisted of the words – neftegnoch, timkhtegnoch, etc. I can not forget this guy’s portrayal of sheer arrogance at the time. He was TPLF’s face when it comes to terrorizing any one who comes its way when the organization was extending its tentacles of subjugation. His unforgetable tirade at that time was when he said, “We, TPLF know how to make a war and how to win a war” This, he said when TPLF decided to push away OLF from the transitional government. Now, he comes here as a hero simply because Meles put him in prison. Seye was in prison because he was corrupt not because he was a hero as some would want us to believe now. Whether it is Seye Abraha or Gebru Asrat or Abay Tsehaye or Sebhat Nega or Meles Zenawi, etc. they are all the same. There is no difference in their view of the Ethiopian body-politic. Let’s not be fooled again.
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December 31st, 2007 at 12:46 PM
For the sake of providing a balanced analysis, I think you should have waited until you have heard from him. The paramount question is NOT whether he is a hero or not, but rather whether he can contribute to the struggle to bring democracy to the Ethiopian people. That should really be the SOLE question. Based on his interview with VOA, there is a good reason to hope so. He can play an important role in bringing Tigrean support to the sturggle. I don’t think he is going ask us to endorse him as the next ethiopian leader, I think he may be just looking to be given a chance to undo some of the wrongs he has helped to cause. Let’s HEAR what he has to say, let us challenge him with questions. In the end, if we find he is genuinely committed to contributing to the struggle for democracy, we would be emotional fools if we reject his offer. We need all the help we can get!!!!!
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December 31st, 2007 at 1:00 PM
Heroism is not something reflected during war times only. Ato Siye is an individual who found himself in the middle of a group who failed to look at alternatives except war. War like any national issue must be addressed with due zeal and national pride but with political, spiritual and human principles.
The Horn is a region where human suffering and tragedy is immense. Why do we run to label or tag to individuals with certain attributes as a result of an event? A life time deeds and commitment to principles must come first. We Ethiopians ought to remember our LORD is our HERO for eternity. Why do we forget the people who sacrificed themselves to help the needy? What about people who intervene and make peace between seemingly irreconcilable issues among ethnic groups? At least we all people could be called heroes if we only learn to forgive and love our enemies with due influence and principles. Killings and destruction can’t amount to heroism. Let’s wait and see that some individuals to come up to save the Horn or Africa in general. We are people of a great land with opportunities. We need heroes in Economy and vision if they could be called heroes. Otherwise militants who lacked sympathy and human dignity can not be called ‘heroes’. He did his job that is all nothing else though a national issue. His incumbent orders him to defend the land but with little sacrifices and with giving a chance to political solutions if he were keen and visionary. He, Siye, is incomparable to Haile Gebreselasie who toiled steadfastly to keep his Records up and unbeaten.
I don’t think it’s time to call individuals ‘hero’ when they fought a war that could otherwise be solved through negotiations on the basis of ‘true principles’. At last, May the Almighty send us people to save the Horn and Africa as a whole?
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December 31st, 2007 at 1:04 PM
people;
you can not solve Ethiopia’s problem by isolating people who would like to join your camp. Go to the meeting and ask him all the hard quesitons and then make your decision. Unless we are willing to narrow down our differences and work for the common good for sake of our country, not only us even our childeren will not solve Ethiopia’s problem. For the sake of Ethiopia, we need to learn to let go the past and work for the future. I bet most of you here admire Nelson Mandela but if you really do admire him, you need to ask yourslef what made Nelson Mandela so different from the rest? the answer is his willingess to forgive but not to forget for sake of his country South Africa. We ethiopians need to learn to forgive but not to forget for the sake Emye Ethiopia. Whether we like it or not, we are bound to live in one country and the only solution I see is to sit down and iron out our differene and move forward. Let it be our generation who breaks the revenge cycle.
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December 31st, 2007 at 1:12 PM
If we recall Siyes interview with VOA he also agreed that he can not escape from being held accountable for what he has done as TPLF leadership member. The idea of press conference, as mentioned by ER, or interviews could be nice to achieve a smooth start for Siye’s new political life. It is right for all Ethiopians to question and good for him to explain some questions and introduce his future plan before calling a meeting of all Ethiopians.
Otherwise, it is not beneficial to the opposition to be hostile towards individual TPLF members when they show interest to side with the opposition. Siye never claimed the honour of ‘National Hero’… what ever it means. Whether his regret on past mistakes is genuine or not we can only prove that from his deeds in the future. Considering our hitherto messy political history, changing the course requires forgiving hearts that encourage all Ethiopians to correct themselves. Bitterness only exacerbates bloodshed.
I believe Siye can play a significant positive role and effectively contribute to the struggle against ‘Woyane’. He is a resource person and needs to be encouraged.
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December 31st, 2007 at 1:15 PM
Kudos for Elias again!
I would write pages about the criminal activities Ato Siye did in the name of “Abay Tigray’. But, I will not since most people have exposed his complicity in acquiring land from Begemder, Wollo and Afar and of course, if he had his way he would take lands from Eritrea just to make an ethnically driven 19th century mentality of making Tigray what it is not. A sovereign country at the expence of the rest of Ethiopia! for heaven’s sake, is it not bad enough their attempt to make Tigray the jewel of the area by stealing Ethiopian people’s wealth and moving them, yes, literally moving them to Tigray. Do you know how many (albeit non functional) factories and colleges have been built in Tigray when relatively nothing has been done for the rest of the country?
And what about the Ethio-Eritrea war’s saddening results? People say 70,000 souls have been perished on the Ethiopian side alone. No, not that this is a figure that can be easily dismissed, the actual causality Ethiopian figure is 123, 000 human souls perished for nothing, I repeat for absolutely nothing. Call him a hero or a rat, if you like, this guy, along with other weyane thugs, needs to be brought in the court of law and have his say there.
Friends, I even go further than most of you would perhaps want to go. I say not only the Siye Abrahas, the weasil foreign minister for life, the bandit of Adwa, the born again Ethiopian Ghebru Asrat, buit the Tekola Hagos and Getachew Redas and the clown at Ethiomedia, Abraha Belai need to see their day in court. But for now, Siye is not hero on my watch!
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December 31st, 2007 at 1:21 PM
This guy is one of the most criminal of TPLF leadership next to the mafia leader Meles. He killed tens of thousands. Someone should work on legal process to legally hold him here, in the U.S. The blood of millions is in his hands. He is outright criminal.
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December 31st, 2007 at 1:22 PM
Thank you Mr Elias !!!i fully agree on your position. How come a person who masterminded for forcefull secession of Eritrea, a person who played pivotal role for the death of thousands of university and high school students in broad day light by trigger happy woyane soliders in Addis and elsewhere in Ethiopia.Was’nt he the one who tried to dismantle the Ethiopian Airlines. Consider seyie as hero is tantamount to discredit the real Ethiopian Heros of the past and the present who sacrificed and died for the unity and integrity of Ethiopia and its people. But Seye is the exact opposite of the heros of the past and present.He would be rememberd in history as traitor not as a hero until proved himself by agressively fight along with Ethiopian democratic forces in toppling the decadent Melese and his desperadoes regime.
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December 31st, 2007 at 1:24 PM
Elias
I like your comment about ato Siye did during the Ethio and Ertrean war. He has the blood of many Ethiopians on his hand.When time comes he will be one of the war criminal who has to be appeared in front of justice. His jailed history woud not cover up his crime.
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December 31st, 2007 at 1:27 PM
Oh man! What’s really going on here? Who are you ppl saying “let’s hear him what he’s gonna say….If he will say I am sorry…blah..blah…blah…”. Who are you to admit ” being sorry” is enough for all those lives we lost, For all the situations we are in now and For everything that some one is responsible for. He was, he is and he will be TPLF’s main person always. Nothing’s going to change it. We have a great fighting going on now with those Bugs of minilik palace. Don’t be so fast to trust someone just bcz he seems to be against MELES. They have their own problems which leads him to spent some years in prison. Why is he coming here now? Why now? Be careful ppl. Don’t put our struggle in danger. No trust at all. We trusted a lot of politicians and we are here now. Some of you guys don’t trust in AFD which is the only and the perfect way we have ever but your ears are open for SEYE ABRAHA. Don’t trust anyone who is part of damaging administrations we saw. Not only EPRDF, any of them. be careful fo r one and for all. SHAME ON YOU ATO(optional) SIYE. YOU ARE A BIG SYMBOL OF SHAME. YOU WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR THE LOSTS WE PRACTISED. SEE YOU IN “GEHANEME ESAT”
with a lot of love for ETHIOPIA!!!
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December 31st, 2007 at 1:34 PM
Comment #51 (fetno derash) wrote: “If we go back and cite their past as a proof of purity to lead Ethiopia, we won’t have that many clean leaders.”
If I understand you correctly, there are other people like him that you know about who you would like to lead Ethiopia in the future with their unclean hands. I think you would do the people a great service if you bring them to the public court, as Elias did in this case, instead of trying to defend them, unless you are one of them in the first place.
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December 31st, 2007 at 1:40 PM
Folks,
When will this cycle of revenge can be broken in Ethiopia? How do we move Ethiopia beyond the darkness of mutually destructive hatred and revenge into the light of reconcilation and forgiveness? We have to follow what Nelson Mandela did in South Africa: reconcilation and forgiveness.
Let Siye Abraha publicly apologize the Ethiopian people for what he did in power. Let’s give him a second chance.
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December 31st, 2007 at 1:44 PM
Yes!
Thank U Elias for your fruitful comments!
He was one of the main dictator during the 1st last 10 years stay of weyane regime! He is too narrow. His letter sent to diaspora and the rest during his conflict with weyane (meles) was written only in Tigrigna. What did this job shows to us? Forget him!!!!
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December 31st, 2007 at 2:05 PM
Good job ER!
The article is very pursuasive and logical. We shouldn’t call him a public hero. Everybody knows that Siye was one of the right hand man of the Ethiopian dictator. Siye woke up and start to tell the truth when Meles is against him.
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December 31st, 2007 at 2:15 PM
Elias,
I think sometimes people only try to feed their arrogant Ethio-ego. We are not trying to solve the real problems of our country. Let’s not be divisive and fault finders, rather be forgivers and uniters.
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December 31st, 2007 at 2:19 PM
There is no objective and reasonable justification for Ethiopians to provide Seye with another chance. Helping him finish what he started is another question. Keep in Mind!! He has not yet finished….
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December 31st, 2007 at 2:47 PM
Some of the comments come from genuine guys who may not have understood the spirit of Kinijit very well. The question is not about cleaness of Seeye. We are not inviting him to lead us or join us either. It is about accepting his repentance, whether or not he can positively contribute to democracy in the future in his own way. To me, OLF, ONLF, Seeye or others should be embraced so long as they correct their past mistakes and agree to work with democratic forces to establish a just system in our country.
We should also be careful not to fall in the trap of Zenawi’s stooges who are trying everything to divide the opposition. Do not forget that when the AFD was formed, they were posting several articles on pro-Ethiopia web sites disguising themselves as concerned CUD supporters.
Some of the postings remind me what was written against Gebru Asrat by Zenawi’s imposters following Gebru’s speech to the people in Addis at Meskal Square in 2004. They use the same language and tone as pro-unity forces, appear to be against Meles and the other group for their past deeds. But, the underlying message is one: PERPETUATING DIVISION/MUTUAL SUSPICION/.
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December 31st, 2007 at 2:47 PM
Elias
Siye Abraha was defeated by Melles fair and square and should stay put in Mekele for the rest of his life. He is no General either. He could barely command his soldiers and had the help of Russian generals to conduct his operations. He failed miserably there too. He can blame Meles all he wants, but he bares all the blames. Arrogant and useless to the country. That is what he is now. By the way, ask him what he did with all the money he plundered (Marble factory in Badme region, Cemenet factory, commissions from arms sales, etc.).
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December 31st, 2007 at 2:52 PM
Elias,
I don’t fully agree with you. What if he is calling these meetings to apologize and explain his plans for the future?
Take this as a comparison: After WW II, the allied forces allowed some Nazi politicians and officials to contiribute because they were useful.
