The following are Part 1 to 6 of the Ethiopian Review and eppfOnline.org interview with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki. The translation of the interview to Amharic will be posted as soon as it is ready.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Related Posts
- President Isaias Afwerki gives interview to Ethiopian Review
- Amharic translation of Isaias Afwerki's Interview (Part 5)
- More photos from Eritrea
- Questions for President Isayas Afwerki – Part 2
- Reaction to President Isaias Afwerki's interview
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good interview
May 28th, 2009 at 3:14 am
It makes a lot of sense. United Democratic
Ethiopia will never have ambition to oppress
any nation or nationality.
Mamo
May 28th, 2009 at 3:19 am
Well done Elias it is a good start. Hope to see more good relations between the people of Eritrea and Ethiopia.
May 28th, 2009 at 3:23 am
Bravo Elias and Sileshi:
This is what I call journalism. You asked the questions that are in every body's mind. Very important questions. We were afraid that you may not ask such questions.
May 28th, 2009 at 3:24 am
the video ends b4 it statrts, so frustrating! I have been waitin for so long just to find a broken video……?
plz make is readable.
May 28th, 2009 at 3:57 am
I think this interview is really good. I hope to hear more of it. I want to hear what Meles and some of his followers would say about it. I and you know, they won't be happy about it. It is true though that Aiga and some other websites will start moving thier tales to hear deep inside but they would never beleive it. What ever they think that's really good Sileshi and Elias did.
May 28th, 2009 at 4:45 am
very good interview weres part 2
May 28th, 2009 at 5:03 am
A very sensible reply for a tough questions. In a nutshell PIA is genius guy. Please engage more with him. He is still bright consdiering his age.
May 28th, 2009 at 5:35 am
Never thought Isaias is this kinda person
i know most ppl talk things but they dont live it
But seems like this guy is
Good for the ppl…good for Africa
May 28th, 2009 at 5:56 am
Elias,
I can't wait for the rest of the interview. Good job! Bertu.
But why president Esayas don't like to speak in amharic? Is it because he understands it only? Language is a means of communication anyway.
May 28th, 2009 at 6:20 am
So far so good interview, Can't wait for the second part.
May 28th, 2009 at 6:26 am
President Isaias Afwerki is articulate as always. Good news for all Ethiopians and Eritreans. Great job Elias and Selshi. Now is the time to put your money were your mouth is and help the opposition.
May 28th, 2009 at 6:27 am
Please post part two…..soon! it's vivid this genuis leader ultimate goal seem to be about creating a well developed Horn Of Africa, a sort of mini China version of the 21 century!
May 28th, 2009 at 7:06 am
President Essayas Afeworki is a great leader.
thanks Elias.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:18 am
Ethiopia has a choice of remaining to be a subject of poverty and corruption, because it's lead by corrupted tyrant thugs or to rise up and kick these embarrassing puppet leaders once and for all so that Ethiopians can live in peace. Eritrean leadership is paving positive ways for Africa and the opportunity is there to be taken. Ethiopia has been hungry since 1984, yet Ethiopia has so much resource that can feed half of Africa. Why don't Ethiopians even question why their country has become the embarrassment to Africa? Weyanes are naturally evil and will never change. The one reality is Eritreans put them where they are and Eritreans will bring them down. Time is ticking and the end of the dirty, evil minded Weyane is so near.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:51 am
THank you Elias and Sileshi!
This interview reshape my life time thinking about Presidant Issayas and Eritrean people. I hope my fellow Ehiopians have the same kind of understanding and work together with Eritreans to destroy Weyane from our beloved country.
Thank you thank you thank you…
May 28th, 2009 at 8:29 am
Journalism at it's best. Well done. We have to break taboo to succeed. This (21st C) is the age of information technology. Mr Elias and Mr Seleshi are a head of their fellow journalists. Don't listen to the negativity of Woyane's disinformation.
May 28th, 2009 at 8:31 am
Your interview with President Isayas is a more potent weapon than a lot of guns combined. I am glad you are presenting it one part at a time because the wisdom President Isayas imparts is better grasped slowly.
The true wisdom and knowledge and wisdom gained from this kind of interview will help our peoples recognize what the goal is and eventually contribute to a united action to bring about the kind of peace we desire for generations. Woyanne's fear and paranoia will rise to its highest level because their propaganda that managed to fool many Ethiopians will flat on its face and their power will erode as a result of this interview. This will spur Ethiopians and Eritreans around the world to close arms and lead us towards a united action to bring about peace and prosperity to our peoples.
May 28th, 2009 at 8:33 am
wel done elias and sileshi
this is very important step in improving the relation of the two brotherly people and well done Isaias as he explained all the truth… we will wait you elias to interview meles and expect the truth of meles too. I am eritrean and i need information from both sides before I believe things. we should consider all and we should stop being selfish to our side.
well done once again
May 28th, 2009 at 8:33 am
Great guys, you all look very good. I wished President Issayas spoke in Amharic. If I am not mistaken he would speak better in Amharic than English
May 28th, 2009 at 8:50 am
Brilliant and worth watching! United Ethiopia would not be a threat to Eritrea. I thought we are going to be united. May be not. Sir, that is why you were being interviewed to at least hint towards that goal. I have to cringe every time he says, "hostage of history." What is it? good job guys!
May 28th, 2009 at 9:05 am
Ghion,
Please fix your computer, this vedio is as good as any professional videos out there. It is very good to hear at least President Isaias wish for Ethiopian unity. Integration with Eritrea. Good Job Elias, you have done better than the so called “Hamburger“ organizations.
May 28th, 2009 at 9:15 am
1) At first I was skeptical about this interivew. But after hearing Isayas, He was on point on most all issues. I belive a united strong Ethiopia will be an asset for Eritrea not a threat. I also liked his vision for the horn of Africa in general. Horn of Africa needs to integrate politically and economically and be a force to be recoken with.
2) As to someone who asked why he did not speak in Amharic. That is I think a wrong question to ask. As a president of a sovergin nation, he should speak in a language that is commonly understood in both nations.
3) some people may have doubt why deal with a guy who does not respect human right in his own country. I think that is a legit question and needs an answer from the president. I think if Isays releases all the politcal prisoners in his own country and respect press freedom etc, he will be admired and respected by Eritreans as well as Ethiopians and his vision for the future will be realized. Otherwise, it will make him hypocrtical.
May 28th, 2009 at 9:21 am
This is briliant! If the president of Eritrea means what he says, and works hard towards it, I think we will have a bright future. Not only in Ethiopia but in the entire region.
Thank you Elias and Sileshi!!
May 28th, 2009 at 9:28 am
WE have been living in a mythical world that things, people and perceptions would not change. if you do not open the door and windows of a house, you would live in a stinking and foul smell. but if you open up for new ideas and change, then the dynamics change. Meles is still playing with our emotions. Woyanne is trying to make us hate Eritreans and Eritrea by allowing them to come and take their money and property. It is planned to create hatred since it believes that Isayas would be sweet talking to Ethiopians. It is great to talk and see that the other side also has something to say. Elias – it is a good ice breaker for the peoples of Ethiopia and Eritrea. The clouds of perceptions and hatred of Aigaforum and Ben's servitude page are dispersing and dialogue between Eritreans and Ethiopians is starting.
May 28th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Elias,
You're a true Ethiopian. I'm really proud of you. I'm sure people will not know what the sound of a true leader is. Isaias is a unique leader. That's why people hate him. Even his people – they don't understand him.
May 28th, 2009 at 10:01 am
i like the way Elias asks
May 28th, 2009 at 10:23 am
People and views grow up and change. If Isayas is untrustworthy, it would be his problem. This is the age when people have to be good for their own sakes. Even if Isayas has his own agenda, I could work with him as far as my interests are concerned. When the line is crossed, I would reckon my moves. Who does not have problems with his dad, mom girlfriend or spouse and later move on with a new chapter. Imagine not going to the kitchen when you are fighting with your mom. Ethiopians and Eritreans shall look beyond their leaders and the present and grow up for their respective interests than not using their human and economic resources by acting like estranged spouses. Nations do not act like kids and live in their secluded fantasy worlds.
May 28th, 2009 at 10:32 am
As far as I can tell President Isaias Afeworki is consistent in his thinking since he spoke at the conference in 1992. At that time, he said that he would consider confederation between Ethiopia and Eritrea. If it was not for woyanne, Eritrea and Ethiopia would have a strong relationship that would shape the future generations. Now I declare woyanne is the number one enemy of both people.
May 28th, 2009 at 10:38 am
Thank you Elias and ER
May 28th, 2009 at 10:38 am
I am an Eritrean and I have not watched the video yet. I will very soon when I get the time.
However, I find the comments left by people to be very touching and I can say that I am excited about the future of the horn of Africa. If we can all think on the same page, nobody can stop us from achieving!
May 28th, 2009 at 11:18 am
ሰይጣን መስቀልን እንደሚፈራ ሁሉ አቶ ኤልያስ ለወያኔ እንደ መስቀል ማስበርገግ ከጀመሩ እንሆ ዓመታት አስቆጥረዋል:: ስለሆነም ነው የወያኔ ካንጋሩ ፍርድ ቤት በሌሉበት የሞት ፍርድ የበየነባቸው:: የሞት ፍርዱን ወደ ጎን እንተውና የአቶ ኤልያስ እና የአቶ ስለሺ ቃለምልልስ ከኩቡር ፕረሲደንት ኢሳይያስ አፈወርቂ መለስና ቡቹሎቹ በያሉበት እያስቀመጣቸው መሆኑን ከወዲሁ መተንበይ አያዳግትም :: በሞሆኑም የባጥ የቆጡን መቀበጣጠር መጀመራቸው ከወደ አዲስ አበባ የሚነፍሰው ነፋስ እየነገረን ነው ድንገት አቶ ኤልያስ አስመራ ምሆናቸው ዎያኔ እንደ ሰማ ደንገት የዝንጀሮ ካቢኔውን ሰብስቦ ከኤርትራውያን ዘርፎ የበላውን መልሶ መትፋት እንደሚፈሊግ በበረከተ መርግሙ በኩል እያላዘነብን ነው:: ያስፈሩኛል ብሎ ያመነባቸው ትቀናቃኞችም በየእስርቤቱ ማጎርና ማወካብ የወያኔ ድንጋጤ መረን መልቀቁን በግልጽ የሚያሳይ ነው:: ስለዚህ አቶ ኤልያስ ወያኔን ብቁሙ የሚያበላሽና ፈስ በፈስ የሚያደርግ ስራ እየሰራህ መሆኑን አውቀህ ቀጥልበት ብቻ ማለት ነው እኔ የምፈልገው::
May 28th, 2009 at 11:21 am
So much thanks to Elias and Sileshi the best Men of the year. We Eriteans and Ethiopians we need to talk talk and talk. Not talking each other means our future is like the fate of Middle east (Israels and Palestains). We have many many good things in common to share than killing each other or woking against each other. From this minute I consider every Ethiopian men as brothers and Ethiopian women as sisters not my potential enemy as before. We Eritreans and Ethiopians should give peace the chance. Our people deserve to live in peace. If there is peace and friendship then As President Isaias said sky is our limit.
May 28th, 2009 at 11:39 am
Elias we need so many of your types to make woyanne clique vanishe like a thin air once and for all not to be seen in Ethiopia except den hague
May 28th, 2009 at 11:45 am
The video stops at 02:25. what is going on; frustrating
May 28th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Elias teru sera new yeserahew, berta
May 28th, 2009 at 11:55 am
thank you Elias and sileshi,
Yelibe biyachiwalehu..you asked questions of my thought.and I am satisfied with the answer
May 28th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
I really appreciate the way that Isayas thinks,if what he is talking is true.The most fascinating issue i heard was that he is very much concerned about the future generations to come,however Ato Meles never mentioned the word"future generation"at any occasion that tells he is crooked and selfish.
Elias and Sleshi you have done good job.I cann't wait for the second part.
May 28th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
hi Elias and Seleshi, we heard the interview and we think you are sellers. You diverse to be on coffin as soon as possible.
May 28th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Elias i appreciate your courage to find the truth what in our community think about Issayas afewerki, you was asking really what was in my mind, thx bro.
May 28th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
I enjoyed the interview with President Issaias Afewerki, like many of the discussions we have with him in the past he surpassed my expectations again, I have said in the past that listening to Issaias Afewerki was better than reading a 500 page book.
May 28th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Let's not hear the terrible sound of Woyanies who are our slaughterers, who want to fragment the Nation State of Ethiopia, who don't believe in integration within and without. Woyanies want to see Ethiopians, Eritreans and as a matter of fact, the whole subregion devouring each other; it has been witnessed. The Woyanies are irresponsible because they represent destructive death–just study their performance records. Isayas is opening his heart to whole world. His heart, as I can see now, is as wide as the ocean; you can swim in it; he wants us to exchange helping hands and ideas from the grass-root level. President Isayas is very well aware of the past mistakes, and he tells us not to be hostage to history while we can work hard to achieve our freedom that both people share in common. What do you think fellow Ethiopians? I think the source of evil thoughts is Woyanie; the one that receives it from Woyanie is passing it over to the other and to the other and still to others, and such is the way distortions are multiplied. It is high time, I think, we need to cooperate; the more we try to run away and hide, the more trouble we will be creating to ourselves in the near future. Beware of distortions!!!!! For now it is enough and I shall give my comments on part II of the video.
May 28th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Elias,
Thank you again for the Job well done.
One Key Phrase of Eritrea President Isayas Afwerki.
"A strong united and prosperous Ethiopia can not be a threat."
Yes, a prosperous country can not oppress its people and it will not also export this kind of oppression and threat to other neighboring nations.
May 28th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
I am an amhara. I lost my beloved brother in Dekemehari- Eritrea during the Derg regiem. I used to picture Isayas Afeworki as a cruel man and an inventer of Woyane and always behind woyane to destroy Ethiopia. But this interview washed away everything. I am sorry about the innocent Ethiopians who are kept hostage by the woyanes. Who doesn't want to learn from this genius person? He is the living witness for all the past and present mess of the Ethiopian/Eritrean politics. He knows Ethiopia better than the narrow-minded woyanes.
By using my citezenship right as an Ethiopian, I endorse him to be my president- at least an honerary president of United Democratic Ethiopia. Shme on you Meles Zenaw! You are such a crooked and snake person. Look your friend how he is genuine when telling history. He was so humble as well. President Isayas is cleared himself and won't be accountable to the past history. I liked his genuinity. Imagine if he was Meles to be interviewed. You would have collected hundred of insults. he would have told us that you are Demegnoch, Neftegnoch, timkhitegnoch. Meles is really a snake.
After I listened the interview, I have found another point to hate Derg. They should have created peace agreement with Isayas/Eritrea and this parasite Woyanes should have left out. Today, we would have enjoyed United Democratic Ethiopia, which would be a proud home of Tigres, Amharas, Oromos, Gurages, Benshanguls, somalis,….
Hope Isayas can do something before he gets old.
May 28th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Good work, waiting to hear the rest, good questions too.
Elias, Ethiopia and ethiopians will pay you one day.
May 28th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
WOW is the word of the day. I still think that we have missed a lot previously. We have been kept in the dark even before this hodams in arat kilo. We never had the chance to actualy understand Eritrea and that is to hear it from the horse's mouth. I am speechless to say the least. Just part one but gave an angle of thought I never imagine could entertain. This man is to be trusted and even when you go back and look at paterns and how things went in the past.
Thank you Elias
eternal glory to Ethiopians and Eritreans.
May 28th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Wow brilliant Interview. Good questions coming from Ethiopian Review and Issaias answers were good as well. Well done!!
May 28th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Thank you Elias on behalf of all Ethiopians!!!!!
now the silence is broken between two people it is time to put our differences and woyane behind. work for bright future.
May 28th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
I am eritrean. I believe that if the sovereignty of eritrea is respected, ethiopians are the number one people who are close to us culturally, historically and we would like to work with them for the development of our people.
May 28th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
ER,
Thank you for showing us the side of Isaias.
May 28th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
I used to have different impression of Isaias. In fact I thought he was Amhara hater and when i hear him saying words which are deep in my heart, I was amazed to say the least!And, he has such level of confidence comperable to those great ethiopian leaders of the past like Tewodros and Menelik… the guy is a manly man and sorry guys to say this he has heck of a balls!
May 28th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Elias and Seleshi, u have done really the best spring box to topple the racist woyanne clique
I have believed PIA for his genuine intent to work ethiopians
Cheers
May 28th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
great idea!! I didn't expect such grat ideas from Presidant Isayas. Hope, we will learn more from from the second part.
thanks Elias and Sileshy. Keep working!
May 28th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Dear Elias
Please pass my thanks to Presidnt Issayas for his explanation. We know now he is a genuine and selfless man whom we should learn a lot about multi nationalism.
May 28th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
I was suspicious at the beginning before listening this interview. Well, having heard that, I think that you did a great job. You asked the most important questions directly.
Bravo Elias
May 28th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Hello. I'm an Eritrean, 23 years old and i live in Amsterdam, Holland.
I hope Isayas is speaking the truth because unity and partnership is the only way that Ethiopia&Eritrea will prosper and reach their full potential.
Because i live in Europe i dont meet so many habeshas on a daily basis but everytime i meet a Ethiopian on the bus, in n the subway or at work i am very happy because we are all brothers and sisters. I am sure that most Ethiopians and Eritreans in the diaspora and in our countries will agree with me on this. So why do our contries act like a divourced couple that cant stand eachother? And we, the people, are like the child that is suffering from their fighting.
We should stop thinking about the past and start looking forward. If you look at Europe and on white countries. They have done the worst of things on eatch-other, they have even fought World Wars against eatch-other! But they forgot about that along time ago and instead they focus on the future. So why should we keep holding on to things that have happened in the past? I hope from now on that Eritreans and Ethiopians become like brothers and sister. We should do business and strive for the sucess and prosperity for our people, so that our future generations hopefully will have a good and happy life.
Thank you.
May 28th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Open, Plain and Truth. No political rhetoric! These interview with Eritrean President Asayas Afwerki is opening new window of hope in me. Thank you Elias. You are not alone.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
This is historic! History will judge Isayas and is government if he breaks his own words in the future! His attitude and actions will define the relationship of future generations of the two sister countries – Ethiopia and Eritrea!
May 28th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
That is great Elias and Sileshi! Now, we are setting our own agendas. The Weyannes are not seting our topics anymore. That is great !!
Tekle
May 28th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
Its good to see ato esayas trying to circumnavigate the question asked by his interviewers. All he was doing is systematically attack woyane to his own advantage. But when it comes to the vital question of Assab port, he said that "apart from the question of sovereignty" which he would not like to raise "He would like to give us service on Assab port" like Djibouti does. "How?" is our Question. What kind of right do we exercise using this port? The historical realities of Assab and Djibouti are very different. Ethiopia should get an entirely free access to the Red Sea via Assab without any preconditions if Eritreans would like to enjoy the big economic advantage they will gain from open border on Ethiopians side.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
After watching this interview, it is very apparent why president Isaias Afewerki is considered a major threat to the weyanes and their western paymasters. Thanks Ethiopian Review and EPPF for opening my eyes.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
That is good Elias, you are brave enough to ask the burning issue of Asab. I have to appreciate you. Hope to hear more interesting questions.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Elias
I am sorry i had misunderstanding about this great man. He is a man of his words.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
It's crystal clear that the whole Africa is held hostage by the West through their trusted modern day chiefs. This interview is an eye opener. Wonderful job, Elias and Seleshi. The bible says "You have eyes but you can't see, you have ears but you can't hear." African chiefs facilitated the slave trading of its fellow African for the white man. These modern day chiefs, weyanew Meles & his likes, are doing the bidding for the West in a modern day slavery to ransack & strip African resources at the expense of its people & their environment. All the West had to do is prop up & arm its puppet in the name of Aid to keep the local people in check & exploited. It reminds me of John Hillary, Director for 'WAR ON WANT' who claimed that EU has in its constitution (which I haven't read it myself to verify that & I urge everyone to Google it) that the West's multilateral firms have to control the world resources. That is scary. Hitler incarnated. The poor Africans are too busy fending for their day to day living that they won't be able to see these evils that are hovering over our continent. No wonder the west targets Eritrean president, isayas afework. Africa has to rally around this visionary leader. The bible says, James 4:4 "If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God." the west who worship money usually address themselves as 'the world' resisting evil should be our duty. Change is imminent.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
This guy can be Senior lecturer at Mekele University. Period. He could be a valuable resource to educate the Woyannes.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Thanks Elias, I think Issaias Afwerki is an open minded person. He thinks the future generation of Ethiopia and Eritrea people. The woyane meles is narrow ethnic-minded person think only for his 'golden' people. I would advise all Ethiopian and Eritrean people to join hands to work for their nation. The woyane only stands to destroy Eritreans , Ethiopians and Somalis so we have to fight this woyane racist regime to end.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
This is a good start. Great job Elias, EPPF and PIA.We the folks of Eritrea and Ethiopia need to be a good neighbors.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Mr. Afeworki speaks well. I like all what he has to say. Do you think he meant it? He never wanted a weak Ethiopia? I doubt it. If he meant it. It is very appreciable.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Why is President Isayas raising the question of "sovereignty"now? Woyannes and Eritreans were using the same currency that was Birr and sovereignty was not an issue that time despite Ethiopia and Eritrea are two independent counties since 1991. Elias, you were tough on him and that was great but he didn't answer your question directly, rather he was referring you to other options. Never trust politicians!
May 28th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Elias
This is the best interview.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
We are pleased to know the truth. We Ethiopian have been misinformed about Eritrea and its leadership.I can feel from his answers the President is bold and natural who speaks what he believes.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
I can't watch the video. Elias, think the page has some problems. Why?
May 28th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
I am lost with words. Isaias Afeworki sounds more like Ethiopian than Meles Zenawi. I now truly see the beginning of the end of TPLF as the political masters of our beloved country.
May 28th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
This interview is great for Ethiopians and Eritreans but it's a nightmare for Weyanes and its supporter.
May 28th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
I am happy the question that you ask the president, but the answer you got from the president is not the answer for your question.
May 28th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
on your face woyanes
May 28th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Interesting! I have never imagined Isayas Afewerki would be willing to face unfiltered questions from the people. Equaly interesting is the courage of Elias and Sileshi to ask very sharp cutting questions. This is ground breaking! Imagine the kinds of shame interviews Meles woyane did. He would not dare face such questions and he would not allow it. I think the narrow minded woyanes would hate this interview to happen. Great job Elias and Sileshi. Kudos to both of you!
May 28th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
Very interesting! Now the truth is coming out. President Isaias Afewerki told us his side of the story and it seems sincere. Now people can judge who is who. Meles and his friends has been lying for years. Enough is enough!!!!!
May 28th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
I am really fascinated by the depth and extent of the interview coverage. It is a kind of BBC's Hard Talk. I know Isaias as a hot tempered guy will get angry if he was asked a question what he does not want to hear, even for local journalist, but here, the journalist asked politely but tough questions and Isaias answered brilliantly. I hope this is the beginning of the tight relationship not only between ethiopia and eritrea but the people of the horn of Africa, but it is the beginning of the end for the Woyane. The most admirable character of Isaias even in his country is that he does not want to hear about regionalism, ethnicity, religion. He is not only headache for the Woyane, but also for the interest of the West which even they do not care about the majority and democracy as far as the chiefs serve their interest. I think no matter Issias tried hard to support the opposition, it is up to the leaders of the opposition and ethiopian people to topple over the woyane, and it is worth than being treated like a second class in your country, by your own leaders. This is shown in the term of education, military hierarchy, development and power.
Peace for the Horn of Africa
May 28th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Good job Elias and Sleshi!! The president has made it clear that the question of using port Assab by the Ethiopians will be as it was during the pre 98 war. The woyane has messed that idea then and i can't wait to see the woyane dethroned from power!!
May 28th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
Ethiopian people, this is your moment. Use PIA and Eritrea to discuss and open great talks, and comment on the issues. It is nice to know all sides of story. We have a good man on the position. Long live our president, and long live united Ethiopia. Well done you Elias and your friend Sileshi.
