Birtukan Mideksa surrendering ceremony
It is not a new thing for Ethiopian political leaders to betray their supporters, and the people of Ethiopia, in general. Even the great Hailu Shawel had succumbed to that tradition. So it is not with any shock or surprise we learned about the betrayal of Birtukan Mideksa whom just recently we referred to as “lady liberty.”
Birtukan has followed the footstep of her former leader, Hailu Shawel, to the Ethiopian political graveyard so soon after she became a leader on her own right. At least Hailu Shawel lasted several years as a respected leader. Even the now discredited Lidetu Ayalew and Taye Woldesemayat lasted many years as popular leaders. Birtukan’s fall from grace is as sudden as her meteoric rise.
What Birtukan Mideksa did on Wednesday, June 18, 2008, and for several months before that, was a complete surrender of herself, her colleagues, her supporters, and her party to the Meles dictatorship in the most shameless way.
Here is what Birtukan did:
1) In September 2007, she assured her followers that the name of the party, Kinijit, will not be changed no matter what. She explicitly said that keeping the name Kinijit is one of the issues that the party will fight for. But when she returned to Ethiopia, within a few weeks, she changed her mind and abandoned Kinijit as the name of the party just because Woyanne told her so. She did not put up any resistance — be it legal, political, diplomatic… none. We did not say much, wanting to give her the benefit of the doubt.
2) Since September 2007 — for the past 10 months — Birtukan said not a word of criticism against the Meles dictatorship when it burned down villages, engaged in indiscriminate execution of civilians, including women and children, gang rape of women, and committed other horrible crimes against fellow Ethiopians in Ogaden and the people of Somalia. She did not utter a word of concern about Woyanne’s secret land deal with Sudan, or about the millions of starving children… During this period, the only word of complain, concern or criticism that came from Birtukan was against freedom fighters who chose to raise arms to defend themselves and their people from the brutal dictatorship. She called their method of defending themselves “backward.” We did not say much, except grumbling a little, because we really wanted her to succeed.
3) Birtukan had promised her supporters that Kinijitj’s 8-point peace proposal will continue to be the primary rallying point of the party. She even mentioned that when she testified before the U.S. Congress. She said: “The proposals that are currently being deliberated in this House [of Representatives] are vital to the revitalization of human rights in Ethiopia, and in many ways reflect the policy positions of the CUDP, and many stated in our 8-point proposal.” But when she returned to Ethiopia, she arbitrarily set aside the 8-point proposal without any discussion, explanation, reason… We only complained privately. Did not say much in public.
4) For the past 10 months, few or none of the families of Kinijit activists, particularly the young ones, who endured incredible suffering have not received any attention. Those young Kinijit activists were the workhorse of the party. They are now totally abandoned by Birtukan. ER has raised this issue often, but the only answer from Birtukan was, the party lacks the capacity to provide economic assistance to its activists. She was saying this while a quarter of a million dollars was sitting in the bank doing nothing.
Birtukan went on committing one blunder after another with little or no public criticism. Most of the young leaders of the party left quietly, disappointed and frustrated with Birtukan’s lack of leadership, and willful submission to the Woyanne tyranny. Many of the older leaders remain in the party because of yilugnta (ይሉኝታ). They will drop out one by one soon after the current commotion ends.
UDJ’s general meeting on Wednesday was a culmination of all of Birtukan’s blunders. To start with, most of the delegates who attended the meeting cannot really be called delegates. They were handpicked and paid by Birtukan to come to the meeting and crown her. The delegates represent no organized constituency, with the exception of a few. Secondly, the whole party formation process took only one day — including drafting, discussing, and approving the party’s bylaws and political program, nominating and electing the council members and the executives. In short, the so-called general assembly was similar to Meles Zenawi’s rubber stamp parliament. Every thing was decided for the ‘delegates’ in advance of the general assembly.
Birtukan and her UDJ will soon join Beyene, Lidetu and their fake parties as Woyanne decoys.
Oh, she will be glad to know that from now on she will be a regular guest at the American embassy cocktail parties.
On top of all the faking that went on in Addis Ababa, the Diaspora UDJ supporters are making too much noise, pretending to be happy as if something big has happened. But the hard truth some refuse to swallow is that what happened on June 18 was a camouflaged surrender ceremony — Birtukan surrendering to Woyanne.
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FORUM | 94 Comments
If I understand correctly, yours (and possibly others) frustration stems from two major concerns:
1. that the fromation of an impotent UDJ under the prevailing circumstances might give the legitmacy the TPLF regime and its sponsors are badly in need
2. This UDJ affair might ellude some into believing that there is a political space left in Ethiopia for peaceful process, eventually distracting our focus from other options of struggle for freedom.
Although I share these concerns, I still believe that UDJ should be encouraged and supported for the following reasons:
1. It is the only forum to organize Ethiopians at home and break the current atmosphere of hopelessness that followed the split in the CUD. This appears the only way to keep the light of hope flickering even if one cannot do so without the blessing of the TPLF.
2. The pro-democracy block is under strong pressure from all sides including the masters of the TPLF to play the game by the ever changing rules of the lawless regime. It can prove that the people are willing to use the little opening available if it helps solve the current crisis short of violence.
3. There is no way UDJ’s formation can affect the momentum of those who took a different course to challenge the regime (like Ginbot 7). That is why the Ginbot 7 founders expressed their appreciation to UDJ leaders although they do differ in strategy.
With all due respect, I suggest you save your comments for a later date. You are only recommending to quit the current process, but did not suggest a realistic alternative. Quit everything and sit at home, form an underground party, or what?
Finally, many in the leadership are respected personalities, experienced and educated people and I don’t think they will be herded at will or be hostages of ‘yilugnta’ to satisfy the ego of one individual as you tried to portray them in your commentary. I would also suggest you verify some of the rumours regarding UDJ before posting (like the resignation of some from the leadership, etc).
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June 19th, 2008 at 6:02 AM
Why is AIGA forum, the mouth piece of Meles Zenawi so happy with UDJ? What ever AIGA says it is upon UDJ to prove that it is not what AIGA thinks it is and what many ethiopians including THE ER MAN fears to be true is wrong. Read the following it is worrying.
http://www.aigaforum.com/Birtukan_UDJ.htm
Small step For democracy, big Setback to Anarchy
Ms.Bertukan has taken the mantle of the Kestedemena’s offshoot, UDJP. One may have over looked the historical nature of the moment – a women has taken a leadership of a political organization. It could be that the Men of the hour may have been taken by “Kofen” in time of the turmoil, never the less, her decision to come forth puts her in the footsteps of Taitu. Medekisa’s trajectory from the ungraceful moment of “Hulem Mereyenot” at Boston, which may have been influenced by her then handlers who now take “Aradanet” and vulgarity as trade mark for their political strategy, to be this women with sense of direction is admirable.
But the formation of the UDJ is a slap in the face to the Andargachews who unashamedly reminisced to have advised against taking to elders and known personalities on the merits of going to parliament on the account that they would support instead. The confusion between building democracy and power struggle is evident in this weeks backpacker across Europe who are thumb their chest in juvenile revolt “Meles and Bereket are not going to tell us what to eat, what do and what we do”. What is lost is on them is that Meles or Bereket don’t speak for themselves but are executives of the government that rules people of 80 million. And indeed, Governments do tell us what to eat, what to drink etc. The government they so desire to Emulate have the FDA, the zoning ordinates, the FCC etc where to demonstrate, how to demonstrate etc. The US government was dealing us Lybia and closed a deal at a time when it was accusing a certain Alamudi for dealing with the same country. It was dealing with Iran through back channels while baring and fining Americans who do the same. That a government is the only one with a sole power with a legitimate use of force is lost on them. That is what happens when small people get undeserved proximity to the powers that be. When they get respect they disrespect you. “Tinish Sew hulem Tinish new”. These individuals can rendezvous with another irresponsible election observer and dream of a country of doom and gloom. The self appointed armchair General and Shabia interlocutors can cry FAKE, FAKE. But Ethiopia’s future is bright.
UDJ’s acceptance of the rule of the game and its attempt not only abide it but go to extra mile to show they do abide by and ask their adversary to do the same, surely would usher a pause and help tender the wounded body of Constitutional rights that have been, at times, victim of collateral damage in a fight between the government and forces that want to unseat it. It puts the lazy and incompetent EPRDF cadres who choose a short cut instead of doing all what is required within the law to win in democracy in the spot light. These requires the UDJ to force those supporters who are for “peaceful struggle” by day and “ Ulegeb” by night that they can’ have it both ways. I would have said Congratulation let the battle for democracy begin, but let me say for now Congratulation, lets see where you are heading. Cautious optimism wins the day.[Alula Nega 6-19-2008]
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June 19th, 2008 at 7:59 AM
ስላም ወንድሜ አቶ ኤሊያስ ክፍሌ እንደምን ሰንብተሃል ከፕሮግራምህ ተከታታዮች አንድነኝ ለአንተም ትልቅ ከበሬታ አለኝ ሆኖም ግን አንድነት ለፍትህ ለዲሞክራሲ ሊቀመንበር ላይ በብርቱካን ላይ እንዲሁም በአጤቃላይ ስለ ፓርቲው የወደፊት አቅጣጫ ላይ የጻፍከው ጽሁፍ በአኔ እምነት ትንሽ የፈጠነ እንዲሁም የስዎቹን ድካም ያጣጣለ በመሆኑ ጽሁፉን ልታርመው ይገባል እላለሁ ወንድሜ
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June 19th, 2008 at 9:18 AM
No, Elias,now you are not right.