Siye had time (6 years!!) to think about his past actions and future directions. Let us give him a chance to explain himself.
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December 31st, 2007 at 2:58 PM
every one who was prisoned by woyane and released for what ever reason shuld not be considered as hero just because he said so.
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December 31st, 2007 at 3:03 PM
Elias,
You are absolutly right. First of all Seye is responsible for all the messes that happened in Ethiopia since he came to power from the bush. Secondly so many thousands of innocent lives perished during his gorrila war and after that. What we see right now in Ethiopia is the result of decades long failed policy and brutal crime of his own tribal regime. He and his likes have alienated the people of Tigray from the rest of Ethiopia with his tribal politics. How can we say that he is a national hero. He was a person devoid of any national visionory thinking ( of course he was a Tribal hero, for it was his attribute to brain wash the tigryan people, and he successfully alienated tigray from the rest of Ethiopia and killed the generation of Ethiopianness). Now the visionary!, Seye, has waken up from his deep wintersleep (tribal wintersleep) and is facing the grave danger of his tribal politics. One important thing for sure is , he recently identified the root cause of all evils in Ethiopia namely: Tribalism. Is he equiped with its remedies?. No, not at all. So, I would suggest he has to appologize for all our miseries and resign from public with the remnants of his dignity. Basta It is to late to be trusted.
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December 31st, 2007 at 3:13 PM
I agree with you, Elias. You are probably one of the few Ethiopians who call a spade a spade! Why bring people with lots of criminal records like Siye while we have lots of genuine people who can work for democracy? We should learn from our past mistakes.
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December 31st, 2007 at 3:35 PM
Thank you Elias, I agree with u. I watched his interview from 15 years and follow his history including the time with Ethiopian airlines. I’m telling you those who wants to call him Hero are those who want to see more killing in Ethiopia, Somalia & Eritrea. If it is deliberate plan to get Melles (Sreet smart and cruel) please follow people with fresh ideas not Siye( King Bokassa) brutal not intelligent.Thanks God time is changing, people start to know who is who.I agree with those who are saying we should work on legal process to legally hold him in the US.Let’s put him back in jail that is where he belongs.We need PEACE!!
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December 31st, 2007 at 3:44 PM
I could not agree more Mr. Elias. Who forgets when Siye and Meles use the amharas, the oromos and others to clear up the mines that was in their way to Eritrea. It is clear day by day that the war was to protect tigray not Ethiopia as a nation.
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December 31st, 2007 at 4:05 PM
What second chance are people talking about? People whom Siye killed or instrumental in their murder don’t get a second chance. I truly believe that most of all SIYE will go back and serve Meles and his woyane thugs if they give him a second chance – that is how petit CRIMINAL this guy was and still is – just because he shared Prison time with CUD leaders or because Birtukan or Berhanu had good words to say about him doesn’t warrant to forgive a CRIMINAL – the blood he shed of the thousands of Oromos and other Ethiopians is crying for Justice beyond their grave – as an Oromo and proud Ethiopian I indeed will not forget or forgive for the crime he and his crime family committed!!!
Like I said to Kinfe Abraha burn in hell – I say to SIYE the murderer Go to Hell!!!
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December 31st, 2007 at 4:17 PM
The statement made about Siye and his deeds are 100% correct and thruthful. As a matter of fact, this cold blooded killer should be confronted for his brutal actions and be sued for mass destruction along his woyanne associates. Ande Ethiopia
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December 31st, 2007 at 4:17 PM
Those who call Mr. Siye a national hero are people who gained from the bloodshed he and his party caused. He is a fool that was discarded by the Meles regime after his usefulness to the party expired. Weyane is the pain of the Ethiopian people and its unity! Mr. Siye is part and parcel of the current regime. Whether he is outside the prison wall or inside it makes no difference to the millions of people that suffer under the weyane regime.
Paying to listen to him even a dime is a crime by itself.
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December 31st, 2007 at 4:36 PM
100% correct on your observation, Great job. This bloody coward should be boycotted. He is touring now just to get back to power and to bleed the Amahars and Oromos again. Wake up people, lets deny this murderer any chance. He deserved to be hanged. By the way all those people that perished in the humanwave were 99.9% Amhara, oromo, and all other tribes except the Tigrayans(Woyanes) and the masterminder was this bloody coward who was in charge at the time. Just because he does not get alone with the other woyanes does not give him any legitimacy.
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December 31st, 2007 at 4:38 PM
I would be fooled once, twice but not more than twice. I would never ever be in a position to support that guy anymore.
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December 31st, 2007 at 4:49 PM
I wish you had a critical look at every politician as you have done this time. I agree with your comments, but the luck of a critical evaluation of other politicians on your website makes me think that you may have done this because of your hatred for people of Tigray origin.
I think all Ethiopian politicians should be critically evaluated, mainly because that is the only way you can shape them.
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December 31st, 2007 at 4:52 PM
I believe there were 60,000-70,000 people who died under his direction. I think some are saying lets just forget them. If you want to disregard their lives go see this bloody coward, more power to you. Let the Tigrayans go see him, give him money so he can go back to power and plunge us again to war with Eritrea.
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December 31st, 2007 at 4:54 PM
This writer (ER) deserves credit for this notable observation. Ethiopoans should not be so naive to call a hero everyone that comes out of woyane jail. if that is how far ethiopians think, woyane can imprison some of his agents for some time and then release them to us so we can blindly embrace them as hero.
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December 31st, 2007 at 5:07 PM
Elias,
You have a habit of hitting the truth straight on the head sometimes, even though I disagree with you on occasion. Well done.
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December 31st, 2007 at 5:20 PM
Every anti-weyanye doesn’t mean works for our ETHIOPIA as elias mentioned. We got to know what he has for our country. This guy is a killer as bad as meles. He might try to look innocent to get accepted by the people, but as we know from his history, he was one of narrowminded guys of weyanye.
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December 31st, 2007 at 5:21 PM
To ask a question,
Why would Meles and Siye use the ‘human wave’ tactic unless to achieve the casualty rates. Was this to weaken the army for the Agazi? I say this because when they finaly broke through, they called off the war.
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December 31st, 2007 at 5:25 PM
Thanks Elias, I couldn´t agree more. Siye is a die-hard Weyanne, i.e a scrupulous murderer. Meles and Siye should be sentenced to death for causing the death of thousands upon thousands of Ethiopians. Thanks again for everything you´re doing for our country. Happy New year to all of you.
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December 31st, 2007 at 5:56 PM
THE STORY OF SHABYA IS ALSO THE STORY OF Mr. Siye Abraha and many other colleagues of his. Ethiopians, let us see this too.
Although Shabya’s anti-Ethiopia activities were no secrets to Ethiopians, it achieved what it had wanted through the assistance of foreign powers of historically known enemies of Ethiopia such as Egypt, Iraq, Pakistan and other anti Ethiopia neighboring countries namely the Sudan, Somalia and Djibouti, and the internal enemies within Ethiopia that it had meticulously created and organized to accelerate in achieving the overall goal with the main objective of creating illegal Eritrea and a weakened Ethiopia.
Shabya, used to have its agents spreading nearly all over the world including and mainly in Ethiopia to gather information, to propagate anti-Ethiopia activities, to collect funds and to organize all sorts of anti-Ethiopia activities in all levels.
Ethiopians: – see everything and anything that happened and is happening to Ethiopia in retrospect and ask the following primary questions: What were those thousands and thousands of individuals who were quietly living in Ethiopia while clandestinely assisting their vanguard anti-Ethiopia organization uniquely known to Ethiopians in the past and to this present day as EPLF-SHABYA under which they were well organized and carrying out their daily routine of nibbling Ethiopia to her ultimate gradual death?
After the combined anti-Ethiopia forces of SHABYA, TPLF, ONLF, and OLF fully controlled the entire Ethiopia, those anti-Ethiopia elements who lived the seemingly a quiet life openly and boldly came out of their cocoons and arrogantly celebrated their the soon-to-be transient victory over Ethiopia and Ethiopians
At the beginning, the enemies of Ethiopia, ELF and EPLF were born in the minds and hearts of historically known enemies of Ethiopia and were built from the ground up with dual nature of being invisible and visible with massive plan to lock up Ethiopia and Ethiopians in perpetual ethnic conflict so that Shabya would have the upper hand on the fragmented Ethiopia.
After ELF was destroyed with the collaboration of TPLF and EPLF, Shabya embarked on the next phase. Shabya knows that it would nearly be impossible to control Ethiopia and Ethiopians with military alone; therefore, thousands and thousands of shabya supporters and followers were dispatched into Ethiopia to start their stealthy and deadly work. The influx of these enemies into Ethiopia had actually begun in the 50s. They all were trained rigorously and in fact, did extremely well in their mission so that the result was phenomenal for them, but deadly for Ethiopia and Ethiopians?
Shabya, its followers, and supporters were successful because they built a robust security around themselves and their mission so that they were able to continue to nibble Ethiopia to her eventual death.
Ethiopians: keep asking yourself this question: – What were those the dispatched thousands, and thousands of shabya agents who were spread out all over Ethiopia, in Addis Ababa, in every village, in every kabale, towns, cities, public institutions, in Military Academy, Hospitals, Defense, in universities, Ministry of Educations, it is just countless, and you name it, ask what were they actually doing? What was their actual mission?
These spies and informers were there pretending to be Ethiopians on the surface and yet clandestinely were passing on absolutely crucial information to Shabya head quarters every second of their life. Most of all, inside Ethiopia, they were passing on ethnic virus through a mouth-to-mouth contact to every individual that they came into contact. This has been done for the past 50 and so years and it is continuously being done to this day. Isn’t it true?
The Weyanae crime family was the obvious by product of Shabya; it was created to reinforce the military power of Shabya and was designed, Organized, and built by anti-Ethiopia elements to disable Ethiopia.
Did Mr. Siye Abraha know that his tplf anti-Ethiopia Organization was used and was later abused?
They both had identical mission statements while they were gathered and organized under the umbrella of the main anti-Ethiopia organization specifically known to Ethiopians as Shabya. Shabya high level experts and spy masters secretly planted invisible elements into and among Tplf members, and guided their emotion and thoughts in the direction to what shabya planners directed and monitored, used, and lead them to a specific purpose that shabya and its followers and supporters wanted them to achieve for.
Clearly TPLF/Weyane was a deadly tool that Shabya technical experts designed, built and manufactured in Northern manufacturing facilities to be used and abate and help Shabya to bring Ethiopia to the current destructive situations.
In the South-Central and Eastern Ethiopia underground Manufacturing facilities, Shabya recruited anti-Ethiopia elements and built anti-Ethiopia organizations namely, OLF and ONLF for identical purpose that Shabya created Tplfweyane for.
All members of the above-mentioned anti-Ethiopia organizations were conceived around hate oriented and were having dual objectives and purposes: First, to create a chaotic Ethiopia, then to dismember Ethiopia so that shabya would have authoritative illegal ownership over a fragmented Ethiopia.
Meles Zinawi was the top pick as an agent to be assigned to a challenging situation and yet extremely destructive to Ethiopia and Ethiopians. His assignment was to represent Shabya and to totally clear the direction for looting and shipping out anything and everything that are available beneath and above the lands in Ethiopia to nourish and keep alive the parasitic existence of illegal Eritrea.
Meles Zinawi and Isyas Afework met at a tiny village and soon became friends and became members of the anti-Ethiopia organizations by assuming different roles at different time in a varieties of places where they sworn to their hearts and minds under the umbrella of shabya and began to dedicate the contents of their hearts and minds to those of their peers and to the foreign authorities above them. Meles Zinawi and Isyas Afework were inseparable until they bitterly disagreed on how to weaken and eventually disable Ethiopia and gravitates her to her eventual ceasing as a country.
Ethiopians, let’s hear the contents of Mr. Siye Abraham’s heart and mind in the context of the current situation of and the future of Ethiopia.
First, let’s ask Mr. Siye Abraha this: – Since Mr. Siye Abraha knew Isayas Afework and Meles Zinawi very, very well, what was he hopped for and expecting TPLF to achieve from the point of view of his and from the point of view of Ethiopians and Ethiopia considering what Tigraye and Ethiopia are in the current situation?