May 28th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
I've always told Ethiopian friends to see beyond what the West dominated media portrays His Excellency President Isaias Afewerki to be, awful things you can't even imagine. One thing is for sure, that is, he is an ardent Eritrean. So are many faceless compatriots that work behind the scene to make Eritrea and the neighbourhood safe for generations to come. These people are very pragmatic and realist bunch that fully understand the linkage of Eritrean success to that of Ethiopian success.
Our neigbourhood will be safe and hospitable when we have governments that are for the people by the people, devoid of foreign interference. Nationalist and inclusive governments that are representative of all.
May 28th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
I absolutely believe what PIA is said in this interview. Do you know why, because if he was saying it for the sake of politics he would have sold his country and kiss every white man’s behind like Meles long time ago.
May 29th, 2009 at 12:04 am
This interview has changed many people's view. For those of us who are blessed with age, we know the background of EPLF's agenda. Ever from the beginning it was UNITED ETHIOPIA while Woyane's agenda was for A GREATER TIGRAY.
May 29th, 2009 at 12:43 am
thanks elias and seleshi, u open alot of closed mineded ppl, they have the truth now, i hope they will not write stupid thing about pia. thanks again.
May 29th, 2009 at 12:52 am
I Never expect this from isayas afworki he is really good man its woyane makes us to hate this guy i guess
May 29th, 2009 at 1:39 am
i like this leader he sound nice and real man he is not fake i think woyane makes us to missunderstand this man. its good start to build up good relation between this two people. thank you ethiopian review. good job.
May 29th, 2009 at 1:43 am
Great job Elias and Sileshi
I think President Isayas is a leader who is selfless, visionary and dedicated unlike many parrott leaders who take their orders from interst groups in the west. your interview represented the real questions discussed in everyday life and the answeres were honest charasmatic and inspiring. we should have more journalists like you. and more importantly leaders Like President Isayas Afeworki.
thxs
May 29th, 2009 at 1:56 am
Brother Elias, Good job!!! I don't see this as a propaganda ploy by Isaias or Elias offering himself as a sounding board. I see it something that will lead to some kind of a new beginning for both peoples. I have heard about the personality of Mr. Isaias that goes back to the early seventies from people who had the chance to hear how he handles discussions with other groups or individuals. He has these excellent qualities of a good listener. He has his plan well laid out way ahead of time for Eritrea and for the region. I don't mind if he did not answer some of the questions in Amharic just because the reality now is that Amharic is the national language of Ethiopia not of Eritrea. I am really surprised he even answered the questions in English. And the English terms and phrases he used are easily understandable by those whose knowledge of the English language is very basic. If he was really strict to his diplomatic protocol, he could have answered the questions in Tigrigna. While I understand his logic in supporting nationalist organization in Ethiopia such as ONLF and OLF, that he considers these national organizations as transitional or temporary, but the programs and objectives of these organizations tell otherwise. These organizations have proclaimed their struggle to be anti-colonialist fighting the already moribund Amharas. That is why individuals like me consider such support is tantamount to playing precariously with a dangerous explosive device that will come back to haunt even the Eritrean society and people. These two organizations do not operate the same was as those fighters in ELF and EPLF were treating civilians. I remember in the 1960's when one of my friends encounters Eritrean freedom fighters on his way to Asmara. His bus was stopped and burned down but they did not do any harm to anyone on the bus. He was an Amhara. Another friend in Barentu area was interrupted during class when Eritrean fighters swarmed the area and the school he was teaching. They did their quick propaganda work and left. And they did not touch a single hair on him. He was an Amhara from Shewa. But these two organizations supported by Eritrea now have killed innocent civilians just because they are Amharas, Tigrayans and even Oromos who were at the ‘wrong place’ and with 'wrong' crowd. Why do such nationalist organizations fight for cessation? The Amhara domination is moribund now. They don't want to live with people like Elias, Sileshi or Teddy Afro? Why not? I think Mr. Isaias has good intentions but he should look into the programs and propaganda perpetuated by such narrow nationalist organizations to make sure after 'Ted Bundy' is gone, a more united Ethiopia prevails with all people being equal. Other than that, all three of them should be commended for bringing us such a ground breaking discussion. Thank you Mr. President!!!! Thank you Brothers Elias and Sileshi.
May 29th, 2009 at 2:13 am
I would like to thank ER for the interview. I thought what we heard during the Derg, and then during the Terrorist Woyane regime was true. I now got some clue as to how to work with Eritreans. We need to join hands with them and get rid of Tigre[TPLF] terrorists. The killings and torture of Oromos, particularly Shewa Oromos in the hand of Tigre criminals must end now. I will do all that is within my power to end it. Let us join hands and resources to end this racist regime and live in a country built on equality.
May 29th, 2009 at 2:47 am
Thanks Elias and Sileshi!!!
For me it is late to know Presidant Isayas but not too late. I like his idea. After this intereview even if I am an Ethiopian, I prefer to go to Eritrea than Ethiopia.
Keep working
May 29th, 2009 at 2:57 am
Wendime Elias,yeweyane maswegejaw mengedina akahedun egzi abher kedmo geltsolihal malet echilalehu.Berta were, mawratina sira mesrat yeteleyaye new.Tiretih, tigilih
akahedih asdestognal.ahunm berta elihalehu.
May 29th, 2009 at 3:51 am
It is great to hear from the great president of Eritrea that makes it clear not only to see united and strong Ethiopia, but he will do in his power to accomplish Ethiopians their objective. Therefore, first and foremost it is up to all Ethiopians to create united and strong Ethiopia by removing the cancer of Ethiopia including the horn of Africa, the Weyane.
May 29th, 2009 at 4:25 am
"One hour of talking with President Isayas Afwerki is equivalent to one year’s university education” Said Meles Zienawi in one of his rare truth moment. Listen and learn to all of you who are blinded with western propaganda.
May 29th, 2009 at 4:35 am
Dear Elias,
What you did is historic and it will be remembered. I have to compliment president Isaias also for being open and clear. keep guys communicating more that is the way how to come together and solve problems.
May 29th, 2009 at 6:59 am
I hope Ethiopia will be free from this hyena government, woyanne, and hope to see all Ethiopians living equally, in peace and love with their neighbor and within Ethiopia itself.
May 29th, 2009 at 7:46 am
Good job Elias and Sileshi,
I really admire that the idea of PIA to see united and prosperous Ethiopia and the whole effort he makes to see strong Ethiopia.
But I strongly doubt if that motivation can come from someone who desperatelly opperess his people.
May 29th, 2009 at 7:52 am
Elias and Sleshi have done marvelous job. You guys opened the gate it has been considered like a hell for long time. We Ethiopians have to educate ourselves and raise our political maturity to our people, that we shouldn't be driven by emotions that was designed by previous Ethiopian leaders for their own selfish mentality to prolong their power by creating a phantom Enemy. Let us work for the best future of Horn of Africa.
May 29th, 2009 at 9:10 am
to the comment that says "But I strongly doubt if that motivation can come from someone who desperately oppresses his people." who said that he oppresses his people? this is part of the disinformation by the weyane and u.s. more like a smear campaign, if u really want to make a judgment on what the Eritreans really think of him u should go there one time and see with your own eyes. He is a hero in eritrea. the weyane and the enemies of eritrea would wish to see eritreans and thier government not getting along, but that is not the case. its part of there propaganda, to cause confusion, and want to make it look like what is happening in ethiopia (were the majority do not like the weyane), is also happening in eritrea. So don't be fooled, the weyane are the masters of lying, they have got a degree on it.
May 29th, 2009 at 10:10 am
Comment #89
Why do you people keep on saying that Isaias "Oppreses his people"? Please stop advertising Weyane propoganda and that is all it is. There is no truth to it!
May 29th, 2009 at 10:33 am
#77 it is because you don't read in between of the lines. you need some more schooling. where you expecting yes or no answers? I guess so.
May 29th, 2009 at 10:37 am
Sorry number 77 my previous respond was meant to #75
May 29th, 2009 at 10:41 am
Aigaforum starts barking like usuall. Isayas and Elias are Weyanes nightmares.
May 29th, 2009 at 11:23 am
Elias and Sileshi, you cannot understand how much good you have done by reporting the truth. I am an Eritrean and like most other Eritreans believe that both Eritrea and Ethiopia can live in peace and harmony. It has been always painful and disappointing to read comments by educated Ethiopian writers charging that Eritrea is plotting to divide Ethiopia with the help of Woyane. Please understand that Woyane is our number one enemy too. We have also no hard feeling about Tigray, because they are also victims of selfish Woyane. I was happy to read all the above positive comments by your readers and was compelled to add my little comment. Thank you and CONGRATULATIONS!
May 29th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
As an Oromo Ethiopian, I consider President Isaias and the Eritrean People as the only ally who provided refuge to OLF and Oromos at large during the Woyane occupation of Oromia and Ethiopia at large. It is time to broaden our alliance with Eritreans in the fight to remove the murderous regime of the ugly Meles and the Tigre thugs in power. At the end of the day, the wealth and treasure of Ethiopia looted by Woyane into building Tigrai can easily be restored to its legitimate owners. Viva President Isaias – we definitely appreciate your principled approach and most of all in your continued effort to destroy Woyane!!!
May 29th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
The Prophet has spoken.
It is up to the peoples of the two great nations of Eritrea and Ethiopia to heed his advice and words of wisdom and start the long awaited reconciliation drive. The cloud of suspicion, mistrust and doubts are torn asunder by the Presidents candid interview.
This was the policy of the Eritrean leadership all along. The propaganda tsar cadres of the Tribal Junta were working hard to make sure that Eritreans and Ethiopians never see eye to eye. The Ethiopian comatose elites were also to blame. They were paying with the peoples emotions, fears and doubts to sore political points.
It seems now the sun has risen, the clouds are gone, the time has come for a new beginning and this historic opportunity should no be missed. We have seen a President who is a pride of his nation, Eritrea, the Horn and Africa at large. A President with clear moral conscience, integrity, wisdom, experience and a class act.
May 29th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
This is ground breaking, why can't we have more leaders like PIA in Africa. I can see why the west can target a visionary leader like PIA, they are used to puppets like meles who can be easily manipulated. Can't wait to see the rest of the interview
thanks ER for this eye-opening interview
May 29th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
You guys are really doing the job your county expects from any gunuine honest and determined ethiopian
Thank You, God Bless You all
Samson
May 29th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Sorry number 89 my previous responce was meant to somebody else who number has been reshufled by the moderator – the one that stated that "Isaias Oppresses his people". Noting could be further from the truth. He/she probably got that from the Weyane lie machine!
May 29th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
To Elias & Sileshi congratulations on a well done interview. Your dedication & willingness to help your people is admirable. To all that say PIA oppresses his people, as mentioned by others, it’s a smear campaign by Weyane & the West, particularly the USA. PIA devoted his entire life to serving the Eritrean cause during the armed struggle and he is still tirelessly working to make sure that the dreams and aspirations of our martyrs are realized. Because he pursued a policy of self reliance and rejected any form of dependence on an outside aid that comes with political strings attached doesn’t mean he wants to starve his people. Foreign aid dependency is a cancer to any society and I commend him for rejecting it. It’s true that life is hard in Eritrea due to its limited resources and also due to the war waged on us by Weyane and the West, so it’s understandable for the Eritrean people to voice some concerns and complain about their hardships. However, this must not be confused with a deliberate hardships imposed on Ethiopians, based on ethnicity and political affiliations. While Weyane follows a policy of divide and rule, ethnic cleansing by starvation and mass murder, the Eritrean government follows a policy of internal unity, regional peace and harmony, non-interference in the affairs of other nations and achieving food security. These are glaring differences between the Weyane and the Eritrean government. We Eritreans are not oppressed; we are encouraged and given equal opportunity to be involved in our nation building efforts with out any preconditions. I love my president and I am so proud of him.
May 29th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
This is the end of the enemy of Ethiopia as we know.Elias and sleshi you made history brothers, cause this is an eye opening to most Ethiopians including Eritreans. Eritrea and Eritreans never the enemy of Ethiopia. Please open your arm from now on. We belong to each other. Our fate and destiny is together. Long live our both people. no more hate from now on. victory to the mass.
May 29th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
As an Oromo Ethiopian, who lost my father as a Derg Army Officer during the war against EPLF, I sincerely admire and respect President Isayas Afeworki and the Eritrean People who provided refuge and support to OLF and other anti-Woyane forces – at a time when it was not popular to do so. He has certainly earned my respect and confidence. President Isayas is a true champion and symbol of freedom of all oppressed people from the yoke of tyranny.
Despite the countless effort and barrage of lies of the Tigre mafia led by the ugly subhuman Legesse Zenawi to create wedge between Eritreans and Ethiopians, once again we are reassured by President Isayas that he will stand by Ethiopians in the fight against the murderous Tigre thugs occupying Ethiopia at this time. As an Oromo Ethiopian, who witnessed 18 years of unparalleled killing, torture and persecution of millions of Oromo Ethiopians under Meles and Tigre thugs, I welcome President Isayas's call to unite and annihiliate and end the current murderous Tigre occupation of Ethiopia. I would also like to see Eritreans punish these criminals for the crime they perpetrated against Eritreans over the last 18 years.
Viva President Isayas and down with Legesse Zenawi and the Adwa crime family!!!!
May 29th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
The word of the day is "THE SKY IS THE LIMITE "if we have unity n respect to each other we can make it.
May 29th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Where are part 3 and 4??? What's wrong with you Elias? Post it please! Anjete eyerase new! Elias wendu!! Zendro Woyannen chira asqolefkew eko! Gena min aytew!! DUMB BANDAS!
May 29th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
After i seen all the comments n view of the above i swear i had tears in my eyee, even though i use to be in the front when i was young as a freedom fighter. Brothers and sisters, let's leave the past to the history book, look for the future of our people, we have more in Common to bring us closer than to divide us. Eventually we will make it. peace and rain to the horn of Africa
May 29th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Anyone who has a good heart and healthy memory would recall the policy of EPLF was UNITED ETHIOPIA.
I remember that TPLF agenda was a seperate Tigray and make Great Tigray.
So many time passed EPLF to oppose that Agenda.
I therefore want to remind all that this interview was not the indication of UNITED ETHIOPIA but during the libration strugle.
May 29th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
I was born in Ethiopia and grew up both in Eritrea and Ethiopia. I was very confident but was afraid of the huge propaganda work of the previous governments of Ethiopia has left Ethiopians an aware of crimes committed by their name in Eritrea. After so many years of wishing that one day Ethiopians will really take a time and listen to what the other side to say finally I can say that wish or dream has been realized. I think we have a lot in common even if we have differences we can begin working from the points we agree on and we can find common ground for our differences. I wish those to brothers all success Eritrea and Eritreans will Help let alone Ethiopians even those far away from us. I thank the leader of the wonderful country brother Issayas Afeworki.
May 29th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Thank you for breaking the ice. Now every one has a taste of the interview. PIA never changes he speakes straight and tell what in his mind. All the smear campaign against him through the media of the west is to shut him up. However, he is the only leader to say 'NO' to any one who degrade him or his country. He is the only one rejects the hand out of the west. He is the only one ask for equal partnership with the West and that why the West is sleepless to demonize PIA. Now we know, what are we going to do about it? This a challenge to the West; to weyanne to those who advocate human right on day time and do inhumain at night. Got the idea, it is upto us to be aware of the our surroundings. Ethiopia and Eritrea are neighbores
May 29th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
IT IS INCREDIBLE AND MADE ME CHANGE THE WAY I THINK ABOUT PRESIDENT ISAYAS …HE IS A GREAT LEADER ..WHAT MISASSUMPTION I HAD PREVIOUSLY ABOUT ISAYAS .ITS ALL BECAUSE OF WOYANE WRONG INFORMATION…ANY WAY GREAT JOB PRESIDENT ISAYAS!!!!!!!!!!!
May 29th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
Elias and selish, you guys have done a great service to the miscinceptions b/n ethiopians and eritreans. Your questions were to the point and PIA addressed them properly.
A great job keep it up
May 29th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Mr. Elias, thanks for the much-anticipated interview. I try not to miss PIA's interviews, not necessarily for political reasons but because I find his speeches to be intellectually stimulating. There's so much to learn from a genius like him, and I hope people stop being caught up on one or two issues and miss out on such opportunities.
Mr. Elias, you have built a bridge by creating a dialogue, which will lead to the end of misunderstandings and stereotypes. Whether we want to take this path and create a better future for the two countries, OR choose to continue to look back and get stuck in the past, is a choice we'll have to make.
I hope we make a smart choice.
God bless Eritreans and Ethiopians.
May 29th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Thank you Ethiopian review for providing us a chance to hear from the horse's mouth. It is an eye opener and as the President of Eritrea clearly said, we, Ethiopians and Eritreans, should work for the future generation.
If you visit now the TPLF mouthpieces namely Aiga & Ben's websites, they are scrumbling to detour this healthy discussion with their ever fear mongering propagandas. It is exactly this mentality that the President was talking about. The mentalitiy of the weak that thrives by spreading false information and distortions.
Thank you again for the interview.
May 29th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
I am an Eritrean. I never remember any moment in bad or good times the EPLF thinking or acting for short gains. When the woyanes were trying to set up abay Tigray, EPLF told them you do not have future outside of Ethiopia. Every doctrine of EPLF was united Ethiopia… You better refer to all dcouments and history of EPLF. and its stand was the same after independence and even during the war. Please refer to Eritrean governments statement after the border war delimited by the EEBC. " it said." this is a victory for the Eritrean and Ethiopian people. meaning there is an end to hostility… We always say "peace is our choice". we had this slogan when the woyanes declared war against Eritrea. I have my T- shirt with that slogan.I can post it to you. We did not see any reciprcal positive response from the Ethiopian side. At any time in our lives, we Eritreans were saying peace is our choice and this was the slogan of EPLF. and of Eritrean Government. Peace never comes wished by one side. I hope this new chapter of respecting each other, understanding eac hothers and listenining to what each of us has to say is opening the window of opportunity. We have to seize this opportunity to make peace and help our people focus on economic and social, cultrual developments so that they can improve their living conditions. Viva Eritrea viva, Ethiopia, Viva the greater horn and its wonderful people. actions are needed to achieve our dreams not only words. congratulations to all peace loving people of the horn
May 29th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
In this discussion forum, I have witnessed a great deal of maturity compared to the previous times. Ask me why? My answer is I never read any hate speech among the Ethiopian tribes (amahara, oromo, tigre, gurage,somali,etc..). At last we are coming to our sense and we found the way to dismantle woyane. Please keep up the good work. WE MUST SINGLE OUT WOYANE AND ATTACK IT. We should also take care when addressing Tigrian citezens. They are very sensetive and suspicious. The suspision was installed by woyane in to them.
When asked when are you going to handle the differences/problems between blacks and whites, the great Obama answered: Let's save it for the good times, after handling the current economic crises. So, nothing is different to Ethiopia. Yes we have some internal problems but let's save it for the good times and remove woyane who is the source of all evilis, division, hate and tribalism.
President Isayas (through great work of Elias and EPPF)has changed the equation. The equation has been changed. Believe me, woyane never expected this and bereket and meles have no where to go.
May 29th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
president Isayas send a message to Tigray people that the responssiblity of the crime last 18 years is in account of meles and his mafia groups. all your brothers and sisters wait your anti woyane movement to share your national obligation. I have no words enough to thank dear mr.ELIAS !!!
May 29th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
I can not wait to see full peace and harmony between Eritreans/Ethiopians. Eritreans and Ethiopians let's focus on our common enemy poverty.
peace and love!!!
May 29th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
Those kinds of questions haven't asked so far by any jouranalist to the president Isayas and as far as i know nobody confront the pr. this way.Good start(fresh start).Keep the good job.we are brothers and sisters.
May 30th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Great interview… thank you in helping us understand the logic which explains why things are in such a way between two countries that I love. Born and raised in Ethiopia from Eritrean parents and currently living in the U.S., I have nothing but love for both countries. I hope the time is nearing where we can live side by side like the U.S. and Canada; Where a person is not judged by the context of his tribe or nationality, but of his character. We learned from history more fortunate nations use intentional, malicious, and destructive policies to divide, control, cause havoc, misguide, disfranchise, enslave, destroy, colonize, use/ abuse… in short to take advantage of the less fortunate ones. Many foreign powers have been giving us bombs to plant instead of seeds to grow. There has never been a nation that achieved success without having peace. No peace no growth. Not speaking is a cowardly unhealthy act. So when do we wake up. The Big question is Why do the powers that be want us in this position? We are all loosing but who's gaining? If we see the world, there are no border wars. Nations are uniting for their common interests. We were overshadowed to fight the real economic war instead of the senseless border war. Those are very critical times for developing nations or will be left behind in this technology age. As President George W. Bush try to say, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. One country wealth is not just its' natural resources but more of the quality of individual it produces. And I've never seen very dynamic, versatile and hard working people like us. I'm amazed and learned a lot from this interview especially from President Isaias. We have to start from somewhere so keep up the good work.
Ermias (Baltimore)
May 30th, 2009 at 12:55 am
To all Ethiopians,
I think it is beter to face to God his change is beter than us.
May God Bless Ethiopia and Ethiopians
May 30th, 2009 at 1:10 am
I like the questions raised by Elias and the entire response by president Isaias. It was great. In fact, I changed my outlook on Isaias. He is very brainy and genuine. It is a matter of time to see the people of Ethiopia and Eritrea to live together once again after the demise of the woyane clique.
May 30th, 2009 at 1:11 am
wow, so much positive comments. I think the efforts of ER to create a bridge between Eritreans and Ethiopians is showing results. Great job guys.
May 30th, 2009 at 2:34 am
As Ethiopian, The interview was some how moderate. Though the journalists should have been neutral and ask question as Ethiopian messenger rather than as against government.
To be honest, for the first time president Isayas made very positive interview.
wish best for both countries.
May 30th, 2009 at 5:44 am
Really nice interview that's all what i want to know!!
May 30th, 2009 at 6:20 am
For the first time I listened Presedent Esayas Afewrki's interview. I found the man to be smart it is amazing.The presedent has a good vision and an outstanding dream for Ethiopian's and Eritrian's than our tayrant. He is the man of the 21st century at least he thinks of discussing and talking.
GOOD JOB Shileshi Tilahun and Elias Kifle
God Bless Ethiopia!!!
May 30th, 2009 at 8:43 am
Elias' achievement is truly remarkable. It shows what a single individual, with enough guts, conviction, vision and determination can accomplish. Mr. Elias' burning love for his country and his remarkable courage deserve the highest praise from both Ethiopians and Eritreans. In the course of a few ground-breaking interviews, Elias and his comrade, Mr. Sileshi, have managed to smash to smithereens the dreadful misconceptions and stereotypes that were purposely created around Eritrea and our honorable president by the evil Woyane and the malevolent Western Media. As an Eritrean, who wishes to see our two countries live and prosper in peace and harmony with each other, I congratulate and commend Mr. Elias for opening the until-now firmly shut window of communication between our two peoples.
May 30th, 2009 at 10:10 am
That was the initial view point, of the great peace loving Eritrean people. and I have no doubt it is the same of the great peace loving Ethiopian people.
Now it is clear to any one who wants to open his eyes, that the source of misery, the source of bloodshed, the source of shame and indignity is woyanne. If that is the case, to put an end to this, where do we start? First for those we stand against our conscious because of our ego (false sense of self) we need to swallow that, and work together, for our own good, don’t be surprise those woyannes they are going to come as good Eritreans, or good Ethiopians, to distort the fact, let’s stay true to our self, not be misled by woyanne. In regard to president Isaias, I been known him for the past 32 years at times close, when things got rough , even some times we second guess him, but time and again he prove us wrong. No matter what happen the people of Eritrea got great unique respect for this guy, simple reasons he is selfless, he speaks his mind no matter who is he speaking, overall he led us through dark times. If we work together, we will shorten the suffering of our people.