The Birtukan Leadership is challenging woyanne going forware with its principle. She is facing the struggle that woyanne does notlike most. This is the kind of struggle that requires the sacrifice of the leaders, struggle face to face in dictators positions.
We are great full for what is doing, and her struggle with and in the people of Ethiopia definitely becomes successful.
What you have to know, Elias, about Birtukan is that she does not break her promise to Ethiopia and its people. She showed that with her short and young experience.
Elias, i asure you, do not worry, she is a person of prinicple and integrity. Every thing comes step by step on its period.
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June 19th, 2008 at 9:40 AM
Where shall we go from here? Does this mean the end of UDJ? Do we have to have a general meeting to disqualify Birtukan Mideksa and nominate another person instead of her?
The pain we are going through has become unbearable, and how do we know Ginbot 7 is a reliable organization if we join it?
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June 19th, 2008 at 9:49 AM
Dear my fellow Ethiopains would we please try changing our culture of critics to support and encouragement. Whom you think is perfect. Nobody is perfect. Let us develop positive thinking and support positive thinking event the Woyanne team. They will start thinking positively. We all have the same blood and think same though seems different.
Let us promote modern politics
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June 19th, 2008 at 9:58 AM
Dear Editor,
Thank you for updating us the information that we all want to listen. With all my respect for your resourceful and informative site, it looks you have oversimplified the current situation. To say in a simple term The real Stalin with absolute power is dictating Ethiopia.
In my opinion we may not find a single approach to tackle the problem. What both group are doing is fine (Birhanu and birtukan). What matters most how this two group use their approach to bring a meaningful change. That We have to see together. Please be patinet and give them some time to act!
With very best regards
Ewnetu
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June 19th, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Dear Elias,
Let us hope that your perspective was shared as a humble reminder to Ethiopians to critically question any political movement that might affect their lives.
With due respect to your freedom of speech/ writing,I would like to suggest that you are un productively negative in your posting these days. I have confidence on you that with all your expertise, you can do a much more positive role than the traditional insult-based brilliance. You are underutilizing your talent especially when you do the ordinary thing in much less ordinary way. You seem to be a well- read person and a proud Ethiopian.I always admired you for your talent.
What I advise you, if I may say that, is use your website to heal the minds of many who, for various reasons, got lost in the political termoil of the past. Ethiopians need to cultivate their minds, listen to their hearts of hearts in reflection. Gone are the days when we had the “luxury” of insulting each other and diminishing ourselves every day. This time must be a time of healing and it requires people like you, who have the the opportunity and the wisdom. Forgive me if I am direct in this matter but I bet that you can do better. We have heard enough of the revolution of the opressed. We seem to like the word “opressed” for that matter. Let us begin with the positive thing we have as Ethiopians and heal the wound first. Sorry , I am biased again but many Ethiopians are either don’t know or get confused what to lean on when it comes to identity as Ethiopian bearning their ethnic identity. The quiet ones are innocently embarraced by the ignorance of the vocals. Some wonder what difference it makes for Ethiopians to live in the first world (civilized world) If they don’t think the civilized way. I understand that sometimes it is right to call a spade spade, but there will be time for that too. We may call a spade spade for the positive consequence too. In any case, we, unfortunately are not at that level where we criticize our perceived wrongs. We are in our milk age when it comes to genuine values- we lie and decieve ourselves claiming what we are not- We ( I am referring to many of us)need to stop and think what helps us grow, brings us together,and identify us as ethiopians of many tribes.
And you, Elias are a great person, You got tremendous gifts but for heaven sake don’t underutilize it doing the ordinary thing in much ordinary way. Use the command of your English and the excellence of your writing to heal mind, clear the cloud of confusions that is hovering over the mind of many Ethiopian in diaspora who are still in state of dialema about what it means to be an Ethiopian when Ethiopians are sucpecious of each other on foreign land
I hope to read your excellent piece
Bid
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June 19th, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Elias: What an incredible observation. You showed to many that no one can get away easily by fooling poor Ethiopians. I like your non-partisan observation of these complex situations. I believe UDJ won’t deliver any thing to poor Ethiopians if it keeps continuing with this course. And its supporters need to understand the double edged game of politics being played by this oldies and opportunists.
It doesn’t require one to be a rocket scientist to figure out what way to take to challenge Meles and his cohorts. They say fool me once, shame on you, and fool me twice, shame on me for being fooled again. UDJ can’t fool us again and we are not going to be lured to them for a political direction that won’t get us nowhere except be listners of Meles Zenawi’s Arrogancy
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June 19th, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Elias,
You are simply incredible!
Thank you man! I usually don’t agree with you much but on this one, you nailed it on the head. I heard much about you that you are an Eritrean and more, but regardless, what you put in your article is the fact and I thank you for it.
Ethiopia Will Prevail!
Qualkidan
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June 19th, 2008 at 10:47 AM
It is too early to make such a statement
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June 19th, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Jegnawoo Elias, it is too early to judge the true Ethiopia hero . Give her a time and watch. Elias do not forget!!! the rigem in Addis Ababa is the most cruel and evil to their our people. they do not give you any chance to survive. so what is wrong to play a little bit trick until you get the upper hand? This Beautiful and energetic Ethiopian ( African) hero waging war against the barbaric weyane regime by any means. She will do what Elias suggested to do when she get strength. She has to play this game . Remember Elias you said last time ” We have to wage all out war against Meles ( Criminals) “. that is what she is doing.
God be with Her.
The enemy of ethnic obsessed weyane.
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June 19th, 2008 at 10:54 AM
There is an argument from some quarters that it does no harm for people to fight their own way i.e the so called peaceful way and armed struggle. On the surface, it looks like a valid point. But Woyane needs these lame duck opposition parties to be in the country to legitimize its rule or deceive the donor nations that there is a democratic process in Ethiopia albeit at an infancy. These are the arguments the US and some European countries employed in the past to justify giving the minority ethic group ruling the country the benefit of a doubt. With out the lame ducks, Woyane would be naked and what is more, Ethiopians would be united behind the only realistic way out of the predicament we find ourselves in – the language woyane understands best. There is no denying the fact that, in 2005, CUD exposed the woyanes for what they are but that avenue has sadly now been exhausted. If in doubt, re visit the last local election and that clearly is an indicator for what is in store for us. Lets not kid ourselves that the peaceful straggle can take any more steps forward now that the Woyanes have learned a valuable lesson in 2005. It is true that the Woyane armed struggle did not bring peace and democracy to Ethiopia but that is because Woyane’s agenda was never peace and democracy rather developing Tigray at the expence of the rest of the country. I can’t say they have not delivered on their promise. So that is no argument against an armed struggle. Remember an armed struggle is what made Ethiopia the only non colonized African pride of a country.
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June 19th, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Elias, they say LETEKEMACHE SEMAY KIBU….man…what do you talking about? Elias you are rushing too fast, slow down man..you sound like you are driving 200mph while the speed limit is 55mph highway. You need to slow down, and it is very shame that you rushly to associate the Birtukan group with the so called trash lidetu and beyene. Come on man…what kind of weigh scale you have at home? Make sure you inspect you measure scale as well? Sometimes you seem like you are driving a car without speedometer and tried to judge your speed by your contact between your foot and gas pedal. Anyway UDJ are doing the best, regardless in order to stick with the name kinijit it wasn’t birtukan’s fault, since there was a highly embarked enemy with in the party kinijit had been created by the moron hailu group and in addition to that Ayele chamisso has sold his identity to weyane to fight against kinijit. So how many things birtukan and her strong group fight at a time….i.e. weyane, hailu group, lidetu group, Ayele chamiso group formed by weyane, the Diaspora eprp group,,,and now the ER initiated by emotional strategy rather than pure facts. Again I think UDJ are doing the right thing and following the best strategy…lets give them time even if they do mistakes this is the type of way we should criticize them. since they have proven them selves in so many ways, instead we need to keep giving them our ultimate support. by the way if birtkuan brought all the participants with the UDJ expense from the rural areas, I wouldn’t blame her since the cost of life is very critical in Ethiopia and most participants cant afford even to buy a loft of bread….instead if ER is generous enough send them some money for their next meeting to help them for transportation purposes and daily luncheon and dinner for their pocket money. Finally I have a big support and admire for UDJ while I urge the ER editor to get out your reckless driving emotional way and do your state inspection before your point out ur finger on UDJ…by the way after reading your trash article against UDJ…I checked the name of the website since I was assuming this article belongs to debeteraw and ethiolion. By the way ER you have taken debeteraw and ethiolion jobs…so what could they post on their website? For this matter I have to be outrageous on you ER…..
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June 19th, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Elias, take it easy bro. Tone down your rhetoric. This is an extremely courageous person trying to operate under very difficult conditions. Don’t be so quick to criticize. In fact, she and the new organization deserve all the support we can muster. Go Birtukan!!
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June 19th, 2008 at 12:57 PM
ER
You put it succinctly. Not biased to individuals or groups. Yes, NO YULUGNTA. Kudos Elias. But my question is; how can you compare this woman with a man of clarity like Lidetu Ayalew who is not
a confused soul like the lady? One might not agree with Lidetu but he is his own self with clear method of struggle and principle, but the woman has no vision and acting like a toy to amuse everyone as is seen by her adorers. UDJ is stillborn when it was contemplating to put the lady without vision as it’s head. Yes, NO YULUGNTA. Elias, you are one of real trendsetter. Kudos again.
Cheers
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June 19th, 2008 at 1:14 PM
bravo elias you have the ability to smell from distance.
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June 19th, 2008 at 2:42 PM
eliase, you are stupid. The profession of journalism is not insulting people.you consider yourself “journalist”.go and read what journalism mean.