As Mr. Siye Abrah is well aware of the two fugitives’ armies are on battle standby to combat against each other with both sides amassing troops on both sides of the dividing line in the range of 100,000; so, if and of course, the victory goes to Isyas Afwork how would it impact Ethiopians and the unity of Ethiopia either positively or negatively?
May be we can say or pray God forbid, if Weyanetplf wins the upcoming battle what impact would it have either the future of Tigraye or Ethiopia or both?
As Mr. Siye Abraha and many other members of weyanaetplf and supporters and followers of shabya, as well knew it well, Shabya and woyanae planned, drafted, and later ratified, agreed upon, and signed to it and brought it to Alger’s agreement behind the back of Ethiopians. How many historical documents were stolen from the achive of Ethiopia, and were later forged to suit Shabya’s and woyanaetplf’s claim against the territory integrity of Ethiopia?
Who do you think is more enemy to Ethiopia and Ethiopians than the other, is it Isyas Afework, or Meles Zinawi? And Why? And Why not?
What is your estimation in terms of us dollar that Shabya and weyanae had stolen from Ethiopia?
Is there anything that he tells Ethiopians that we did know had happened and would happen in the past and in the future?
Last but not the least, how did Shabya and Tplf fooled Ethiopians and made them do the job for tplf and shabya? And what was the specific role of Egypt, the Sudan, Somalia, the West, and Arabs in playing with regard to bringing Ethiopia to be in the current situation?
What would have you done differently for Tigraye and Ethiopia or for Tigraye or Ethiopia or for both, if were the prime Minster of Ethiopia, currently?
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December 31st, 2007 at 6:06 PM
I agree with Ethiopian review staff, we need to know what his current position is on the above mentioned points.
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December 31st, 2007 at 6:11 PM
Selam all:
Ato Siye is an important person. He has constituencies and supporters. These days he is getting admirers also from those who used to be his critics.
I think it would be wise not to corner everyone because of the past. These days democratic forces need allies. We need to bring as many people as possible to the struggle for democracy.
Let alone Ato Siye who is no more a TPF member, even we have to bring to our side the current TPLF members to our side.Antagonizing everyone for nothing is not a good politics.
We need Ato Siye. If Ato Siye has abondonned the section of Article 39 that is opposed by Ethiopians (but still supported by some of his friends …Ato Gebru) and if he accept the Manifesto of Kinijit, he must be loored to join KINIJIT. KINIJIT will be much stronger with people like Siye being a member of it.
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December 31st, 2007 at 6:45 PM
I agreewith you Elias
What new thing will he tell us that will be of use in the democratic process.Eseye dismantled the giant ethiopian military power.He made them homeless,hungry, their children went out in the street begging and made plastic huts in the streets of Addis.Families of victims, mothers had nothing to feed,some victims suicide, killed, hung themselves for not seeing all these misery
I wish what he would answer to this question(why he did that?) would he regret? I think this Jan 5 meeting should explain.
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December 31st, 2007 at 6:47 PM
Good Job ER:
Seye’s only problem arose against Meles when a power struggle started among Weyannes. Seye has to respond what he had committed in Oromia, in the AA University, Ethiopian Airlines, Air Force as well as the resources he helped Weyanne to rape Ethiopia under the Weyanne mafia organization called EFFORT, the 70,000 poor Ethiopians used as minesweepers for Weyannes Agazee army.
Seye has to apologise first to the people of Ethiopia, the crimes he committed. Seye needs to get out of the closet first before he outs Meles.
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December 31st, 2007 at 7:18 PM
Hi man I agree with u. At least this guy should ask an apology for what he did with the woyanee government. And i think he is still in the EPRDF camp. As it has been said his problem with Meles is personal and power it is not an issue of Ethiopia. What is his stand about Ethiopia in the past, in the present and in the future?
I think the Ethiopian people need to know these facta. The medias shouldn’t left to those opportunists like Tsiye.
Thanks
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December 31st, 2007 at 7:22 PM
Dear Elias, well Said. Let me put some words of my knowledge about weyannes:
I read the above 92 comments, very intersting comments, but almost all of the above comments forgot to mention that a woyanne is a woyanne and dies woyanne. These people are the most notorious and well knowing for lieing. Lier of the whole world. And yet, many Ethiopians are asking Siye to apologize. Is apology the only one you want from Siye or any ex-woyanne member, you will get it. They are not ashamed to lie to live another hour let alone lie for 10 years. If siye finds out that Ethiopians want to hear from him about Assab/Eritrea, he will say it. If you want him to apologize, he will apologize and might even kneel down and shed crocodile’s tears. Woyanne they do anything that will save them or take Ethiopian hearts, but not Power. They will never come down from ruling Ethiopia until they separate the Repulic of Tigray – their ONLY ultimate goal.
TPLF cried like a baby when EPLF said will not help them if their agenda of a republic of. So, to gain EPLF’s support they merged with some small Ethiopian parties and renamed their party EPRDF and hid their dream of bigger Tigray. All their logos, flag and other party symbols never showed the map of Ethiopia, infact, many Tigrenyans did not know how to draw the map of Ethiopia.
We Eritreans call any Woyanne current or exmember Chameleon. They are good at hiding their true colours only for short time, but even chameleons have are haunted by some animals.
And you know why they are asking for dialogue with the Government of Eritrea, because they wanted live ever happly after they Proclaim Republic of Tigray, but found out that they can not do it while they are in a fight with Eritrea.
To me siye’s touring US an Europe is fictious. It is a mutual benefit for meles and siye to survive. Siye does not want to see TPLF/EPRDF to vanish from the face of the book. TPLF is their common median and ground for fertility.
Long live the two nations Eritrea and Ethiopia.
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December 31st, 2007 at 7:30 PM
Seye Abraha is another Weyane. To me he is neither a national hero nor he is an Ethiopian citizen. I wousl not have cared a bit if he had died in jail or killed by bullet fired by his nemesis Meles Zenawi. Seye Abraha is a criminal, he has only served 6 years in Weyane jail. In my opinion he should be held till DEATH in a solitary confinment! I agree with Elias 1000%. This guy is a criminal who used an old (19th century) military tactic to use young Ethiopians as cannon fodder for his name and rank. The reason he used all those Young Ethiopians as a cannon fodder was that he lost a $256 million stone crusher company in Badme during the first days of the military engagements. He was so obesessed with having to score on the Eritrean military generals who he accused having to steal his company. He wanted to use all means necessary to over run the Eritrean trenches to capture Badme, which by the way the court says it belongs to Eritrea. Knowingly, even some say Meles warned him that they might end up losing Badme thru legal means. Seye was very angry breathing fire told his TPLF CC that Meles was softy. Meles to prove his hard heart he approved the death of over 30,000 young Ethiopians to be used by Seye as a cannon fodder so Seye would have his revenge on the Eritrean comanders in that vicinity.
For Seye to avenge his company and anger he sacrificed 30,000 young Ethiopians lives. This is Honest God truth! He only did what he did to show that he is a tough guy. Today the same Ethiopians who have lost a loved brother would pay $30 to watch him tell them how he massacred their brothers??????
That is pathetic. I would seek his blood for my young cousin who has died during the Badme war to justify Seye’s anger over the Eritreans for his lose of $256 million company. The money did not come from anywhere, it came from poor Ethiopians who have been prevented to do business in their beloved country. Because all the senior TPLF-CC realized what went wrong they agreed that he be expelled. TPLF put him only for 6 years, he should have been still in jail and at the age of 65 he should be shot to retire him. I am ashamed of my Ethiopian identity for Seye to come to a tour and get my $30 in addition to my counsin’s life.
I AM SEEKING HIS BLOOD!!!!!!!!!!
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December 31st, 2007 at 7:52 PM
As a matter of fact Siye is one of the criminals who should be brought to justice with Melese when the days of Woyanie come to an end.
He was one of the architects of this ethnic federalism and the deal for the cessation of Eritrea. He is responsible for all of the mascaras that took place in each and every corner of the country during his heydays. The truth of the matter is that he will never be exonerated from his criminal responsibility for the heinous crime he aggressively committed – even with whatever apology. It is like saying Hitler would be acquitted from his liability after apology. No way!!!!!!
Besides his criminal liability, he is also one of the corrupt Woyanie officials who will be held liable for embezzlement. He abused his illegitimately secured power and stole millions of Birr from the destitute. Do you think he is a millionaire because of his saving from his monthly salary or he got inheritance from his millionaire dad?
He is a Big time CRIMINAL and it is out of question to think he will have a political role in the newly coming democratic Ethiopia.
Justice must be served.
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December 31st, 2007 at 8:11 PM
I do not care for a thief or his master. I wish Siyye died in jail. He has innocent blood on his hand. Many of the Tigres complaining at Meles should have known better, their hero called Siyye is a thief. Ha came from the jungle empty handed and in 5 years he was a millionaire. He built so many buildings in Mekele and Adwa. He stole money from many people, including many rich Eritreans and took it for himself. He is a killer he has killed several Ethiopians who he hates. He is also a criminal, to me I see Meles and Siyye just like two drug dealers having problem with each other. Meles is the bigger boss while Siyye is a smaller but dangerous drug lord, the fight between them is like a war between two druglords if one of them go to jail and come out, so what? I want him to go to jail for loger period of time so I can feel safe in the streets when I come home from my overtime work. Siyye is a criminal who has used many Ethiopians soldiers as human wave to coin his name in history at the expense of human lives.
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December 31st, 2007 at 8:20 PM
I don’t belive what I am about to say, for the first time I have to agree with you. only because Siye has a beef with Meles does not make him a hero. Had he been a PM he would have make meles look like a pussy cat.
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December 31st, 2007 at 8:27 PM
Can this monster tell Ethiopians where the money that helped built modern industries in Tigray came from…he was one of the main looters and he was over seeing the theft of this ethiopian resources…now Ethio-media is telling us that this vampire is a hero!! Come on no one was born yesterday! It is true, seye has Tigrayan agenda. He represents non-Adwa tigrayans and in his power strugle with Meles and other Adwa Tigrayns, he ended up in jail. He didn’t go to jail for ethiopian cause!! he started the war with eritrea, because he thought meles’ main power supply comes from Issaise of Shabia and he succeeded to severe that tie and when he manged to kill the meles and issaise relationship, he was ready to kick meles’ ass but meles was smart enought to take pre-emptive strike and arrest him under the cover of corruption. So seye’s agenda is Tigrayan and power agenda. He has nothing to do with our ethiopia.
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December 31st, 2007 at 8:57 PM
Siye is more interested about Tigray than Ethiopia. He may be a Hero for TPLF and Tigrayans, but not For ETHIOPIANS! He can’t out smart Ethiopians with made in Mekele Tricks. He is buying time for survival and begging for second chance.Some one trush is a treasure for others. He was dumped in the power stragle which is not an issue to Ethiopians.No. Let’s focus about is evile deedes and intentions not the word Hero!
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December 31st, 2007 at 8:59 PM
Elias
Good Job
You deserve praise for your outstanding acheivement in exposing the true nature of the crimnal gang Siye.
May God bless our country and people like you.
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December 31st, 2007 at 9:02 PM
Ethiopia doesn’t need today the an eye for an eye things, our country is so overwhelmed by man made problems. Specially for the last 30 + years the so called civilized, modern, educated countrymen pushed the country over to extreme poverty and instability and we closing to some irreversible situation, unless Ethiopians who really freed them self from any form of greed and power hallucination join together to free their country.
Ato Seye have nothing to explain or to tell us about wayane Government that have proven him self time and again to be the enemy the country, we believe it or not we are under a new form of colonial rule even worse at a time.
Ato Seye founded and served this government as a key person until they throw him in jail, he served his time and freed.
No matter what he have to say, it will be hard to digest.
All said, I admire though his courage to come forward to help his country, but first he have genuinely bye peoples’ trust by admitting his mistakes without equivocates and telling the truth about his current motives for coming forward to serve and what he can bring to the table and what makes his involvement special.
Apropos the question of Hero, I believe even Mr. Seye hate the mention, today we don’t have no hero, please guys spear yourself from making this kind of gross mistakes our country agonizing because of our mistakes, is it healthy for someone to tell us so and so are heroes?