May 30th, 2009 at 11:08 am
Elias
As an Eritrean I am very proud of the work that you are doing. We Eritreans have known about WediAfom (as we call him) since we were in our mothers womb. The only difficulty that we had was explaining to Ethiopians and other africans on his leadership quality. Partly because he is a very different kind of leader among the african leaders that we are familiar with. BUT today you did it for us. We thank you.. Please keep up the good work.
BTW: to everybody else we should all support Elias go to the next level with his site. Count Me in
May 30th, 2009 at 11:36 am
Even though I was born in Addis, as an ERITREAN I have a lot respect for ETHIOPIANS. I am believer in PIA when he addressed the true meaning of helathy realtionship among us. He also went further in addresing the facts not PROPAGANDA, as meles will say it. Lots of Ethiopians were kept in the dark about the past and PIA has addressed them thoroughly. The Qs were pretty strong & factual. THE SKY IS THE LIMIT!!! Lets build on this & move forward!! Even here in atlanta lots of hate was build on PIA. Shame on those who want him gone! This man has a BIGGER dream for both contries. History will tell the true identity of those who live in the dark.
Great job guys
Thanks a million
May 30th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Hello dear Bro and Sis.
I would like to extend my gratitude to the professional journalists. It is an exceptional interview by its kind since post border war. It is a jump start to reconciliation between the two people. I would also say it is a way to a positive engagement.
Out of the 2 interviews, one big word thrown by The President of Eritrea which is THE SKY IS THE LIMIT, in my view the president genuinely displays his full willingness to an issue concerning East African; particularly Eritrean and Ethiopian.
I hope EVERY ONE take the interview in good faith and rationally.
Thanks once again to Elias and Shileshi
May 30th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
i am a proud of PIA as my president. wow how he is genuine! i think this interview is a good lecture for all peace lovers in Eritrea and Ethiopia about how we will work together as "neighbors" and it help us to know more about the "minority clique in addis." let us open new chapter of history and be sure on same page and work together for common economic goal. enough is enough! respect each other and listen each other guys. "sky is limit" as PIA said, if we want to create solid relationship long live for PIA. he is really hero. thank u Mr. President. God bless you.
May 30th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Thank you!! Elias and Shileshi, for the interview and for introducing PIA to our Ethiopian brothers, I hope everyone get to know him better, so they can understand what he stands for. Brothers it is time for us to work together for the good of our people. Viva wedi Afom we love you.
May 30th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
good job Elias and Shileshi. congratulation for this successful interview. now we have common aim and long-term ambitious target. we have to work together for peace and development. our campaign slogan is "THE SKY IS THE LIMIT!"
Eritrean brother
May 30th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Wondu,
thanx, I finally got to watch the video and nothing was wrong with my computer! (I guess i was amongst the 1st ones to try to watch it) President Isaias was so genuine that he reminded me of my Eritrean friends and their "libe kenanet" unlike some 'libe-siwirs" in our country, you know who am talking about. How delighting it is to hear genuine things from politicians!
May 30th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Thanks for this interview I think PIA is there to serve his country and not the interests of the West. I wish we had just a couple of African leader like him! Some interest groups have been fixing stories and doing propaganda giving him bad names. However He is indeed a trustworthy leader, not like the Weyane junta in our country. If he was selfish, he would invite every NGO to pump some aid money to his pockets. But this man don't want to make the same mistakes other corrupt African leader did. I believe PIA is a genuine leader. This step both Elias and Sileshi took is a wonderful thing. Let us work together with Eritrea, and include the other countries of the horn. We, all countries in the horn, have every thing in our disposal except peace, and peace is the main ingredient for prosperity. So let us talk and work for peace, and then and only then: THE SKY IS THE LIMIT as the president of Eritrea, PIA said!
Selam lehulaCHum…peace for all.
Belete.
May 30th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Part 3, 4, and 5 to be posted on Friday and Saturday???
Where is the rest of the interview with PIA?
May 30th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Elias
We have been told about this man lies lies and all lies. we can imagine from the interview his bold and natural way of expressions tell that he is a truthful person. We Ethiopian should be realistic to see what he is doing against the tribalism by woyanes. Let's work together.
May 30th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Good job it is time to think beyond borders and ports it is time to be truly independent of economical and poletical colonialism of the west.I beleive that was the message PIA was trying to pass along all these years.
May 31st, 2009 at 12:04 am
What a great job !!! I am glad to see all the positive response about our believed president especially from Ethiopian brothers and sisters. I have been following all PIA's interviews for the last 10 yrs. All he has been preaching free and independent Horn of Africa. The west don't want see that kind of leader who works for his people and country. Even African leaders feel treating by PIA. Because he is selfless and non-corrupt leader. The world major media work hard to tarnish his image and his country. They never talked about what Eritrea's accomplishment on education and health care. Let's communicate and be open to each other and not to be fool by western and their puppet propaganda. Peace and prosperity to Horn of Africa!!!
May 31st, 2009 at 2:35 am
እኛ የሚገርመን እስከ መች ናቹ የምትታለሉት ፈሪዎች ናቹ እንዳንል ጀግኖች መሆናቹህ አውቃለሁኝ.ወያነ ኢትዮጵያን እያጠፋት እና እየበታተናት ነው.በዚህች የፕረሲደንት ኢሰያስ አፈወርቂ ቃለ ምልልስ የተገረማቹህ ይመስለኛል.ይህ ከባህር በጭልፋ ነው ተጠይቆ የመለሰላቹህ ኩቡር ፕረሲደንት ኢሰያስ አፈወርቂ ..
May 31st, 2009 at 10:10 am
Thank you Elias for paving the way so that Eritreans and Ethiopians can work together to bring about peace and stability in the region with full trust and without suspicion. Now that the suspicion and unfounded fear seem to be addressed, the people of both nations need to coordinate their plan on how they can benefit one another, beit economically or socially, without undermining one another. It's suffice to say that, given a conducive environment, a prerequisite of which are peace, stability and mutual respect, Eritrea and Ethiopia have so much to offer to each other that would improve the lives of its inhabitants in every aspect. I know that this is the beginning of a healthy relationship between two brotherly people. We have a long way to go for, as in all struggles for postivie changes, there will be obstacles, detractors and blackmail. But, with reselience, determination and hard work, there's no doubt these objectives will be met.
Peace and Prosperity to the Mutually respected peoples of Eritrea and Ethiopia. Down with Tribalism and Ethnocentric Attitude.
May 31st, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Sleshi: Your way of interviewing is fantastic,you know from where to start where to end.You seem a very experienced journalist.I don't know exactly what you are trained in. Thank both for such excellent interview.
Pres. Isaias knows Ethiopian politics more than an Ethiopian and he actually exposed the secrets that was hiden from Ethiopian People. Woyannes wrote the constitution, approved it and as the same time break the law.
May 31st, 2009 at 12:22 pm
I would like to ask PIA my apology for for my ignorance. I have missjudged him for so long out of pour ignorance and negligence. The truth is the man knocked some sense to my thinking. He said "if I wanted week Ethiopia, all I have to do is back down and do nothing; because the weyane are doing a good job of it." People! Think about that statement! Is there any more truth than this? Thanks to Sileshi and Elias
May 31st, 2009 at 12:35 pm
woyane has been destroying Ethiopia for the last 18 years. Now I understood very well from the Eritrean leader interviews why the woyane are destroying the country. Great Tigrai is the woyane dream that has been exposed by the Eritrean government in the last 10 years. The Ethiopian cinstutution is written to benfit their own dream as i understood from this interview. They have been moving all the economy of the country to Tigrai since they got into power. We Ethiopian need to be aware of woyane intation of our country. Thanks for bringing this interview to us.
May 31st, 2009 at 1:44 pm
I hope you will post # 4 and 5 today since it is weekend and many of us have only this time to get time to watch it
You have done great in connecting the two people together and revealing what is been hiden for years- thank you Elias and Seleshi
May 31st, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Thank you Wedi Afom for putting into words what I feel in my heart! Yeah, the right to self-determination up to secession is self-destruction. Elias, keep up the Great Work!
May 31st, 2009 at 2:07 pm
great interview so far
May 31st, 2009 at 2:08 pm
listen AND learn
May 31st, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Wow,
I am very amazed by the interview, how resourceful the president not only in Ethiopian politics but even he revealed the deep secret of Woyanne. He made them empty. Meles has not no words to say. What a crocked guy he is. This message is not for the diaspora, but for the officers of the woyane and their support. The president said what is going to be unfortunate if this phenomena is not addressed a head of time. I wish he was Ethiopian president. I know he will be a dictator but who cares as far as he stands for the nation
Love him , Viva president
Thanks sileshi and elias
May 31st, 2009 at 2:33 pm
IT is getting very interesting, we had been brain-washed for so long, we were paranoid on the issue concerning Eritrea and its leaders. These discussions should have been done long a go. I think, he is very frank and concern for the Ethiopian regime. When a leader talks about peace, stability and development there is a light in the tunnel. Good Discussions.
May 31st, 2009 at 2:47 pm
hi elias and selish, what you are doing is not only journalistic excellence, but also you are trying to bridge the gap created by continuous propaganda to make these two people in a state of animosity and suspicion. if i am not mistaken, there is a saying in amharic "truth may delay, but it will not stay hidden forever." roughly translated, both Ethiopian and Eritrean should not allow the hate mongers and ignorants define how we think of each other. let's wake up and make a genuine effort to talk heart to heart and embarrass the hatemongers.
THUMPS UP FOR THE COURAGEOUS
JOURNALIST ELIAS AND EPPF POLITICIAN SLESHI.
May 31st, 2009 at 3:10 pm
I am an Eritrean deported by the woyane regime from Ethiopia. As the president said,it is only a matter of recognizing Eritrea as free nation and accept it that leads to Eritreans and Ethiopians live in peace and love.
May 31st, 2009 at 3:27 pm
First of all I would like to say thank you for Elias and Silesh for their courage and time taken to interview the Eritrean president. It is valuable to have the Eritrean perspective on the situation in our country as well as our leaders, which is often very limited.
Anyone who follows the situation in our country will be well aware of the following facts and why it is essential to change our LIAR leaders:
- The Eritrean President’s philosophy is one of self-reliance for Eritrea; Ethiopia, on the other hand, is the top foreign aid receiver in the world. In fact, a UN study reported that the life expectancy in Eritrea, a country without foreign aid, has increased to 66 years of age. In Ethiopia, the life expectancy is lower yet the economy has doubled in growth.
- In Eritrea, there is “freedom of media” in so far as it is not divisive of the people in its country; In Ethiopia, on the other hand, there is “freedom of media” in so far as it supports and legitimizes the existing regime.
- The government of Eritrea is non-corrupt, whereas the government of Ethiopia is one of the most corrupt in Africa. For example, the Eritrean President’s wife is a modest woman who owns very little; the wife of Prime Minister Meles, on the other hand, is one of the richest in Ethiopia.
- Contrary to what has been reported in the media campaign, Eritrea provided moral support only to Somalia. Prime Minister Meles, on the other hand, sent troops into Somalia to divert attention from Ethiopia and in the process sacrificed many of our people.
- President Isayas was clear from the beginning that as soon as the border problem was resolved, he will hold elections. Most Eritreans supported this plan. The elections in Ethiopia, on the other hand, were rigged, all opposition leaders were arrested, hundreds of protesters were killed, and thousands of CUD supporters were arrested.
- President Isayas explained that the arrest of a “Swedish journalist” (Dawit) was to hold him accountable for his role in disseminating propaganda for the purposes of dividing people and ethnic groups and others. On the other hand, BIRTUKAN and TEDDY AFRO are political prisoners.
In addition to the above, there was the genocide in Anuak and Ogaden and Ethiopian wealth is moving to North “Tigray”.
We need to use this interview as an opportunity to unite with our neighbouring country Eritrea and work together to change the regime. As we know, this government was formed illegally. Long live Ethiopia!
May 31st, 2009 at 3:48 pm
I am an Eritrean; which I am very impressed by the boldness of these two ethiopian journalists to cross the line and conduct an interview with President Isaias.I am not surprised by the brilliant answers of our President because collectively our leaders are the most visionaries of our time not only for Eritrea but for Africa as a whole which we are blessed as Eritreans. To come to my point; the EPLF (Shaebia) vision from inception was all natural resources in east Africa whether you call it port; mineral or human resources belongs to the people of east Africa. So by positioning all the resources we have; we can be not only competitive but a dominant force for change in Africa. This Philosophy of EPLF is the same yesterday; today and tomorrow so lets strive to archive this lofty goals by working together.
May 31st, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Great interview. My outlook was totally wrong concerning this gentle man. Well done brothers!
May 31st, 2009 at 4:55 pm
ELIAS! You did the right thing. You are 1000000000000 times better than the weregnas. You are a doer!
May 31st, 2009 at 6:43 pm
To my surprise, president Isayas has touched the issues that would make Ethiopians feel good. I appreciate the journalism portrayed by Elias and Sileshi as a great contribution to bringing about the otherwise polarized regional elites(in a way that is obviously damaging the common interests of the people) to the light. This should be how understanding between institutions develops. That said, as a devoted politician, I think it was easy for the president to say what he has been formulating as yet another strategy that will only reflect and expand the interest of Eritrea. By blaming all the ills on Woyane that is obviously reproducing enemies just like its predecessors, it is easy to imagine who is at the advantage at this moment. I was wondering about the president's analogy of 999:1 possibility of marginalization transforming into cessation. Does that mean Eritrea was the result of that assessment? You can guess what I am thinking. But the fact that Ethiopia is more complicated than that proves how hard it is to rule. Nothing is proven yet unless Elias interviews Meles as well.
May 31st, 2009 at 7:55 pm
first i thank you elias and seleshi when i realize it has been 18 years that ethiopians suffer under TPLF it burns me badly inside how long this is going to continue i will say we have to work with ERITREA and president ISAYAS to over throw this blood sucking lich woyanes and bring peace to the horn of Africa.
insh alah it won't be long to see the end of woyanes.
May 31st, 2009 at 8:23 pm
Issayas is a man of principle he has no any hidden agenda he believes in strong and united Ethiopia. If you want to know more about issayas go to the web site youtube and see what he said 40 years ago you will be proud of him.
Good job Elias and Sileshi
May 31st, 2009 at 9:01 pm
My oh my this guy is very smart, I like him. Thank you Elias and Silesh!
May 31st, 2009 at 10:57 pm
I think we all are grateful for what happen so far, how about, start talking, what we can do Together, to transform it, in to concrete practice, I think we have to start somewhere.
May 31st, 2009 at 10:57 pm
Great questions Elias and Sileshi. Very nice to hear PIA say he considers 999 out of 1000 possibilities for unity and only 1 out of 1000 chances for separation. He sounds more Ethiopian than the current rulers of Ethiopia. Unfortunately, a lot of damage has been done by the Woyanes over the last 18 years to the cause of unity. It is not too late though. The Ethiopian people can still get rid of those hyenas.
June 1st, 2009 at 1:11 am
no wonder why some writters belive eritrea is the hope of africa, i think i have to admit and agree with them. after i have seen the three part of president issais interview i begun to see things differently about the horn of africa's future and i feel good about it. i hope other follow ethiopians feel the same way. we have been misinformed about this great eritrean leader for so long. now it is time to stand up and work with eritrean for the betterment of these two people.
June 1st, 2009 at 1:39 am
OMG, he is genious. I am not sure if it is pretense but he is way better. Why can't he lead Ethiopia too? ER you made me change my mind about Issayas
June 1st, 2009 at 2:45 am
Can you please post the rest of the interview
June 1st, 2009 at 3:15 am
Ertrawi
Great interview, time to stop going back, it is time to go forward. Thank you for opening this new chapter between Eritreans and our brothers and sisters (Ethiopians). We need to look forward meaning 30 years from now, what kind of nations do we want to build for our children? I have always said if the previous regimes of Ethiopia (Heilesilase and Mengstu) have tried 30 years of peace instead of war I think by now we would have been united or would have been very close to unity. Our generation have a duty, our duty is to make sure we lay the ground of understanding through stage by stage integration of economy culture and values which will be our common identity, it is this shared value that is required for peace stability and unity in our region. The question of unity is not our responsibility (unity comes as a result of integration) for that reason it will be the next generations challenge. If we had 30 years of peace instead of war by now we would be thinking on these lines but sadly we had 30 years of war. So we need to move forward and make the current generation be the first generation to begin the creation of peaceful and viable horn of Africa.
To these how are still thinking about taking parts of Eritrea (Asab), I would say you must have been in a coma, have you not seen enough wars and distraction, stop asking the people of Ethiopia and Eritrea to go though the same cycle of war for the next 30 years. I can guaranty you Eritreans will never give up their hard won independents. So if anyone wants to pursue that issue i would say they are declaring war not only on Eritrea and Eritreans but on Ethiopians too, because Ethiopians just like the Eritreans are sick and tired of endless wars. If Eritrea was willing to give any part of its territory it would have done so a long time ago. Remember I as an Eritrean, I am not your enemy have not been your enemy will not be your enemy. All I ask is the respect of my identity as an Eritrean. This identity did not just come by chance, it was build through an imaginable sacrifice of Eritreans just like Isaias Afwerki, and he is just a representation of all these Geganu (Gegnoch) who have paid the ultimate price with their life. Now if we want to create a strong unity between our people please, please, please… stop the war mentality lets pay the same sacrifices to create a united and unique identity between our people, that will forge the ultimate goal of achieving independent society (free society united, at peace with itself and free of external dependence and foreign powers).
New beginning new dawn, the beginning of building our common identity and values for peace, stability and unity, let’s make it happen!
June 1st, 2009 at 9:13 am
thank you elias for this interview.
This is just a tip on the iceberg what you have heard about
isaise, if you open your eyes widely open and your ear.you will know him how good is he not just for eritrea but for the horn of africa. this is why we love him so much if there is an election tomorrow the Eritrean people would vote isaias there is no doubt for that but the country is on war with tplf. if there where no war with tplf in this 18 years Eritrea would the richest country in africa.Why we love isaias is;-
-His is not a corrupt leadr
-He opposes african leaders stealing public money
-He is the only one free to walk in the street
June 1st, 2009 at 10:40 am
These two journalists deserve a lot of congratulations. They brought the truth out. All the time I believed that president Isaias is for Ethiopian unity. Now we see it for real in this interview. And he has to be. In my book he is a true patriotic Ethiopian. It is about time that he will bring Eritrea into the fold of its motherland, Ethiopia. And with our new leader, Isaias Afwerki, Ethiopia will be the leader not only of the Horn of Africa, but of the whole continent of Africa. That has been and still is the dream of Isaias.
June 1st, 2009 at 10:58 am
I FEEL ASHAMED AND GUILTY FOR BEING PART OF THE EMOTIONALLY DRIVEN AND BRAINWASHED BY WOYANE PROPOGANDA TO WAGE WAR AND DESTROYING ANYTHING INSIGHT BY HIGH TECH WEAPO0NS IN ERITREA A DECADE AGO.
June 1st, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Thanks Elias and Shileshi. You have opened a new chapter and close the old one with miss guided. We Eritrean like to see a strong Ethiopia from Day one. In 1988 EPLF helped Woyane to fight against Mengstu regime in Shire Enda Silassie. EPLF told WOYANE to go fight with Ethiopian in other part of Ethiopia but the answer was mine your business SHAIBIA.
1989 Woyane liberated Tigrai for one year doing nothing but hanging around Mekele and roaming around Sudan to see if they can live without the rest of Ethiopia. Shaibia told to Woyane to go fight along Ethiopians and liberate the whole country as one nation and they do so with some hidden agenda to use Ethiopian resources and man power to build ABAI TIGRAI (Greater Tigrai).
This is the history we know as Eritrean and let sit down and tell you the story a lot about Woyane.
Love to all Eritrean and Ethiopian
Simply Eritrean
June 1st, 2009 at 4:11 pm
BRAVO ELIAS AND SILESHI,
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TPLF AND EPLF IS THAT ALWAYS EPLF THINKS UNITING PEOPLE BUT TPLF IS ALWAYS THINKING ABOUT GREATER TIGRAY.
READ MANIFESTO TIGRAI 1976
June 1st, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Great interview guys. i m sure by now abebe, meles, legese, whatever his name is, and his gangs are wetting their pants. I know they scare of isaias like hell. I can't wait for the next interview. cheers.
June 1st, 2009 at 5:48 pm
wow i like this man. i never knew he is this kinda person. What a great man is this! But one thing i wish is he will keep his word. I'm hoping he is man of his word. God bless him for he opened our eyes.
June 1st, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Woyanne is like a wounded hyena. Ethiopian from all walks of life need to come together and work with Eritrea. PIA in his interview emphasized peace, development and tranquility for both nations is in our disposal.Let us once for all send woyane to his grave. Dayton man.
June 1st, 2009 at 6:47 pm
my fellow Ethiopians u have full time brothers n sisters north of you n they r called Eritreans, no more ignorance we all belong to eachother, n we can make it at last,lets be genuine n be honest to our selves, lets not get fooled by the primitive low life weyanes misleadind propogandapeace to insite hate between both broptherly ppl.Peace and rain to the ppl of the horn.elias what a great job.
June 1st, 2009 at 9:34 pm
ahmed says:
"It is about time that he will bring Eritrea into the fold of its motherland, Ethiopia. And with our new leader, Isaias Afwerki, Ethiopia will be the leader not only of the Horn of Africa, but of the whole continent of Africa. That has been and still is the dream of Isaias. I don't know what "ahmed" (comment #167)is talking about. But Isaias has never dreamt of being a leader of Africa and you know it. You are full of sh't that even you stink more than the Weyanes. What do you mean by "he [Isaias] will bring Eritrea into the fold of its motherland, Ethiopia. I haven't heard him say that. Wey gud! A typical distractor. Here we are trying to narrow the group that existed between our people as good neighbors, and "ahmed" tries to inject a source of disagreement. Whoever you are "ahmed", Ethiopian, Eritrean or something else — you are an evil person in my books!
June 2nd, 2009 at 12:50 am
I've been cheated and became victim of weyane's propaganda campaign which over a long period of time has made me to think that "Eritreans were our enemies, and Kebur President Issias Afewerk was an enemy of Ethiopia." Now thanks to this timely interview and the very much appreciated efforts of both Ato Elias and Ato Shileshi, I have come to realize I have been lied to and cheated by the weyanes who are dividing Ethiopia. The interview has opened my eyes to see things I couldn't possibly been able to see in the past. I have an utmost respect and gratitude for the people of Eritrea and their President, and I hope to see a day come that we both live in peace and harmony as good friendly neighbors. That day seems to be nearer and nearer each time Ethiopian unity is threatening the weyane regime, and now that we're becoming friends and close allies with our neighbors, I have no doubt it has expedited the downfall of weyane, and shed light to an upcoming new era of lasting peace and stability in a weyane less horn of Africa.
God bless the people of both Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Love knows no borders; and bullets have no names.
June 2nd, 2009 at 1:38 am
What a great piece and interview.
Congratulation to ER and EPPF for breaking the logjam and for opening the dialogue with Eritrea and Ethiopia.
I am a fan of Isias now.
Dawit
June 2nd, 2009 at 1:56 am
Elias you have done a good job , but have you thought to interpret PIAs interview to those who can not or understand english to Amharic or to any Ethiopian language? You have done a good job. But you have this homework to translate to those who can not understand English.
June 2nd, 2009 at 4:08 am
IT IS REFRESHING TO READ THE COMMENTS BY BOTH ETHIOPIANS AND ERITREANS TYING TO REACH OUT TO EACH OTHER. I AM ONE HAPPY ERITREAN WHO ALSO SHARES THE SAME VIEW OF THE REST OF MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS.
I RECALL THE POSTING BY BOTH ERITREANS AND ETHIOPIANS DURING THE BORDER WAR OF 1998 – 2000 WHICH WAS FULL OF VENOM AND HATRED. READING THE POSTINGS TODAY, IT IS VERY CLEAR, WE HAVE ALL MATURED AND RECOGNZIE OUR ENTWINNED FUTURE.