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June 19th, 2008 at 2:48 PM
You are biting everyone like a mad dog. Without even giving UDJ a time to prove what they are able to. Your master (shaebia) is not favaring UDJ that is why they send you to bark. Shame on you.
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June 19th, 2008 at 3:11 PM
I think Elias is not normal. He was the one who once praised
burtkan and know he wants to throw her. Elias why don’t you
go to Ethiopia and show your courage? We are fade up hearing your leadership lead being in the USA on the fertile ground.
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June 19th, 2008 at 3:11 PM
Dear Elias,
I am glad you finally got it.
I am totally convinced you misunderstood Eng. Hailu Shawel, because you were totally hate blinded by the Shaleqa Yoseph group.
It is now confirmed (please check with your source) that the US Embassy in Addis holds a meeting Monday – June 16, 2008 with UDJ & Woyannie officials. The Woyannies gave a go ahead after the group agreed to be a law abiding opposition group (loyal as a dog to the Zenawi government). The US embassy also assured the group that Money should not be an issue. The rest is not difficult to forecast.
This not a new information for us, but for many of your audience it is.
My hats off for your fact based article. By the way you also left the Abugida group naked on Saturday. They are not a match for your evidence & fact-based report on the issue.
I am also vindicated because what I said about Birtukan and the group turned out to be correct.
Here is my catch for your audience (which I consider them to have a lower IQ) about the ongoing struggle. There are 2 ways to get rid off Zenawi and his TPLF mafias. Peaceful struggle & armed struggle.
For peaceful struggle to succeed, at least 85% of the opposition group has to come together in that form of struggle. The Government will listen if the opposition is united and succeed in calling protests, boycotts, civil disobedience etc. You can only do this if you are united. For example if the CUD calls a strike and the UDJ and UEDF doesn’t follow, then it will not work and as the process people will lose confidence. And then with out any pressure the government will be free to crackdown on the opposition.
Armed struggle: We should support armed struggle by any means as long as it is conducted by trusted and genuine leaders.
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June 19th, 2008 at 3:28 PM
Elias, It is too early to gudge birtukan leadership and UDJ future struggle to bring freedom, democracy and peace in ethiopia. give the benefit of doubt for some time they just annaunced their party yesterday. let see and talk later then we will hear you. but now i just ignored your comment for the sake of benefit of doubt.
I still like your informative ablity and dvotion.
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June 19th, 2008 at 3:30 PM
good advise: I repeat go and learn to have the slightest Knowledge in what journalism means.
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June 19th, 2008 at 3:35 PM
Yes, Elias you are stupid, Now I will not trust you more, you start serving Meles’s regim. The lady that has sufferd alot since her judgship, you are buring the struggle of Ethiopian People
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June 19th, 2008 at 3:37 PM
Elias ahun genna techemalk, chemlaka
your hiden agenda will be exposed soon
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June 19th, 2008 at 3:40 PM
Elias ,I do not understand why are you rushing to criticise those who are doing their best at home? do you thing any one can bring any change from aboard? It better do not give any chance to EPRP menga negadewoch to interfere an internal affairs of UDJ. By the way , what has your tegbar accomplished from USA? I do not think you can help Gingot7 IN THIS WAY.
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June 19th, 2008 at 3:54 PM
Elias said: “…To start with, most of the delegates who attended the meeting cannot really be called delegates. They were handpicked and paid by Birtukan to come to the meeting and crown her…”.
They were paid? How true is that? Well, we have no reason to doubt Elias because we have never caught him lying before.
On top of that, when Weyane did not allow them to meet in a hotel and their office, Eng. Gizachew Shiferaw said that they will ask permission and do their assembly on the 18th June, after 4 days. Eng. Gizachew Shiferaw added that they will pay the delegates to stay until Wednsday. Yes, pay the delegates to stay for few extra days.
Here you have, the delegates are bought as Elias stated.
I will try to get Eng. Gizachew Shiferaw’s audio clip if there is anyone who is doubting about it.
Or, if any one knows where exactly the clip is, please post it.
I heard him say that live on ECADF.
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June 19th, 2008 at 4:05 PM
Dear Editor I would like to apologize for my negative comments to U though U don’t deserve that. I know U are unethical editor who is playing negative role as long as opposition parties are concerned. U spend too much time in criticizing opposition parties than the brutal dictator leaders. And this context of Ur article tell us nothing but Ur wish to seek friendship from Andaegachew’s side. This Ethiopian review website has said more than enough about UDJ & has widens the minute differences of opposition groups and makes them hostile. Dear Elias! Stop this evil mission & be positive U have the access and the potential to make them strong and unit please play that role.
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June 19th, 2008 at 4:08 PM
Another thing, why is Aiga forum being so nice about Birtukan/UDJ?
Doesn’t that explain every thing?
Aiga is in love with Birtukan, now, and that should cement the editorial of Elias.
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June 19th, 2008 at 4:10 PM
elias i donn’t understand your idea sometimes you support samtimes you are against with burtukan in ehtiopia which opposition group open ther mouth in this time i are you little bit lost somewhere to play the game you have to be smart or don’t play bhined burtukan there this hero docters and prof.
so elase thing twice
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June 19th, 2008 at 4:22 PM
Elias
Why do you have to be obstacle for a peace full struggle?
We love our country also we have a right chose our struggle to set free our country from Woyanne
You are doing a lot of good for the struggle please doesn’t destroy your credit.
You are doing a lot of good for the struggle please doesn’t destroy your credit.
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June 19th, 2008 at 4:23 PM
Your Analsysis is TERA!
Respectfuly
Daniel
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June 19th, 2008 at 4:26 PM
have you done any thing good in your life man. grow up
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June 19th, 2008 at 4:32 PM
Dear Weyni! this is a new strategy chosen by Bereket to divide & weaken the opposition front , mainly of the fragile diaspore should aware of that.
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June 19th, 2008 at 4:55 PM
THIS IS UNFAIR AND STUPID WAYANE IDEA.NO WAY TO STRUGGLE IN THE COUNTRY TO ORGANIZE PEOPLE RATHER THAN FORMING LEGAL PARTY.TIH IS TOO FOOLISH CRITIC
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June 19th, 2008 at 5:36 PM
Did you listen today’s VOA the lady is giving compliment about herself? I am a woman, I am young, and ehhhhh? I am Bertukan? Former dictator likes power very much and never praised himself even the now existing never did. Hey Burte I know that you didn’t take political science but you are a social scientist and we need commen sense from you even if you didn’t have commen course from political science dep( may be). yemiyategib enjera kemitadu yastawekal betechemari yeAyen feker keBurte gar yeyazachu sebseb bey atebergageji beluwat belelegne Elias.
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June 19th, 2008 at 6:05 PM
Hello Elias, give us more evidence why we should back your point. It is not quite enough to line behind you and turn our back to Birtukan.
In my opinion we can have both Ginbot7 and Birtukan’s party as what the Northen Iish Catholics used to have: The political party inside and The military party outside.
Thank you
[Reply]
June 19th, 2008 at 6:06 PM
When a person starts to suffer from paranoa he or she starts to compare himself or herself with the most famous and powerful person in the world. Elias you are losing it. You do really need to check yourself.
A brotherly advise
[Reply]
June 19th, 2008 at 6:16 PM
Elias,
Don’t give up brother! Not now, for you have already gone the miles. Politics is sometimes like a prostitute. It goes for the money, or in Ms Birtukan’s case, for fame as well. I did not said it for I really don’t want be a Spoiler” when all the euphoria was at its peek when the Knjit leaders were released from prison and; when it appeared there developed some kind of unfortunate crack in the party unity when we were told that Eng’r Hailu Shawl had betrayed the party and country and that judge Birtukan Mideksa and Dr. Berhanu Nega were on the right track and so on and so forth.
As an Eritrean who wishes nothing less than a congenial and very satisfying relationship with Ethiopia and the Ethiopian people, I was saddened to learn Dr, Berhanu was quoted (and I am paraphrasing) “If there is any virtue of seceding from a country, it hasn’t helped Eritrea?” or something to that effect!
I was devastated to hear statements like that from one who has the potential to be in a leadership position in Ethiopia. Everyone that follows the events of the last 17 years and certainly the last 10 years, Eritrea was subjected and is still being subjected to unwarranted and uncalled for demonization, not only by the hapless Weyanes, but by the US and UK-led European governments. Eritrea is the recipient of undeclared embargo by the West. Eritrea continues to be challenged for every noble and worthwhile self help she wanted to initiate. It even gets wrongly accused of many things without an iota of evidence. Why? Because the Eritrean government refused to be a subservient of the US and UK governments’ interest at the expense of Eritreans! So, the point is, Eritrea is where it is because of many, many intentional obstacles the US and its surrogate nations throw at her. But, in spite of all that, I think it is fair to state that Eritrea is doing more than expected because of a selfless, principled and highly visionary leadership.
So, as sad as it sounds, I am not surprised that our young lady is copping out on all of us, Eritreans and Ethiopians. That is the bad thing. The good thing though, it may be the wake up call that some Ethiopians’ need. We can never take anything for granted. We have to work around it or work with it as appropriate.
[Reply]
June 19th, 2008 at 6:24 PM
Just because ER published an article critical of Birtukan and the path she took, i see many foolish individuals burnt by this accurate article jumping up and down like a pop-corn.
Sad to see many of my people swimming in the ocean of Ignorance. What is wrong with us? We have been told time and again by Meles to go and fight him if we want our freedom. So why do we choose to beg him to be part of his parliament in which only his voice can be heard.