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December 31st, 2007 at 9:06 PM
I abslutely agee with ER. Siye is actually the main architect of the TIGRAY/TIGRINGI dream team who does not care about ETHIOPIA. Thank God “beseferut kuna…” I am not surprized why the spin doctors in DC are promoting him. He is worst than Meles. The conspiracy he is trying to fabricate is also open in the air what really amazes me the collaboration of Berhanu Nega with this Tug worebela agame time will tell and the truth will come out and every spin in dc for ever will be barred from Ethiopian issues. Thank you Elias for telling the truth.
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December 31st, 2007 at 9:10 PM
Yes Elias I apploud you this time. Great job. Though you do not like my opinions in the past, but with this one, you scored good. It is very important Siye does not take the opportunity of Kinijit’s differences and take all this effort by the diasspora to break our heart in two. Thanks again Elias
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December 31st, 2007 at 9:23 PM
Dear Elias.
I have been many times a supporter of your views. This time, I am throwing the ball in your court. Do you believe, Asseb belongs to Ethiopia? If not why? I would from you an honest answer. Then after I will comment on the issue you presented.
Olbemo
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December 31st, 2007 at 9:33 PM
i completely agree to this he is not a national hero. I remember his words when he was defence Minister.
“ENQUAN TORNET MASHENEF, TORINET MESRAT ENCHILALEN” when he was bosting of winning OLF army.
“KETESHENEFE TOR GAR ENDET ENISERALEN” when he was asked whether EPRDF was willing to accomodate formet Ethiopian soldiers. He is an arogant, hipocrat and a person dedicated to single ethnic group. I was wondering what gut drove him to call all Ethiopian for a meeting. Two hyenas could fight on a domestic animal and one could win, the loser can not be be a domestic animal, still it remains to be hyena.
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December 31st, 2007 at 9:45 PM
Dear Olbemo
Elias is an ordinanry citizen. Regardless his answer to you may make you feel good or bad about Asseb. You should ask and expect to hear from Hourse mouth rather than Elias .
Now, I am throwing you the ball on your Kanagaro court?
You support his views many times, cant’t you swallow one view that you did not agree?
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December 31st, 2007 at 10:31 PM
Let us know his motive. Was he concerned for the poor people or to build another TPLF like his friend Gebru Asrat? It is better to listen him. I think he learned a great lesson from the jugdement of Birtukan Midekssa. I agree he is not a hero, his previous history is well known how much he destruct three generation and our motherland.
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December 31st, 2007 at 10:36 PM
I appreciate your comment. Ethiopian CNN
God bless your job.
always stand for the poor
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December 31st, 2007 at 10:41 PM
seye, shouldn’t walk freely any where in this world. He is a liar, murderer.
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December 31st, 2007 at 10:51 PM
I agree. He is not a national hero.
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December 31st, 2007 at 11:00 PM
Hi Elias
I agree with you. He is the one real zeregna.
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January 1st, 2008 at 12:03 AM
I was in Addis, When TPLF took power, and I can still recall and vividly remember behind the back of my eyes, what I had watched on the Ethiopian television then, how TPLFites like Siye and the former TPLF prime minister, Tamirat Layne were acting and the hate they had towards Ethiopanism and the Ethiopian People. Siye Abraha had never been seen or heard saying or doing anything against his boss Meles, at least formally, until he was incarcerated by the butcher. I do not want to go to in detail. It will suffice to say he was part and parcel of Meles, not only following orders but also giving orders to destruct Ethiopia. It goes with out saying, “Thief’s turn against ones other throats not when they are stealing but when they share the stolen goods” (phrasing mine). I believe that is what had happened between the Meles and the Siye group. The more shrewd thief became suspicious of the lesser shrewd thief and put the him in prison, because he thought he will face that fate if he did not react swift and first.
Then Siye and co., through their family and supporters that shared the stolen wealth, started to talk about the difference that Siye has with Meles. They tried to tell us the cause for his detention was because he has stood for his motherland against Meles. Nonetheless, our question is, where was Siye when assab was taken from Ethiopia and given as a reward to Isayeyas Afeworki against the cries of the natives, the Afar people. Was he not part of the group that approved the cessation of Eritrea without the consent of the Ethiopian people? Was he not laughing with the devil Meles when the latter called our green, yellow and red flag a piece of rag? Was he not beside his Master Meles, when he the devil Meles said the Axum Obelisk has nothing to do with the southern Ethiopian people? Was he not there when Meles said Ethiopian history is only 100 year old? Please do not tell us to cover our eyes and be fooled by you, and please no more tell us that Siye is an Ethiopian hero. Syie had never been our hero, even in his wildest dreams. We might give you our ears if you Start telling us the truth, as he was one of the master TPLFites that played the Major role in the clandestine operation to destruct Ethiopia, that he was not less corrupted than Meles, Tamirat, Mesfin Seyoum, Sibhat Nega, and all the rest dirties which I do not even want to write their names.
Let him first accept and confess to the crimes he was part of, and tell us in no uncertain terms what his role was, with out any reservation, then and then we might give him a chance to go to rehabilitation and after he is out of his rehab with success and after a careful investigation if he passes all the tests as an Ethiopian then he might be given a part for reconciliation. Until then, Siye’s followers and his cohorts, please we would be appreciating it if you do not underestimate our intelligence and also shut up you foul mouth.
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January 1st, 2008 at 12:32 AM
Elias: The rantings of the likes of #110 is a diversionary tactic from the issue at hand i.e. Siye the criminal – Most Ethiopians have expressed a positive engagement with Eritrea and encouraged the opposition to work with Eritrea to destroy Woyane and the murderous Adwa thugs.
AFD, OLF, ONLF, CDU, and EPPF will grow stronger and wipe out Woyane and all chuvinists from our beloved Ethiopia and build a democratic republic of Ethiopia on their grave.
The Israeli Mossad hunted all Nazi operators from all over the world and brought them to justice. I wish Shabia, OLF, ONLF, CUD, EPPF and AFD do the same to criminals like those of SIYE and all other Woyane thugs running around.
As an Oromo and proud Ethiopian, I will neither forgive nor forget the blood shed and the injustice our people are subjected to by Siye and the rest of Woyane criminals!!!
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January 1st, 2008 at 12:36 AM
Why bother listening to what he has to say now when his past criminal actions speak louder. As someone whose arrogance and pride has been badly wounded and is at odds with his former buddies and is aware that his crimes have not been forgotten, the only obvious choice for him is to deceptively sound apologetic and reconciler.
The guy is not less criminal than Meles. In fact given the opportunity, he could have been far more worse and butchered more innocent people.
The right course of action is to take him to a proper court of law and try him according to his wrongdoings to the state and people of Ethiopia rather than of the power struggle within the TPLF junta for which he was jailed.
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January 1st, 2008 at 12:48 AM
It’s really shame to call Siye, one of the worst enemies of Ethiopia, a hero. He had tortured and killed hundred of thousands innocent Ethiopians when he was in power.He is a crimnal who should brought before court. Ethiopians in Diaspora should condemn him in public. Ethiopians are supposed to like what they did to Ato Addisu Legesse. Crimianls should not be a political leader. It’s another insulting to invite people for meeting. Shame on those who participate his meeting
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January 1st, 2008 at 1:04 AM
I am sure most of us will remember when Negasso gidada asked (actually it is better if i say begged) for forgiveness of the oromo people in Minnesota, he accepted his share of responsibility of the governments action when he was president, saying that he could have done much better. we need to hear siye saying the same thing. otherwise he is just like the other butchers.
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January 1st, 2008 at 1:15 AM
Please, Is there any who can suggest a mathematical illustration that would balance the costs of 70,000 innocent Ethiopians who lost their life triggered by one the most dictators like Mr. Sieye. How could Mr. Sieye is going to be given a second chance what so ever he has a good agenda after all? I don’t think there is a way to replace even one person’s
life with what ever you call it…”Seiye has brought a Unity Package Program”.
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January 1st, 2008 at 1:33 AM
No one should be called a hero from these weyane clique and their running dogs. These idiots are murderers. Must pay time in jail for the rest of their life. Those 70,000 innocent young kids gave their life because of these arrogant criminals. The mothers of those who lost their beloved one’s are crying for justice.
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January 1st, 2008 at 2:07 AM
I absolutely agree with Elias and thank u for reminding me great Job. I hope Siye can ask apology. He doesnot have any problem with that if ethiopians get satisfied with that. But I am really very much concerned about his political position. Where is he standing at this particular time? What is his position regarding individual right vs ethnic right which he has been promoting for his entire life. He did not tell us about his position. He simply came here to collect money.No more than that.
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January 1st, 2008 at 2:15 AM
If we are going to receive Siye Abraha as a national hero,then there must be something wrong with us or we do not pay deep attention for what we are doing .We(the diaspora) are underquestion mark.
let us answer the follong question befor we run fast to take action.
-what is a national hero?who is/are bational hero/s we have to find out.
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January 1st, 2008 at 2:35 AM
No doubt, Siye has inflicted a lot of damage to Ethiopia both directly and as an accomplice. Yes, he is responsible to lost lives of tens of thousands. I say, give the bastard a chance to talk and let us comfront him with the truth. Let us judge him by the content of his present words and his stance without forgetting his deeds in the past. This would give us a better picture than what we have of him as the then political elite. But, I have reservations regarding suggestions to rush him into parties like CUD.
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January 1st, 2008 at 3:39 AM
To my fellow Ethiopians, Thanks to Elias for bringign the issue! Some might say Siye a woyane juntaa , others may call him a war criminal and still others call him a hero. As touched in the blogs, is he still a woyane advocate? Ethio-Ertiyan war criminal or the latest hero? As to me he is none of the above. Why? Because, when he was in the same ideology with the woyane he served the motto. So the people of Ethiopia didn’t worry about what he did while he is the woyane leader. The reason the Ethiopian people prefered to respect him was that at the crucial point of respecting the interests and benefits of Ethiopia during the Ethio-Eritryan war he stepped to stand for Ethiopia, while the other group with Meles wanted to take a measure hiddenly to harm the Ethiopian interest. This information I shared with U is the best information we have as the ‘KeAbbay Mado’ Ethiopians. As many commented Siye has the citizenship obligation to tell us the truth (on his political positions on the turmoil times and why Meles was so serious on him),so that we take the right position. Anyway; we have to listen to everyone who wants to talk to us even if we pay for it. I agree with many, Siye has to answer ,serious questions on how he sees his past, what his position is now and his future for Ethiopia. Blessed New Year for all Ethiopians and Africans!
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January 1st, 2008 at 3:48 AM
ሰላም ውድ ኢትዮጵያውያን ወንድሞች እና እህቶች በእኔ ግምት እሰየ አብርሃ በመጀመርያ ከእራሳቸው ጋር መታረቅ ከሚሹ አንዳንድ የወቅቱ እና የወያኔ ፖለተከኞች አንዱ ሰው ይመስለኛል ::
አቶ እሰየ አብርሃ ብሔራዊ ጀግና የሚያስኝ ስራቸው ለኔ አይታየኝም ምናልባት ግን ጠባብ ብሔርተኛው ጀግና ግን ለመባል ግን የሚያበቃቸውን ስራ ፈጽመው ይሆናል:: ብሔራዊ (አገራዊ) ሕልም አሁንም የጎደላቸው ይመስለኛል ከብዙ መግለጫቸው እንደተረዳሁት ::ስለዚህ ወገኖቼ ለመጣው ሁሉ ለማጨብጨብ ባንቸኩል ጥሩ የመስለኛል ::
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January 1st, 2008 at 4:31 AM
It is about time these ethno-fascists are held accountable made to pay for the wrongs they have done. Siye, as one of the leading ethno-fascists of Abay Tigray has overseen the the killings, torture and sufferings of millions of Ethiopians for sake of his own ethno-centric ideologue. His quarrel with his boss is not an excuse to dilute the hard fact- his hands are soaked with blood of millions.
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January 1st, 2008 at 6:13 AM
This is not a rocket science. Siye was a wyane whose dream was to destroy Ethiopian Army and he did that even after he started to rule ethiopia: He disbaned the entire armed forces of Ethiopia after what was left of his killing drive into Addis.