ALL I CAN SAY IS THANKS TO ER AND PIA FOR OPENING THE MUCH NEEDED COMMUNICATION FOR MUTUAL PEACE.
THIS INTERVIEW HAS MADE ONE THING VERY CLEAR – THE EIRTREAN PEOPLE AND GOVENRMENT ARE NOT ENMIES OF THE ETHIOPIAN PEOPLE.
ER – PLS CONTINUE THIS NOBLE CAUSE OF ESTABLSHING OPEN AND HONEST COMMUNICATION FOR LONG LASING PEACE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS
June 2nd, 2009 at 5:11 am
WE DO NOT WANT NO ERITREAN MOTHER OR ETHIOPAN MOTHER TO CRY
PLS LET SAY NO MORE TO WOYANE.
THANK YOU ETHIOPIAN REVIEW
June 2nd, 2009 at 9:56 am
Isaias is a principled person,that is why i admire him. i think the wishy-washy weyanes must be terrified of event developing in such a pace .For the people of Ethiopia and Eritrea the ultimate objective should be the removal of this narrow minded and Poisonous regime. For us in diaspora there is nothing paramount to see a peaceful Ethiopia and Eritrea so that we would be able to go back home and contribute to the development of our respective countries .
peace be to both people !!!!!
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:31 am
Long over due interview that could have prevented misunderstanding, suspicion and hostility. A historical interview which transcript could be referred to ,long after Issayas and all of us are gone.
Elias, at last you are well defended in your support of this leader.
Sileshi, once and for all, the EPPF is officially stamped.
-His position on article39 is very clear and joins any sensible Ethiopian.
-His analysis of “army”, doctrine and usage is interesting.
-Woyaney’s security apparatus is well highlighted than most might expect the “army”.
-National service: very interesting as opposed to a grand army.
-“Sustainable democracy”: It seems he defended the fact that he in the past concluded, “Election in Eritrea could take as long as three to four decades.
Eritrea is a much smaller country than Ethiopia. Some of his suggestions are great, but to apply to Ethiopia is a much grander step. He is believable and likable in spite of past history., more into doctrine and may be still attached to Ethiopia as well as prevent future threat.
June 2nd, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Well done interview. I can not wait to listen the last part. This man really has the will to contribute his own part to wards establishing a unified and integrated Ethiopia. What remains from all of us to contribute our part.
June 2nd, 2009 at 12:34 pm
I just called Eritrean Embassy to congratulate president Isayas for his interview with Ethiopian Review (Elias Kifle). There will now be solutions to problems that we have not seen for quite some time. When we are working together will shorten the woyane clique. God bless Elias, Seleshi and President Isaias Afeworki. We will fight until the cancer is cured. We will not stop fighting the (woyane cancer) until the cure is found. UNITED ETHIOPIA FOREVER!
June 2nd, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Eli, Thanks for opening my eyes and all your hard work. You have completely changed my outlook.
June 2nd, 2009 at 1:00 pm
I say very good job to the journalists. Very good interview.
There is one very important point that bothered me a lot. That is democratic elections in both Ethiopia and Eritrea. President Isaias essentially stated that both the Ethiopian and Eritrean peoples are not ready for democratic elections because national unity and concept of democratic elections are not developed in both nations. My question is that who decides whether democratic culture are developed or not. If it is the leaders who decide then that is called by another and its proper name dictatorship.
Is president Isaias advocating tyranny for both Ethiopia and Eritrea. I do not like his answer to that one very excellent question. Then what is the difference between prime minister Meles and president Isaias. It appears to me that both are advocating dictatorship but they are coming to it from different angles. I would have liked a follow-up question to that disturbing answer.
June 2nd, 2009 at 1:11 pm
WAW what interview…It really opens a lot of things, which normally doesn't seem imaginable. After this Interview my thought about Eritrea and this man totally changed in positive way, I wish this interview was 10 years ago, we should prospered a lot togather. And I really appreciate the courage of Elias and Sileshi, thank you guys.
Let be togather again and march towords VICTORY.
Viva Ethiopia Viva Eritrea.
W.
June 2nd, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Weyane rank and file members!
Refer to interview six. President Isaias said that Eritrea Was asked by Weyane through diplomats to abandon the different opposition groups supported by Eritrea in exchange for Bademe and other areas. The President confirmed that both requests are not negotiable for Eritrea now and in the future. But for Melese and the gang, everything under the sun is negotiable as long as they retain power to plunder Ethiopia. Weyane rank and file members, mark the point and dissociate yourself from the gang in time as the gang have no an iota of Tigrean nationalism and will abandon you in no time.
June 2nd, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Good job! It is good to work with Eritreans. But not only that We need help to save the Ethiopians. Tell me what do you do when you are in a plane over the sky of Asmara and same thing wrong happen to the plain. I am sure you ask help form the ground in Asmara for landing. In a short while you fly to your way successfully. And what we need now is runway for departure, thanks to the peoples and government of Eritrea everything is ready.
June 2nd, 2009 at 1:44 pm
First of all I would like to say thank you so much Mr.Elias and Mr.Sileshi to take this hard step. It shows that you both are open minded and practicing your professionalism in board way to different level. I am very surprise the way Mr. President Isaias answers to each questions. He answered all of them in detail and in sensible way. He seems intelligent and knowledgeable person. Not taking any assistance from other countries to teach his people hard work, pride, and self-esteem is a good principle. Also he believes with open communication and meeting to resolve a problem and issues. That is plus for him. Also he believes one strong united Ethiopia. I have seen some of the comments are written about this interview. Some seem bothered by Mr. President Choice of language. I don’t. Why should we? He must not know Amharic as much. Anyway language is a powerful tool that brings people together regardless of our difference and similarities. I admire Mr. President to speak the 2nd language as beautifully as possible with extended and rich vocabulary. He isn’t even living in English speaker country. At least we got a way to be answered our questions. That is the beauty of language. Mr. Elias please we need more this kinds of interview. We want to hear from Mr.Meles as well. Thank you for the hard work.
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:21 pm
An army without a phylosophy and doctrine is not an army! since weyna army has no those qulaifications then it can not be called an army-I am impressed by issaise maturity and his approach to matters…I used to get intimidated by weyane army number and propoganda but now after listening to Eritrea's president opinion on how to constitute a patriotic army, I concure with the president that weyanes dont have an army! Amen to that!
And, he also hinted that the recent uprising in the army is the tip of the ice berg…emmm wink wink , i think the guy knows something is brewqing!!
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:42 pm
This is what we call modern Africa leader. Let us look our self and say it is time to fix Africa by Africans. It is over due. thank you ER & PA. let us move forward… one love Ethiopia and ERITREA.
June 2nd, 2009 at 4:56 pm
I hope I am not naive. They say 2/3 of all communication takes place non-verbally and language contributes only to the rest. I have tried to understand him (PIA) from all directions and my common sense tells me that he speaks his heart. This is a paradgime shift in my stance towards this man and his ideology. It is only Meles and co's who are the true enemies of Ethiopia and Ethiopiawinet. As PIA said it time and again, they (TPLF) are fool and have indeed a sick mind to believe that they can undo Ethiopia. They can't sever the age old connection between Eritrea and Ethiopia. Rather,Woyane, by its own act is hastening the day where Ethiopians and Eritreans will be living together in peace and harmony. See how we live here in the west. Many of my best friends are Eritreans. We are the same people. We look alike and remain to be insperable. We enjoy dining Enjera togehter more than anything else. God bless our people.
June 2nd, 2009 at 5:02 pm
What an eye opener, thanks Elias. I find President Issayas honest and likeable. It sure changed my mind about Eritrea.
The only group that is going to loose from this interview is the TPLF. The man makes a lot of sense..
June 2nd, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Good job Elias, Just by doing this interview you created peace among many individuals. People start to talk about this with out second thought or fear of making people mad. We got the answer for all questions we had. Woyannes are getting crazy because they were laying to us, instead of trying to bring peace they were creating things that bring division among the people of Ethiopia and Eritrea. I wish president Issayas was our president, imaging if he had all this millions from all angles what he would have done to the region, he is not narrow minded. Woyanne divided Ethiopian people the last 18 years, Afeworki passed the hardship and still standing demanding the truth. Now, Meles's last trick is giving back Eritrean property and tell them what to do after. He get used to i, as long as he gets money he will do anything. Well, this time not only Eritrean but the whole region knows what he is up to.
Eritrean president is a man of his words and I'm completely changed.
June 2nd, 2009 at 5:47 pm
I support the Idea of PIA. An army without…"ALAMA YELELOW WETADER LEMAGEDO ENDKEREBE ENCHT YKOTERAL". About the strength of "wayane" I have a Witness to testify that all x Ethiopian army members now it. Before 18 years the real fighting of Ethiopian army was only with EPLF not with "wayane" this was told by colonel Mengstu Hailemariam "GORF YAMETACHEW" He said I didn't fight with "wayane". so What I know is after the Ethiopian army graduated from military training center on their way to fight in Eritrea THEY PASSED THROUGH TIGRAY MAKING SMALL EXERCIS WITH WAYANE AND ALWAYS THEY WERE PASSED SUCCSESSFULY WITH OUT OBSTACL WITH IN TOW OR THEE DAYS BECOUTH THEY WHER RUNING OR THEY CANOT STAND.EXAMPLE "NEBELBAL,TERARAW,SPARTA" "MAN KUMNEGER BLOWACHEW" THEN THE WAR WAS ENDED IN ERITREA.
June 2nd, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Ahmed,
Re: The way Issayas views Democracy
Most likely it is video #4, or #5: If possible, you may review it. The key is ECONOMICS ACCORDING TO HIM. My impression is that, he believes in Democracy very clearly, but realizes that, ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL. So, his “SUSTANIBLE DEMOCRACY” SEEMS TO BE A PROCESS APPLICABLE TO ERITREA AS HE SEES IT .He pointed out the untouchables of INDIA and how 150 million people vote; but has not made much difference in improving the condition of their lives.
————-
Martha,
Language wise, it all seemed to work out well for the official release. ER and EPPF represented the national language of Ethiopia. If I am correct, Issayas was a student at the then HaileSelassie University in the 60s. Some people say, he has a combination of Ethiopia’s ethnicity in his background. He is most likely fluent speaking in Amharic. For some Ethiopians and Eritrean whose communication language could be English and for the international community, it seems to have worked very well.
——
Any books by him?
June 2nd, 2009 at 6:44 pm
My view to Eritrean has changed after listening President Interview. I wish Mr. President was the leader of both countries. We both have got the natural resource and the material for the development. We just need a leader who stands for the whole people, not for some ethnic group. Mr. President understood it very well. Working together is the only way out from foreign aid. Meles is narrow minded. He does not see the future. He dose not care for his people. President Isaias is concerned for his people; he doesn't want his people to be dependent on Western aid.
June 2nd, 2009 at 7:08 pm
This is a political u turn. He mention confederation. That's what Haileselassie started.
June 2nd, 2009 at 7:11 pm
To all my Ethiopian Brothers and sisters! If this interview does not shook your core and opened up your eyes; I don’t know what it will. The things I like about this particular president is that he is visionary. Look how he handles his business. He avoided foreign aid; he avoided dependency. He the first African President to kick USAID from his country. He is the first African President to kick the UN peace keepers; he is the first African president not get corrupted. Mark my word; Eritrea with this kind of leader; the sky is the limit. The point is can we learn from this man? Can we? We cannot afford not too! Time to wake up and time to throw TPLF to the history bin.
June 2nd, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Martha,
I think there is no books written by President Issais but you can find about his contribution in Eritrea struggle books in Eritrean community DC. He been asked by other people to write a book but he keep saying that I leave to other people to write history and I am just one Eritrean like others who fight for Eritrea.
June 2nd, 2009 at 8:19 pm
I think the whole region will move forward only when there are strong leaders working for their people and the region at large. Cooperate with each other rather than the CIA and NGOs.
Eritreans and Ethiopians are brothers. I am Eritrean and it really hit me that all Eritreans view Ethiopians as brothers when a TV that was on at a family/friends gathering one Sunday had marathon with Ethiopian in lead and EVERYONE was excited and rooting for him and overjoyed when he won. This simple emotional reaction should guide us rather than endless propaganda and supposed conflicts of interest.
June 2nd, 2009 at 9:37 pm
I have watched the first four parts interview with President Isayas. So far great.
This interview is life changing event for me. So far I have found the president genuine. I also watched the interview He gave to the swedish Journalist. I am very satisfied with that. The president is honest and truthful. I wish I could find any book written by him. I think president Isayas need to tell the Ethiopian people who he is and his government? Many of us do not know about him rather we have been misinformedand have negative feeling.
Thank you Selishi and Elias.
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:01 pm
(Ahmed = Abebe) Nice try. Clearly PIA was only talking about current plans for Eritrea. Nowhere did he imply imposing anything on Ethiopia or ruling Ethiopia, just sharing his government's ideology and his brotherly advice.
Btw, he could run elections in Eritrea today or at any time in the past and win overwhelmingly. What he is saying is right now is not the time for such theatrics. Nation building from ground up, in every corner of Eritrea, self sufficiency, the well being and educating of every Eritrean are the initial goals of the government. And Eritrea has made tremendous progress in achieving these goals without any aid money, without a single trade with Ethiopia, while at the same time fighting unwanted wars and being subjected to incessant psychological warfare. The average Eritrean understands the situation the country is in.
By contrast, woyane receives tons of aid money but has not much to show for it (except its personal bank accounts). It runs elections but only with the guarantee that it will be the only winner. When blackmailing the peasants into voting for it fails, no problem, just rig the votes and jail all the opposition. I guess meles could call that democratic elections but it is not.
Anyways, woyane won't be around for long. Eritreans and Ethiopians need to start talking about the way forward. Woyane will soon be forgotten like a bad dream. As the Eritrean defense minister said, woyane is stretching beyond its capacity trying to control all of Ethiopia and it will soon break like a rubber band. Sort of like the frog trying to be as big as an elephant.
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:43 pm
Mr. Afwerki is the most honest African leader ever.
In his interview with the Swedish reporter, he asked why the media is demanding democracy from Eritrea and not from Saudi Arabia. Think about the power of this counter question. The reporter looked like a fool — you could tell from his gesture that he also felt that way.
Since the end of the second world war (European, really), no African leader rejected the demeaning food aid so forcefully. Ethiopia has always relied on it, but it contributed to its poverty unfortunately.
In his interviews, Mr. Zenawi is less confident and pretentious. Mr. Afwerki, on the other hand, displays ingenuity and deep knowledge of the major problems and how to solve them permanently/comprehensively.
Mr. Afrweki suggested that freedom lovers come to Asmara and have conferences. Great suggestion.
It is not clear why the Ethiopian Review decided to ask the questions in Amharic. In the 1998 war, the TPLF truly hoodwinked Amhara-speaking Ethiopians. In 2007, it also successfully rallied them to destroy the AFD. While Mr. Kifle has demonstrated independent thinking with his journalism, it remains to be seen if his co-linguists can see beyond the historical pride.
Finally, Mr. Afwerki is wrong to suggest that the interests of nationalities will die when TPLF is no longer there. It will always be there. In fact, nationalities will last beyond Ethiopia if it comes to that. The sooner people manage it constructively, the better for Ethiopia.
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Simba
After I listned to the whole interview I found out that this man seems to be open minded and have great respect for Ethiopians. He mentioned the word Ethiopia many more times than Meles did for the last 18 years. However, about the handling of the Ethiopian ethnic group fighters,I think it would have been better if they function under one command (in the name of one Ethiopia), instead of fighting the Wayane seperately. Otherwise, the so called transition theory might help the Wayane as a tool to plant sepection among Ethiopians.
June 2nd, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Some people twisted the word Democracy in PIA's interview. Democracy can only survive when there is a conducive environment for people to chose how they want to live their lives. These conducive environments are united Ethiopia (where every one will be recognized and be the beneficiary of its national resources), self reliance (food security) and vision and dreams for their own future and generation to come. He also elaborated, it dose not come over night. Eritreans and the Gov of PIA are on the same page and election would take place on their own pace or time. I have no problem with that as the same as most Eritreans. For Ethiopia, it needs peace, food, and visionary leaders. We will have these soon once the TPLF thugs are gone. It is time to create the exile government in Asmara. What a day that that would be!!!!!
Go G7
Cheers!!!
June 2nd, 2009 at 11:44 pm
What a great service Elias and his friends are doing to the two people.
There is no queston about it, from now on there will be peace among these brotherly people of Ethiopia and Eritrea.They will live side by side as brothers and sisters. The Weyane days are counted and their evil thinkng will be history.
Good bless both people.
Keep on with the good spririt.
GK
June 3rd, 2009 at 12:05 am
Martha,
There is a book recommended by PIA on one of his recent interviews. I believe that was with Reuters. The title of the book 'Lords of Poverty' by Graham Hancock.
June 3rd, 2009 at 3:32 am
Now I know that the enemy of the East African Region and the future generation of the region is TPLF. TPLF proved itself in practice that it is the enemy of Amharas, Oromos, Somalis, Gurages, Eritreans,and Agnuaks practically for the last 18 years. AS long as it remains in power it will continue its course to go to the rest of other peoples in the region.
Thank you all!
June 3rd, 2009 at 7:22 am
Well done and congratulation, Elias and Seleshi for your initiative. The interview of President Isaias Afewerki (PIA ) is an eye opener and hopefully delete the lie, fabrications, misconceptions and stereotypes the Woyanne minority Junta are feeding the Ethiopian people. Most Eritreans have a great respect for PIA and their other leaders for their selfless sacrifice, commitment and leadership. Eritrea (EPLF) has always a principled stand in support of United Ethiopia, United Somalia and United Sudan. PIA is absolutely right when he says 'the sky is the limit' if the two sisterly nations work together with trust and partnership.
It is good and timely that Ethiopians and Eritreans are communicating, feeling good and excited. But the Woyanne Minority Junta has to be forced to go. Committed Ethiopians have already started armed resistance and are paying the ultimate price- their life. Then, what is the role of Ethiopians in diaspora to assist in accelerating the demise of Woyanne Minority Junta to the dust bin of history. Get involved if you are not already.
June 3rd, 2009 at 8:30 am
Response to Aden 1 and Anonymous # 206
The journalists did a very impressive job. If nothing else, they opened up an open discussion between Ethiopians and Eritreans. This by itself is a big win-win for both the Ethiopian and Eritrean peoples. Dialogue narrows down differences. It is with that sprit I raised the issue of democracy as explained by president Isaias.
I give a lot of credit to president Isaias for bluntly giving his opinions about democracy and elections as they pertain to Ethiopia and Eritrea.
The opinion of Isaias as regards democracy is the so called democracy espoused by many leaders who in essence are anti democracy. The point is no single person is all-knowing to know precisely when the right economic and cultural conditions are conducive to start democracy and democratic elections. And no leader is wise enough to be almost God and arrogate to himself that he has more knowledge than the collective wisdom of the people. Otherwise it means that a self selected group decide policies for a nation without having any consultation and input from the people. More, such a self select group will run the country without due process of law, without an independent judiciary, without freedom of press, religion, movement and association. Such a select group will take the land from the peasants for so-called development without price compensation. The select group will impose their wishes on the people sometimes extremely erroneous policies, and there are no recourse for correcting these errors, since there is no mechanism of accountability, tools of democracy.
Let us call a spade a spade. Eritrea is a nation that is being ruled without a constitution Forget the constitution, the PFDJ, the ruling regime in Eritrea, is supposed to have a general congress every two years in order to plan new policies and elect new leaders, the last time it had its congress was in 1994, over ten years. Talk aboy democracy of a self selected group. The central committee of the PFDJ had its last meeting in 2000, when in reality it is supposed to have a meeting every six months. Instead a select group is running Eritrea without any consultation and input of the Eritrean people. Is this the kind of democracy that president Isaias is talking about. I honestly do not wish such a scenario to my Ethiopian brothers and sisters.
We have to be truthful and honest with the Ethiopian and Eritrean peoples. Still, I give a lot of credit to president Isaias for his visionary view on national service, the concept of the army, the widespread opening of educational and health facilities in the rural areas of Eritrea and the infrastructure development in particular roads. Ethiopians can learn from such wonderful achievements in Eritrea. And honestly when it comes to elections and democracy Eritreans can learn a lot from Ethiopians. The teacher, president Isaias himself can learn a lot about democracy and elections from the Ethiopian people. I thought dialogue and learning is supposed to be a two way street.
Finally, I give my thanks to ER, the journalists and the wonderful Ethiopian and Eritrea writers in this site. We should not be scared of criticisms and self criticism. That is the only we learn from each other and grow. Needles to state, I appreciate president Isaias’ exemplary contribution to the Eritrean nation.
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:19 am
Some observations
Historically speaking, Ethiopia is an internally fractured society. The zemene-mesafint concepts seem to weigh heavily on the thinking of many Ethiopians.Ethiopia is made up of various communities (language groups, nationalities, etc.)Each community wants to be left alone to run its own affairs.These communities unite in two circumstances: (a)to fight a common threat, and (b)when these different communities are united under a powerful force (domestic or foreign).
Each community has a name to identify itself with. If and when the elite of one community succeeds to forcefully combine some or all of the communities and establishes a state, that state is identified as Ethiopia. Power struggle has so far been violent, bloody, and deadly. Peaceful transition of power has yet to be a norm.That constant and violent struggle for power makes the competetors seek for help from outside and that action invites foreign forces to interfere and influence who comes to power or stays in power.
Ethiopian elites, once in power, tend to stay in power for decades and in the process alienate other communities. They become obstacles to building a modern Ethiopian nation because they continue ethnic/nationality differences by seemingly serving the interests of a single ethnic group( and buy off individuals from other groups) rather than pursuing the interests of Ethiopia as a whole.
Territorially, modern Ethiopia took its current shape during the reign of Emperor Menilik II. Ethio-Eritrea federation was the primary reason for the introduction of parliamentary elections to Ethiopia. Ethiopian political development has been in constant influx eversince. All those who ruled Ethiopia since then depended heavily on the backing of foreign powers. Emperor Haile Selassie depended on U.S. and Israeli alliance.Israel has foiled six coups (including the one that was led by Mengistu Neway and Girmame Neway) and trained anti-Eritrea commandoes to protect the emperor's regime. Colonel Mengistu heavily depended on the U.S.S.R. and its sattelites as well as the non-antagonistic attitudes of the U.S. and Israel. And now, Prime Minister Melless and the Tigrai People's Liberation Front almost totally rely on the assistance of the U.S. and Israel.This became obvious after the 2005 elections when the U.S. sided with Melless instead of the victims(i.e. the murdered peaceful demonstrators, detained elected officials, and the Constitution). Without foreign help the current regime would be hard-pressed to stay in power any longer.
Therefore, building a united modern nation in Ethiopia is a right objective. The issue is nation-building, and needs to be done by the willful cooperation of the various Ethiopian communities. They have to want to build a nation. How is that going to be done? Generally, negotiations. Simple democratic elections are not going to be the answer. It is more than elections. But different options need to be considered. Another important factor is the role of opposition parties as change agents.
The most glaring weakness of the Ethiopian opposition parties is their zemene-mesafint mentality. Their greatest common factor has so far been their failure to cooperate and form genuine working coalitions. Each wants others to work only according to its proposals. They renege on their agreements. Party leaders could not overcome the temptations of giving primacy to their immediate personal or group intersts, instead of the nation's interests. There is often lack of democracy inside each party in electing leaders or making important decisions. There is also no mechanism of resolving internal conflicts if they arise. The result is infighting, pitched power struggles, splits, divisions, and further disintegration.That is a big cause for setbacks.
Some solutions: have political study groups, train party members in areas of political education, mobilizing and organizing people, leadership, anger management, conflict resolution and negotiations to achieve common goals. These are not all natural qualities. They could be learned. And above all there must be a desire to solve the problems of your community. Remember, democracy cannot be imposed from outside. Democracy is a means of organizing people make decisions and work separately or together for making their lives better. Keep you focus on making the lives of the Ethiopian people better.
