OVERVEIW

Fact is something that is true and can be supported by evidence, while an opinion is a belief that may or may not be backed up with some type of evidence. An opinion is a subjective statement that can be the result of an emotion or an individual interpretation of fact. Some people to prove their point highlight certain unscrupulous statements and cite questionable examples. To try to justify your action by illegitimating others is simply retaliation, one has to avoid the hype.

DEFEND YOUR SELVES, BUT NOT EPRDF

These days when ever people write criticizing the Ethiopian government for its short coming in relation with the Eritrean opposition with the intention to correct, some Eritreans either in the EDA or the Addis seminar attendees jump to characterize our good intention of criticism to enmity of the government of Ethiopia. They say the Ethiopian government is our strategic ally, hosts our refugees, never intends to invade Eritrea and a lot of hotchpotch.  The Ethiopian government has strong media and a lot of web-sites and if it feels the criticism it can respond and we will be happy when we see the response coming from that angle rather than Eritrean cohorts.

Habtom Yohannes in his article ADDIS REFLECTION ON THE ADDIS SEMINAR PART II Says “The disability of the Eritrean opposition (political parties, civic societies and scholars/intellectuals) to come up with a sound alternatives to bring rule of law in Eritrea is also being blamed on the 

“hidden agenda’s of the Weyane”.    

Till this day, I have seen no factual proof that supports the

accusations “the hidden agenda of the Weyanes”; as claimed by

Isaias c.s  and the opposition.”  Read Dr. Fessehazion Mongustu’s article of fifty two pages at meskerem.net with the title THE HARISH REALITY OF THE ERITREAN TRAGEDY ARE THERE SOME WAYS FORWARD TOWARDS SANITY to understand EPRDF’s hidden agenda from the WOYANE’s hired gun. Here is the link to Habtoms article.  

http://www.meskerem.net/20111001Addis%20Reflections%20on%20The%20Addis%20Seminar%20Part%20II.pdf

Mr Habtom Yohannes, does it mean EPRDF can not defend it self and we in the opposition who have concerns of the Ethiopian government in relation with its activities with the opposition are cohorts of PFDJ? Please put the fact strait, evaluate your self before you evaluate others.

FACTS BEFORE OPPINION

To defend some thing wrong with another screwed event does not make any sense. The conference which was held in August 2010 in Addis was announced in 2008 by the Eritrean opposition. In fact this conference was called upon by the Eritrean people in Diaspora in 2002. The national pride and integrity is vivid. It is true at the end EDA squandered the effort of Eritreans. When I, Amare Gebremariam Gebre says to the Addis seminar attendees how are you going to report to the people when you come if you did not tell them when you were leaving is not contradiction because I was sarcastic that any journalist could understand.

As to the other things like saying “we had agenda before we left to Addis” of Habtom Yhannse and “it was planed six months ago” of Dr Yebio Woldemariam and many others admit there was no agenda, I leave it to the Eritrean public to judge how the Addis seminar was conducted.

The other issue which is personal my attendance at the 2010 Akaki conference that Salih Gadi  or Johar or Ali Salim or Mohammed Al Jeberti raised some time ago and is writing it at pal talk events and repeated by Habtom yohannse to show of my hypocrisy. First of all as I explained above the conference started as purely Eritrean call and up to towards the end prepared and managed by Eritreans as far as I know. When I arrived in Addis I saw that it is being screwed I told the conference attendees in the conference hall my concern and informed the Eritrean public my experience with four articles when I came back. No body is interested in your statement because no body expected any thing from a seminar which does not safe guard Eritrean interest, but Ethiopian interest. That is the personal integrity, educational responsibility and national pride. If you want facts Google my articles check video taken at the conference hall from EDA.

Besides Habtom asserts that “In that case he should be thankful to the Ethiopian Government because without them that conference would have been impossible.” Wow, how do you know that? You say we have nothing to hide, but what you say is no Eritrean believes at least those who are not members of EDA. I do not wait to be called only to a seminar panel discussion or organizational activities, I live it. For your information, I in cooperation with EAIM researched and organized an article long time when you were flattering with PFDJ and gave it to ENA/ EDA to use it as a reference and also posted in the web-sites. Had the EDA followed peoples’ advice the seminar could have been successful and many Eritreans could have embraced it. Below is the article we submitted long ago.  