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January 1st, 2008 at 6:56 AM
I personally accomodate both pro and against opinions about Ato Seye. It is through this dialogue that we can come up with the truth.
However, you guys in America did not really understand what we (those in Ethiopia) are looking for. We need someone who can unite us and bring us peace, stability, good governance, and prosperity. We Ethiopians are known when it comes to forgiveness. And forgiveness is the best medicine for political healing. The bottom line is that as far as Ato Seye is able to bring those parameters that I explained earlier, I beleive most Ethiopians who live in Ethiopia will forgive him and are looking forward to working with him. To your surprize if Ato Meles reqeusts forgiveness for the mistake he had committed so far and hand over power to the public, most Ethiopians (including family members of those who lost their loved ones)are ready to forgive. This is the reality and the truth. And truth is the only path to follow. If we advocate hatered, we will not achieve anything. So, I believe that you have to listen to what Ato Seye is saying and what he wants to achieve and with whom he wants to achieve it before accusing him for what he has done in the past. He may tell the truth and request forgiveness which is most likely accommodated by most Ethiopians.
I read somone’s comment like “Let tigreans help him, let them attend his meeting”. It is very shameful to write like this. These kind of people are guided by emotions. Ato Melese or Ato Seye can not represent the majority of tigrean people who love their country and people, and who lost their life for Ethiopia. Please let us think before we speak.
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January 1st, 2008 at 7:02 AM
Dear All,
Ato Elias Kifle has raised many interesting points regarding Seye Abraha. I am grateful for that. However, there is a missing link in Elias’ commentary:
1: Due process of Law
No matter what we make or think of a person’s politics and background, we should have the capacity to wish/accord a due process of law even for our tormentors.
Seye did not get one by Zenawi’s Kangaroo courts.
Injustice against Seye is the same as injustice against any and every Ethiopian. When Meles and co. go, our ability to replace their ethno-fascist dictatorship with a pluralist democratic system must be based on justice even for those we disapprove of. That is the only way we can establish a legal and legitimate system. Otherwise, we will continue to perpetuate barbarity as Meles and co. do right now!
Within this process lies the right to a freedom of expression that Seye is entitled to. Let’s go and ask and challenge him.
2: Freedom of expression and of availability for challenges
Since his release, Seye’s comments reflect of ‘a man who saw the wrong of his ways’? We have to ask him to elaborate on them and to say how the TPLF that he still commands a strong presence/respect in would move away from Zenawi’s singular campaign of destruction.
Therefore, although Seye is not a hero at all,nevertheless we will need to listen to what he has to say and to what he commits himself to do at the present! In that context, a platform for Seye to speak is the right thing to do!! I think nobody is under any illusions as to Seye Abraha’s infamous past records. Granting him a forum to express his reflections and intentions is simply a respect everyone is entitled to in a democratic society.
That was why I had forwarded the information regarding Seye’s schedule speech on the 5th January 2008. I hope someone attends and reports on the proceeding.
Dear Ato Elias,
I have a lot of respect for what you do so ably. However, your argument about Seye Abraha’s planned talk is not well-balanced.
A happy new year to al!
Regards
Biri
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January 1st, 2008 at 7:13 AM
Though I do not buy Elias Kiflie’s philosophy and approach, I admire his guts. He seems to have balls of steel. The rest of the media appears to be very gullible to run from one end to the other. From ultra nationalist stand to promoter of secessionist forces like OLF and ONLF. As the saying “those who do not know where they going, every road will take them there”. The media has become anti-thesis to rational debate and discussion by following the crowd than questioning critically some of the moves.
Having said that there are things Ato Seye needs to address to become a national hero. First, he has to disassociate his ethnocentric view of the Ethiopian people. If he is trying to resurrect another tigrean TPLF then he would not be my hero. If he is promising to fight for all of us, regardless of our ethnic origin, social status and gender I may welcome him as an emerging leader who has a part to play in the Ethiopian politics. Gebru Asrat who himself half Tigrean has gone down the line to resurrect the “gold and rug” (werkena cherke) division of the Ethiopian people.
What I say is let give him a chance to come clean before calling him a hero or a villian. Otherwise, one again we will be disappointed just like the CUD leaders. Serving terms in prison should not be the main criteria to be honored as heros.
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January 1st, 2008 at 8:58 AM
Happy new year Elias and readers of this comment.
I want to say a little, wheather Mr. Abreha,S is a national hero or not. Probably, he killed a lot of Ethiopian army during the communist regime, OLA(Oromo Liberation Army), EPLF(Eritrean Peoples Liberation Front) defense force and TPLF’s surrogate organizations members who had WH questions against the ill-treatment of their own people in the hand of the narrow minded TPLF minority junta. To sum up he killed hundreds of thousands of Ethiopians in all this conflict, and this deeds will entitle that Tigray bull(Mr. Abreha) a good snipper but not a national hero. He never had a national vision other than “liberating” Tigray from Ethiopia’s (Amahara’s)colonization. After he came to power he made all his sibillings angels for his kingdom.
When it came to his political skill, he is really far from the modern politics. Let me raise what he said on ETV when TPLF pushed OLF out of the transitional charter for the mere fact that the later had a good ground over the TPLF in any standard but the military strength. MR. Abreha said TPLF not only defeate the war, but can create a war and defeate it. Geniunely speaking Mr. Abreha is the 2nd face of his master, may be the worst. He also as a head of the Board member of Ethiopian Air Lines,when the employee striked for wage increase siye suggested to fire all and replce them with Merkato “bozene”. I am not an analyst to follow all his crimes but in these two incidence I able to observe him making very emotional suggestions.
To sum up, he was/is/will/not a national hero and visionary politician but an emotional snipper.
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January 1st, 2008 at 10:45 AM
As some misinformed persons allege that Siye Abraha has been a national hero, let us assume he is now a fallen hero, but let us hear what he has to say as a fallen hero, not as a national hero. A convicted criminal, ready to go to his death chamber, many times at the last moment confesses he has committed a crime and why he did it. In the same way, even though he may think he is an innocent person, Ato Siye Abraha has nothing to lose or gain if he tells the truth why he wanted a “greater Tigre” instead of a greater Ethiopia? Even if he confesses all his crimes he has done against Ethiopia, his confession may not guarantee him that he will have a secure job either with Kinijit or other political organization. He is coming to North America with, I assume, a clear intention to curry favor with the Ethiopians in Diaspora. After we have heard the complete confession from him, we may, if he agrees, give him a vermifuge – a political advice – that expels the bad political worms that have affected not only his intestines but his entire body. Barred from all political activities, he can only live as a political prisoner in one of those Ethiopian jails. Meles may have set him free for his political advantage or with a kind of promises that we do not know yet, but we must make him accountable for most of the destructions he brought on all Ethiopians and even on some of his own people.
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January 1st, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Siye Abraha is a war criminal. He has committed untold atrocity, amounting to genocide against Oromo in 1991/1992. Criminals and murderers like Siye cannot be heroes for Oromo, and they will be tried in court of law when the right time comes.
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January 1st, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Elias,Another excellent timely job.On Addis Dimt’s radio,your answer “Ethiopin poor people should get help fromm anybody includind the tyrant Esayas” to fight Woyane is absolutly correct and on time.Ethiopin people never had any problem with Eritrean people.All the fight was and is among two devils.concerning the Woyane little victim ato Siye,he has to wait and be tested more by the Ethiopian people to be trusted.He has to wait for all the blood he poured to be dried.
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January 1st, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Allow me to address an issue of a different pradgim. A man by the name of Hajji Mustefa, born in Wello, Ethiopia, lived in Balle as a tailor pre Epdrf. Once EPRDF came to power, Hajji Mustefa became the key personnel in looting the assests of Bale Oromia. Hajji Mustefa, bought multimillion dollar empire under different names of his in-laws and friends. By the time EPRDF discovered the handiworks of Hajji mustefa, he was smugglled into Nairobi, where he was accepted as a refugee to Canada. Hajji Mustefa while he was in powere in Bale Oromia, he is responsible for deaths of many women and children. He was the key persona for TPLF BUT… bUT CAN we call him Hajji Mustefa a hero or treasonist Banda? Does Ethiopian people deserve to demand the extradition of Hajji Mustefa? Does Ethiopian victims of Hajji Mustefa be paid for the destructons he caused to the lives of loved ones as well as their properties throughout?
When truth rigns! when truth be spoken! when victims face their demons face to face…. then one can even dare to use the namicalture of as SUCH HERO/ COWARD. Hajji Mustefa was and is a coward so as many more clawns that roam throughout.
Justice may delay but truth never dies.
If EPRDF IS FOR JUSTICES…. Hajji Mustefas relatives assests must be taken and awarded to all victims of Hajji Mustefa. That is the justices Ethiopian people have been yearning. Nazret city WOLOYES assests were looted wealth by Hajji Mustefa, from Bale mountains.
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January 1st, 2008 at 1:19 PM
Naga Tuma,
There are givens and known facts, yet the quest is to solve the problem. Seye’s past has been part of the problem. As an ex woyane, he was part of the destruction brought up on Ethiopia. However, to accuse him of being a criminal as an individual, you have to lay out the specific crimes he personally committed. Most of the potential leaders of today’s Ethiopia, have been a part of mass movement at one time or another from student movent, EPRP, Derg or others. All these orgs committed crimes against Ethiopians in one form or another. As much as we all condemn Derg’s campain of carnage, EPRP had also indulged itself in murdurous rampages known as White Terror. These murders by EPRP were aimed at ordinary citizens for as little reason as being elected to work at the Kebele offices. They made countless children orphans. They pained countless families. Tell me now that people who were part of such an organization should not be part of the political process in Ethiopia. Seye Abraha was part of a movement, just like some of our leaders were part of a failed movement like EPRP. Better yet, Seye seems to come back to the people’s side. My view about Seye made a 180 degree change after I heard his interview on VOA. I think he is a very intelligent and articulate person. I believe he will contribute tremendously to our struggle for democracy and unity.
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January 1st, 2008 at 1:20 PM
We are tired of hearing a phrase “let’s give a chance”. We ca not give any chance to ay body who aliniated with killers in the past and proven incapable of leading he Ethiopian people. Siye Abraha started to generate “BETTER” ideas after he got in to jail. The question here is, where was he before getting in to jail to generate those “good” words and ideas? It sounds the motive of those ideas were to get better attenion from Ethiopian people inorder to satisfy his power thrist. I advise Mr Siye not to nvolve in political issues with all the negatives he was counted with Meles regime. Ethiopia has plenty of fresh and youth minds to run the country in the future. Hence we don’t have time to attend meetings organized by pro-woyanes and people whose stand is adulterated with Meles in the past.
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January 1st, 2008 at 3:50 PM
Elias,
Do you think all previous Ethiopian heroes are faultless people. Take the knowns, Atse Theodros, killed many innocent people, Atse Yohannes, helped British to kill Theodros, Atse Menelik, …Yohannes.
You see that is why forgivenes matters not purity.
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January 1st, 2008 at 4:18 PM
Elias raises a good question. I also think that for the people’s movement to be successful, we need grow the number of stakeholders who join the people’s movement. Victory comes about by having as many stakeholders on our side. We do not win by turning potential allies into enemies. Having said all that questions Elias raised need to be answered. We must hear what siye has to say and judge. If we judge before we hear, then, I would worry about our ability to win this movement of the people.
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January 1st, 2008 at 4:29 PM
What is to “give him a second chance”?
What is hero? who hate my people, my country where is the reality?
Yes Siye is a hero for some people from Tigray ( you know who are these people are) or for the enemies of ethiopia and ethiopians. SIYE has done everything to ethiopia and ethiopians to his capacity as GRAZIANI did to Ethiopia or HITLER did to the juwes. Is there any thing Siye did good to Ethiopia? If it is fact history, only Melese and his friends can call him a hero.