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:21 am
It is amzing to see all these comments and interrest this interview created. Who in their right mind would be sitting down for 4 hours to listen to a polititian. Even Obama becomes boring after the first 1/2 hour… Just a thought
June 3rd, 2009 at 12:52 pm
This much revealing interview should have been conducted long ago, nevertheless, it is an important step forward in re-establishing the tattered relationship between the two brotherly people of Ethiopia and Eritrea. I applaud Elias Kifle for making what would have been a not- so- popular decision(amongst misinformed Ethiopians and Woyane beneficiaries) to travel to Asmara to interview President Isaias Afwerki who sorts out the chaff from the wheat for all to see –exposing the lies and shedding light on the facts vs. fiction regarding Eritrea/Ethio matters past and present.
This interview has opened our eyes and helped us realize that what we knew all along has been true, but because of our misplaced hatred for Isaias and his people, we haven't been able to focus on dealing with the real enemy of Ethiopian people as well as Eritreans. It is now clear to see who the common enemy is to both people and has been an obstacle to advancing peace and prosperity in the region. We all better be smart now and work together, Ethiopians and Eritreans,if we are to once and for all get rid of this saddist leadership in Ethiopia that has caused so much misery to both people.
Unity is Power!
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Ahmed,
The closest suggestion from Issayas to complement the issue you raised in the third paragraph (your comment) seems to be the implementation of Democratic institutions and organizations. You have made it clearer why you viewed him as as a tyrant, as no one person can not know the right time for election. If his people accept it and it works, it might be a model to some extent. Consistently periodic election is much more purposeful, advantageous and the right path for Ethiopia. I agree with him that economy is the key. Still, you have more information on the inner workings of Eritrea, which helps contribute a better insight beyond the effect of this interview.
It is good you are standing your ground because all is not totally roses. For all the history that Eritrea was a part of Ethiopia as early as 7th century and the result of occupation and colonial attempt dictated what took place over the last century.
-The interview on Assab and his response may not be the most acceptable view for most Ethiopians, especially those who believe Assab belongs to Ethiopia.
- The response on the border conflict is not quite clear, to me at least. I might have to tune in again
June 3rd, 2009 at 3:50 pm
I can't beleive you did this interview. The interviewers don't even know this man.
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Ahmed, please don't talk about things you don't know. I'm referring to what you said: "Eritrea without any consultation and input of the Eritrean people".
I don't now any other government in africa or the world that treats its citizen equally, and let me remind you that isaias rents a house just like everybody else. He is like a normal citizen, and that's one of the reason why the people love him.
June 4th, 2009 at 5:18 am
Ahmed
I don't hear a difference in explanation of democracy between President of Eritrea in this interview and President Obama speech in Cairo, Egypt on May 3 2009. When you have a chance listens to Obama speech in Cairo.
Cheers to all Eritrean and Ethiopian
Michael
June 4th, 2009 at 10:33 am
My great appreciation to President Isaias on his recent interview with Ethiopian Review regarding the political, cultural and economic analysis of the horn. I am really impressed about his forecast of relations about the people of Ethiopia and his country. I am completely convinced that he is a man of change and real Habesha character who doesn't scum to conditions without ground and illogical to the very make of the people in the horn who share same history and bloodline. I am really enthusiastic to see when such a wise leader prevail peace and prosperity in the horn in general and the two brothers in particular. I am really impressed by his Excellencies depth of understanding and future hopes of the region. I cherish his idea of institutionalizing our relation amongst the people as this is the golden standard road for our development and the time we start thinking at a higher level of consciousness.
Regards
June 4th, 2009 at 11:08 am
It is a very important Interview
mostlly for those Ethiopians which they had no idia
about Eritrea and PIA
its great work for Seleshi and Elias
Thak you
Berlin/germany
June 4th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Response to Aden1, Negash and Michael,
Aden1.
Thanks for your kind and encouraging words.
__________________________________________
Negash,
The issue was the view of president Isaias as it relates to democracy and elections as asked by the journalists. I am indebted to these journalist for asking those questions, since we, Eritreans, are denied to ask even these simple questions. If an Eritrean dare to ask those kind of questions his fate will be the dungeon. How does this square with “effective democracy and elections.”
Talk about the dungeon and secret prisons. The whole world knows that president Isaias put in prison some very prominent members of the Eritrean parliament, ministers, generals and journalists in prison in 2001. No one knows the fate of these patriots. No one knows their “sins” or “crimes.” They were put in prison without due process of law. They were never presented to a court of law. The Eritreans know them as G-15. These patriots played very significant roles in the liberation struggle. Some of them were leaders in all decisive battles. Sadly, they were also colleagues and comrades of president Isaias. Mind you these are very important people in Eritrea, you can imagine what the fate of a very simple Eritrean is under the hands of the Eritrean government, which is sill operating without a constitution, an independent judiciary and no checks and balances. Now, how dose this square with effective elections and effective democracy that president Isaias is talking about.
The Eritreans conducted a bitter liberation struggle in order to live under a government that is run by “the rule of law and not the rule of men.” We do not have a constitution. We do not have the rule of law. We are governed by cruel men. This is a fact that president Isaias’ “effective elections and effective democracy” can not hide.
The point is president Isaias has a vested self interest to denigrate democracy and elections.
________________________________________
Michael,
The salient feature about democracy that Obama stated is as follows: “… all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn't steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose. Those are not just American ideas, they are human rights, and that is why we will support them everywhere.”
First and foremost president Obama won an election fair and square in the most competitive political arena, while president Isaias did not even win an election, the Eritrean people did not vote for him. This is a fact, the only people who voted for him was the PFDJ in its congress in 1994. The legitimacy of that election is now defunct since there should have been other general congress every two years to elect a new leader even if we assume the PFDJ can play a proxy for the Eritrean people.
Second, Obama endorses freedom of speech, there is no freedom of speech in Eritrea.
Third, Obama endorses that the people have a say in how they are governed. There is no such thing in Eritrea. The fake Eritrean parliament last met in 2001. How do people express their consent if the token parliament is never in session.
Lastly, Obama endorses the rule of law , while there is no rule of law in Eritrea. There is not even a constitution. Just see the fate of G-15 who are rooting in prison as mentioned above.
Thus, Michel come back to planet Earth. When it comes to democracy, the difference between Obama and Isaias is similar as the difference between an angel and a devil, and you take a pick as to who is the angel and who is the devil.
________________________________________
Thank you very much.
June 4th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
WOW! Woyane gudu weta adel ende!
ye woyane army waga yelelew, "an army without a doctrine is not an army" Indeed! ye "kefafleh bechikona giza" doctrine
of woyane cannot produce a patriotic united army. and woyane is not capable of building such an army as the President clearly puts it.
I think the next step should be clear for all peace loving people of ethiopia and eritrea, is to isolate the asmesay ena leba regime sitting in addis ababa and purging all kinds of lies and pretentions inorder to extend it's expired life in power.
thank you ato elias kifle and ato sileshi telahun for such
important interview! job well done! we await the 6th and final? part eagerly.
June 4th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
It amazing how people can be so naïve and gulibul. Reading Ahmed’s response one wonders how people process information. What Isaias said is no difference what Obama said. The only difference is the position both oresidents they are in and they have explained things in refference of their enviroment and sitaution.
Obama he could careless about economical stabilty and wealth distribution. His country is on the top of the world and well over 200 years old of refined democracy; still not prefect.
On the other hand you have Isaias; who is a president of a young nation not even 20 years old nation with no history of demopcracy or economical wealth. The man is trying to build a nation from skrach.
He is trying to teach his people the pride of self reliance; which is not on the vocbulary of any African nations. The man is trying to treach his young people the most unknown thing in Africa; work ethic; the man is trying to undo the known cancer of Africa; the gap between the have’s and the have-not.
In what measuring stick does one would compare what was said by Obama and Isaias?
I can assure you that what Eritreans are doing is smoething remarkeble. I can only observe with great envy for some one like Isaias to lead my country.
Above all president Isaias’s confidence and courage will take Eritrea a long way. The only point is will we learn and try to catch up with Eritrea.
That is all!
June 4th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Ahmed:
FYI…I'm Eritrean. I don't want to go into details arguing with you about your "Obama endorses the rule of law" and others like "angel and a devil" statements. I will leave those simply as your perspective. But, the US history in general, if you happen to venture, the Iraq war, Guantanamo bay and the renditions speak otherwise.
Leaving those aside, I just wanted to ask you a quick question: if, a "fair and democratic election", an election to your satisfaction, were conducted in Eritrea today, who do you think the people would elect?
Please, if you don't mind just answer the question.
Thanks,
Tedi
June 4th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Wow I see some comments are very touching and I am very happy to see Eritrean and Ethiopian begin discussing about their future concern. However there are few who doesn't have peace in their mind and they don't like to see a successful leader in Africa, who can liberate us out of western hand outs. This interview is very inspiring not only to horn Africa but to the whole of Africa. I think PIA, Elias and Silesh deserve a lot of credit for the new direction.
June 4th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
Ahmed,
I think you forget to post the following quote from Obama Speech.
By the way, I never compare Pr. Obama with Pr. Issais. You just twist the story and you sound like some people I know from Woyane. (Distort topic and misliding people by sugar coated words)
Part of Obama Speech from Cairo.
"This last point is important because there are some who advocate for democracy only when they are out of power; once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others. No matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who hold power: you must maintain your power through consent, not coercion; you must respect the rights of minorities, and participate with a spirit of tolerance and compromise; you must place the interests of your people and the legitimate workings of the political process above your party. Without these ingredients, elections alone do not make true democracy."
June 4th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
Negash Michael
Obama is a creation of madson square. PIA is real. Obama is a puppet of those who put him in the office. If you belive obama is real then u might as well belive in st.clause. What free media are you talking about? Listen to what PIA says about free media. USA IS NOT A NATION BUT A CO-OPREATION. Even the DOLLAR IS PRINTED AND OWNED BY FEDRAL RESERVE BANK, WHICH AS U KNOW IS A PRIVATE BANK THINK ABOUT IT FOR A MIN. WHO OWNS THE BANK?
CHEERS
June 4th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
I thought cultural,geographical bridge that connected the great peoples of Ethiopia and Eritrea have been broken beyond repair,in 1998 when the criminal junta weyane of tigray,led by top leaders Ato Sebhat Nega,hate mongerer old fashioned tribalist and psycopath Meles Zenawi declared on unsuspecting Eritreans and took twenty thousand young lives in the sensless border war.Weyane expelled thousands of Eritreans and Ethiopians of Eritrean origin for no reason except for pure hatrate and ignorance.The war was never about border and is not about border until today.It is about waeyane dangerous and absurd dream of toppling Eritrean government and implementing with a puppet group that serves the previous washington administration and fullfill its dream of becoming superpower in the horn.Glory for the thousands of Eritrean martyrs for crushing the backbone of this evil mercenary group it never happened.
from 1998 for the reasons I mentioned on top I hated everything Ethiopian of course not individuals.I was bitter and disappointed,But recently thanks to Ato Elias Kifle of Ethiopian Review on line services,who seems to be a free thinker and visionary true patriot my understanding and differentiating between evil weyane and broad ethiopians .It gave me hope thinking that there are Ethiopians who understand what the Eritreans go through and what the real intentions of President Essayas and E.P.L.F is when it comes to living in peace with our neighbors.We never had and will have a hidden agenda period.
Weyane and its leaders are indeed blood thirsty vampires.Through their last 18 years of power they have claimed more than twenty thousand Eritrea lives,more than 65 innocent Somalis(I hope for war crimes indictment), thousands of Ethiopians for voting in 2005 (pending kaliti jail).
Life is precious.Wars claim so many lives.As a parent when I see my kids innocent eyes as Eritreans and neighborly Ethiopian kids again innocent eyes my heart aches why wars.I hate wars.Unfortunately Ethiopia is led by Sebhat nega and Meles Zenawi who fantasize about wars all the wars they declared and implemented they think always they won,but refuse to take responsibility for all the blood they shed.They are living in the time when the sultans,atzes,negestas were fighting for land and camels or herds.The sad part is that all the wars that they declare is not to benefit Ethipians,but to please and satisfy their masters like George Bush and his mission.On the other hand Ethiopia became the country that is the puppet of neo-colonialists.It is time to heal and erase the ugly crimes commited by weyanes.We as people of horn Somalis,Ethiopians,Eritreans,Sudanese let us not please serve outsiders and see each other eyes and talk and prosper.
June 5th, 2009 at 1:45 am
Ahmed! Stay focused. You're turning this forum into your personal play ground. Make your point and move on. You don't have to have an answer for everything.
This interview marks the beginning of our new chapter. I'm sure we'll get a chance to debate it further. Don't chock the the chance for a healthy debate.
We're grateful for ER, FPPF and PIA.
Here is a real chance for a real peace.
June 5th, 2009 at 5:23 am
to Ahmed,
President Obama indeed insists to stop being bounded by the past, and keep march forward and in order to meet our current challenges.
Leave all your personal blame and THINK BIG for the prosperity and peace of the horn of Africa.
June 5th, 2009 at 7:08 am
Response to Tedi
Subject: Secret Ballot Voting
Tedi,
In the first place thank you very much for your politeness. You ask if fair democratic elections were to be held in Eritrea who would win? To be blunt, I am very surprised that such a question is asked. There seems to be a confusion about the whole essence of democratic elections using the method of secret ballot voting. The short answer is no body is supposed to know.
Again, my honest answer is I simply do not know who the winner of the secret ballot voting will be. The whole point is people get a chance to vote for the person who they believe has their interest at heart. I am not God to conclusively know ahead of a time who the winner will be, nor does Tedi have that knowledge. We need a little humility.
No one can delve into the deep hearts and minds of Eritreans and figure out their choice of a leader. Given the chance, only the Eritrean people collectively know by casting their secret ballot votes. Otherwise, we will be playing either the role of a God or that the role of a dictator. In the final analysis, this comes to the same thing because dictators believe that they are God and that they are all-knowing and that they are wiser than the collective people put together. A fair secret ballot voting avoids one to play the role of a God or a dictator. And that is what the Eritrean peoples are demanding.
Even in the USA one cannot ahead of time determine who the people like to be their leader just using surveys and pooling. The conclusive and affirmative outcome can only be determined when the people give their secret ballot votes. If one is to believe surveys and pooling and determine the outcome ahead of time based on that, Obama would have had no chance to be the nominee of the democratic party. Hillary Clinton was the leader in all pooling and surveys taken until the first real votes took place in Iowa. So much so the majority of African-Americans were supporters of Hillary Clinton until the South Carolina voting took place. (The order of the voting by states was as follows: Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.) It was in Iowa that Obama came out of the blue to be a real contender when the people gave their verdicts through their votes.
The point is one cannot play the role of a God and substitute his own choice without really knowing what the people want. And thus foolishly state why bother with the “theatrics of democratic elections.” That is the implication of Tedi’s question. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. The real choice of the people is determined through secret ballot voting.
At any rate this question appears to dismiss the valid demands of the Eritrean people that a liberal democratic order and the rule of law including democratic elections be established in Eritrea.
Thank you very much.
June 5th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Thanks to ethioreview for this very interesting interview.I think this helps for mutual understaning of our two people.The bad thing was taking position without knowing directly the concerned person and his thoughts this was the reality with PIA so in future we have to avoid such things no matter who he is.Today I watched on video the interview of PIA of VOA in tigrigna and I learned a lot of things on our region,it is very interesting and I wished that if it was in English or Amharic everybody could follow it.I think PIA has an extensive knowledge of our region and he seems open to discuss it so Ethioreview and other can you please find other oportunities to interview him on different subjects concerning our region and else. In watching his interview we become more close with our brothers Ethiopians and all the people of the horn.At the end thanks to Elias & Seleshi for your great contribution,it is maybe the start of new thinking ,positve thinking in our region .
June 5th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
ውድ ኢትዮጵያውያን
ከልጅ እስከ አዛውንት የኢትዮጵያ ክፉ ማየት የሚፈልግ አርትራዊ የለም::
ጎረበቶች ብቻ አይደለንም ተዋልደናል ተዛምደናል በወያነ ፕሮፖጋንዳ ተቃቅረን እንደነበር እናቃለን አሁን ግን እጅ ለእጅ ተያይዘን ተከባብረን ከኖርንና ከሰራን ለለሎች አፍሪካ አገሮች አርአያ መሆን አንችላለን::
June 5th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Democracy & Elections: Ahmed vs. Issaias
Ahmed thinks that Issaias's views about elections is one that is espoused by dictators. He does not trust Issaias about democratization because of how Issaias handled the dissidents in Eritrea after 2001. Ahmed further states that "we,Eritreans" do not have a Constitution and the last time the national parliament was in session was in 2001, and there is no rule of law,etc.
Either Ahmed has completely missed what Issaias was discusing related to democracy and elctions or is trying to misrepresent the general context of Issaias's actions in maintaining stability in Eritrea after 2000.
It is true that Eritrea has to establish a people's (or democratic) republic in Eritrea based on a constitution. We have seen some elections at the regional level but not at the national level. It is also true that some dissidents were detained and some individual liberties were scaled down, like freedom of movement, press, association, etc. It the general context under which these steps were taken that Ahmed seems to willfully forget. Ahmed should note that the general situation in Eritrea is afected by the 1998-2000 border war and its after-effects. Ethio-Eritrea hostilities have stopped but the war has not ended. There is no hot war and there is no stable peace. In such general a situation military matters gain importance more than normal civilian matters. Issaias has also to make policies and operational determinations based on these considerations, if he is to protect his nation (people, gevernment, and territory).
You think that there is no constitution in Eritrea but that is wrong. Eritrea is now run under the 1993 transitional constitution, where a parliament(75 PFDJ Central Committee members and 75 others) elects a chairman of the parliament, and that chairman is also the head of state and chief executive of the government and the commander-in-chief. One of the main jobs of the transitional government was to write a Constitution and form a state where political parties would compete in peaceful elections to hold office and run the government and administer the nation. Issaias believed in it and campaigned for it. Before this project was finished, the border war erupted and still festers. In 2000 a question arose: which way forward, now?
The Eritrean leadership split into two: the G-15 who criticized Issaias and the majority who sided with Issaias and Alamin, the Secretary General of PFDJ, the ruling party, who chose to stay on course, finish the border issue and pursue democratization later. The main point is that the implementation of the new Constitution was halted due to circumstances largely beyond Issaias and company's control. That does not mean Issaias is against democratization and elections. He is for democracy and elections.[Check EPP/ER interview #5]. You may not trust him even if he said so. If that is the case, the problem is yours, not his.
Issaias specificall states that the main question is not so-called elections, voting, or ballot box. These things have to be meaningful. He says, the core question is a question of democracy, how to make applicable in Eritrea and make it also sustainable. Issaias briefly explains what democracy means to him: 1. economic aspect of democracy = equitable distribution of resources; 2. social aspect of democracy = equality and freedom and non-discrimination of individuals and groups; 3. cultural aspect of democracy = cultivating the culture of cooperation and integration of individuals and groups for common interests and unity; 4. political aspect of democracy = how to organize society based on cross-ethnic/nationality/reliogion,etc. individual or group interests. The aim must be to cultivate these basic requirements in society so that democracy can have a better chance to be sustainable. If there is a general doctrine such as this about the operational tenets of democracy, then elections would be meaningful. That how I summarized what Issaias said about democracy and elections.
He said he has been thinking about this issue for a long time, and it seems he has not finalized his thinking, and it is on the process. A good indicator is te fact that there was a conference on "Democracy in Africa" in May 2009 in Asmara. PFDJ seems to be considering options and formulate a model for Eritrea. The time to chip in is now. Issaias in these interviews has openly invited people for suggestions and discussions, but "you have to convince us," he says. He seems to be very receptive, now.
Ahmed, you remind me of someone my mom used to call mininoo– a person who likes to complain(justified or not so justified)and misses the oportunity to do something worthwile. Tell us how you understand democracy and elections(meaningful and sustainable) as applied to Eritrea or Ethiopia;s situations. You are invited by Issaias to do so.
June 5th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Ahmed, following your comments on the concept of democracy & quotes from Obama's speech in Cairo this week, I'd like to hear your reply to the rebuff by #234.
Hopefully both of you continue the discusion respectfully without trading insults at each other.
June 6th, 2009 at 8:42 am
when are you going to show part 6,, we are eagerly waiting for it..
thanks
Yonas
June 6th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Good job Elias! Weyannee is loosing sleep
Beat weyanne were it hurts.Keep it up.
June 6th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
To Ahmed,
First I would like to thank Elias of ER and Seleshi of EPPF creating a medium of dialogue between sisterly people of Ethiopia and eritrea.
Now I would like to get the facts right with Ahmed's distortion of facts. Ahmed said that "Eritrea hasn't got a constitution." This is an insult to our intelligence. Eritrea not only have a constitution but also Eritrea is the only country in the world (to my knowledge) that has a popularly drafted constitution that is at work now. Perhaps you assume that we have no constitution because of some of the articles you pick and choose in chapter III under Fundamental Rights, Freedoms, and Duties are suspended or not implemented
(http://www.shaebia.org/constitution.html#ART20_)
The US had constitution for over 250 years but not have they said that they have no constitution when the blacks in the 60's and were denied of their rights to cast their vote nor did they say that they had no constitution when the blacks were slaved before that against the letter and spirit of the constitution. Even now in the 21st century, when Bush acted several times unconstitutionally, Americans didn't say that they have no constitution but they might have said Bush acted against this chapter that of the constitution.
Please get your facts right and don't consider us as damn as ……
You can say that some of the articles in the constitution are not yet implemented for known reasons. It took over 3 years(1994-1997) to draft the Eritrean constitution and every Eritrean at home and diaspora participated in the drafting of the constitution and you know this fact. Unlike the other African, Asian, Latin American and even European countries where their constitutions are drafted by political elites and imposed on their people, Eritrea stands head over shoulder in teaching the world on how to involve the people in the laws of the land that they are are governed by.
In the meantime, I would like to ram this simple fact down your throat…..Do you know the only two countries that are governed without any constitution of any kind?…..
Answer: Britain and Israel.
Another fact to ram up your head …. do you know the only country to have a popular constitution…..
Answer: Eritrea.
Another fact…. Eritrea had constitution free press and parlaimentary democracy in the 1940's and 50's but that didn't do any good to help save its very existance as a nation, when Haileselassie dissolved the parliament and abolished the federation to annex it. The rest was history.
Another distortion of facts is when you claimed that there is no free press in Eritrea. Eritrea had free press for over 6years until they were suspended following their distructive activities in 2001. They didn't only have freedom but a license to distort, lie and instigate friction amongst Eritreans of different regions, ethnic and religion. The people of Eritrea couldn't tolerate it and pleaded with the government to curb such distructive acts before it is too late. In fact the government took too long before it acted decisively.
Ahmed, You can't dispute the above facts, can you?
Wedi Sawa
June 6th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
"One hour of talking with President Isayas Afwerki is equivalent to one year’s university education” Said Meles Zienawi in one of his rare truth moment. Listen and learn to all of you who are blinded with western propaganda
June 7th, 2009 at 1:41 am
Response to Tedi
Subject: Secret Ballot Voting
Tedi,
You ask if fair democratic elections were to be held in Eritrea who would win? To be blunt, I am very surprised that such a question is asked. There seems to be a confusion about the whole essence of democratic elections using the method of secret ballot voting. The short answer is no body is supposed to know.
Again, my honest answer is I simply do not know who the winner of the secret ballot voting will be. The whole point is people get a chance to vote for the person who they believe has their interest at heart. I am not God to conclusively know ahead of a time who the winner will be. No one has that knowledge. A little humility requires it.
No one can delve into the deep hearts and minds of Eritreans and figure out their choice of a leader. Given the chance, only the Eritrean people collectively know by casting their secret ballot votes. Otherwise, we will be playing either the role of a God or that the role of a dictator. A fair secret ballot voting avoids one to play the role of a God or a dictator. And that is what the Eritrean people are demanding.
