In Defense of EPRP -- By Professor Getachew Begashaw
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Date: 5/23/01 1:27:37 AM Pacific Daylight Time
From: bega...@PILOT.MSU.EDU (Getachew Begashaw-
Associate Professor)
Selam all,
It is indeed a mind boggling to observe so much raving about the EPRP from
some individuals in the last few days. What really happened? Why are these
individuals so loud and shrill in attacking the EPRP while what really
gripped Ethiopia in the last few weeks or so is absolutely different? Most
importantly, who are these individuals? This is the question that has to be
answered first before we even attempt to engage in any form of dignified
exchange. This question becomes important because many of those who do not
have the slightest moral fortitude to question the EPRP are exploiting the
situation to disseminate their hate and carry over their unfinished war with
the party from the dark days of the Derg.
It is evident that current or former supporters, sympathizers, and members
of the EPRP, unlike the Dergists (Isepas), Meison, Woz League, etc, do not
run around hiding themselves or their identities. They wear their badge with
honor and pride because they have real history they are proud to tell. That
is why they organize different public forums and avail themselves to be
asked and challenged. That is why they don't shy to appear anywhere they are
asked to. I am certain that some of you who have stayed on this forum will
remember that couple of years back Dr. Selameab requested that all
organizations make themselves available on this forum and answer questions
that are important to EEDNites. It was only the EPRP that agreed to accept
this request and thoroughly answered all the questions compiled by Dr.
Selameab himself. Never mind about those who are trying to pass their
ignorance about the party and its program as fact and knowledge, it is
indeed a mind boggling to see those same individuals asking the same
question and appearing to be oblivious to the facts about the party. This is
not normal.
I really do wish these individuals who are bent on blemishing the party get
the fact that, unlike a pack of organizations that have come and gone, the
EPRP is not an organization that will dissipate into the thin air just
because it received some blows from here or there. It has survived all
concerted onslaughts from all directions you could imagine. It has survived
internal factions. It has survived the atrocious war of decimation by the
fascistic Derg. It has survived the coordinated attack of TPLF, EPLF, and
the Sudan. It has survived the pressures and subversions of regional and
international forces. The bottom line: it is here to stay with us. Get over
it, and try to live with that.
The other point is that the EPRP is not an organization like Isepa (WPE),
for instance, that just vanishes at a stroke of a pen. Remember that Isepa
ceased to exist just because Ato Meles Zenawi declared so. Today, many of
the members of this defunct organization, who can not pride themselves with
its dark history, are going around under different guises and trying "to be
everything to everybody". That will not fly, and will be exposed.
No matter how much bitter it might be for the few, the EPRP enjoys popular
support of the Ethiopian people just because it champions their cause
unflinchingly. For many, it is their soul and spirit, because the valor and
Ethiopian heroism its martyred or alive members have displayed in the face
of trying circumstances are unparalleled. Some try to measure the success
and failures of this organization by how close it got to power. They miss
the point. It is true that the ultimate goal of any political organization
is to seize the state power and implement its political, economic, and
social programs. Organizations can get to state power using different means
and tactics. One can do so by appending itself to big powers and
prostituting on the future and welfare of its people. The EPRP opted not to
do so. Is that a crime? They are not these guys who can judge that, but the
Ethiopian people. And that day will come. I hear these guys clamoring that
the party didn't show anything in its thirty years life. Well, history is
replete with many examples that many parties and organizations that have
never gotten to power or has taken them long to achieve it. ANC of South
Africa was founded in 1912 and got to power in 1992. PLO of Palestine was
formed in 1948 and got a limited success in forming a Palestinian State in
1996. Is there anything to learn? EPRP is doing a marvelous job as long as
it has survived and continued to expose the crimes that are being committed
against the Ethiopian people in any way possible.
Again, I hear a lot of nonsense about infiltration, subversion, and
dirijitawi aserar bla, bla… It is nonsense because it comes from the very
persons that can not work with any body but themselves. Look at these
individuals, wherever they are. They do not belong to any form of
associative efforts and organized endeavors. They can not tolerate any view
other than theirs. They are irredeemably dictatorial in their approach and
operation. They need to look into themselves before pointing their fingers
at anybody else. It is true that we need a united effort to rid our country
and people from the dangers posed by the ethnicist hordes of all hues. That
unity requires mutual respect and recognition of boundaries. As a matter of
fact, these individuals are the most unrestrained provocateurs who do not
feel responsible for whatever they say. It is amazing to see them trying to
appear as if they are the consensus builders and apostles of unity. They
even refuse to recognize the efforts and sacrifices of the EPRP for united
efforts and coalition politics. And they turn around and accuse it for
subversion, whereas they themselves are the major hurdle in any attempt of
unity. You rather be for real. You can not talk about unity while you are
polarizing. You can not talk about rights and wellbeing of people while you
are polarizing. You can not preach about the demise of the TPLF while you
are polarizing. You be for real.
Getachew
E-mail: bega...@PILOT.MSU.EDU