UDJ officials need to answer if they realy believe Meles will hand power to them and when. All they promote is servitude and how to serve Meles better than Beyene and Merrara or Lidetu. No wander we still are under the Dedebit professors. It is due to luck of education from our part on not knowing things as quickly. 17 years and shame on us we still hope TPLF will change.
[Reply]
June 19th, 2008 at 6:40 PM
Mr.Elias, i think all you wanted to see is all opposition
groups start WAR with woyane so you can comfortably sit
back where ever you’re and wright your nensese!
Please, as one of the comenter said, go back home and
show us what you could have done if you were in the shoe
of Birtukan Mideqesa.
[Reply]
June 19th, 2008 at 7:07 PM
Elias,
Have you ever visit a Mental Doctor? I urge you to do regularly!!!!
[Reply]
June 19th, 2008 at 7:10 PM
All those commented on the forum has not answered my question. Why is AIGA so happey for what it called the birth of UDJ? Is that not frigthening?
[Reply]
June 19th, 2008 at 7:49 PM
You are moron both in your thinking and doing.Your empty bravado will not deter any one, She has paid dearly with her bing to betray any thing, we all could fight from out side — go to war to up root this Ethnic maniac, but she still could serve us with out being part of the rubberstamp parlament. She could express her objection, she could tell what Ethipian need to snach Ethipia from disaster. She is not stoping any one from doing any thing. But she is the light. After the fight had been fought, the victory won, we need the lady liberity more than any thing. We don’t need another Meles to have another round. moron you are , and you can’t see further than your nose
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June 19th, 2008 at 7:51 PM
Dear Elias Weldone, wel written. You are the only trusted man I ever wintnessed in the Ethiopian Opposition movement. UDJP is the party of selfsold opportunists who has killed our past , present and busy killing our future. The country need the party of democratic resistance not the party of defeat and complete surrender. The article below written by Aiga Forum is a clear indication of the the real Identity UDJP .Elias Keep fighting for the liberation of ethiopia and keep exposing political opportunists !
Small step For democracy, big Setback to Anarchy
Ms.Bertukan has taken the mantle of the Kestedemena’s offshoot, UDJP. One may have over looked the historical nature of the moment – a woman has taken a leadership of a political organization. It could be that the Men of the hour may have been taken by “Kofen” in time of the turmoil, never the less, her decision to come forth puts her in the footsteps of Taitu. Medekisa’s trajectory from the ungraceful moment of “Hulem Mereyenot” at Boston, which may have been influenced by her then handlers who now take “Aradanet” and vulgarity as trade mark for their political strategy, to be this woman with a sense of direction is admirable.
But the formation of the UDJ is a slap in the face to the Andargachews who unashamedly reminisced to have advised against talking to elders and known personalities on the merits of going to parliament on the account that they would not support his line. The confusion between building democracy and power struggle is evident in this week’s backpackers travel across Europe who were thumbing their chest in juvenile revolt “Meles and Bereket are not going to tell us what to eat and what to do ”. What is lost on them is that Meles or Bereket don’t speak for themselves but are executives of the government that rules people of 80 million. And indeed, governments do tell us what to eat and what to drink… etc. The governments of the west they soo desire to emulate have, the FDA, the zoning ordinates, the FCC and do tell where to demonstrate and how to demonstrate. For instance the US government was dealing with Libya and closed a deal at a time when it was accusing a certain Alamudi for dealing with the same country. also it was dealing with Iran through back channels while baring and fining Americans who do the same. That a government is the only one who has the sole power to a legitimate use of force is lost on them. That is what happens when small people get undeserved proximity to the powers that be. When they get respect they disrespect you. “Tinish Sew hulem Tinish new”. These individuals can rendezvous with another irresponsible election observer and dream of a country of doom and gloom. The self appointed armchair General and Shabia interlocutors can cry FAKE, FAKE. But Ethiopia’s future is bright.
UDJ’s acceptance of the rule of the game and its attempt not only to abide by it but go to extra mile to show they do so and ask their adversary to do the same, surely would usher a pause and help tender the wounded body of constitutional rights that have been, at times, victim of collateral damage in a fight between the government and opposition forces that want to unseat it. It puts the lazy and incompetent EPRDF cadres who choose a short cut instead of doing all what is required within the law to win in democracy in the spot light. These requires the UDJ to force those supporters who are for “peaceful struggle” by day and “ Ulegeboch” by night that they can’t have it both ways. I would have said Congratulation let the battle for democracy begin, but let me say for now Congratulation, lets see where you are heading. Cautious optimism wins the day.[Alula Nega 6-19-2008
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June 19th, 2008 at 8:45 PM
Just because they disagree with your suggestion doesn’t mean they are traitors. What’s your evidence that your idea is supported by the majority of their supporters. Presenting what you think right is one thing but name calling totally different.
[Reply]
June 19th, 2008 at 9:12 PM
Elias,
I think you rushed to make judgment on this issue!! We have to try anything and in anyway to crumble the facist woyane regime! Let them try to fight woyane on their own way!!! and I admire them and ready to support them !! Beacuse they did not chose to follow Dr. Berahnu’s path does not make them supporter or lovers of woyanne!!!!
I agree with you in a lot of issue’s you suggest but on this one NO! NO! NO!
Thanks for the fresh information and NEWS about our beloved Ethiopia you are feeding us every day!!
[Reply]
June 19th, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Elias, Finally you exposed youreself and ……you know what you are really need??? please take appointment and see mental Doctor…I think you are ill. I hope you might be paid by weyane=devis, otherwise I dkidint excpect this idea from you. I am so sorry……for your comment and I am so sorry for the people eho support Elias comment …..all of you support his idea…please take appointment and see Doctor…..
God Bless Ethiopiaa!!!!!
UDJP party will sucessful and will continue to the struggle to free our people from weyane=Devil
[Reply]
June 19th, 2008 at 10:21 PM
It is a day of joy for woyane to have A new Teletafi party
led by Burtukan.I know most of the members on the high Echelons are there just use the politics as pas time game.
[Reply]
June 19th, 2008 at 10:51 PM
ኤልያስ የሃገራችን ችግር እያሳስበህ በአቶ መለስ ታክሲ የሚሳፈሩትን ዉረዱ ማለትህ ተገቢ ነው: ብርቱካን ለመኖር ስትል ነው በህዝባችን የምትቀልደው::
[Reply]
June 19th, 2008 at 10:52 PM
Elias:
What is wrong with you? You consider yourself as know it all, intellectual, activist, democrat, journalist and so many other things. The fact is you are none of these things. All you do is insult people, humiliate them. For what? god knows. But I suspect you are working for EPLF. You have the audacity to nominate Isias as man of the year.
I wish you just shut up and we wage our struggle against the EPRDF. If you have the guts you have gone to your beloved Eritrea and work for Isias.
[Reply]
June 19th, 2008 at 10:55 PM
For someone who knows Elias’s personal life, this can’t possibly be a surprise. He is a complete loser who is trying to make a dime out of the mess he is creating.
Once and for all, this is the most discredited website. 0% journalistic standard, poor political analysis, and last but not least a waste of time.
Why can’t we give UDJ some time and see what they can do to bring about change. May be they have their own agenda how they can go thru this tyrant regime. Moreover, these are reputable and respectful representatives who are trust worthy at this moment in time. Who else are we going to trust then? People like Elias who try to make a leaving from a million miles away?
Well, all I can say is God protect this poor country.
Support to UDJ and Ginbot 7
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June 19th, 2008 at 11:14 PM
Elias Please think two more times before .
Imagin if ypu were living in Fascist Gevnt.
you have no a single right.
No Private Press.
No Media for you Party.
even the name of ur party is given from ur own Fascict “Mercha Board”
….
I can tell you more.
BUT WE ARE PROUD THAT Bertukan IS Praud Ethiopian.
IF SHE WERE THE ONE WHO LIKE HIMSELF
SHE WOULD HAD STYED IN EXIL AND START TO A NEW Party.
She was Responsible about the voice of Suffered Ethiopian
and return back home.
Do you think she would have no chance to get Asylm .
NO NO NO No , We should see the realty or objective realty.
Please let us wait.
Thanks
[Reply]
June 19th, 2008 at 11:14 PM
Elias you better examine your stand over true leaders of ethiopia,this is not constructive idea what you are extending to the true opposition leaders and ethiopian people.You are trying to hold the strugle from going further. I know Birtukan and the rest of leaders are strugling for the ethiopian people not for the eritreans.
[Reply]
June 19th, 2008 at 11:30 PM
Elias wrote:
“Birtukan has followed the footstep of her former leader, Hailu Shawel, to the Ethiopian political graveyard so soon after she became a leader on her own right. ”
Who decides that she has gone to a “political Graveyard”? Elias, you or the Editorial Board? It is a bit mystifying. Your wish can not be put as facts. Show us certain verifiable facts.
Elias wrote:
” In September 2007, she assured her followers that the name of the party, Kinijit, will not be changed no matter what. She explicitly said that keeping the name Kinijit is one of the issues that the party will fight for. But when she returned to Ethiopia, within a few weeks, she changed her mind and abandoned Kinijit as the name of the party just because Woyanne told her so.”
Woyanes told her and she did it? How do you know? Is it just your conjecture?
The Facts as we know it: The Executive Members met many times with their members in all far flung areas and discussed different strategies. Many options were put on the table. The time, energy and Woyanes action had shown that the one they took now, ie, formation of the new Party will be the most Beneficial way. Most Members were in the decisions and Delegates agreed on Wednesday that was the right move.