Even in the USA one cannot ahead of the time of voting determine who the people like to be their leader by just using surveys and pooling. The conclusive and affirmative outcome can only be determined when the people give their secret ballot votes. If one is to believe surveys and pooling and determine the outcome ahead of the time of voting, say Obama would have had no chance to be the nominee of the democratic party. Hillary Clinton was the leader in all pooling and surveys taken until the first real votes took place in Iowa. So much so the majority of African-Americans were supporters of Hillary Clinton until the South Carolina voting took place. (The order of the voting by states was as follows: Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.) It was in Iowa that Obama came out of the blue to be a real contender when the people gave their verdicts through their votes.
The point is one cannot play the role of a God and substitute his own choice without really knowing what the people want. Or if there were to be a fair election one should not be arrogant enough to assume that the people would automatically vote for him. And thus foolishly state why bother with the “theatrics of democratic elections.” The proof of the pudding is in the eating. The real choice of the people is determined through secret ballot voting. And no one is supposed to know the outcomes until the votes are counted.
At any rate on the surface this very question appears to dismiss the valid demands of the Eritrean people that a liberal democratic order and the rule of law including democratic elections be established in Eritrea. Or to put it bluntly, it recommends that the people should have no say since the leaders are all-knowing.
Thank you very much.
June 7th, 2009 at 8:37 am
tedi
the answer would b Isias afewerki
and to ahmed
the views of Isaias Afewrki r the same as the eritrean people, so i dont now wat ur talking about.
except for a few people u r hungry for power, and who work 4 other agencies to serve there intrest b4 the people.
its not like there isnt other smart eritreans that can lead the country, its that there not hungry 4 for power, and all
eritreans hav one goal, so why would they want to change
an excellent leader.
the U.S.dont like him bcs he doesnt serve ther intrest
and is becoming an example for other african leaders to do the same.
and thats y theres this smear campaign thats going on against eritrea and then they would like to c elections held, bcs in there mind they think the eritreans will b fooled by there propoganda, and change there leader.
let me tell u Ahmed its a FANTACY in urs and there dreams
June 7th, 2009 at 11:29 am
this was a great event, to say the least — waiting for the final or part 6. Elias, thank you.
June 7th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Elias,when are you going to post the last interview.
thanks
June 7th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
I have a question for Ahmed #238 & Tedi #232 above.
I'm a young Ethiopian grown with some of my beloved friends playing football happily in Addis. I was 12 years old when Eritra separated from mama Ethiopia. And during the war (i mean border war), some of my dearest friends, who i never thought of their ethinic background, were expelled out of the country. I was shocked. Actually i was young and don't know politics. Later i knew that there are also peoples who are expelled from Ertira too. This makes feel sick.
My question is:
1) Do you honestly believe that Eritra and/or Ethiopia has benefited from such separation in any way. I am asking you this question not as a politician but as a person who honestly want to know the fact.
2) Do you honestly beleive that, as an Ertirawi, Ertireans are discriminated more than the Oromo, Amhara, Gambela, Tigre and so on?
3) What do you think the relationship b/n Ethiopia and Ertira will be in the next future?
4) Do you support a federation (a real one, not fake like weyane) b/n Ethiopia and Ertira? led by a government elected democratically through ballot box.
Thank You ELIAS for posting this note.
June 8th, 2009 at 2:42 am
Excellent job Mr. Sileshi and Mr. Elias. This interview is an eye opener to many of us.
June 8th, 2009 at 4:55 am
This is a corner stone historical interview in ethiopians history Elias and Seleshi well done my brothers i am proud of you and i would like to say thank you to PIA and eritrean people.
June 8th, 2009 at 8:19 am
Ahmed and Aden1
Eritrea will be Democratic
Ahmed's comment that there is no constitution in Eritrea is wrong. The working Constitution is the 1993 Transitional Constitution of Eritrea. According to that constitution, the chairman of the Parliament is elected by members of the Parliament. That chairman is the head of state and the chief executive. or the president of the government. From this one concludes that there is a rule of law but, of course, different from that based on the 1997 yet-to-be-implemented Constitution.
The last session of the Parliament ended in 2002. That Parliament decided that the commander-in-chief lead the country during the no-war and no-peace situation or as long as there is a real outside threat to the nation. In times of war or semi-war military affairs come to the front and whatever the commander in chief commands all other citizens are legally bound to obey for the safety and security of the nation(territory, people, and government). In that sense there is very little difference between a dictator and a commander in chief. The commander in chief is a legal dictator.
The kind of democracy that Issaias is proposing does not sound like those suggested by tyrants. First of all Issaias supported and campaigned for the 1997 Eritrean constitution. In 2000, it seems, that he argued for its suspension because of the unended threat and the requirements for its implementation were not in place. The majority of members of Parliament supported his idea. In the EPP/ER interview #5, he provides a brief explanation of what he means by democracy and meaningful elections.He said that democracy is not just elections and has various aspects to it:
1. economic aspect of democracy = equitable distribution of resorces; 2. social aspect of democracy = equality and freedom of individuals and groups; 3. cultural aspect of democracy = education, cultivation, propagation of good citizenship and integrating citizens based on common interests and integrating their efforts to grow together; and 4. political aspect of democracy = how society is organized to build a free nation(not based on ethnicity, nationality, clan, or religion, but by individuals croosing such divisions). Then, elections would be truly meaningful, according to Issaias.
He says he had been thinking about this issue fo sometime and he does not seem Issaias has finalized his proposal. It seems to me that Issais and PFDJ, the ruling party are in the process of considering different options of democracy. I think this is true because there was a conference recently in Asmara on 'Democracy in Africa…' and how to apply democracy in Africa. The time for anyone to present her/his case and suggestions is now.
For this reason, I believe that Eritrea is going to be a democratic nation.
June 8th, 2009 at 8:39 am
the final part is seriously surprising.President Isayas dis approved the present ethnic-based Federation boundaries created by Weyane. How is that to be taken by ethnic-based political parties in Ethiopia? For enhanced economic development and growth and for a solidly built democratic Ethiopia,redrawing the boundaries for economic feasibility and administrative proximity will be very advantageous if, and only if, we overcome the ethnicity problems hatched and aggravated by the Weyane mafia. Strong,democratic and prosperous Ethiopia can be only created if all of us accept unity in diversity.
June 8th, 2009 at 8:45 am
It is great conclusion. An invitation for a discussion among people is perfect prescription for healing Woyane virus. An open invitation for Ethiopians to visit Eritrea is great too. I am thinking of taking PIA invitation. I will start inquire for a visa. Thanks, Elias and Selesh, you have advanced a path to peaceful coexistence.
June 8th, 2009 at 9:12 am
WOW! Great job Ato Sileshi and Elias! Indeed this is a historical milestone where Ethiopians finally wake up and smell the coffee in Asmara! I am very proud of President Isaias Afewerki for not holding a grudge towards the Ethiopian people who at one time in the past were supporting the evil woyane's cruel acts and policy towards innoncent Eritreans. He is extending his warm wishes to all peace loving Ethiopians who are wise enough to recognize it. This is the day Woyane's evil design has completely derailed and will be left in disarray, all because Ethios reject Meles' divide and rule, divide and torture,kill policy. We, Eritreans are peace loving people
and want to live in peace with our Ethiopian brothers and sisters. This is a win-win situation for both peoples. No more senseless war and killing of each other. We have our task cut out for us now, to expose and isolate this no good war mongerer who thrives in lies and arrogance and stomping of the poor repressed masses of the Ethiopian people. CHANGE IS COMING! ERITREA will be an ALLY you CAN BELIEVE IN!
June 8th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Either this guy is the best actor ever or I have been the most mislead Ethiopian ever. His body language, his phrasing of the issues and my gut feeling tells me the second part is the case. It has been a revealing experience.
I have some doubts though about his analyze of democracy. It is true that people in developing country will tend to vote along their vertical divisions (ethnic, religion, etc), and it might be helpful to have a transitional period where the nation is forged together and political awareness of the population is elevated.
But how will the participation of the people be facilitated and guaranteed in the transitional period?
How will check and balance of the power be guaranteed ?
By what mechanism will such a government be formed?
How (and by who) will the end of the transition period be decided ?
Maybe these are interesting issues to be addressed by Ethiopian scholars. As for me I will be watching PIA closely and decide if he was sincere in his interview. Maybe taking his invitation and visit Eritrea is a starter.
June 8th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
I don't know why but I had tears in my eyes after listening to the concluding remarks of the President of Eritrea. He has been unfairly judged and his name tarnished because Woyane wanted to create an enmey out of Eritrea for his own survival! The truth is finally coming out!
June 8th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
It was outstanding! I listned all interviews and answers except #6. Soon i will do that. May be listen all of them one more time. My impression about President Issaias has changed from bad to excellent now. He was sincere for all those questions. At a time it was enlghtening.There is no doubt it had surged a massive voltatage in the heart of the Weyanes.As for all of us we have to genuinely support EPPF.
Thanks Elias!
June 8th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Ahmed what I want to tell to you is;you are simply norrowminded person.Even you know Nothing about Democracy.
June 8th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Thanks to PIA and thanks to the journalists for starting the long overdue dialogue among both brotherly people. We must all take the initiative to arrange discussion forums to engage both communities.
To Anonymous : The president said he believed any ethnic based organization/struggle would be on a strictly temporary basis. So his views about redrawing boundaries is not inconsistent with his acceptance of ethnic based movements. Basically he would rather their we no ethnic based movements but recognizes them as historic artifacts that must be transitional.
Peace
Tesfa
June 8th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
I have to say the last question and the response he gave were very touchy. I wish he has known what he knows now many years ago.
June 8th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Speaking of Eritreans listening to Amharic songs, it's always been there.
we even have tigrigna song translated into amharic – this is one example of such "assimilation" of culture and music among the two people.
Here is Abraham Afewerki's "Fishekta Ameley" of the album "Semai"
June 8th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Ahmed…you don't need to go further. It is evident you are not Eritrean and will never know the psyche of Eritreans. Ahhhh…as to your your punch lines – democracy, free election, dictator and others – you will not find an Eritrean buyer. Try elsewhere.
June 8th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Response to Tedi and YAY,
Tedi.
You asked me a question as to who I thought would be a winner if a fair and a democratic elections were to take place in Eritrea. I gave you a detailed response that no one is supposed to know the answer until the votes are counted. Instead of rebutting my points you resorted to cheap and false shots. You try to deny me my Eritrean heritage and citizenship. How petty you are. Grow up.
____________________________________________
YAY,
Subject: the Rule by Law and the Rule of Law
YAY asserts that Eritrea is led by a dictator, though he qualifies it that it is ruled by a “legal” dictator. Once you have a dictatorship you cannot have the rule of law. They just do not go together.
Moreover, YAY confuses the rule by law with the rule of law, and thus misreads the illiberal order that exists in Eritrea. These are two qualitatively different concepts.
For example, in China there is a constitution and that the country is governed by laws. Those laws in China are the law of the land. However some of these laws violate human rights and do not respect individual liberties, like freedom of religion, freedom of press etc. Because of that there is the rule by law in China, and not the rule of law.
What this means is that the rulers in China do not rule China based on edicts and arbitrary orders, but rather they mechanically follow their written laws, immaterial whether those laws violate human rights or not. For that reason the law of the land in china is called the rule by law, as opposed to the rule of law (more on this latter.) This means the rulers in China have a legal cover for everything they do, irrespective of how despotic some of the laws may be. Still, this is much more advanced than a nation that is not governed by any laws at all like Eritrea.
In Eritrea the leader rules through edicts and arbitrary orders; there is no legal cover for anything he does, there is no constraint of any sort at all. At least in a country that is ruled by the rule by law an individual has a relatively better chance to fight against unjust practices as compared in a nation that is ruled through edicts and orders.
What is the rule of law? Human history has evolved over three stages when it comes to legal liberty. First, no law of any kind just arbitrary edicts by the ruler. Second, the ruler has to follow certain rules, this is rule by law. Third is the rule of law, where the leader is prohibited from infringing certain rights that are purely reserved for individuals.
For example, the USA for the most part is governed by the rule of law. The rule of law is nothing but individual liberties. These are nothing but rules that are contained as amendments in the American constitution. These are : freedom of religion, association, press, religion and movement; the right to own private property; the right to privacy; the respect of the due process of law; the right to be considered innocent until proven guilty etc. There are rights that the state cannot interfere with, sometimes called negative liberties. These rights are included in the united nations declaration of human rights. A nation that follows these rules follows the rule of law. Now, all these rules are contained in the ratified Eritrean constitution. If Eritrea implements the ratified Eritrean constitution and live by the sprit and letter of that document then we can state that there is the rule of law in Eritrea. Until then there is no rule of law in Eritrea.
I believe what we have right now in Eritrea is a rule that does not have any rules at all. We do not have elementary rules like china that is the rule by law, nor do we have advanced rules like the rule of law like that of the USA.
Finally like you YAY, I believe Eritrea will be a liberal democratic state once we implement and strictly follow the ratified constitution.
June 8th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
Waw
It is really heart touching conclusion. I used to hate Issias for some of his arrogance and stubbornnes, but now i can see his real intention, and vision. He gave a real answer for tough questions.
I know Issias have not done what he has to but still he has a positive vision, and keeep going on inspite of all the odds.
I was there in Asmara, why they ban amahari music because of the intention of the gov but the music dominated every bars, minibuses, snacks so some people are not happy becuause some people are not happy even when you speak amahric, that is sentiment and they were not happy, and the sale of tigrigan music declined then it was announced that bars not to paly the music but still the music openly plays in offices, and some times bars, and people are very curios to attend the amharic prgogram most of them for the music.
But i love the last question, TPLF are very divisive and narrow, and their intention is evil and what they did is just for short period does not include any intention.
How can you administer Debrahn while the amhara region is found in different location, the reason for boundary is basically administration i.e for education, health, and developoment because of the proximity, and similarity of climate, and other factors, as poor country ethiopia should optimized its resources to maximize development, that is policy maker , impelementation, based on the need of ther administrative districts, —-
What is the benefit dividing the regions except for tigray, which used other resources like the somalia, the afar even the amhara, to develop one region, and steal resources from the south and oromia,
These people are also robbing the gold mines, by selling to the sheiki almudi and then share the resources for their benefit and robbing the country, and creating hatred which is not beneficial for the country and citized,
Issias interview really shocked the woyane as it is eye opening for the people of ethiopia and eritrea and as it opens the way for ethiopian opposition to cordinate their effort in combating the TPLF narrow regime,
I have never seen a leadership that hates his country, Issias might not be liked by all eritreans but he is nationalistic and work for his country what ever tenacious his rule.
Long live the people of ethiopia and eritrea
Truth always succeed
June 8th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Selam yihun lehulum Etipiawyan wondimochena ehitoche!
I would like to thank the editor of Ethiopian Review, Ato Elias Kifle, and the organizational affairs director of the Ethiopian People's Patriotic Front (EPPF), Ato Sileshi Tilahun, for a job well done with this ground-breaking interview with His Excellency Ato Isaias Afwerki, the President of the State of Eritrea. It's been a long time coming, but it's better late than never, as they say. I hope that it will open the floodgates of dialogue between the fraternal peoples of Eritrea and Ethiopia to build bridges, demolish misconceptions and mistrust between the long-term interest of our two peoples and the peoples of the Horn of Africa at large.
I must say, though I am modestly well informed about Eritrean politics and the EPLF's political history and culture, some of what President Isaias said in this very candid interview came to me as very revealing as to the character and broad vision and leadership of the man. As many readers here have commented, he came out with a very clear message as to the way forward. He is a very forward looking visionary leader, not choosing to dwell too much and be held hostage to history.
So, what is to be done now, 18 years after the fact? That is a question for all of us Eritreans and Ethiopians to answer. For starters, the Woyane regime must be brought down BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY. I think that is one message from the honorable president of Eritrea that has come through in this interview loud and clear.
Secondly, the president has also come out very clearly that he is for a united, strong and stable Ethiopia. Furthermore, the president clearly articulated that his government and the people of Eritrea will be supportive of Ethiopian unity not in words only but with credible substantive deeds also. He has put the modest resources of Eritrea at the disposal of all those Ethiopian forces who struggle for a stable and united Ethiopia that is at peace with itself and its neighbors.
Last, but not least, President Isaias has also shown himself to be a visionary leader who sees beyond the nationalism in the Horn of Africa, towards a future of a vibrant, integrated and economically developed region. In this regard, he could be thought of as the Simon Bolivar of the Horn of Africa. I only hope that, unlike Bolivar in Latin America, President Isaias will live to see his vision come to fruition.
What remains now is for all of us, Eritreans and Ethiopians (as well as other peoples of the region — Sudanese, Somalis, Djiboutians), to come together to forge and broader alliance for change in the positive direction. In this regard, we must first remove the most dangerous impediment towards a broader regional peace and stability — the Woyane regime. As President Isaias has clearly shown in his analysis, it is wishful-thinking now at this point, 18 years after Woyane's misrule, to think about peaceful change in Ethiopia. All those forces who preach that the path of peaceful elections in Ethiopia as the only path to change are in fact hoodwinking the Ethiopian people. That option is an impossibility. Broad popular resistance through armed struggle is the only option left to the Ethiopian people at this historical juncture. Eritrea has put on the table a strategic friendship for the Ethiopian people. It is up to the Ethiopian people and their leading opposition forces to avail themselves of this opportunity and take up Eritrea's offer.
I hope the day is not far off when we shall see in our life time that dream and vision that President Isaias articulated in this historic interview — the vision of peace, long-lasting friendship and cooperation, and yes, even broader UNITY (beyond narrow nationalist objectives), between our two countries.
Thank you very much, indeed, my Ethiopian brothers, Elias Kifle and Sileshi Tilahun.
June 9th, 2009 at 12:10 am
I never thought of President Isayas like this. I really had bad opinion of him. He clarified lots of things and he makes sense. I commend him. There are still some things I don’t agree with him. I guess I just have to agree to disagree.
Overall he gave a good interview to answer most of the questions that have been floating among Ethiopians. One last thing, I think the right to separate should be in the constitution because it guarantees peoples existence as united nations and independent nation. If you take it away from the constitution, it becomes peoples question WHY?
June 9th, 2009 at 12:13 am
Ahmed #252
You remind me of the group of Eritreans in North America in 1978. There was a patriotic group of Eritreans in North America named Eritreans for Independence in North America. When the EPLF announced it was withdrawing to the mountains of Northern Eritrea to contiune the struggle for indepence because of the huge offensive the Dergh was conducting with the full participation of the then Soviet block, in most cases they commanded the artillery, armoured, air borne, naval and air forces of Ethiopia.
The leadership of EPLF made an objective assessment of the situation in Eritrea and made a wise decision to conserve the fighting strength and fight a defensive battle in the unpassable mountains of Sahel, leaving all the liberated cities and town of Eritrea.
At that time the Eritreans for Independence in North America severely criticized the EPLF decision and called them all kinds of names and even questioned the fitness of the EPLF to lead the struggle for the independence of the Eritrean people. They pretty much assumed that because they are educated in the west they knew what was best for the Eritrean people. The EPLF patiently ignored them and went about leading the struggle for independence. When in 1985 the EPLF scored impressive victories over the vaunted Dergh army in northern Sahel and Gash-Barka, the overwhelming majority of those who criticized the EPLF changed their tune and every last one of them supported the EPLF leadership ever since.
They learned the hard way that you can't lead real people from your ivory towers in the west. Ahmed, you may think you know something about democracy and the rule of law in the western tradition, but I guarantee you that you have no idea of the cultural values that the Ethiopian and Eritrean people possess. People in Ethiopia and Eritrea don't need to be lectured by people who have never been in their shoes. You have a lot to learn, parsing words is one thing but knowing your society, their cultural values, their economic livelyhood, the customs is entirely something else.
June 9th, 2009 at 12:30 am
I'm very surprised to know that most people who commented here (Ethiopians) didn't know any thing about PIA to the extent that they had to hate him. Fortunately Eritreans knew and know all along that what an African country, like Eritrea, need is a leader like PIA and Eritrean government. They doesn't believe a quick solutions and handouts, however in hardwork and dedication. I'm proud to know that Eritrean government is for its people and our region's peace and stability.
I hope peace will come in the horn!
Very enlightening interview indeed!
ER and Shileshi I Thank you both for doing this.
June 9th, 2009 at 6:31 am
Please watch this video
June 9th, 2009 at 9:25 am
Eritrea – Eritrea President Isaias Afewerki in 1970 (Raising ideological level).
June 9th, 2009 at 9:36 am
I am happy to see an Ethiopian journalist travel to Eritrea to conduct an interview. I wish Elias and Sileshi could tell us what they excepted when they decide to travel and what they found in Eritrea. Did they get a chance to see other Eritrean city besides Asmara? I would love to hear those who went and gives us an eye witness account. “un-edited, just raw”. I beg for it! I want to hear their views because most of our problem starts with being ignorant about our neighbors and we rely mostly on hearsay and stereo type thinking. I just want to see how close or how far they were from their expectation.
Talk to me Elias and Sileshi.
June 9th, 2009 at 9:54 am
Wow. thank you Jonathan! this is amazing! 35-40 years later, Nebiyu Isaias reads like he does today! I have a great respect for this genuine, diciplined and brilliant man.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:03 am
Thanks Ethiopian Review for this historic interview. I am very move by the last interview and very good conclusion. I cannot wait to have one and most important convention with all Ethiopian and Eritrean together soon.
God Bless Ethiopia not Wayne!
God Bless Eritrea with peace loving people!
Michael
June 9th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Elias and seleshi
For your bold and visionary moves that will one day be remembered as a basis for peace, development, democracy (with justice) in the region and beyond.
yonathan
What a fantastic piece of information you posted (isaias' interview in the 1970s on youtube ) Everything he said then is what exactly what he is saying now. 30 years and same position. No wonder he is being vilified.
all the people who posted their reaction here has been very educational. It was a joy reading it all.
There is one thing that really don't add up….how come an malelit brand of albanian communist turn 80 degrees into a fully blooded far right racist imperialist's slave. i doubt if that stirs their bamboozled maggot heads.
ER, it's been fantastic marathon interview.
keep up the hard work.
Warsai
June 9th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Elias, Silleshi
I hope you will be remembered in history for being the turning point in Ethiopian history. This is truly a huge milestone in the history of Ethiopia and our relationship with Eritrea.
The interview has more than answered many of my questions and truly enlightened and opened my mind. You have exploded the propaganda balloon that was holding the brotherly people hostage for many years
A genuine Thank you and job well done from me.
June 9th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
After watching the entire interview, I asked myself which leader loves Ethiopia and Ethiopians better- Meles Zenawi or Prseident Issayas?
To my surprise, my instinct says President Issayas. I am pretty sure that Meles hates Ethiopia more than any one else on this planet!
Thanks Elias and Sileshi.
One piece of advice for Selishi is try to ask short and precise questions for the future as Elias did. Also avoid long introductory statements and do not sadle your gust with so many questions at once.
Overall, it is an excellent interview!
June 9th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
This the a positive start for our peoples.Eritrea and Ethiopia come a very long way to end in stupid third parties pawn still the changes is when the majority people of both sides start to love and live with harmony and peace cuz we got a long way to go together enlightened evolution.
Violent means will give violent freedom.
June 10th, 2009 at 1:52 am
I have to say even I am surprised at some of the things the President has said, but pleasantly!!
Jonathan thank you for the videos you posted, fills me with pride to see the jeganu eritreans!
one thing that really struck with the first video is what Isais said about one of the reasons for self-reliance "to stop us being POLITICALLY reliant on someone else", this is very important i think especially in Africa where aid now is being used as a political tool by the donor countries to keep a hold on Africa and its resources.
How many africa countries have actually really benefited from aid in the long run? i actually can't think of any, matter of fact it has made them corrupt.
Isaias is different in that he has stood by his values right from the start and hasn't allowed anyone to change it. The sad thing is westerners don't understand or want a country that refuses aid, so they label eritrea a terrorist/oppressive state!
