Mele's Conspiracy Revisted on Ethiopia

[Alim...@my-dejanews.com]

Amidst the debate that is being carried on and the numerous proposals that
have been presented to the current "conflict," is found the glaring fact
that the woyane regime is the sole proprietor of the blue print for
shaabia's territorial claim. Woyane nurtured this idiotic claim during
its 'struggle' to establish an independent 'Tigrai Republic.'

Here is an excerpt from an interview which former woyane (TPLF) member Ato
Gebremedhin Araya, along with Ato Abraham Yayeh, gave in 1990, roughly a
year before EPRDF assumed power. I found the exchange very interesting
thus translated it from its Amharic version as it was published in a
book by the title of "Ye'weyanew Talaq Serra Beqedmow Abalatu Sigalett"
printed in Addis Ababa in Tir, 1982 Ethiopian Calendar. Here is the
exchange as it was recorded on pp 114-115 of the book:
____________________________________________________________

QUESTION: In 1969 [Ethiopian Calendar], a conflict arose between
woyane and shaabia due to the latter's claim over territory. How
did this conflict come about while the two groups enjoyed a close
relationship like a father and a son [sic]?

ATO GEBREMEDHIN: It is true that the claim was raised in 1969 [E.C.].
Jebeha [ELF] also raised the same claim at the time. However, jebeha,
because of its conflict with and defeat by shaabia, did not pursue
this claim for long. Shaabia's territorial claim included regions
in Tigrai including Babme, Dedebit, Gual Dedebit, Shiraro, Wehaden[?]
and MenTebTeb[?]. It also included Adi-Hagerai, Adi-Neberei,
Adi-Quala, and Adi-Dewro. These are woredas located in the Shire
Awraja. They are all kuta geTem [border?] woredas. Next is
Yetchila[?] and after that Assaye woreda. And there is also
Aggela [?] in AnTitcho woreda. These woredas are located in the
Adwa awraja. Shaabia's claim goes beyond that to Zalambessa in
the Agame awraja. All these areas are located next to each other.
And these are also the areas that shaabia claimed to be as
Eritrean.

What was woyane's response to shaabia's claim? Well, since I was
there in person during the negotiations, it is my obligation to
tell what I witnessed for the sake of my country. Woyane was
represented by Abai Tsehai and Melese Zenawi during the
negotiations to settle the dispute. The two responded, "shaabia's
claim is valid and we have discovered, through our investigation
of historical facts, that the region in dispute belongs to
Eritrea." However, they did not provide any evidence, historical
or otherwise, to back up their finding. The negotiation came to
an end with this revelation while the quesion of how shaabia
should proceed on acquiring the territory was still lingering.
The explanation given from the woyane side was: "If we give the
land to shaabia at this juncture, the Tigrai people will rise
against us. Therefore, let's just sign an agreement on the
validity of shaabia's claim and our willingness, in the future, to
honor this claim." The agreement was signed by Abai Tsehai and
Meles Zenawi on the woyane side and Wedi Ephrem and Petros
Solomon on shaabia's side.

After the agreement was signed, it was found highly detrimental to
keep it classified (secret) for fear of raising the rage of the
Tigrai people. The document included the phrase: "After the fall
of the Ethiopian government and after Eritrea's independence form
the colonial rule of the Amhara regime, and upon the establishment
of the State of Tigrai, shaabia's claim shall be fulfilled."

...The majority of woyane followers and those who were not in high
leadership positions were never informed of this agreement. The
deal and the agreement was conducted and was to be kept in top
secret until the two fronts establish their respective independent
states. This was the conspiracy designed by the anti-Ethiopian
woyane.

*End of excerpt*
________________________________________________________________

Many may argue that this is irrelevant in light of the current dangerous
situation. However, it will be a mistake not to question the current
Ethiopian government's postiton on and its vision for Ethiopia in pre- and
post-Badme political, economic, and military realities. Aside from
gross human rights conditions, the government's spotty record on issues of
national security and territorial integrity must be scrutinized. Let us
not forget that our current predicament is the direct result of EPRDF's
opportunistic maneuvers.

-----== Posted via Deja News, The Leader in Internet Discussion ==-----
http://www.dejanews.com/rg_mkgrp.xp Create Your Own Free Member Forum