Elias,
Yes, The Delegates were paid per Diem per day. Why not? Many are here for Party reason and most, contrary to your reporting are not some Middle Class well paid people. They are your farmers, teachers, shopkeepers, housewives , etc. I bet you give yourself per Diem and apply for a Business Tax Break just for writing this article.
Elias and other who wrote about AIGA:
When have you started believing what AIGA writes? AIGA is a Propaganda machine that will use any thing to divide the Ethiopian Freedom Fight. Just on Tuesday look at what they wrote.They belittled the report that the meeting will gon on Wedenesday. They were unhappy and belittled it as “Nitty Gritty” ( thier word) and that This is just not worth anytime. They ofcourse were trying to show the detest they have for any oppositions. But when they sense that people like Aratkilo and some will bite, which they did, they will start to show support. Oh, if they think they can get some advantage out of it, they will start LOVING Berhanu Nega tomorrow and start dissing Birtukan the same minute. But that is Woyane. What ashamed me is all these Ethiopians quoting AIGA as the bible. Do not forget that is one site when Elais was crying for our dead people on June 8th, that site was calling our dead people “Dureyes and that is what Dureyes Deserve”
Elias wrote:
Oh, she will be glad to know that from now on she will be a regular guest at the American embassy cocktail parties
How do you know? Elias, please Verify your statments with facts. Atlease show us the copy of the Invitation
Elias wrote:
“Birtukan and her UDJ will soon join Beyene, Lidetu and their fake parties as Woyanne decoys”
How do you know? Do you have any Concrete Evidences or just Conjecture?
Elias,
I could go on and on. You have raised some very interesting points, especially # 2 and # 3. We hope that The Party will answer some of those questions. But honestly, Your Article is riddled with innuendos and conjectures. I will wait for another article from you or another person for the definitive word.
This aint it, sorry, Brother.
I also humbly suggest a course of actions from you pointing to what would have happened if they had ” Followed ” all the ” missteps” that you think they have taken.
Thank You, Keep on Movin but Careful with the Facts !!
BTW, Elias, When Aratkilo and Revelations start Praising you and you have become their GOD, well, I know there is something wrong.kkkkkk
[Reply]
June 19th, 2008 at 11:46 PM
After carefully analyzing the comments made to this article so far, I noticed a trend where people who wrote with disastrous and broken English are angry at this master piece article. I have noticed that People who commented with eloquent English responded positively saying the article is accurate and timely.
This shows many of the people who are angry at this article have a very low IQ making them unable to understand situations as quick as the others who appreciated ER’s critique for the Lady-Surrender.
I have known many Ethiopians who live back home and anywhere in the world. Ethiopians who finished their 12th grade with a decent grade can write superb English and would not find it difficult to express their feeling in a comment like this with very good English. In Contrast, I have noticed many un-informed fellow country men and women venting their anger on Elias just because he put the fact straight without yiLugnTa. I noticed from their English writing skills that they are low achievers in academia making things hard for them to grasp new facts as they unfold. This individuals can be categorized in ESLCE (Ethiopian School Leaving Exam) achieving probably 1.2 or 1.8.
From the responses I noticed, I am saddened to see many of my fellow citizens live in blind ignorance. I am troubled by the notion and idea of many low IQ people still hoping TPLF will change its course and deliver them democracy and good life. As I know, the wealth of one country is determined by the amount of educated and enlightened individuals it has, I feel we are unlucky since we don’t have that much citizens who understand the turns and swerves of politics very quickly instead we have so many hordes following a few reckless, egoistic, opportunistic individuals who are good on speeches. Even many of the so-called pro-democracy Ethiopian websites do not have a clue in what is going on in the minds of TPLF core members. These goofy editors are blind and can’t see the real picture so they don’t deliver critical matters like this that saves time and help society to make changes to face looming disasters. It is almost a blind leading a blind. And I feel Elias is the only media person who really knows the situation we are in.
My advice for Elias is that he shouldn’t feel deterred by these low IQ individuals. I and many informed Ethiopians admire Elias for being on the for-front on taking-on such corrupt politicians. History will one day hail this man for his uniqueness among Ethiopian Journalists. It is really saddening to see other sites just do the copy and past news from other sites or just follow order from their adhering political parties when they write (That is may be once per month). This is not the case in ER and we appreciate you for initiating critical issues and putting it to the public to discuss about it.
Thank you ER. And keep up the good work.
Me and two of my other informed friends
[Reply]
June 20th, 2008 at 12:29 AM
elias,
tenesh rega bele esti… ende teleke sewe masebe meche newe yemetegemerew??? website laye melekeleke teleke neger meseloh newe weyes awakinet.. VA tedebeko bemetsaf jegenenet yelem sera bemeserat enji…
[Reply]
June 20th, 2008 at 1:03 AM
It is not difficult to see that Mr. editor lacks political maturity and understanding of complex circumstances.For him things can only be either good or bad, black or white, right or wrong… etc. The problem with Elias I think is that he doesn’t know his limitations. Someone close to him should give him an honest advise as to what areas he would do much better than others. As for me I would strongly suggest that he refrain from any analytical work.He doesn’t have the skill.
[Reply]
June 20th, 2008 at 1:04 AM
Elias,when will be the time for you to see the 0ther side of things than that of your sadistic nature?
[Reply]
June 20th, 2008 at 3:59 AM
Dear Zinash,
I am sorry, you must be silly. I have never read such stupid statment. Poor in English doesn’t mean Low IQ. Probably it is you, mentally retarded, a person who can not understand things and people. Blind judgment is stupidity
Elias,. you have to confes and write another
[Reply]
June 20th, 2008 at 6:35 AM
# 56 (or men with high IQ or superwomen)
Dear can you tell us how to become high IQ people like you.
[Reply]
June 20th, 2008 at 7:03 AM
Zenash, just by reading you’re comment, with out the need to anazyzing it, you might have a PHD in some kind of discipline, but you’re naive when it comes to common sense. You don’t seem to know how democracy works. I can imagine what you, Elias for that matter, would do if you were at Meles’s shoe. You’re attacking people bluently, on their educational background, just because they don’t agree with you? Do you know, by insulting the people who’ve commented on this site, you’re actually disrespecting Ethiopian people, as the community here is a small representation and reflection of the big Ethiopia? By the way, speaking or writing a language by it self is not knwoldge. You’re a typical example of that. Had that been the case, some many Americans wouldn’t have left with out a job, when less fluent english speaking forigners, like you and I, have a high paying jobs. I hope you would understand my point.
[Reply]
June 20th, 2008 at 8:22 AM
“የተቻለውን የወረወረ ፈሪ አይባልም” ይላል ያገሬ ሰው: እነ ብርትካን ከነብሰ በላው መንግስት ፊት ለፊት እየታገሉ ነው:: አቶ ኤልያስ ውቅያኖስ ማዶ ሆነህ ማላገጥ ቢቀርብህስ?
[Reply]
June 20th, 2008 at 11:17 AM
hi, elias
keep telling us the truth. i hope u will. people does not wanna here the truth. but, the sad truth is meles is meles and woyane is woyane. they are the way they are. by forming 100 kind of opposition political parties,change will never come to ethipia. whether the leader is a male or female doesn’t matter. even an angel come down from heaven and wants to be an opposition political leader in ethiopia he will end up in kaliti or has to surrender to meles.we already have enough fake parties in ethiopia.unless they fooling themselves, whether they like it or not worshiping meles, the God of woyanne, and living by following his commandments is their only way to exist as a political party. i do not understand why any true ethiopian will do that and give legitimacy to woyanne to add more endeless suffering to ethiopian people. i felt very sad for wasting their time and energy to form the so caled udj. who was in power in 2005?murdering all those innocent ethiopians. who is in power in 2008?amazing?why have to surrender now?they think that they can speak freely than 2005? nothing changed.if they do not wanna go to jail again then they have to be fake political parties. history will judge them for being part in helping woyanne to stay in power for more years. but, with other true ethiopians the struggle will continue till ethiopia is free.
[Reply]
June 20th, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Elias, it is too early to comment on this topic, why don’t u keep your mouth shut and see what happens next, be a journalist, ethical, why you are not publishing comments about you. All this is your personal opinion, you never know the real situation in ethiopia, Why you are always the first to report about opposition weakness? Why? nobody questionsed this. You must have a hiddean goal to work against the oposition. You are an eriterian whay u write about ethiopia. I know u will not publish this comment.
think twice before you speak one’s
[Reply]
June 20th, 2008 at 12:23 PM
You have said nothing relevant and new! You just have showed us that you never have a good wish to Ethiopia. On the first day UDJ came into existance, you threw you BAD words,,,for whom shall it benefit?
Irrelevant!
Please come to your mind!
If you are arguing that “arm is the only chice we have” let us see you leading one of the regiments!
It is not fair to discredit ohers’ efforts!
Lib yistih!
[Reply]
June 20th, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Elias, thank you so much for this article. I know many says you are not a good journalist, but you show your true color to this one. You saw what happend the past and what will soon after this formation. Woyane is buying time and buying people like Bertukan to stay in power. While our people dying of hunger. Look Elias, When Bertukane was in the congress, “only 100 prisioners” she said, that shows she didn’t want to have any conflict with woyane. Now we saw all and we will see more. Thank you again.
[Reply]
June 20th, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Elias ,If a man could respect people is only weyane.
why do u see the people beside her ,do u think all
are wrong ,stop and watch them do not be weyane.
thanks
[Reply]
June 20th, 2008 at 2:15 PM
Let us assume that all opposition groups in the country stopped their activities, protesting that there is no political space, the way Elias wants. Then what difference can it make?