Anyways I hope that we will finally see some positive changes in the Ethio/Eri saga. Woyane your end is nigh, you can't hide behind the 'its Eritrea's fault' card anymore
June 10th, 2009 at 7:16 am
This interview totally changed my outlook on Isaias Afewerki. I found him very dynamic, genuine and visionary. I was comparing his genuine interview with that of Melles and Sebhat's arogant, childish, greedy,shrewed and narrow-minded interview. I wish him long life and hoping that one day he will be the leader of a united Ethiopia and Eritrea and bring these innocent people to prosperity and sustainable develepment.
June 10th, 2009 at 7:33 am
Excellent interview which gives an opportunity to discover the thoughts of PIA.I am an Eritrean and I am not a fun of PIA but after watching the interview I understand better PIA and I am changing my opinion on him .I think he is misunderstood by many Eritreans as no Eritrean journalist has a gut to ask direct and real questions like Seleshi and Elias did.Thanks to this interview many Eritrean are changing their opinions and we are convinced his outlook to the Ethiopian issue and regional issue are correct.If he can explain more in details how he see democracy in Eritrea may be much more Eritreans will be convinced.At the end I think he has a brilliant out look for Eritrea and Etiopia and this is the wish of our both people and we should support him.Stop to talk only about port or Asab and think the way to work together and go further including economic integration,port,security etc.The door is open,the sky is the limit, we have just to rush to work together and I am convinced the majority of the Eritrean people will support the idea and work hard to reach the goal including shortning of the woyane reign.
Thanks Seleshi and Elias for your extraordinary work.
June 10th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Thank you Wedi Afeworki ambesa ….we love you!!!!Also thanks you to the journalist who brought this……
June 10th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Elias and Silleshi,
Job well done!! You brought the two sisterly people together. Ethiopia the great nation with all the resources never been blessed with leaders.As for the president History will remember him as one of the greatest men of our era.
As a person who grew up in Ethiopia I feel the agony of my brothers and sisters. One day the horn will live in harmony as the President's wish.
June 11th, 2009 at 9:15 am
When Wedi Afewerki as we all like to call him, came to the US to give speech to Eritreans in diaspora there were few Ethiopians demonstrating outside the hall. After he gave a speech and answered some questions on current situation on the war, he said "Let the Ethiopians, who demonstrating out side, come in if they have a question I will answer to them". Of course by then the demonstrators were gone. I am glad that this interview show how open minded he is. The west despises him because he speaks the truth and look out for his country & people interest. Hopefully we all learned from this interview and work on to live in peace. Long live Wedi Afewerki!!!!
June 11th, 2009 at 11:49 am
Weldone Ethiopian Review and eppfOnline.org,
The problem with the answers from DIA/PIA, they are always good when it comes to the politics of the neighbouring countries or the world at large but he doesn't implement those ideas when it comes to Eritrea and Eritreans. While he is causing exactly the same problems that he mentions toward Eritreans. Democracy is not like Chicken hatching that can be done hidden from reality when being exersised but it is a process that would show people how to do the voting and in the long run it will transform into a geniune voting. At this verytime, while EPRDF is increasing the number of Ethiopian Educated population by huge numbers EPLF is doing the opposite to Eritrean Smart Students. Any country will always needs intelectuals who can go to the Academic Stream of life. You increase this environment byt adding more Universities not by closing the one and only one University Eritreans had for long time. What he calls colleges at this time are technical schools, which are very good for most students but not for those exceptional students. In the first place I don't have a problem with National Service but to make them take Matirc exams in the bushes away from family I don't think it will do any good for the students trying to pass a general exam. So, in humble opinnion, for the good of Eritreans and Ethiopians we need a combination of the two ideolgies until we develop the non-ethnic political excersises. Moreover, we need two independent strong neighbours those can cooperate on all terms of life make our people successful and would contribute for the stability of the ever volatile Horn of Africa. I hope we will have more of these kind of dialogues among Eritreans and Ethiopians to remove the barriers we have. Remember we as a group are one of the most ancient civilized people in the world so we need to bring those idologies of our fore fathers and start to live up to their expectations. We really are failing them!!
June 11th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
To: peace loving Eritean:
You sound more woyane than Eritrean. Please do not disseminate lies. What it is happening in Eritrea today should be done in all Africa to free the people from hunger, misery, corruption and dipendency. Democracy can be sold and bought every where in the world but not in Eritrea. We are devoloping a democracy that can suite our people not the one thought and fed by the west for their interest.
Go and read how Eritrea is rated in the millenium goals projects and have an idea what you are talking about, instead telling nonsense comments.
June 11th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
Since the war broke in 1997, i have alwasy said that WOyane are the most ignorant and narrow minded leaders on earth to start war with Erirea. By representing the tigiray people, they have put them in a very bad postion and chapter in histroy. The Eritren leadership had a great vission not only between Eritrea and Ethiopia which share a lot in common, but for the who horn Africa and was determind to work for peace and development from the get go. The Eritren leadership and people have commited to work hard and be self reliant because they know that is the only way they can realize their potential and dignity in the world we live today. Histroty has shown us aid has not changed if not distroyed the potentials of people in Africa for the last 100 years. The Ethiopian and the horn people have also the potential and resources to be self reliant and dignified. Hope we all work toward that kind of mind set and see this vision realized. Peace and progress to the horn of Africa!!!!!!
Peace:)
June 11th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
To Peace loving Eritrean #289
I advice you to stick with your conclusion, which is positive and constructive and stay away of explaining Eritrean reality. I don't know how much of your time you spend to know about what goes on in Eritrea and what Eritreans in general and the Eritrean government in particular plans and does for Eritreans and people of the horn in general and I don't mean to be negative but it seems like you are taking your ideas from the oppositions who are bent to deceive people siding with the minority junta in Addis. I don't want to go into details and I don't expect you to give me answers you if I ask you about the reality in Eritrea but clearly you are far from Eritria and its reality physically and realistically. "They closed the only University" was and still is one of the famous songs of the oppositions. You clearly don't know anything about the university itself, the new technical and academic colleges, educational institutions around the country in general, the level of consciense and unity of the Eritrean peopole which is the main engine for development. Remember Struggle and war for victory are not sweet. It is a process for people in a rigion to have a good life. You always have hurdles to corss to preserve peace and harmony of people whether they are big or small. There is always differences of opinions. You can not make everybody happy. It is understandable for some to be unhappy given the circumstances of not being where we expected to be. It takes patience and commitment which Eritreans are known for and there is no question that we will get there. My ponit is the thirty year long war waged by the Eritrean people has a longterm plan of peace and prosperity for the people of the horn and Africa in general and the people of the horn are starting to know it and join the purpose. Contributing positively would be better and being proud to be Eritrean is also good just from where you are the way you are because you have people to be poud of. It is better if we leave preaching and explaining to those who know the reality and know how to explain it. When I say this I am trying to avoid the spoiling of the good intentions of Ethiopian and Eritrean brotherly people who have been hungry for each other for the last 10 years who have every thing in common except for the animosity created by the corrupt and ethnic junta in Addis for their own ethnic purpose.
I am Eritrean by the way.
June 11th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
to="peacelovingweyane"
"At this verytime, while EPRDF is increasing the number of Ethiopian Educated population by huge numbers EPLF is doing the opposite to Eritrean Smart Students"
first of all no eritrean, meaning real eritreans with the reality on the ground, would never try to big up "EPRDF" sorry i mean "weyane", bcs there is no united ethiopia bcs of them.
and second wat about all the colleges that r in eritrea, i dont think there is any other government in africa that cares for the education for its people, bcs with out education there is no future, especially for the poor countries, and theres equal opportunitys to all eritrean citizens, and no1 is treated differently bcs of ethnicity
but wat about weyane, its mainly the tigray people which really get the better educations or the better jobs, this
is wat every1 nows and is a known fact, which has been clearly wittnessd saw please stop talking nonsense with ur propoganda.
if students do not pass there exams the go national servise
in different part of the nation.
there are eritreans that r on the front line bcs of the no
peace no war situation, and this was part of the weyanes agenda, to try and fustrate the eritrean soldiers into leaving there country or to try cause hatred b/wen them and there government, but infact its quite the opossite,
yes they r times of depressesion bcs of the situation and the fact they dont even get paid or now wen they will b
going home now that is normal as a human being to think about ur situation and if this was happening to any other peoples/country they would hav crumbled long time ago , but they now exactly why this is happening and why is there government chosen this way, and they r just waitng for one mistake by the scared,desprate weyane to try
and start a war and that would be the end of there days, and
it would also make it easier for the ethiopian oppositions
to come together and unite ethiopia and build there country
but i doubt that they would start a war bcs of the growing
stregth of the oppositions of the weyane, bcs one wrong move
they would b crumbeling down.
the reson why i say that they might start a war is bcs of
wat that drunken guy said"WE NEED ASEB" meaning"WE WANT WAR"
June 12th, 2009 at 5:26 am
Thank you for the insightful interview. For me personaly it's dream come true because the truth finaly came out. I always felt that the agenda of EPLF and PIA was misunderstood by all Ethiopians. EPLF always believed in one united Ethiopia and they fought and sacrfised so much to that end they even shed blood for that. It use to hurt me a lot when I use to hear Ethiopians calling the president names like he is crazy, he is ignorant, he is a murderer. Because I know for a fact that he is Briliant and visionary and cares for the benefit of our region. I am Glad Ellias and Silleshi opened the window of oppurtunity for peace. If there is any thing history should teach the two brotherly people of Ethiopia and Eritrea, it is that war and distruction brings missery and poverty to both sides. With mutual respect and understanding we can share our resources and prosper. We Eritreans and Ethiopians can live in harmony as neighborly brothers if we both have the caurage to fight for peace. We Eritreans are peace loving people, ask any Eritrean what they wish for even the poorest one, they will tell you PEACE. PEACE before food, PEACE before anything!! The war was in our soil, we understand the effect of it more than anyone. Each Eritrean household paid dearly with their daughters and sons, so we value Independence more than anything else. We have an old sying that translates something like this: " In order for you to sleep well, your neighbor must sleep well" So we always understood for us to enjoy peace our neighbors must have peace. I hope this opens the door for peacefull coexistantce and like PIA said the sky is the limit what could be achived. Both of our people deserve that!
June 13th, 2009 at 2:37 am
Excellent interview which gives an opportunity to discover the thoughts of PIA. I am an Eritrean and I am not a fan of PIA but after watching the interview I understand better PIA and I am changing my opinion on him. I think he is misunderstood by many Eritreans as no Eritrean journalist ask direct and real questions like Seleshi and Elias did. Thanks to this interview many Eritrean are changing their opinions and we are convinced his outlook to the Ethiopian issue and regional issue are correct. If he can explain more in details how he see democracy in Eritrea may be much more Eritreans will be convinced. At the end I think he has a brilliant out look for Eritrea and Ethiopia and this is the wish of our both people and we should support him. Stop talking only about port or Assab and think the way to work together and go further including economic integration,port,security etc.The door is open, the sky is the limit, we have just to rush to work together and I am convinced the majority of the Eritrean people will support the idea and work hard to reach the goal including shortening of the woyane reign.
Thanks Seleshi and Elias for your extraordinary work.
June 13th, 2009 at 7:58 am
Great African leader our Brother Isaias is the reincarnation of Malcolm x n Patrice Lumumba, He stand for political indopendance not only for Eritrea also for all African Nations. We Need More intellectual indpendent leadrs like him n Africa will be the better place.
June 13th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Issaias vs. Ahmed on Democracy
Ahmed said that the views of Issaias on democracy are opposed to democracy; thus, implying that Ethiopians or Eritreans should not trust Issaias of what he says in these interviews. This is a response to Ahmed.
Ahmed stated, among other things, the following:
1. "Once you have dictatorship you cannot have the rule
of law. They do not go together."
2. "YAY confuses the rule by law with the rule of law,
and thus misreads the illiberal order that exists in
Eritrea. These are two qualitatively different
concepts."
Are these statements true? I will discuss them.
I blieve that most people think that there are the laws of God, natural laws, and national laws. I will limit my discussion on national laws.National laws,or constitutions, could be drafted by anyone, but are issued by the sovereign power, or others authorized by the sovereign to do so. The primary purpose of national laws is to control or rstrain the behaviors or actions of citizens and maintain order, stability, and peace.For that reason such laws are published so that all citizens know what to expect from the State and what is expected of them. In cases of conflict, courts of law determine who was right or wrong according to the law. Generally speaking, any national law is applicable equally to all citizens, except those that, due to their positions in government, may have more power and authority. If such government officials are stripped of their duties in government, their rights would be reduced to that of a regular citizen. With that brief introduction, let us see the statements Ahmed made.
I will try to show that Ahmed displays three weaknesses: 1. his view of dictatorship is narrow; 2. he fails to distinguish between the nature of a State in times of peace and one in times of war; and 3. he thinks that there is only one acceptable model of democratic order(liberal democracy) in the world. These three weeknesses lead Ahmed draw wrong conclusions.
Ahmed seems to think that dictatorship is nothing else but authoritarianism(i.e. somebody who emphasizes on authority and rule a nation). He forgets that democracy is also one form of dictatorship–i.e. the dictatorship of the many over the fewer. The majority rules. The majority dictates what the laws of the nation should be.Once the majority (of the people or their representative, or party members, etc.) gives its dictates, the chief executive(president, king, queen, emperor, prime minister, etc.)rules, commands, guides, manages, directs, etc. State affairs in the name of the majority.
In other words, in any society the most powerful(i.e. in number of votes, public support or acquiescence, military might, economic power, power of influence, etc.) or a delegated authority makes laws, applies laws, and enforces national laws. If we recognize that democracy is also one type of dictatorship, then, we can conclude that dictatorship and the rule of law could go together. Hence, Ahmed's narrow view on dictaorship makes his conclusion wrong.
Ahmed suggests that I am confused between the concepts of the rule by law and the rule of law. I admit that I am not a student at law, and I would welcome Ahmed to educate me and help me clear my confusion, if there are any. I am familiar with the phrases: rule of law, rule strictly by the law, rule according to the law, rule based on the law, etc. I see them being used inter-changeablly. But the "rule by law" as described by Ahmed (that a national law that disregards to uphold universal human rights is rule by law and not rule of law) is new to me. So I did a quick search on the subject to learn more.
I found out that there is no clear definition for any of these phrases. The "rule of law" has both legal and political meanings. Its legal definition is "a determination of the applicable rule as distinguished from a finding of fact." One of its political definitions is that it is "the principle of the equal application of the law to all [citizens] without discrimination." according to [Charles G. Fenwick.(1920).Political Systems in Transition: War-time and After, NY,The Century Co., p.26]. Fenwick also believes that this principle originated from the Massachussetts Constitution of 1780 which states "that the object to be attained was *a government of laws not men*." [Fenwick,p.20]. Here, great emphasis is put on the supremacy and neutrality of law and not on the whims and personal biases of powerful men.
Human history indicates to us that respecting the supremacy of the law is related to the integrity and justness of the sovereign power and does not necessarily depend on the political regime of a country. There are corrupt officials in any political system. Nevertheless, I failed to find a legal meaning for the "rule by law." I am aware that there arose a movement of trying to inject the universal human rights into international law after what occured in WWII. Powerful nations in Europe and America have since tried to breach the sovereignty of a nation and allow themselves to interfere in any country "to defend" universal human rights. But I was not aware of any material teaching the "rule by law."
I discovered that a book: [Tom Ginsberg and Tamir Moustafa. ed.(2008).RULE BY LAW: The Politics of Courts in Authoritarian Regimes, Cambridge University Press} that addresses the subject matter. The best that this book could give us is the political aspect of "rule by law." This phrase seems to be a clever twist of the terms rule and law used to classify laws and courts in countries where the so-called "authoritarians" are in power.
The editors admit that many people assumed that "courts in authoritarian States are pawns of their regimes, upholding the interests of the governing elites and frustrating the efforts of their opponents." Ahmed seems to believe in that assumption. But what they found was not necessarily so. They found that RULES MATTER, even if they are under authoritarian regimes. Courts could "serve as critical sites of contention both among the ruling elites and between regimes and their citizens." That is an additional clue that there could be "rule of law" in any political system. …to be continued….
June 13th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
The sonic barrier has been broken!
Let the good times roll! It's about time. We the people deserve it. Indeed, as has been said multiple times before, "only the sky is the limit".
When the cloud of mistrust starts to evaporate we can show the world that we can use our effort and brain to build and nurture the bridge that could lead us to the promised land.
Let's turn the page of more than 50years of agony and make it history that we can finally tell our children about full of shame.
The olive branch has been offered to the other side. Let's seize it and let us embark on a new trail. On a chapter that will resemble the deeds of our great and wise ancestors. Let's make them proud for once!
We can get there. Were there is a will there is way.
And so many people seem to be willing.
Your brother Hannibal, the Eritrean, the African!
June 15th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Response to YAY,
YAY responds to my criticisms of his understanding of the rule of law. This is well and good. Yet, he has not proved it that there is a rule of law in Eritrea, for that matter not in Ethiopia too. I will respond with a detailed response, once he is finished with his postings. I hope he includes the following observations which are in brackets. The following post is a portion of a copy I got from the Internet. It defines the rule of law as it relates to: (1) equality and the law and (2) due process. My concentration is on the absence of the due process of law in Eritrea, and thus the absence of the rule of law. For example, the laws of mathematics are the same for Americans and Eritreans. Likewise the principles of the rule of law are the same for Eritreans and Americans, though there may be variations in their applications. One cannot with a straight face assume that we can have two different laws one for America and one for Eritrea. YAY, I thank you very much for responding and also for sticking to the issues.
“THE RULE OF LAW
Equality and the Law
The right to equality before the law, or equal protection of the law as it is often phrased, is fundamental to any just and democratic society. Whether rich or poor, ethnic majority or religious minority, political ally of the state or opponent–all are entitled to equal protection before the law. …[ There is no law of any kind for loyal oppositions only the dungeon. For that matter for all Eritreans.
Due Process
In every society throughout history,…those who administer the criminal justice system hold power with the potential for abuse and tyranny. In the name of the state, individuals have been imprisoned, had their property seized, and been tortured, exiled and executed without legal justification--and often without any formal charges ever being brought. No democratic society can tolerate such abuses. [This is the fate of all Eritreans be inside or outside Eritrea.]
Every state must have the power to maintain order and punish criminal acts, but the rules and procedures by which the state enforces its laws must be public and explicit, not secret, arbitrary, or subject to political manipulation by the state.
What are the essential requirements of due process of law in a democracy?
No one's home can be broken into and searched by the police without a court order showing that there is good cause for such a search. The midnight knock of the secret police has no place in a democracy. [There is a blanket non stop search in Eritrea looking for the young. It is immaterial whether one is innocent or guilty.]
No person shall be held under arrest without explicit, written charges that specify the alleged violation. Not only are persons entitled to know the exact nature of the charge against them, they also must be released immediately, under the doctrine known as habeas corpus, if the court finds that the charge is without justification or the arrest is invalid. [The G-15 are rotting in prison.]
Persons charged with crimes should not be held for protracted periods in prison. They are entitled to a speedy and public trial, and to confront and question their accusers. [The G-15 have been in prison since 2001 without any trial in a court]
The authorities are required to grant bail, or conditional release, to the accused pending trial if there is little likelihood that the suspect will flee or commit other crimes. "Cruel and unusual" punishment, as determined by the traditions and laws of the society, is prohibited. [No such thing exists in Eritrea]
Persons cannot be compelled to be witnesses against themselves. This prohibition against involuntary self- incrimination must be absolute. As a corollary, the police may not use torture or physical or psychological abuse against suspects under any circumstances. A legal system that bans forced confessions immediately reduces the incentives of the police to use torture, threats, or other forms of abuse to obtain information, since the court will not allow such information to be placed into evidence at the time of trial. [ See Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch about tortures in Eritrean prisons ]
Persons shall not be subject to double jeopardy; that is, they cannot be charged with the same crime twice. Any person tried by a court and found not guilty can never be charged with that same crime again… [ This has happened to many Eritreans including a famous member of the central committee of the PFDJ]
A common tactic of tyranny is to charge opponents of the government with treason. For this reason, the crime of treason must be carefully limited in definition so that it cannot be used as a weapon to stifle criticism of the government. [This is a common ploy of the PFDJ. Even the G-15 have been tried in the public arena and through the Eritrean government publications as traitors for speaking their minds.]
… Judges may be either appointed or elected to office, and hold office for specified terms or for life. However they are chosen, it is vital that they be independent of the nation's political authority to ensure their impartiality. Judges cannot be removed for trivial or merely political reasons, but only for serious crimes or misdeeds–and then only through a formal procedure, such as impeachment (the bringing of charges) and trial in the legislature.” [The chairman of the superior court of Eritrea was removed from office in 2001, because he was critical of the presidency.]
Source: http://www.4uth.gov.ua/usa/english/politics/whatsdem/whatdm4.htm
June 15th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
ahmed
i seem to get an idea of who u really r, u mention G-15 quite a lot. anyway ill get back to that later. firstly u seem to be talking about western democracy a lot specifically the U.S. and so u added a website which is about the rule of law viewed by the U.S. Now the U.S. has been trying to control this world in the name of democracy and have been imposing there view of democracy in different countries, but especially africa. Let's compare other african nations with eritrea. Most african nations claim to have democracy, which was borrowed from the U.S., and all u see in these african nations is chaos and fighting between tribes and there is division along ethnic and religious lines. but in eritrea who does not use the so called western "democracy", is the safest and stable country in africa, it has nine ethnic groups and half muslim, half christians and all live in peace and harmony. and my next point is u say that or to be precise the U.S. say that "The right to equality before the law." The U.S. or the west claim that every citizen is equal, but that is not the case, its said to have democracy for over 200 years while they were kidnapping africans and using them as slaves, women's rights were not even respected until the 20 century. That is in the past, now lets talk about the present day, i can give a lot of examples, that there isn't equality in the west but here is just one simple one. for example, there are two kids and in your neighbor, the other is from a rich family and the other is from a poor family, now the rich kid will go to a private school and get a better education, but the poor kid want go to a private school because he cant afford it, meaning there is no equal opportunity for this kid u live in the same country and claim to be equal, this is what happens in the western world now eritrea treats all its citizens equally,meaning now1 is treated differently weather they r a different ethnicity or rich or poor they all get the same education and the same equal opportunities. now eritrea has refused to implement the "democracy" viewed by the western world especially the U.S., and thats why it had been under attack by the u.s., and are very scared that if a small african country managed to stand on its own two feet other africans might do the same. now the U.S. (cia) who have a history of overthrowing governments that don't co-operate with them or who doesn't put there interest first b4 its own people, hav been working so hard to do the same to eritrea, but really chose the wrong country to do that to, eritreans r not fools, they fought 30 long hard years to get there freedom and become "independent" not "dependent", so now1 can take that away. but there r a few selfintrested people who can be bribed and be used as puppets,and thats were the so called "g-15″(who were formed by the cia) com in, who were propagating lies and were quite supportive of the invasion by the weyane, these people r completely different to the prisoners in ethiopia, now the politicians or any other prisoners in ethiopia r real people who speak the truth, and wasn't formed by nobody and had enough of the injustice going on there country, but that is not the case with the so called"g-15″ in eritrea, they were out to destroy eritrea and become a country like rest of africa who are politically dependent on the western world and that is how there government survives,but the government and leader in eritrea survives by its people. the eritrean people are patriotic people, don't u think that if the people of eritrea didn't support there government, the government would not even be there, because wat keeps them alive its there people, there not politically dependent on any1. now let me just remind u ahmed and people like u, eritreans hate ur guts, and in the coming near future u people will released what a big mistake u have been doing, wen eritrea becomes food sufficient and raises above all african nations.
June 16th, 2009 at 6:18 am
Thank you!My Dear brothers Elias and Sileshi.This is a history
believe me. one day for the future will be mentioned in the history of book.The most amazing thing what I saw from interview was President Isaias Afwerki was polite and he is looking for both countries prosperity and he is such wonderful man.We have to crush the TPLF by organizing Oromia front and Gambela front, of Course,Arbegoch(Amara)front for sure President Isaias has resentment on TPLF and he doesn't like them.Therefore,we have to organized start guerrilla fight that is the only solution for Ethiopia.