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January 1st, 2008 at 4:49 PM
It has been reported in Ethiomedia and related places that Siye Abraha has called for a meeting this coming Tuesday in Washington, D.C. As we all know, Mr. Siye is a controversial figure. He has also languished in prison for years with tramped up charges. We all know also that Siye Abraha was a defense minister, a prominent TPLF member (and a polit bureau member) and a person who had power to at least to voice his opposition when many crimes were committed against the Ethiopian people and our country. Many people believe that:
1. Siye Abraha approved and participated the war that was waged against our party and EPRA
2. Siye Abraha approved and participated in arresting and/or killing of our leaders. Did he tell us where they are? Can he tell us the truth now?
3. Siye Abraha approved and participated in arresting opposition coalition representatives such as Yemane GebreAb. Did he say anything about Yemane after he himself got out of prison?
4. Siye Abraha approved and participated in the session of Eritrea
5. Siye Abraha approved and participated in making our country a land locked one
6. Siye Abraha approved and participated in the killings and mayhem of Ethiopians who were fleeing Eritrea to the Sudan and inland 1991 and later
7. Siye Abraha approved and participated in the killings of university students who peacefully showed their opposition to the formation of a kangaroo parliament based on ethnicity; when they demonstrated against Boutros Boutros Gali’s visit, etc.
8. Siye Abraha approved and participated in boasting that the TPLF not only can it win a war it waged against the OLF thereby inciting people to go to war, but it also can make war
9. Siye Abraha approved and participated, directly or indirectly, in the mass killings of the Amharas in the southern part of the country
10. Siye Abraha approved and participated in the ethnic fractionalization of our country. Has renounced his position, if he had one?
11. Siye Abraha approved and participated in the rampant corruption that is still pillaging our people and country! According to past claims by many people, the conflict between him and Meles is mainly related to greed and corruption. What would he say about this claim?
12. Siye Abraha, in one form or another, has helped Eritrea in creating the 1998-2000 war (by giving it independence, etc.) and the deaths of at least 100,000 Ethiopians and especially OUR Tigrian and Eritrean compatriots. The Tigrian people who live close to the border surely paid the ultimate price in terms of their lives and wealth more than anyone else! The Ethiopian people are paying high price for a military expenditure that was and still is totally un-necessary. And they are about to pay more in terms of their lives and wealth for the war that the current government is about to create. What did Siye say about it? What would he say about this issue?
13. Isn’t Siye Abraha still a gotegna? Does he still believe that he has helped our Tigrian people and compatriots by making their country land locked, etc.?
Unfortunately, I will not be there to ask him these questions for I live far away from where Washington, D.C. It will be my sincere hope that people who have chance to be there would ask him such questions?
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January 1st, 2008 at 5:02 PM
fetno derash wrote: “Tell me now that people who were part of such an organization should not be part of the political process in Ethiopia.”
fetno derash,
In my earlier comment, I only asked for a clarification about what you meant. Thank you for your explanations here even though my question remains unanswered. And since you asked for what I want to tell you, yes, any Ethiopian that was involved in a single incidence of extra judicial execution must face justice. If such individuals wish to lead the people by hiding their known facts that others may not know, their mental state should be examined and treated at the tax payers expense since such individuals could be a menace to the society. All the political organizations you listed must expose such people individuals instead of giving them a membership card thereby giving them a hiding place.
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January 1st, 2008 at 5:09 PM
Hi Elias,
You have done a good job. Siye is not a hero by any means. He has to stand in front of justice for the crime he did when he was one of the senior officials of woyane government. Appology is not enough we need a justice.
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January 1st, 2008 at 6:04 PM
Dear Ethiopians,
Seye was one of some of the top right hands of Meles. No question. He shouldn’t be called a”Hero”. He is rather a criminal who has blood on his hand. As a human being, we know power makes people blind and stupid. He has done many stupid things during his time. What do you expect from a person who was a guirella fighter and to become a Board of director for a big company like Ethiopian Air Lines?. I am sure seye was doing what meles was telling him. He knew what was wrong and right. But he never expected days like that ( being thrown in jail) were coming.He then realized that a lot of ethiopians were under the rule of this tyrant decator and what they had been doing was wrong. Till that time of being in jail, for him it was ”HULGIZE FASIKA.”and Ethiopia was a Heaven on Earth.
It is only when we get hungry that we appreciate any food is good, otherwise, we would be selective and we don’t even know the existence of hunger. The same is true to seye. He realized the suffering of ethiopians after he got off the jail where he had all the lesson missed while he was in power.
Finally, I agree with Every Ethiopians HE IS NOT A HERO. Because, he didn’t do any thing to save Ethiopia. But he can be a good lesson for others not to do things like this. And I my self would like the Diaspora to just give him a chance to tell us what he did and why.Every thing comes for those who wait.
Thanks.
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January 1st, 2008 at 6:44 PM
Elias,
As much as I disagree with many of your points on other issues, I agree 120% with your point about Siye. He was part of TPLF and did many damages. Just because he went to jail and got released, it doesn’t make him a hero. He was one of the members of Meles’ regime. So you are more than correct on this issue.
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January 1st, 2008 at 7:35 PM
Happy new year Ellias and other fellow critique providers and readers. I am from Gambella state but residing in the U.S.A.I am here to say this. The diaspora Ethiopians political arena should not be a dumper for garbages of Meles Zenawe.We should not give a name hero to anybody who was a servant under that ethnic and fascist regime if we know the meaning of hero. Hero is a title that should be given to a person who did his best to liberate his nation and people from the york of repression like Nelson Mandala,Martin Luther King and Gandhi. But these Wayane garbages, Seyae, and other escapees lawyers shouldn’t fullfil the hero content. Yet, some Ethiopians are they, themselves who are illitrates and stupid to give hero title to murderers and wayane agents after their defection. The diaspora Ethiopians need to have a behaviral change not to be used as a garbages dumper. To do so, we need to ask Seyae and others to sign an appology petition like CUD leaders shamful signatures to come out from Jail. I want Ellias and other Ethiopians to take this comment seriously and apply it on any escapee who want to have a meeting with diaspora Ethiopians. Now, you should make Seyae Abrah signs a petition for regret, apology and handfull blood cleaner and call all Ethiopian’s meeting. To forgive seyae, I think northern and central Ethiopian diaspora residents in washington DC alone are not enough but the southern, south western, west and Eastern ethiopians blood that been washed into Genale, Awash, Dedessa, Openo/Baro/ and Omo rivers should be count too.Please make appology petition available and sign before any diaspora Ethiopians meeting held by those former wayane agents or authorities including Seyae Abraha.
Thankyou!
Have a nice happy new year!
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January 1st, 2008 at 7:48 PM
I always remember the first meeting of woyane in Africa Hall at the presence of Dr Asrat Woldeyes, who raised a question to Meles and Tamrat, chairing the meeting.
Dr. Asrat suggested that the Eritrean separation meeting to be held after a government is set up. He said that the then government was a temporary one with no mandate to rule the country and secede Eritrea from Ethiopia.
Seye, jumped out of his seat and said that the question raised by Professor Asrat Woldeyes was to damage ” the corner stone of that meeting”. He further asked the chairs not to entertain that question.
The meeting was adjurned by voting Eritrea to separate from Ethiopia. This was done by SEYE ABRAHA himself. ( I HAVE THE VIDO TAPE IN MY HAND FOR THIS MEETING )
“YEWOGA BERESA YETEWOGA AYRESAM” We all know who this individual is.
Now, let us hear if he apologizes for what he did in the past. Then we may support him to join Ethiopians in the diaspora and back at home. if not, we don’t need him any more. After all his time is gone and expired. He is an ordnary citizen now.
One day he will be accountable for all he did in the past together wth his P.M. Meles Zenawi.
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January 1st, 2008 at 8:15 PM
There is one great saying “Bedero Bere Ayetaresem”. I cant believe people are willing to listen to a dictator who has been responsible for the death of thousands insolent lives less than a decade ago. I don’t think his apology or reconciliation would bring back the lives of our brothers who fought the most senseless war that has ever taken place in our world. I think he is FINISHED*.
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January 1st, 2008 at 8:29 PM
Seye is not free man he is racist.I know him very well .He belived ethiopia under Tigray supermacy. He is one of known enemy to ethiopians .He is folower of sahel trety that signed b/n EPLF,TPLF AND OLF(today they call it ye chaka hege).He do not accept existance of other ethiopian.How could he become hero his is enemy and enemy of Ethiopia .He is equally responsible for all mess that happened during his power and position.
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January 1st, 2008 at 10:15 PM
thank you Elias. when Siye arrived here it shows that the rule of law applies to all equaly here. did he came to support hr 2003? or face saving for his crime aginst 70000+ lives? what will be his motive this time? is he still carrying two flags? I still smell the blood of the innocents on his hand. he is no hero of mine. he is one of TPLF thugs who caused disasters in our mother land.
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January 1st, 2008 at 10:27 PM
Elias, if Ethiopia and Africa can have a few reporters like you, by now all of those corrupt and power hungry politicians would have been in jails or out of power.
Siye, very interesting subject!
As most of you stated, Siye and his crew put the Oromo, Amhara, Adere and other ethinic group Ethiopians as a wave of canone folders during the Ethiopia-Eritrea war. Knowing that more than 70,000 innocent Ethiopians were perished due to the most despicable acts of such as Siye, a power hungry and the most racist of all, and now to call him a hero? What a shame. A call for Siye to apologize – is a call to let go any criminal with out any accountability and the consequences. Let say one criminal kills another innocent person, are we gone just accept the apology of that criminal and let him go free? Where is justice?
In conclusion, even if Siye apologizes (BTW: Tegrians are know for their double speaks and deceiving heart), are Ethiopians that naive and forgive this criminal. We might as well free those ex-derges who are put in jail by these same gang.
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January 1st, 2008 at 10:33 PM
There is something that always astonishes me in the Ethiopian political tradition. Once you go to jail for what ever reason and you start to make it political, you get acclamation from fans who do not look into the gist issues. I have not known Seye Abraha for being anti TPLF. His issue rotates around Eritrea and Meles. As an old comrade-in-arm with wodi Zenawi and a former school mate, I have seen Seye being very sentimental at times. What we all heard about him is that he was a good fighter and commander in the struggle against the Derg’s regime.
However, post Derg Seye is a different creature. He has used his political influence and position in the current government to benefit himself and his close family members. For me Seye symbolized corruption and narrow nationalism. By all standards Meles is more democratic and less narrow nationalist than wodi Abraha. We all were in the struggle and Seye’s militaristic solution seeking to all problems does not resolve Ethiopian political problems. For him capturing Asmara and toppling Esays’s government was a vindictive move rather than a politically motivated strategy. Then what?!!
I have seen some change in Seye’s approach once he came out of prison. He is willing to talk and come closer to the public. His interviews were very candid and moving. He is trying to speak his mind. Is he doing this because he was a former member of the TPLF ruling clique or is is because the government is excericing democracy? Is Seye the new ambassador at will to try and domesticate the opposition or is he sincerely interested in fighting for democracy and justice. It would only be fair to listen to him and then pass judgement. I am not expecting any miracles to happen or hear something new. Is he the new face of the TPLF led government trying to salvage the tarnished image of the ruling circle or is he a visionary? All these quesitons need to be addressed once we listen to his presentation.
Let’s be critical but not totally sckeptic; let’s give him the audience and listen to what he has to say but not expect miracles; last but not list, let’s give all members of the opposition the benefit of the doubt before being dismissive.
I for one will go to this meeting though I think the entrance fee is still too aggressive. Who are the organizers and why are they charging such an incredible amount to listen to Seye? Let’s all be clear if that is a fund raiser?!!! What if it were Berhanu or Hailu Shawel or any other leading member of the EPRP? Can they officially criticize the current regime as Seye openly does and continue to leave in peace? I doubt it.
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January 1st, 2008 at 11:20 PM
Ayte Siye may forget what he did to Ethiopia and the people of Ethiopia. But we never forget it, never ever. His long time friend Meles has set him free today. But tomorrow they will both be brought to justice. Ayte Siye does not have the moral ground to appear infront of Ethiopian and address them. In fact he has no moral ground to speak about any problem of Ethiopia when he is the one who planted and cultivated those problems. Ayte Siye Aynun bechewu tatbo nu simugn yibelen? Woy gud!!!!!