1. Can we expect US to divert its assistance from ‘woyane’s government to Ginbot 7, OLF, ONLF and the likes? No, I don’t think so.
Rather ‘Woyane’ will argue that it is too difficult to build up a democratic culture of tolerance in Ethiopia. So, building democracy will take many years, and USA should fund a twenty year democracy and governance program, including a 10 years political party leadership development program, before implementing free and fair election in Ethiopia.
Therefore, I think that the existence of UDJ and other legal opposition groups can at least expose such confusing arguments that possibly force donors to keep on working with ‘woyane’ overlooking its wrongs.
We should note that donors can not stand for the Ethiopian people. They can only stand with the Ethiopian people if and only if situations are conducive; most of all when they believe that the people are or can be united and organized under a strong political group.
2. Can all UDJ and other legal opposition supporters go to the field to join Arbegnoch, OLF, ONLF, and the like or divert their resources some how? No, regarding supporters in country and may be ‘yes’ for the Diaspora. Who ever is ready to go to the field will do it as soon as situations permit. Given the severity of the problem, the existence of UDJ and other legal oppositions can not affect the support base for Ginbot 7, OLF, ONLF and the like.
It is well understood for the people that the struggle can not be led from inside. So, if the legal opposition leaders can not lead by their symbolic existence they can not lead by quitting. Whether they quit or not they are not affecting the activities of those wanting to lead from outside.
However, among the Diaspora, UDJ may compete for resources among the group that supports it based on the belief that legal opposition is more effective than armed struggle. This support to UDJ will continue as long as the group is satisfied in the results being achieved.
However, resource from groups that support UDJ’s legal opposition out of principle or moralistic view against armed struggle could not be diverted to Ginbot 7 or others.
So, I can not see any significant reason to condemn UDJ and other genuine legal opposition groups running in Ethiopia.
[Reply]
June 20th, 2008 at 2:32 PM
To Blind Supporters who are still angry:
I would like to tell the history of Galileo Galilei in a very short way to the angry mob who wanted to crucify the Editor of ER. Those who still vent their anger in this comment box probably do not know what occurred in Florence, Italy in the 16th century in which Galileo came out with a new theory that says “The Sun is the Center of our Solar System”.
Galileo pioneered the use of quantitative experiments whose results could be analyzed with mathematical precisions. In 1610, Galileo published an account of his telescopic observations of the moons of Jupiter, using his observation to argue in favor of the sun-centered theory of the universe against the dominant earth centered. At the time, the widely accepted theory and belief was that our earth is centered and all the stars, the moon and the sun rotate this world. What happen to Galileo after that was shocking. The papal office of the Catholic Church put him in trial in which he was found vehemently suspect of heresy. Galileo was then placed under house arrest and his movements restricted by the Pope. He went completely blind in 1638 suffering from painful hernia and insomnia. Only then he was permitted to travel to Florence for medical advice until his death 1642. This is a small case in which the roman catholic church still apologizes the scientific community of this world.
I brought this subject for the angry mob who doesn’t even know how to use a correct grammar to write 3 or 4 lines of statements. I am not disrespecting anyone here as it is a fact that high-school education in Ethiopia is free and, decent students who finished their secondary school are very good on writing skills using Grammar and Vocabulary. But what I see from most of the commenter’s here is that most of the angry people are too far from information and often find themselves of-guarded by such facts, in this case, the critique towards UDJ for being part of the Meles Teletafi group. As most traditional and un-informed crowd hated Galilio for putting the fact and the truth straight, I see many un-informed, un-educated and mind-blocked group of people attacking ER for putting the fact simple and straight.
I believe education is the basis for progress and ER should be appreciated for coming first on telling the politically incorrect move made by lady Birtukan to join Meles in his fake democratic system which only serve TPLF’s propaganda machine that claims there is still a room for peaceful struggle in Ethiopia while the fact of the matter is that Ethiopia is a country you will be condemned to death by starvation, Hiv-Aids, malnutrition, war, ethnic tension, religious frictions etc let alone to come out and oppose Meles in open.
Therefore, my people, we need to open our mind and learn from our past mistakes. Let there be no time wasting on believing TPLF will hand over power to the people. The fact is that TPLF will only negotiate and hand over power to the people if pressured with a barrel of guns and Tanks.
[Reply]
June 20th, 2008 at 2:33 PM
a parzlyized dog can do any thing. THose who are barking on this forum against w/t Birtukan are the hidden weyanes agents and Eyassu’s trajon horses. Do some thing and criticise others instead of eating day and night with out accomplishing any thing for the last 30 —40 years in diaspora. The time is for action , but not bla bla.
[Reply]
June 20th, 2008 at 3:00 PM
Zinash???????
Who is Zinash??? you must be Devel Melese wife…..Azeb?
please stop insullting people idea….we are not like you and elias moron…..please think twice or take appointment to get mental doctor like Elias…..ok!!!
What ever you gusy talk…our struggle will continue and we will burried weyane…for once and all…so Elias and Zinash…you guys…either get medication soon other wise you will be buried soon with weyane=devil
God Bless Ethiopia!!!!!
Bravo UDJP & Birtukan Mideksaa….GBU
[Reply]
June 20th, 2008 at 4:33 PM
ዲሞክራቱና ለኢትዮጵያ አሳቢው፣ ተቆርቋሪው ወንድም ኤልያስ ምነው የእኔን አስተያየት ለማውጣት ፈራኸው:: እኔ እኮ የሰጠሁት አስተያየት በሌላውም ኢትዮጵያዊ ይገመገማል:: በሌላ ዌብ ሳይትም ማውጣት ይቻላል :: ግን ነፃ የመወያያ መድረክ ነው ስለምትል መሰለኝ ሁሉም የተሰማውን የሚፅፍልህ ካልሆነማ እንኳን አስተያየት ድህረ ገጽህንም ከፍቶ ለማንበብ የሚገደድ የለም:: ሳንሱር መኖሩን እኔ አረጋግጫለሁ ከሌለ ደግሞ ወይም ተዘሎ ከሆነ በሚል ጥርጣሬዬ ሁለተኛ ሙከራ ለማድረግ ነው….. ውሳኔው ለባለቤቱ ለ አንተ ይሆናል:: አመሰግናለሁ!!!!
አንድነትና ኤልያስ ክፍሌ ባለ ወር ባለ ተራ ለምን? ? ? ?…
ምነው ወንድም ኤልያስ “ የቄስ ሚስት አወቅሽ አወቅሽ ቢሏት መጽሐፍ ቅዱስ አጠበች“ እንደተባለችው ሆንክብን:: ሁሉንም እኔ አውቃለሁና የምጠላውን ጥሉልኝ የምወደውን ውደዱልኝ ማለት እማ እንኳንስ ከአንተ ገና ካልበሰልከው ጋዜጠኛ ቀርቶ በስለናል ጎምርተናል የሚሉትን እነ ዶ/ር ታዬን፣ ኢንጂነር ኃይሉን ፣ ሻለቃ ዮሴፍ…ወ.ዘ.ተ… እምቢኝ አሻፈረኝ ብሎ እርቃናቸውን ካስቀረ የኢትዮጵያ ሕዝብ ጋር ሙግት መግጠምህ ለሁሉም ቀድሜ አውቃለሁ የሚለው ሂሊናህ እንዴት አጣውና ነው ቅንጅትን/አንድነትን፣ ሰላማዊ ትግልን ውልቅ አድርጋችሁ ጣሉና ጫካ ግቡ በማለት ሌት ከቀን በሳይበር ምህዋር የምትማስነው? እኔ ብቻ አዋቂ ሆንክብን እኮ! ምንም ቢሆን የአንተ ዌብ ሳይት ተጠቃሚ እኮ እንደ አንተ ፊደል የቆጠረ፣ ሁኔታዎችን በተለያየ መንገድ አይቶ በራሱ መወስን የሚችልና ከአንተም የበለጠ ዕውቀት ያላቸው መኖራቸውንም የረሳሃው መሰለኝ፣ የወያኔ ሚዲያዎችና አፍቃሪ ወያኔ የሆኑት መገናኛ ብዙኃን ናቸው የተጠቃሚዎችን ማንነት ሳይሆን እነርሱ ብቻ የሚያሰቡትንና የሚፈልጉትን የሚሉን… ዓላማ ስላላቸው አንተም….? በጣም አዘንኩኝ፣ ጋዜጠኛ ደግሞ የሕዝብን የልብ ትርታ እያዳመጠና አስተያየቶችን እያሰባሰበ ለውሳኔ የሚረዱ አማራጮችን አልፎ አልፎ ከራሱም አእምሮም ጣል ያደርጋል እንጂ የአንተ እኮ ከመለስና ከኢሳያስ የባሰ ይህን አድርጉ ካላደረጋችሁ በዌብ ሳይቴ እፈጫችኋለሁ እያልክ ነው:: ኢትዮጵያውያንን በዚህ ዕድሜህ አያውቁም ብለህ መናቅ ወይም እንደመጣልህ ማለቱንና በራስህ ስሜት ብቻ መመራትህን ተቆጣጠረው:: ካልሆነ እንደ እነ ሰለሞን ተካልኝ፣ ምርጫው የመሳሰሉት ሰው አይየኝ የምትልበት ጊዜ እንዳይመጣብህ ካሁኑ መሰመርህን አትሳተው:: ዛሬ በግለሰቦች የጀመረው መጥፎ ብዕርህም ወደ ኢትዮጵያ ሕዝብ ይዞርና እንኳን ሕዝቧ… አምላኳም ይጣላሀል!!!!