June 16th, 2009 at 6:39 am
Thank you! My Dear brothers Elias and Sileshi. This is a history believe me. One day for the future will be mentioned in the history of book. The most amazing thing what I saw from interview was President Isaias Afwerki was polite and he is looking for both countries prosperity and he is such wonderful man.We have to crush the TPLF by organizing Oromia front and Gambela front, of Course, Arbegoch (Amara) front for sure President Isaias has resentment on TPLF and he doesn't like them. Therefore, we have to organized start guerrilla fight that is the only solution for Ethiopia.
June 16th, 2009 at 6:41 am
Ahmed vs. Issaias on Democracy
What is "rule by law"?
What can we make of the phrase "rule by law" if we see it separately or in comparison to the "rule of law"? The rule of law implies that the law is supreme, the law rules equally over every citizen, and that restrains rulers and the ruled.But can any law have life without the involvement of human beings? No. No national law would exist without persons or groups of persons. Any law is made by some people (e.g. legislators), interpreted by other group of people(e.g. judges), and enforced by still another group of people(e.g. police).All these people use their minds, judgements, discretions, contexts, cultural biases,etc. to deal with the law "independently" and "honestly". The main point is that, unless you want to put emphasis on superemacy of the law to guide persons rather than the persons apply their judgements without standard guidance, ultimately the law is applied by humans. There is no escape from it. That is point number one.
The word rule in both phrases has many meanings, but the closest definition I found closer to State power is " the exercise of authority, or to govern, or to command." If we substitute the word, rule, by a phrase equivalent to its meaning, then we form another phrase: "the exercise of authority by law," or "to govern by law", or "to command by law" instead of "rule by law". These three phrases do not suggest their exercise is of liberal, illiberal, democratic or authoritarian order. There is nothing in their meanings that implies that the judges and police would act machanically to do their duties, or would not follow "adherence to the due process of law" in their nations. As is the case with the "rule of law", those who make, interpret, and enforce the law are also human beings. The crucial difference to me is how those in authority seized power–i.e. public support, formal elections, coups, etc. Those in Eritrea had great public support and Issaias was elected by the transitional Baiyto. And in 2002 the same body suspended national elections and approved the continued leadership of Issaias.
In my tentative assessment, "rule by law" seems to be the dissident's view of the law that exists in a nation, particularly those ruled by "authoritarians".As is explained in Brian Z. Tamanha.(2004).ON THE RULE OF LAW: History, Politics,Theory. Cambridge Univ. Press, p.3:
Dissidents point out that authoritarian governments
that claim to abide by the rule of law routinely
understand this phrase in oppressive terms. As
Chinese law professor Li Shuguang put it: "Chinese
leaders want rule by law, not rule of law…The
difference…is that under the rule of law, the law is
preeminent and can serve as a mere tool for a
government that suppresses in a legalistic fashion."
First of all, dissidents are the exception and not the rule, so they can be judged only when they seize power. And second, which ruling group does not use the law to its own advantage and the disadvantage of its enemies and adversaries? None. That is the norm. How severe may vary, but the use of the law to suppress adversaries is done by all ruling elites. Even God is jealous.[see Exodus 20:5].
A ruling group could be lax in its actions with its adversaries NOLY IF it believes its fundamental interests would not be affected that much. That is all. So it seems to me that the two phrases do not have qualitative difference but are names used for academic discussions.So, Ahmed, your claim that there is no constitution is not true. Ahmed and I may not have preferred the current one, but the nation is ruled by the Eritrean Transitional Constitution and there is law of the land and there are courts. Ahmed inadvertently admitted that that is the case in his June 15 discourse, unless he wants to change it:
"Persons shall not be subject to double jeopardy; that is, they cannot be charged with the same crime twice. Any person tried by a court and found not guilty can never be charged with that same crime again… [ This has happened to many Eritreans including a famous member of the central committee of the PFDJ]"
Ahmed thinks the difference between the two is respect for human rights is embodied in the rule of law, and believes the best example for that is the U.S.A. The U.N. Human Rights declaration was declared IN 1948, while the U.S. Constitution dates way back to the 1780s. Does that mean the U.S. law was not the rule of law? America as a nation that has slavery, decimation of native Americans, disregard for equal rights of women, torturing prisoners as recently as 2000s, killing thousands of fleeing Somalis in an effort to target suspected "terrorists", sending prisoners to other countries to torture them while being interrogated, assisting rulers in other countries suppress their own people, assisting Ethiopia to kill and torture Eritreans, Oromos,Somalis,etc., to mention a few, are in the background of its national consciousness and behavior. With this understanding, would you say These actions were in line with respecting human rights or the U.S. Constitution was not based on the rule of law, and, hence, not liberal democratic, or "illiberal order"? Therefore, I can safely say that Ahmed's theory has a hole in it.
Ahmed also asked me to prove to him if there is a "rule of law" in Eritrea. Ahmed has been belaboring this question. The answer is so obvious: There is a transitional constitution, which serves only when the nation is changing from one stage of general development to another. One cannot talk about a crystalized national law, or whether it is a "rule by law" or "rule of law". But Ahmed, Issaias, and I, among others, are in agreement that the ratified 1997 Constitution eventually needs to be implemented, and enhanced. ….to be continued….
June 17th, 2009 at 4:06 am
What you both have done for your country and for your people, is very imperative, it's a greate achievement, you deserve a good appretiation, for many years to come this will remembered. God bless both of you. For many years Ethiopia has been laking visionary leaders, at the result, for many centuries Ethiopia has been suffering. of course, the present fashist regime is the worst.
Let me tell you the Ethiopian people and Eritrean people can work together, but for many Decades the propaganda has been imposed on them,but now it looks the people are becoming aware. If there is anything the Weyane clic afraid of is the working relationship of Ethiopian and Eritrean people, because they know the repercution.
Long live the Eritrean and Ethiopian relationship.
We are waiting that you take this to a next level and please do not wary about the negative massage of weyane tags.
TMK
June 17th, 2009 at 11:22 am
Hi YAY,
Please stop responding to Ahmed. Ahmed is looking for attention, and you are making him feel important by answering to his simple and naive understanding of Democracy. Obviousoly, he is not going to change his mind and you are wasting your time unless you are Ahmed yourself pretending to be someone else.
Ahmed,
Please don't waste your time replying to me. I will not respond to it.
Thanks
June 17th, 2009 at 11:58 am
Respond to Ahmed,
Ahmed please do not be a child, we know and we heard about Democracy and rule of low for many years, and we are witnessed what is going on in this crazy world.
Please open your own class to preach your democracy as own rule of law.
We are trying to create a good solidarity b/n two sisterly country to destroy the evil who preach in Democracy and rule of low , but it killed our people and waste our time.
Please go some where else post ur comment, unless u are Weyane operatives, trying to divert the good attention of both Ethiopian and Eritrean people.
.
June 18th, 2009 at 9:34 am
I love and respect Eritrean peopls, i was so surprise by president Esayas comment and gives me a positve insight.well done; GOD BLESS ETHIOPIA AND ERITREA…just don't stop praying.CHANGE IS COMING…YES IT WILL.
June 19th, 2009 at 2:48 am
Final Response to YAY
Subject: The tyranny of the majority and the rule of law
I still insist that the rule of law is more linked with individual civil liberties, and that there is no rule of law in Eritrea, nor is there a rule of law in Ethiopia. Without the rule of law there can never be economic prosperity, peace and stability.
I will clarify two important points that YAY is confused about, before I say goodbye to this site. I thank ER for allowing me to post my views.
YAY belives that the majority can lord over the minority, and that such a tyranny is okay with democracy . This is not true. The tyranny of the majority is not allowed in a society that abides by the rule of law. There is majority rule but there is also minority rights. These two go together. How?
The experts explain this concept as follows: “Majority rule is a means for organizing government and deciding public issues; it is not another road to oppression. Just as no self-appointed group has the right to oppress others, so no majority, even in a democracy, should take away the basic rights and freedoms of a minority group or individual.
Minorities — whether as a result of ethnic background, religious belief, geographic location, income level, or simply as the losers in elections or political debate — enjoy guaranteed basic human rights that no government, and no majority, elected or not, should remove.
Minorities need to trust that the government will protect their rights and self-identity. Once this is accomplished, such groups can participate in, and contribute to their country's democratic institutions.
Among the basic human rights that any democratic government must protect are freedom of speech and expression; freedom of religion and belief; due process and equal protection under the law; and freedom to organize, speak out, dissent, and participate fully in the public life of their society.”
Source: http://www.4uth.gov.ua/usa/english/politics/principl/majority.htm
The core confusion of all this is that YAY accepts a society that may have some rules or a constitution like Ethiopia but violates human rights left and right as having a rule of law, or a nation that has no rules of any kind or may have a “transitional constitution” as YAY calls it like Eritrea to abide by the rule of law despite the fact that it also violates human rights.
YAY is preaching a patently false concept. YAY wrongly takes the qualitative difference between the rule by law (like the tyranny that exist in Ethiopia despite the fact that it has a constitution, as for Eritrea I believe it has no rules of any kind.) and the rule of law that exist in most liberal democratic nations, as simply academic. It is not so. Again let me quote from the experts:
“For much of human history, rulers and law were synonymous — law was simply the will of the ruler. [The case in Eritrea.]
A first step away from such tyranny was the notion of rule by law, including the notion that even a ruler is under the law and should rule by virtue of legal means. [The case in Ethiopia.]
Democracies went further by establishing the rule of law. Although no society or government system is problem-free, rule of law protects fundamental political, social, and economic rights and reminds us that tyranny and lawlessness are not the only alternatives.” [The case in USA, South Africa and all western nations.]
Source: http://www.4uth.gov.ua/usa/english/politics/principl/law.htm
June 19th, 2009 at 11:33 am
Ahmed vs. Issaias on Democracy
Observer: YAY is not Ahmed.I wrote about this issue because Ahmed and others have tried to use it as a wedge between Eritrea and Eritreans as well as between Eritreans and Ethiopians. There are many reports and comments that mis-characterize Eritrea as a dictatorship, and that needs to be addressed and the facts presented. Ethiopians also need to know what to expect in or from Eritrea. In contrast,TPLF-Ethiopia has been presented as an "emerging democracy" by its backers, who also like to denigrate Eritrea, and present it as an "isolated" and uncooperative nation governed by a "dictator". Ethiopians have seen what kind of democracy TPLF-Ethiopian democracy is. I don't have to say a word. They know it first hand. And there are others who just want to believe whatever negative things they read about Eritrea. What I wrote is not just useful only to Ahmed but to all readers, especially Eritreans and Ethiopians.
Ahmed repeatedly describes Issaias as a dictator and the Government of Eritrea(GOE) as a dictatorship, in more than one word. This is one of Ahmed's weaknesses–i.e. he does not differentiate between the nature of a State, or government, in peace times and in war times. Ahmed also fails to see the nature of a transitional State and a State that completed its establishment. These two hugely important factors influence the behaviors of GOE and lead Ahmed into erroneous conclusions. First, I will present five general facts describing the circumstances GOE is operating under; and let readers compare them to experiences (in war times) of the U.S.A., Canada, Britain, Germany, France, and Russia, as assessed by Charles G. Fenwick.(1920).POLITICAL SYSTEMS IN TRANSITION: War-Time and After,NY,The Century Co. as well as Ronald C. White.(2009). A. LINCOLN: A Biography.NY. Random House.
1. The State of Eritrea(the whole people of Eritrea organized in various communities and associations and led by a centralizing authority or government–now the GOE–to form one nation on a territory with defined international borders) is new.Its institutions are incomplete or fragile and have yet to be established or strengthened. The border war and its effects have hindered this endeavor.
2. The Government of Eritrea(GOE) is still a transitional government. This is a government that has not crystalized into its intended final form as expressed in the 1997 ratified Constitution. But it is a government established after the people, in an internationally observed referendum, expressed their desire freely in 1993 that an independent nation of Eritrea be established. It was universally understood that the Eritrean People's Liberation Front(EPLF),an armed political organization that mobilized the Eritrean people to liberate their country of Derg-Ethiopian forces, would temporarily form that independent State/government. It is a government, which through constant consultations with the general public and foreign experts, was authorized to facilitate the Eritrean society to transform itself into a self-governing, self-preserving, and self-sustaining community with diversity-respecting but integrating Constitution based on which political power would be seized/transferred through periodic elections, and a number of cross-cultural political parties would compete for power peacefully.[refer the 1997 Constitution of Eritrea and EPLF/PFDJ's 1994 National Charter].
3. Eritrea was involved in a border war with TPLF-Ethiopia from May 1998 to December 2000.(I believe TPLF-Ethiopia planned and started this war, but I want Ethiopians to do their own research on this matter independently). The war has stopped but it has not ended yet. The border is legally delineated and demarcated, but TPLF-Ethiopia would not remove its troops, as required by treaty and international law, from territories legally determined to be Eritrean.
4. TPLF-Ethiopia is a real threat to the nation of Eritrea. Prime Minister Melless Zenawi has openly declared that he would go to an all-out war, and he wouldn't know "where that war will end", if Eritrea tries to step foot on some legally determined Eritrean territories. TPLF-Ethiopia wrongly believed that Eritrea has designs to dominate Ethiopia's economy, that GOE is hegemonic, sponsor of terrorists, a destabilizing force, militarized Eritrea, and must be resisted, its economy strangulated, diplomatically isolated, its conscripts encouraged to secape, etc. in cooperation with Bush-U.S.A. and its allies. For this reason, Eritrea stands alert and ready to defend itself and to do so also uses its conscripts (with all the problems related to conscripts throughout history that may appear in Eritrea too) to revive the economy and defend the nation.
5. The 1997 Conistitution of Eritrea defines the future government's structure and lists individual liberties that must be respected and its intention to uphold the universal human rights. The GOE has openly declared its desires and intentions to build a republic based on "participatory democracy" in place of the transitional government if and when circumstances allow. In the meantime, it has encouraged that local governments under each Zoba (or Awraja) be formed based on elections. The GOE admits that it has detained some individuals that it suspected have become obstructions to defending the existence of the State, GOE, and independence of the nation. It also has limited certain individual liberties when it believes doing so was necessary for security reasons. Some Eritreans and foreigners have accused GOE of torture, detention without charge, and denial of basic individual liberties, such as freedoms of expression, movement, association, religion, and basic human rights.
The GOE was very liberal in everything it is accused of between 1991 and 2001, so it is not a regime that is tyrannical, despotic, or dictatorial by nature or design.
'How does what GOE is accused of doing to individuals in Eritrea and what Issaias is preaching about democracy and elections square off?' asks Ahmed. Now, let us consult history and try to find answers to Ahmed's question.
1. War and crisis changes the nature of a state:
'The state is a machine that works for the common good; and some of its actions may restrain individual liberties sometimes. Some citizens may not like government's restrictions on idividual liberties when the existence of the State is in danger, but they understand and tolerate the subordination of domestic liberties to the safety of the nation could become necessary. What is more serious was that even the "rule of law" was obliged to yield in part to the emergency of war or crisis, and one could witness manifestations of isolated "lawlessness" in government actions.
In peace times a government becomes ocuupied primarily with the task of maintaining law and order in the nation, leaving to the free play of individual activity the satisfaction of the economic needs of the people.
In war times the government must assume control of practically the entire life of the society. Production must be regulated to meet the demands of war, industries must stop producing non-essential articles or raw materials must be denied to one and given to another factory based on the basis of their contribution to the war. Distribution of goods must no longer be a matter of satisfying individual wants but of meeting national demands. Prices are no longer to be regulated by the law of supply and demand but by arbitrary standard of cost of production. There are thus cast upon the government a wide variety of tasks to which its organization in times of peace is inadequate.
At the same time complete unity of command becomes as essential to the nation as to its fighting army, and the protection of individual rights ceases for the time to be the object of government in favor of the protection of the community as well as a whole nation against external aggression.' [Fenwick,p.46].
2. 'The prime object of government is the preservation of national existence with all that it connotes indirectly for the good of the individual citizen. For the sake of this higher purpose it may be necessary to subordinate democracy to efficiency and to suspend temporarily those very principles of liberty in the individual which the war is fought to maintain for the nation as a whole.' [Fenwick, p.8].
3. 'Freedom is a relative term, and must be judged in the light of aspirations of a particular people. Law is an artificial restraint which has developed into a highly complex system adjusted to the needs of each country by the traditions of centuries. Individual rights and general justice must be viewed in light of changing circumstances (economic conditions and political status), but it is also true that the experience of other country in meeting its own peculiar problems may be of great service to another.' [Fenwick,pp. 12-13].
4. Individual rights are not absolute or guaranteed:
As Fenwick teaches, the protection of individual rights is normally fulfilled through what is called the "due process of law". But that does not prevent "the passage of laws by which both liberty and property are subjected to restrictions for the common good. The guarantees are, therefore, not absolute but qualified, and the extent of their enjoyment must be determined in the individual case by balancing the presumptive right of the individual against possible injury to others. In times of peace this issue is frequently raised in connection with the exercise by the State of its "police power" to protect the public welfare. In times of war the issue becomes one of denying individual rights where the exercise might endanger the safety of the State." [Fenwick, p.23].
5. Abraham Lincoln, President of the U.S. in the 1860s, was also accused of "unlawfull arrests" of individuals and that his government was an "arbitrary government". His wisdom of defending the united nation was as of no value to the people, but "Defeat, debt, taxation, spulchers". Lincoln, faced by a strong rebellion in the South, had to recruit an army to defend the nation: he emancipated African-American slaves and initiated the conscription of White males between the ages of 20 and 45, who were obligated to serve for 3 years or "until the end of the war."
Protesters denounced the draft as unconstitutional, murdered some of the recruiting officers, incited violence when government soldiers rounded up deserters, and encouraged conscripted recruits to desert. Lincoln took action against such protesters, individually or in mass, who always claimed they were in defense of the Constitution, state rights and individual liberties. His logic was:
a) 'The courts worked well in peace times for cases involving individuals, but in a clear case of rebellion or mass movement, the ordinary courts were often incompetent to deal with whole classes of groups of individuals.'
b) "Must I shoot a simple-minded soldier boy who deserts, while I must not touch a hair of a wiley agitator who induces him to desert? I think that in such a case, to silence the agitator, and save the boy, is not only constutitional, but withal, a great mercy".
c) When one Commander issued a military edict aimed at persons who "uttered one word against the United States" or anyone guilty of "acts for the benefit of the enemies of our country" could be liable to execution, Lincoln could not disagree with him. That Commander sent troops to a protester Ohio Congressman's house, broke the door, arrested him, and a military court sentenced him into prison until the war ends. Lincoln modified the punishment into banishing the Congressman from his Midwest of the country until the end of the war. Lincoln's reasoning was that expressing your views as an individual was protected by the Constitution, but he found it unreasonable for letting individuals or groups use their rights provided by the Constitution unrestricted and work towards the non-existence of the nation.
He considered the protesters were 'damaging the army, upon the existence and vigor of which, the life of the nation depends.' And since the conditions of war was going on,'there must be detentions to thwart the actions of "a most efficient corps of spies, informers, suppliers and aiders and abettors." Lincoln said that everyone understands that in times of war the writ of habeas corpus [the right of not being detained without charges] would be suspended. [White, pp. 554-567].
The word dictator is believed to have originated from the Latin word dictum, which means word uttered, a saying, an authoritative pronouncement, or command. In ancient Rome, they found out from experience that, in times of war or crisis, it was best and most efficient to conduct themselves under one commander who can lead them to the best of his judgement. At such times regular consultations in meetings in the senate would be suspended, and the whole empire obeyed the command of the dictator. Later on the Constitution of the U.S. adopted this idea and made the President be, in times of war or emergency, be the dictator, but called it in another name–i.e. Commander in Chief. After that it became common in the world to make the head of state or head of government the Commander in Chief. So is Eritrea's president. Hence, President Issaias is now running the nation, which is alert for any consequences of the re-ignition of war and to defend the nation.
To accuse the GOE of dictatorship is to forget that it is a government that operates in war times and the circumstances and acute pressures it is working under. In other words, it is working under a crisis or emergency mode, and is investing all it has got towards normalizing the situation without compromizing its political independent existence. In such situations, based on the historical experiences of even the most established democratic nations cited above no nation did not and would not behave differently. Therefore, it seems to me, that Ahmed's conclusions are unreasonable.
Ahmed also seems much more naive than I expected him to be. He reasons out: If the law of mathematics are the same wherever you go, then the laws of democracy must be the same in every nation. I was surprized by that. He is trying to equate social/political organizational "laws" with natural laws. I guess he forgot, for instance, that if you give a group of well educated and experienced judges the same set of evidence and the codes of law, that they could reach at different conclusions, let alone different communities and nations. Doesn't Ahmed know that a court could be split in its determinations, but the final verdict goes by what the majority says? Thanks everyone for your patience and respect. A GOOD RELATIONSHIP HAS TO BE BASED ON HONESTY FROM ALL SIDES. Good luck.
June 19th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
PIA with his vision and confidence will unite Ethiopians and others in the horn of Africa. Sorry for ethnocentric bastards who worship,follow and idolize clan and tribal ideology preached by a midget thinker who hates Ethiopia and its people. The tribalist and their running dogs days are numbered, we all can see the light at the end of the tunnel. For those tribal supremacist your shabby dam is leaking, you fear nothing but united Ethiopians and we are right behind your butt.
June 19th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Ahmed,
Your comments are too boring and lack any meaningful content!
June 20th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Mr. Ahmed's theory can be translated as a pimp luring a under age girl for sex business. We will not allow our girls to be sold any more.You are consumed with predictions and theories much like the stock market. You cant force us to like Hot Dog , we like injera.. Mr.Ahmed you are not more American than the Bush and Clinton family. The blood is not dry, You know what Jendayi Frazer did in Kenya ? After the death of thousands protesters, instead of respecting the the wish of the voters, she created unstable and corrupted slave coalition party waiting its time to collapse. Somalia, the same lady created chaos by invading Somalia in the name of Democracy and Freedom. In Ethiopia election got stolen, over 200 people died, she supported TPLF in every way, she was the divider of people and the front force against Eritrea. You need to see what they are doing to your own people before referring US's policy as example for World Hope and Democracy. We (Ethiopians and Eritreans) have different color,need, food, value,character,…… from Americans. We are different. We choose to live based on what we know and works!!!There is no time to experiment with peoples life.
Regards!!!
June 23rd, 2009 at 12:05 am
WOW, Ethiopians reaching out & wanting to hear from the presumed "sworn enemy of Ethiopia"???
I'm glad I'm alive to see this day.
Imagine, if we all had the heart, mind & soul to reach & hear from each other 50 years ago, just like Mr. Elias & Mr. Sleshi, on their own time & resources managed to do.
I bet we could have saved a lot of lives & resources we wasted in endless costly wars.
Thanks to Ethiopian Review, Mr. Elias & Mr. Sleshi, I'm beginning to hope, my children will never have to go through another Ethio-Eritrean war, that many of my generation has been forced to live under & perish.
Now the gate of communication & understanding has been established, let's cross the bridge that Ethiopian Review managed to build. Great accomplishment.
THANK YOU & CHEERS TO MR. ELIAS & MR. SLESSHI of the Ethiopian Review.
Please, Keep building the bridge of communication, mutual understanding, peace & trust, for our children to inherit & we all desperately need to make to another day.
Regards,
Gerrie
July 16th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Ethiopian kid>>>> ecoute pour quoi est ce qu'il parlerais ta langue?
tu pourait au moin le remercie d'accepte de se faire intervue par des journalistes Ethiopien,
parce que ton encule de president n'aurais pas accepte de se faire intervue par des Erytheen
July 18th, 2009 at 8:37 am
If PIA meant what he said, it is really a good start. He seems geniune. He has answered all questions straightforward. Let us hope that this will lead to more open discussion.
Nobel
July 20th, 2009 at 9:33 pm