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January 2nd, 2008 at 12:12 AM
We know that Tagay Seye was the most bully ones of all Woyanes including Meles. He is, in fact responsible for Bedeno, Arsi and other crimes besides making our country land locked and dividing the country in ethinic lines.
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January 2nd, 2008 at 2:18 AM
Simply because Siye was jailed by Meles doesn’t warrant him a hero status. He is responsible for our 70,000 people perished in Ethio-Eritrea war in which he pushed mass of our citizens in to the trenches. What is the difference between Siye and Meles?? If Siye is a hero there is no reason why Meles could not be envisaged as a hero!
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January 2nd, 2008 at 2:31 AM
I think we have to listen what he has to say.
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January 2nd, 2008 at 3:12 AM
I have viewed all the opinions commented about ato siye.It is very nice to see “politicians” (if he is to be said so) from different angle both from their history and current opinions and view points and possible future directions as well.By this time ethiopians well know what we want though still starving for it.Whether he is trying to penetrate the public apparently and do the evil again or he already did understand what he commited before and is gonna regret and make some corrections(If he can)will be seen in the near future.To be rational enough even a criminal has the right to say and to speak of his opihion whether he/she regerets or is proud of what he/she did ,then the judjement follows we Ethiopian people (not the “politicains”)know how to judge rationaly and also know “yeneger akahed” very well …
In my opinion let us hear what he is gonna say and act accordingly with caution.Plus he might be the ladder to bring those people marginalized (because of the wrong deeds of the mafia leader and followers)because of irrational generalization.In my opinion the struggle for democracy should embrace all people of the country as much as possible.And finally the presenter of the critics ,I wanna ask you one question DO YOU BELIEVE ASSAB AND THE TERRITORIES upto MERSA FATIMA(if we use the so called colony map for bordering?)BELONGS TO ETHIOPIA OR NOT ?If not why? Coz i smell some sort of “eritreanism” from some of your opinions.
Selamun yamtalin,Biltsigina le ETHIOPIA
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January 2nd, 2008 at 8:43 AM
he is well experienced in politics…..he knows very well who EPRDF is…..so he helps a lot to free Ethiopia from EPRDF….so am really eager to hear from him his stands!!
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January 2nd, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Elias,
i agree with you that Seye is not a hero, had never been and will never be in the history of Ethiopia. His name will be remembered as a tyrant, narrow minded,mass murderer and an enemy of Ethiopians and Ethiopia.
we shall not expect any thing new from him. his staying in jail does not warrant him to recover the damage he has done. it is already done.
one thing is true, let us hear him and will judge him later with his known back ground.
thank you.
yigermal
01.02.08
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January 2nd, 2008 at 11:31 AM
My people what we foget is that Siye Abraha is human being , having said that, he deserve a second chance to corret his past.For siye to believe and to have done what he did , he was under differnt influence back in days-meaning when derg was bombarding tigray and among other things.My brothers and Sisters , as long as we don’t have a forgiving heart , a will to compromise, forgive and forget , we will continue to bucher one another. I for one think we should forgive siye, better yet bring him to the CUD; so he can give back to the people of Ethiopia. Siye is also the way to many Tigrian heart and minds. We all know what meless think he has a backing from – the Tigrayns.So lets us take his backings ; and reassure the people of Tigray that CUD is the Way ..Amesegenaleu.
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January 2nd, 2008 at 12:10 PM
“Eshohin be Eshoh” endilu, Melesn maswegeja lemefter enji, Siye bewunet ye100 amet tarik alat lemilat ager yitekmal biye alasebem.
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January 2nd, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Elias to inflamate the situation you brought the HERO word which no ethiowebsites has used to express Siye Abrha.They put a flyer just calling for a meeting.Dont’put word into their mouth.
Also you accuse him on Eritrean war with Ethiopia.There are so many cases to accuse him with like separating Eritrea from her motherland.I could not figure out why the war is your core issue.
Depspite whatever I think of him,I WILL LISTEN TO WHAT HE HAS TO SAY.
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January 2nd, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Seye could have been part of Ethiopia’s problem unknowingly or not, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be a solution!!! He met a number of Ethiopians in Boston and he had promised to continue in the struggle to bring law and order in Ethiopia! He said that despite the bitterness of him being jailed by Meles, he actually will shake Meles’ hand if he opens up the political space and seeks a real dialogue!!
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January 2nd, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Elias ,
as I pointed out on my last comment, please as an EDITOR, post clear messages. The death toll amounted as a result of the war between the two countries was between 70,000 to 100,000 as most of the pubblications and media suggested.And these numbers were shared between the two countries ,Ethiopians alone did not loose 70,000 soldiers as stated in your posting. Although I dont want anyone to die whether Ethiopian or other, the facts should be conveyed properly. Let me quote this from your commentary “…Ato Siye has the blood of at least 70,000 poor young Ethiopians on his hand whom he callously sacrificed using an outdated military tactic known as human wave to overrun Eritrean trenches”. This contraddicts with the real facts. Of course he has to be held responsile for any crime he commited , on that I agree with you, but your comment holds him responsible also for the Eritrean side which is very insane.
On top of that , all the pro-Elias or anyone reading your analysis now has in mind that Siye killed 70,000 Ethiopians ,and this is because of your rushing to judgement and emotionality. I dont know that much about Siye ,but I know that the devastating war did damage our country because Siye or whoever.
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January 2nd, 2008 at 1:49 PM
It is interesting to see such a huge response on Siye Abraham. This indicates the Diaspora is interested in him before and after his arrest. The man will definitely add to the current dialogue of Ethiopia politic and historical perspective to Woyanes early history. Such perspective will add to the literature to the TPLF rise and continued domination of Ethiopia. Give him a chance and hear what he has to say.
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January 2nd, 2008 at 4:56 PM
Don’t forget that it is Siye who freed you from Derg
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January 2nd, 2008 at 5:34 PM
I can not admire enough the courageous journalistic stances the Ethiopian Review has taken recently to advance what I call genuine and educative trend both to the naive public and the “so-called free press”.
I keep saying,the so-called free press and any political group
or otherwise should begin to take a serious inventory of events surrounding our country’s unprecedented socio-economy and political crises perpetrated- implicative or otherwise- and caused by individuals and homegrown Ethiopia’s enemies should be brought to light every day and every day and every day until the message take root. Until one clearly and unequivocally, and , of course, narrowly defines Ethiopia’s enemies it is infinity to win our uphill battle with poorly informed and biased public. It is long over due to educate
one another about our arch enemies, although it is harder for some to face a challenge(s).Ethiopian Review seems to take constructive sense of directions to shed light on roles played by any free media.
I ask any one: If the press or any one for that matter does not take the Bull by the Horn now, when should that be?
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January 2nd, 2008 at 7:12 PM
My favorite Character
My favourite character was, and still is, a real person. He is Seeye Abraha, or Seeye – as I have always thought of him – though in the Ethiopian tradition his (Coptic) christian name should be taken as Abraha. On the other hand, he shares some bigger than life features with the fictional heroes of adventure writers such as Earnest Hemingway. Of course he is ruggedly handsome, one of my female colleagues fell for him in a big way, and he is – to a degree – charismatic as all leaders have to be. But, unusually for someone whose deeds deserve to enter into history, he is self-effacing. You will certainly never have heard of him, and few others ever have. Yet, if the truth was known, he was one of the great figures of the last quarter of the 20th century.
I never found out anything about his earlier background, though it must have been somewhat privileged, for – when my account starts – he was at university studying medicine. It was the 1970s, and the communist dictator, Mengistu Haile Mariam, had not too long previously ousted Haile Selassie; the Ras Tefera still beloved of the Rastefarians. The momentous decision, which Mengistu then made, had a sound Marxist pedigree; Mao Tse Tung had just done it as part of his Cultural Revolution. It was to send the university students out into the country to work on the farms. Mengistu was, however, to regret this when, after seventeen years of revolutionary war, they returned – at the head of a column of tanks.
As a student from the Tigray province, where the rebellion started, Seeye eventually joined the rebel army. He described how, with mounting apprehension as to what his future might be, he took his last drink as a ‘free man’, in a bar in Asmara, before setting off to war. In view of his training, and his almost pacifist convictions, he became a medical orderly. Like everyone else in the rag-tag army, though, his only possessions were a blanket and the Kalashnikov rifle which was the common currency of the times. For almost a decade he was to sleep in ditches or under hedges, but almost never under a roof, with this trusty weapon at his side. Indeed, it was soon realized by his superiors that he was much more adept with the weapon than he ever was with his medicine. Thus, from the humblest of beginnings, began his military career.
The army he had joined had no great resources at its command. Indeed, the story is told of how, at the beginning, it had just two shotguns and five Lee Enfield rifles. Against it was ranged the military might of the Derg, the communist government, and that in turn was backed by the overwhelming might of the Soviet government. Paradoxically, the rebels too were Marxist – but this counted for nothing with the Soviets, who pumped in massive amounts of military aid; including a complete air-force and literally thousands of tanks. It was for this reason that the TPLF, the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Force as they liked to be known, briefly flirted with Bulgaria – then a leper even amongst communist states – for the simple reason that it was the only other Marxist nation opposing Moscow!
The outcome was that, throughout the revolutionary war, they never received a single piece of military aid from the outside world. This contrasted with almost every other successful revolution; where, for example, the Taliban in Afghanistan were resourced by the US and the rebels in Southern Africa were supported by Cuba. As a result, every bit of the TPLF’s military equipment had to be captured from the Derg forces. Thanks to Seeye’s tactics, though, they were incredibly successful in this respect, and ended up with thousands of captured tanks under their control, so much so that the end of the war featured massive tank battles, and its warehouses were full of more munitions than they could ever use.
Even food aid was withheld from them by the Derg. All the food paid for by the Band Aid appeals went to support the Derg armies, since Mengistu was using the famine in Tigray – the home of the TPLF – as a military weapon. In the process he quite deliberately killed a million civilians, where the even worse drought of ten years later only resulted in the deaths of 8,000. As a result, the rebels had to carve, by hand, roads through the Simian highlands – which rise to 18,000 feet – for heavy lorries to bring in from Sudan what little aid they did receive. Even then the trucks could only run at night, where they were bombed by day.
The one piece of new technology which did transform their warfare, though, was CB – Citizen’s Band – radio; which they used, superbly well, to coordinate their attacks. Apart from that they had very little. They were famous for wearing plastic sandals, which were much cheaper than boots. Indeed, their symbol for the first anniversary after winning the war was a sandaled foot crushing a helmet!
They were an unusual army, though. Discipline was self-imposed. The troops didn’t even have uniforms, and foot drill was unheard of. More amazing still, for those many who think that obeying orders without question is a life and death necessity in an army, the cadres of troops chose what to do themselves. If they ever needed to storm a position, knowing that many would die, they took a vote on the decision; and then, without fail, stormed the position. They ended up, without it being imposed, as the best army in Africa, and one of the best in the world.
I think one policy, perhaps better than any other, demonstrates how idiosyncratic yet successful, they were. It concerned the fate of any troops captured in an action. These were given three choices:
1) Join the rebels, which some did and died fighting for the TPLF cause.
2) Leave the country, and go across the border to Sudan, which some also did.
At this point most of my listeners expect to hear a third choice which says “or die”. The actual offer was, though, very different:
3) Go home!
It was a very humane offer, which most of them took up. They were given a month of political indoctrination, which wasn’t brainwashing but simply an extended explanation of what the TPLF planned to do for the country, and then they were repatriated to their homes in Derg controlled territory.
It was, however, not just ethically admirable but very effective militarily, for the Derg immediately drafted them back into its army. This meant that in every battle, when the chips were down for the Derg troops, there was always somebody to say “Shall we surrender and go home?” Vast numbers of such troops surrendered in this way, bringing their invaluable equipment with them!
As the war progressed, Seeye gradually was promoted, until – as the 1980s dawned – he became the general in charge of military planning; and ultimately their war-time leader. This meant he no longer had to sleep in a ditch. Instead he and his staff were housed in bunkers dug into a 2,000 foot high cliff face in the north of the country. There, underground, they were safe from the air-force who – during daytime – bombed anything that moved; even the farmers had to harvest their crops at night. At night, though, the pilots could not fly, so the cliff face – lit up by the thousands of fluorescent lights from inside the man-made caves – reportedly looked just like Manhattan.