አደብ የሚገዛ ልብና ሂሊና ይስጥህ አሜን!!!!
[Reply]
June 20th, 2008 at 4:45 PM
Dear Zinash,
On reading your comments, I felt ashame for you! Truely ashamed of it! Now it is my turn to tell you who you may be. I gues you are one of those students who by chance get good marks and tend to act as wise in public. Where did you gwt thw theory that people with less proficiency of English language are less IQ people. The more bole statement your make the more you exposed your ignorance. As you open your mouth wide, we see your empty vesse!
Zinash, let me tell you a point. We have no a foereign language as mother langue and proficiency in English language is inevitable at any level. You may get a professor with great mental caliber in AAU whose English is still broken. Would you judge him or her as a less IQ person. What is IA after all? I think you hardly know educational psychology.
Zinash, you do have a right to sympathize Mr. Elias. That doesn’t make different because one arrogant (Elias) plus another hotch potch ignorant (You) would remain the same, darkness!!
Zinash,, if you have a special relation with this distractive editor, make it on your private room not on the forum about our mother land, Ethiopia.
Zinash,, look your poor and unwarranted claim: it goes that people with less proficiency in English are have lower IQ and therefore could not grasp even less complex political development at home correctly and consequently they happened to criticise Ato Elias. It is funny! You must be a 10+2 certificate holder form Alfa distance education college.
As you support the editor with such poorly constructed logic, you shocked no ground but showed us where you are on the academic ladder!!
Temari….eweqi,,,,kirikiru yidersal!!
[Reply]
June 20th, 2008 at 5:14 PM
Zinash,,,Spelling problems above are mere results of rushing not,,,. I think I would instruct you if you apply for admission! kkk
selam
[Reply]
June 20th, 2008 at 5:25 PM
It cannot be ignored the editor’s deep concern and the general concerns of others about this Liberty Lady, Chair Person of the new UDJ, the hope of many Ethiopians in the diaspora and at home to bring down the Dictator Meles Seitanawi (Zenawi) from its 17 years of tyrannical regime.
Like an Ethiopian eagle (I do not know what other countries’ eagles do) that detects its pray from a long distance and knows what its pray is doing before it goes into a full and speedy action (diving from above in the sky down unto the earth without the awareness of its victims) and finally catches its pray and carries it far away to a comfortable location to consume it, the editor, unlike many of us his readers, descries some thing new in the Liberty Lady’s daily business and tries to make it known to all of us his readers and critiques before the Liberty Lady goes away with it undetected, undiscovered, and becomes the second Hailu Shawel, who has been our headaches for some time.
The editor’s eyes and ears are always at attention, and always ready to surprise us with fresh news, good or bad, and that is the editor’s duty; whether the news are supported by evidence or witness, it is up to us, the readers, to verify them, and when we find out the news are true, we will then praise the editor, and when they are not true, then we should not blame the editor, but we simply must express our views about the untruthfulness of the news and simply state our evidence, and this is where maturity comes in.
One should not stop writing because one should not prove what he is writing about; it may be a true or it may be just a fiction; in this case, it is up to us to identify opinion from fact or fact from opinion. How many of you believe that the Bible is a fiction, and how many of you believe it is the word of God? Those who think the Bible is a fiction still read it because of its beauty, its poetry, its story, and, above all, its great biblical characters such as Abraham, Moses, Ruth, Job, Samson, David, Solomon, Joseph, Daniel, Goliath, Jesus, Paul, Peter, and many others. So, those who believe the Bible is a fiction do not denounce those who wrote the Bible; they just don’t believe them but still enjoy reading the Scripture.
In the same way, if there are some Ethiopians who do not want to hear what the ER editor has been saying all these weeks about the Liberty lady, they have the right to disagree with the editor without using words better left to be used by low level, uneducated, and uncircumcised in their hearts, and still living in the stone age.
I was taught to laugh in my stomach, and I said, “Yeneta, I cannot control it; I just can’t,” and Yeneta said, “Yes, you can; just try it.” True, it is possible to suppress one’s laugh whenever there is something that forces us to laugh or cry.
As I have read most of the comments, most of them are against the editor; most of the commentators seem, to me, emotional; they just could not suppress their emotion; some have suggested that the editor see a doctor, for he is mentally sick. Such people have existed before, and they are still with us to day.
When Jesus surprised his audience by driving out the evil spirits from the evil-possessed people, some of his audience had said that Jesus was possessed by an evil spirit, so it is not strange to see some Ethiopians suggesting that ER editor is a sick person that he must see a physician.
Some say the editor is from Eritrea so that he has a hidden agenda or nothing good comes from him about Ethiopia; the Jews said the same thing about Jesus when they knew he was from Galilee by saying “Does any thing good comes out of Galilee?”
It seems to me when they say to the editor that he is from Eritrea, they are saying: “Is there anything good that comes from Eretria that would help Ethiopia become free from its bondage?”
With all my respect to the many participants in the ER forum, I think that the editor is preparing us for the future problems that may or may not arise as the result of Liberty lady’s caving in to the Woyanne demands to change the name Kinijit to something else. The editor thinks that Dale Lama, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King, Jr. had never benn subservient to the unjust rulers of their times. Dale Lama is still alive, struggling for the freedom of his country, Tibet.
For example, the biblical Daniel had been living comfortably during Nebuchadnezzar’s and Darius’ times; however, when Darius, prompted by his advisors, issued an edict, telling his subjects to worship him as their god, Daniel refused to do so and was thrown into the lions’ dens, but the lions never touched him.
The editor’s point of views has some facts that Liberty Lady should have held its meeting at the Ethiopian Imperial Hotel and should have rejected the two police demand to leave the Hotel; of course, she would have been taken to jail, and that would have united us behind her and inspired us to believe in our Liberty Lady as one of our super heroes, and she could have been released within two or three days.
The editor is absolutely right a leader that could not sacrifice himself to the organization he is leading should not be a leader in the first place, and the editor, once again, fervently believes we do not have a real leader, and until we get one, we should not depend on Lady liberty as our true leader, for she has been tested many times this year and has failed from passing a simple test by just accepting Melee’s unjustified commands to get a new name for Kinijit and leaving the Imperial Hotel instead of ignoring the Dictator’s command.
[Reply]
June 20th, 2008 at 8:02 PM
What is the fuss all about folks. I think that is why Ethiopia is where it is now becuse, many of you want to live in denial. Now, are you telling us there is something good and worthwhile to Ethiopia and Ethiopians by w/t Birtukan and company deciding to stay put in Addis and be subservient to the Adwa/Adigrat gangs? Pathetic! Then let the Weyane boys keep on abusing your people and you guys enjoy whatever that it is you do in the west. Sad!
[Reply]
June 20th, 2008 at 8:31 PM
Eliyas, I really appreciate what you have doing so far, but sometimes you concider yourself as one of top Ethiopian poletical leader or Stategist. Don’t jugde others with your own knowledge and pressure them to follow what you said. Please don’t give to much respect for yourself let for people.
“Weta Wetana ….. Endayehon Mechereshah yene wendem”.
You better be wise and respectefule.
Abei
[Reply]
June 20th, 2008 at 9:13 PM
In some senses, I am forced to believe in what Zinash said in her comments, Ato Elias might not be like the ordinary journalists who expect but the best part in his career or devotion to be against the ruling party is that he makes sure he will never side with anyone. Ato Elias has criticized many political leaders based on his insider information reports, many has insulted him but later apologized. I was one of those guys who ravaged him when he was against Dr. Birhanu but when he made peace with him and criticized himself for not understanding Dr. Birhanu, he wrote incredible comment about him and his mistake for being against him, this is a quality very rare within us, he might be against Birtukan now, but when she sets her standards according to the best interest of Ethiopians, Ato Elias will be the first to praise her. These kinds of criticizm is very important that everyone will be affraid of someone who will expose them if they try to mislead Ethiopian, Ato Elias is the neccessary evil if he is Eritrean or important angel if he is Ethiopian, I wish I know if he is Ethiopian (Amhara, Tigre, Gurage or whatever) or if he is Eritrean. I hope he will clarify it to the public oneday but personally, he is a person I admire most, who never works for fame or personal advantages, as a person who lives in the west, I easily understand what kind of sacrifice he is paying to maintain his website and struggle with infected minds almost every hours of the day and yet working for his living, its easy for us to spend one hour of our day to browse through websites and insult Ato Elias who works hours and hours of his day to keep us informed and at the same time be a headache to the ruling zombi party. Thank you and God bless Ethiopia and her people,
[Reply]
June 20th, 2008 at 9:39 PM
Thanks Elias! You hit the nail on the head. The fake, farcical group of opportunists is no more orno less than that: fake ! fake ! fake! This slavish group is dead on arrival.
[Reply]
June 20th, 2008 at 11:02 PM
Hi Elias,
I do not know what is in your mind these days.You
are too quick in forming your opinion about the new
party and condemn them the next minute.You called it fake, who are you to tell us whether the party is fake or not.There is an Ethiopian saying “Letekemach semay kirbu new yibalal).
Please leave us alone we can judge the new party by its deeds. We do not need your speculations in this regard.