Inside their own cave, Seeye and Meles – who handled all the diplomatic contacts and after the war became the president – had their Spartan bedrooms and a library; for both of them never gave up the learning they had started together at university. Seeye also had his map room, with a vast table spread with the maps of Ethiopia, on which he planned their campaigns. The one which was still there at the end of the war still showed the vast, sweeping movements of their armies as they converged on Addis Abeba.
Above all, Seeye’s genius, which eventually made him the most successful general in the last quarter of the 20th century, was in strategy. Five years before the end of the war he even predicted, correctly, in exactly what month his army would roll into Addis. His greatest victory though, the one which should have been on the front pages around the world, but never was, was the final battle of Teodras.
I well remember the British Ambassador saying to Seeye how they had all been surprised by the sudden collapse of the Derg army in this battle. I remember even more clearly the explanation for his ignorance: “MI6 wouldn’t pay for us to send spies behind your lines…you know, businessmen or academics.” At the time I was just such an academic! Seeye patiently explained to him that the planning for that ‘sudden’ victory had started more than two years before the battle. They had then spent those two years building the supply lines they would need, and the intelligence sources that would support their efforts. This timescale was much longer than for almost any other battle in history, with the possible exception of D-Day.
The battle, when it came, was indeed on a monumental scale; especially when it was supposedly conducted by a rabble of a guerrilla force. In fact, by then the warfare was almost traditional in its scale. Indeed, at the heart of the battle was a conventional tank battle involving something like ten thousand tanks, split evenly between the two sides; possibly the largest tank battle since World War II. The quarter of a million highly trained troops under Seeye’s command were opposed by approaching a million Derg conscripts. However, the outcome was inevitable. The TPLF lost only ten thousand troops, where the Derg army was routed; and in that rout something like half a million of them perished.
Thus it was that the TPLF’s armoured column rolled into Addis Abeba, meeting almost no resistance. I well remember that, when at last the Western papers realized what was happening, they graphically described seeing a burnt out tank on the approach to the city. In fact, the tank was outside the palace, scarcely 300 yards from the Hilton Hotel where the journalists stayed put and patronized the bar, listening to the stories anyone offered them. This was why they, and we, knew so little about the war, and the exploits of Seeye were never acknowledged.
His genius did not end with that final victory. He stepped aside and let the more diplomatic Meles, who had been in touch with the leaders of the nations around the world throughout the war, take over as President. He even helped negotiate a generous peace settlement with the defeated Mengistu, who then fled to hide in Harare. He finally withdrew to become Minister of Defence, with his reduced army of 100,000 troops acting as a guardians of the new peace. Until the war with Eritrea, which he was called back from retirement to fight, his army only fought one major battle. This was against the US backed OLF, which tried to restart the civil war. This new war lasted just three weeks, after all he still had the best army in Africa and the OLF only had mercenaries.
Paradoxically, before the war between the countries, he had also negotiated the secession of Eritrea, the first ever such move in Africa. He had also masterminded the new government’s move from Marxism to social democracy, albeit on the pragmatic basis that this was more likely to put bread in the mouths of the near-starving peasants, and – with the new President – introduced genuinely democratic elections; which at last made them, or at least Meles, for Seeye still managed to hide in the shadows, the darlings of Western governments.
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January 2nd, 2008 at 7:42 PM
Simply, Siye Abrha should go back to jail. He is not a hero. Ethiopians needs to stop giving sympathy every time someone goes to jail. Some still give sympathy to Derg prisoners who are still in jail….guess what??….they all deserve it and they are all sitting at the right place.
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January 2nd, 2008 at 8:02 PM
Siye is a trojan horse sent to destroy the opposition from abroad.
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January 2nd, 2008 at 9:37 PM
“By the time we get done with our plan, the notion of so called Ethiopia will forever vanish” Dawit Yohannes at the London conference in 1991.
In no time of human history citizens of a nation presided over the dismemberment of their own state. The three most evil force (Geragn(Turks), Mussolini and Woyane) encompassing past and present, ever to be unleashed to the nation of Ethiopia. Collectively they share one common truism. Hatred for everything that is Ethiopian, thereby destroy all elements that constitute ETHIOPOIA all while Pelage its resource as long as it lasts.
No communist nation including the old Soviet Union ever adopted Stalin’s so called national question that professes independence except you guessed it, the self deprecating cadres of Woyane who championed Article 39. Even the notorious Paul Heinz commented in his book with total puzzlement of Meles violent insistence for Eritrea’s Independence(more than Isayas Afewrki) arguing instead of Ethiopia’s fiscal and security viability as a land locked nation. The ensuing war to fight over the scrap of lunar landscape of Tigray, after conceding the lion share of the nations territorial integrity is a mockery to the gallant martyrs of Adwa, of Dervish, of Mekdella. In this case, fallibility in man who is not immune to mistakes cannot be used to cover the evil intent to destroy a nation from within. As Joseph Campbell once defined heroism it is a selfless act like an expectant mother, who gives up her life to give a new life ie: her child. Woyane is an anti thesis of a hero, an illegitimate child who grew up to be a nation-killer.
History has thought us that bandits are partner in crime even of high treason, up until it is time to part their spoil. Every enemy of Ethiopia throughout her existence, have all been consumed by the very flame they started which was intended to destroy her. Do you remember the old chant right after the end of Mussolini’s occupation. Awaye Mussolini ! Awaye Mussolini!… Tesebabro Kere ende Japan Sini. By interchanging the semantic, we shall sing soon the end of this unfathomable enemy of Ethiopia.
Before granting the benefit of the doubt to any key players of this apocalyptic regime which was hatched by a self obsessed ethnic vile, they need to give a full repentance before GOD and the Ethiopian people. If Seye has anything to say, let him confess first the plot he and his friends concocted somewhere in the woods of Tigray/ Eritrea and implemented it since 1991. He needs to come clean with the Ethiopian people with full contrition and beg for forgiveness. By pledging to help Ethiopia in purging and prosecuting her mortal enemies by producing material evidence in prosecuting their crimes. Only then we may glance at his future plan if we have time.
Anything less, is to betray our nation along with them.
GOD SAVE ETHIOPIA
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January 2nd, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Siye is murderer. He killed so many innocent people. Under his command, professor Asrat woldeyes was thrown to jail until his death. who would forget all those crimes committed by this evil person.
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January 2nd, 2008 at 11:16 PM
former woyane/tplf gang, this is the guy who was robbing ethiopian people. this thug deserves life time prison without parole.
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January 3rd, 2008 at 12:30 AM
I cannot say Siye Abraha is a hero. Primarily, he was not struggling for the whole Ethiopian people. He disagreed on sharing with his collogues then finally threw to jail. Can we say such a person a hero? Let’s use the word on proper way.
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January 3rd, 2008 at 12:52 AM
ERMIAS (15),
LISTEN freind, I wasn’t here in the U.S. breathing nicely when Siye and his gang committed atrocities against Ethiopian people. I saw every thing.
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January 3rd, 2008 at 1:26 AM
Thank you! I some times agree with you!
Tintagu
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January 3rd, 2008 at 10:37 AM
Thanks ER. Siye is more of a villian than a saint. Ethiopia has a lot of heroes and heroines, Siye is not one of them. He oversaw and led the killings of thousands of innocent Ethiopians, esp during the 1991-95.
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January 3rd, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Aregu,
How convincing you look when you said,”… The death toll amounted as a result of the war between the two countries was between 70,000 to 100,000 as most of the publications and media suggested. And these numbers were shared between the two countries, Ethiopians alone did not loose 70,000 soldiers as stated in your posting…”
The death toll on the Ethiopian side – if you really want to know – is 123,000. This figure squarely belongs to the loss of the Ethiopian army. Eritrea on its part lost 19,000 soldiers. (To verify Eritrean loss check Awate.com – a strong critic of the Eritrean government) – In fact, there is a list of 19,000 Eritreans martyrs on Awate.com. So, don’t try to play with figures. Siye and the current leaders of Weyane know how many poor peasants they have sacrificed. Siye should be accountable for the death of 123,000 soldiers.
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January 3rd, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Hi Elias,
It is a good point for discission. How come one bloody criminal becomes a national hero for he was kept behind a bar due to power struggle with his boss, Meles?
It is a recent memory for Ethiopian people what he did. Imagine dear Ethiopians, What would we say, if Meles was incarcerated by somebody else becouse of power struggle and freed after certain years? Would he be a national hero or we would need him for justice in all opportunities for the crime he did?
Siye did series crime for our country and and people. To mention some
1)He is one of the authors ethno-centric politics in Ethiopia
2) He made with his freinds our country land locked.
3) He was one of the cooperators of the current regime for the unfair Ethio-Eritrea economic relationship before the war broke out.
4) He is responsible for killing of Addis Ababa University Students in 1985EC
5)He is also responsible for the killing of 70000 ethiopian military force due to Ethio-Eritrea conflict
6) He was one of the vanguard to design the current undictator and undemocratic regim.
We need a justice for this arrogant blood sucker not appology?
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January 3rd, 2008 at 1:37 PM
“I ask Er to post this article written by Girma Kassa”
I prefer to wait and hear from Ato Siye himself. So far from what I have heard, in interviews he made after his release, I see a seasoned individual, with great wisdom and strong commitment for the national unity of Ethiopia and the rule of law. I see a man who can play a pivotal role in bringing Ethiopians together and help remove the deepening polarization of Ethiopia that are caused by the ill-fated ethnic politics of TPLF.
In the January 5th meeting, I would like to hear his stand on the poisonous article of the constitution that give right to “nations and nationalities” to secede from Ethiopia. I would like to hear if his first commitment is for Ethiopia as a whole instead for only one region. I would like to hear if he has a willingness to join a political party that is not organized under an ethnic group?
During the May 2005 Election one thing is clear. Despite of the facts ethnic politics had been preached for more than 15 years, Ethiopians has voted for “Ethiopiawinet”. They want to live together in a strong, prosperous, peaceful, democratic and United Ethiopia where all its citizens live in dignity and respect. Ethiopians do not want to see bloodshed anymore. They do not want to be treated as second class citizens when all the privileges go only to certain group of people.
Will Ato Siye keep note of these heart beats of Ethiopians? Will he notice to what Ethiopians have rejected? Will he sense that there is a big divide and polarization within Ethiopia that can be healed only when people are brought together? Will he try to be part of the solution or instead continue to massage bad policies of his old party, the TPLF?
Ato Siye has a clear and golden opportunity to play a major role within Ethiopia. If he still espouses his old ethnic politics (like the Tigray Arena leadership did), I believe Ato Siye’s influence will be mainly in Tigray and cannot have at all any national impact.
To the contrary if he endorses a federal Ethiopia that is not based only on ethnicity, Ato Siye will clearly demonstrate that he is no longer in line with a rejected politics. He could easily join organization like the CUD or the UEDF and struggle for the betterment not only of residents of one region but of all Ethiopians.
The choice is his. I see a great potential for him. I see his popularity grow among Ethiopians outside Tigray. I advise him to make bold actions, not spoil this opportunity and be in deeds the true son of Alula (dekialula), a man who put Ethiopia first.
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The writer, Girma Kassa, can be reached at Muziky68@yahoo.com
[Reply]
January 4th, 2008 at 2:11 AM
Hi people,
Why u can not speak the truth? Why you go only in one direction, with a very narrow ethinicity? I know who are the comment writters here. Because, we all ethiopian who love ethiopia also love Siye Abraha.
He is the person who strictly stand against the action taken by Meles to make our country land locked. Please think over it. How much money we are spending for the ports of our neighbour countries?
Another thing, we know the Ethio-Eritrea war was come to its final by the winner of Ethiopia. Who was the leader for Satelite image and our air forces?
Please do not misinterpret Siyes role for Ethiopia. Some times people from Tigray ( particularly one wereda from where Meles was born) hate him because he is a Friend of Tamrat Lyne, Dr. Brhanu Nega, Birtukan Demeksa—-. Why not?
So, please think and try to use ur mind who give u GOD to think wisely not in an animalistic way.
[Reply]
February 6th, 2009 at 1:02 PM