[Reply]
June 21st, 2008 at 12:20 AM
ጥር 56 እና በቁጥር 70 ዝናሽ በሚል ስም የተሰጠው አስተያየት ማፈሪያ ብቻ ሳይሆን አተላም ነው::አይኩ(በፈረጆች የብልህነት መገመቻ)በመሰረቱ ዓለም አቀፍ ይዘትም የለውም::አይኩ የተባለውን በትኩረት ለተመለከተ በምዕራባውያን የትምህርት ይዘትና ባሕል ላይ የተመሰረተ ፈተና ነው::በኢትዮጵያ እየኖርኩ እንደ ፈረጅ ማሰብና በእንግሊዘኛ መጻፍ የለብኝም::ፈተናዬም የፈረጁ ብልህነት መመዘኛ መሆን የለበትም::አስተያየት ሰጪው ሊያፍሩበት የሚገባው በባሕል ባርነት የገበሩለት በእንግሊዘኛ መጻፍ እንደ አውቂ መለኪያ አድርገው መውሰዳቸው ነው:: ሌላው ደካማ ጎናቸው ደግሞ ገሊሊዎን ማነጻጸሪቸው አራባና ቆቦ የተምታታ ነው::የገሊሊዎ ግኝቱ ቁስ አካል ላይ ሲሆን ኤሊያስ ያቀረበው ደግሞ አሳብ ነው:: ትክክል ይሁን አይሁን መስካሪው ጊዜ ነው:: ቁስ አካልን በመለካትና በመመዘን መጠናቸውን መናገር ይቻላል::በተለይ ወደፊት ሊሆኑ የሚችሉ የፓለቲካን ሁኔታዎችን ሃሳቦች በመሆናቸው ከጠነከረ ግምታችን አያልፉም::በቁጥር 56 እና 70 ላይ አስተያየት ሰጪው ገሊሊዎን ሲጠቅሱ በእንግሊዘኛ የቃረሙትን የአስተያየት ትፋት ሊጥሉብን ካልሆነ ዋጋ የለውም::
አንድ ገበሬ ብዙ ጋሻ መሬት እያለማ በአገርቤት
አገር ሲቀልብ እንግሊዘኛ ያለመጻፉ ደደብ ካሰኘው እስከዛሬ ኢትዮጵያን ጠብቆ ባልኖረም ነበር::አይኩ አይኩ የሚሉን አስተያየት ሰጪ
የዛን የገበሬ ፈተና ማለፍ ይችላሉ? ያን የእርሻ
መሳሪያ በወጉ ይገጣጥሙታል?እንግሊዘኛ መጻፉ በገበሬው ቦታ ተተክቶ አሁንም በሞትና
በሽረት ላይ ያለች ኢትዮጵያን ይጥብቃል??
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June 21st, 2008 at 1:04 AM
Too early to judge UDJ as a “banda” organization! To simplistic to write off peaceful struggle as one means of struggling Meles and Co. UDJ and Peaceful Struggle still deserve the benefit of the doubt.
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June 21st, 2008 at 8:27 AM
This is for #56 please if you are talking about high IQ go and see your master Elias interview with ETN. That will explain your master Elias IQ. Do not lecture us about IQ.
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June 21st, 2008 at 8:56 AM
My God…No wonder king Teodros was merciless to so many habeshas of his time. History says, he cuts their hands, limbs legs and tongues. He had showed a cruelty unheard worse than many leaders before him. For many historians, he was and still is a controversial figure. A hero and a villain at the same time. (A hero for me, yes a hero!!)
Most Ethiopians at that time were always against innovative leadership. His measure to create a standing army paid by the state rather than a rag-tag army assembled in time of disaster was opposed by many in church, noblemen and the entire people. The commenters who are angry on this critical article are the brain children of those backward noble men who opposed theodros when he tried to create a standing army that can fight with mortars and machine guns. They were too traditional and loved to continue the use of the 5 thousand years old warfare of using spears. So they hated him and didn’t want him as their leader.
Typical of those who hated changes in those days, the present Ethiopians are against changes. They will settle down and go on business as usual once their leaders (UDJ) become part of the rubber stamp parliament which wouldn’t bring change to the poor millions of Ethiopians who are living under sub-human conditions.
If Theodros was in our time, he would have cut the limbs of lady liberty Bertukan for choosing to be part of the Meles decoy – teletafi parties. He would have cut the fingers of all these commenters here who wanted to give TPLF more years to abuse our people, give land to neighbors and kill children on the day light with trained agazi marksmen. If some one come to me and say I hate being Ethiopian, I wouldn’t be surprised as this was due to many dumb and ignorant born in that country who always want to be servants for Meles Zenawi.
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June 21st, 2008 at 1:21 PM
Fishy fishy fishy events. TPLF is poor plot writer.
1, meeting supposed to be done but was stoped. These got beg coverage like TPLF wanted.
2, Smart Birtukan takes her crew to the her office and start meeting, two police came and stop them,* This also got good coverage including TPLF media. Finally brave Birtukan stop confrontation and possible bloodshed. These also got good coverage. But she pulled some strings and got a permit*. This got also coverage. TPLF is interested in coverage of these news.
3, She got elected. More news.
How in the world TPLF would allow the opposition strong like Kinijit knowing he has zero chance againest them. You must have clear answere for this before supporting BIRTUKAN. She is a trophy opposion made by US and UK.
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June 21st, 2008 at 8:28 PM
Ato Elias, You can not compare Lidetu with these new comers such as Birtukan. Kinjit or UDJ are the product of the thought of Lidetu and his colleagues.
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June 21st, 2008 at 8:35 PM
Hi guys, do you notice after Zinash’s comment, there appears many with positive comments about this stupid article. They are mostly from one person..that’s himself. Elias.
That’s a very common characterstics of eritreans.
I suggest we have the right to know who Elias is. where he comes from. who are his parents? where he lived before?where he got his educations? and all. May be he should tell us himself. Or one of the true forums should start some thing like “who is Elias?” and let’s get information from people who really knows about him.
In the contrary we perfectly know who Birtukan is.
We are fade up with people talking in place of us specially in the matter of Our country.
And I am really sad to see people with ‘I know every thing’ attitude. This guy sometimes seemed above all in giving directions. let’s please see his capabilty..his education or expreince.
Peace….I love you Enat Hagere.
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June 21st, 2008 at 11:15 PM
Well I want to understand one thing about ethiopianreview.com. I hope somebody will give me an answer. I am having a problem differentiating which one is news and which one is the writer’s openion in your reportings. If you guys only interested in writing your opinions let us know and we will take them as your openion. Otherwise just write the news and let readers be the judge. Stop this I know better than the visitors of the website nonesense for crying out loud this is the free world.
Gulit
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June 21st, 2008 at 11:43 PM
Dear Zinash,
Now you changed your tactic to disgrace fellow Ethiopians. This time, you preferred to history leaving your unfounded and poor argument with IQ. I witnessed that you are unethical.
At this point I would like to ask you as to how you related the issue at hand with the historic hero, Tewodros II (r. 1855-1868). The context for this king would not be compared with the current situation. Neither the political landscape nor the actors of the process resemble at all. I can’t see your point of comparison. I think you merely tried to manifest the extent you could claim foolishly and unethically ( just to throw your bad words).
Now, not for your language but for you line of reasoning, I should label you as less IQ idiot.
How do you dare to present your ignorance to the public? You may answer it or not!!
Finally, Elias and his cliques like you would not help anything but enemies of Ethiopia. For us, there is no one best way to free Ethiopia from the wolfish teeth of TPLF and we shall give time and support to let the peaceful struggle too function.
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June 22nd, 2008 at 5:13 AM
Generally speaking, I don’t like Elias Kiflie’s asinine point of views. But, at this point, it looks like he born again and breath something sensible. What is going on? Have you learned something from your past peccadillo? I wish you are. Love to hear come to your sense.
God day
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June 22nd, 2008 at 9:20 AM
“Let the dead bury their own dead” (Luke 9:60).
Jesus, a veteran teacher, gave this answer to a man who wanted to follow him, but first the man had to go home and bury his father; then he could follow Jesus. The man’s father was not yet dead, but he was very old, ready to die, so the man was telling Jesus that he would like to follow him, but he had to stay home for a while with his old father, and when his old father died, he would follow Jesus.
I suppose the ER editor is telling his followers who want to stay with Lady Liberty for few weeks or years until lady Liberty dies or survives to follow him with all their hearts and thoughts. He is saying: “Let the dead bury their own dead” – “let the Woyanne bury Lady Liberty, but you should follow me.” Of course, the Woyanne and the Lady Liberty are not yet dead, but, sooner or later, the editor thinks, they both will die.
When Jesus said: “Let the dead bury their own dead,” he was saying those who were alive and those who were very old were considered dead even though they were not literally dead yet.
To my understanding of the editor’s article, Lady Liberty, like the other 80 million Ethiopians, is in the hands of Meles Zenawi, and everything under his hand should be considered dead or living under oppression. Ginbot 7 may be the only hope to liberate Lady Liberty and the other millions of Ethiopians from the bondage of Meles Zenawi.
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June 22nd, 2008 at 1:59 PM
Elias, for God’s sake please take time and think twice before you post any statement about UDJP. They have their own ways of strategies to continue the peacefull struggle from in side. As you know very well,they do not have any legality. what can they do in the where there is no law and order
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June 22nd, 2008 at 3:49 PM
Dear yikerebelen,
You stated: “As you know very well, they do not have any legality.”
I think they have been fulfilling whatever Meles tells them to do, and they can continue to live in peace as far as they are not discovered by Meles agents, preaching democracy to the Ethiopian people. They have legality to be quiet, and if that is the way they want to do so, then they are friends of the Woyanne regime and enemies of the Ethiopian people. To avoid persecution or imprisonment in the name of democracy, or to lead an organization without being persecuted or imprisoned, is not the spirit of good leadership. I don’t want them to stay like the Zikuala Abo volcano – dormant. They have to get out and spread democracy throughout the regions of Ethiopia, come persecution or imprisonment.
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June 23rd, 2008 at 12:28 PM