NATIONAL CONFERENCE TOWARDS DEMOCRATIZATION OF RIITREA(ERITREAN ALLIANCE INVOLVEMENT MOVEMENT   ( EAIM SUGGESTION)

DEFINITION  This conference is a meeting for consultation, exchange of information, discussion organized and attended by political organizations, political movements, civic societies, religious organizations, democratic elements.....etc especially to discuss contemporary political crisis in Eritrea, differences of approach to tackle the crisis and formulate common policy.

OBJECTIVES   A national opposition political forces conference allows all Eritreans with democratic ideals to participate in planning Eritrea’s political future and create a level of national consensus. A national conference can be Eritrea’s preliminary move towards limited democracy, laying foundation for more inclusive institutions and democratic mechanisms. A successful national conference harnesses and directs popular support for improving united approach to get rid of dictatorship and encourage creation of social and political institutions. A national debate has a significant impact on forming a new political culture and persuading diverse groups to participate in the political decision-making process. A national conference is expected to extending dialogue through out Eritreans wherever they reside.

CONFERENCE GOALS

• Analyze, discuss and debate the political crisis in Eritrea.
• Raise public awareness on how the Eritrean lively hood is deteriorating every day, every hour, every minute.
• Develop shared and complimentary national strategies to advance the public and political debates to rectify the crisis and erect democratic political process.
• Encourage and exchange collaboration among Eritrean political organizations, movements, civic societies, academics, professionals and scholars.
• Engage Eritrean intellectuals, professionals, scholars to apply their knowledge and share their expertise with political and media practitioners and key decision-makers.

ORGANIZERS The Eritrean National Alliance has already took the initiative to invite participants, participation in planning a new political environment through the conference. The ENA can invite international organizations and political parties to facilitate logistics. Eritreans of all walks of life may be brainstormed for ideas to be discussed in the conference.

SUGGESTED AGENDA

• Upgrading the ENA charter to a national charter. Why and how democracy in Eritrea.
• Centralized administration versus decentralized administration in Eritrea. Federalism or Unitary type of administration. Official languages and the political right of nationalities. Should Eritrea have secular government?
• The army of the opposition versus the national army
• The issue of refugees.
• Economic policy and foreign policy.
• Land ownership and land reform.
• The road to reconciliation.
• The fate of the dictatorial regime’s leaders and the so- called military generals.
• Unity in diversity. How?
• The boarder issue with our neighbors and the peacekeeping force.
• Political prisoners- general amnesty or what?
• The economic and cultural gap.

PARTICIPANTS   should include representatives of all opposition political organizations, movements, civic societies who don’t have political affiliation or relationship with the dictatorial regime. Religious organizations, professionals and prominent individuals should be encouraged to participate. International observers can be helpful to assure the conferences process and results.

DEFINING THE CRISIS AND ACTIVITIES Organizers must draft agenda prioritizing the issues received from would be participants and clarify conference goals and issues to be discussed to all the participants to minimize confusions and unfruitful discussions. The host or moderator body of the conference can consolidate follow-up group after the conference to make arrangements for and build on- any consensus reached for future political development such as;

• Constitution drafting committee.
• Party guidelines and election process drafting committee.
• Administration guideline drafting committee.
• Economic and foreign policy guidelines drafting committee.
• Committees are expected to lead us to chain of sub-conferences.

 Media involvement is important during the conference to monitor and report on the events. Certain experts or individuals who are knowledgeable on certain issues of the agenda can be invited to present a study of thought.

CONFERENCE FORMAT

• Plenary session—speeches from research papers 2-3 papers for some issue of the agenda items.
• Workshops- groups discuss one agenda item assigned to them and present to the session their main point of consensus.
• General panel discussion on some items of the agenda expecting to reach consensus.

ORGANIZERS PRE-CONFERENCE ACTIVITIES

• Have in mind target audience.
• Decide the main theme of the conference (e.g. The birth of democratic Eritrea)
• Establish target speaker list.
• Write draft conference brochure.
• Produce final timetable on conducive place and date.
• Set post event value creation (written materials, videos, cassettes, books----etc.)

COST CONSIDERATION Most of the cost 0f the conference must be carried by conference participants. The organizing committee of the conference should try to have good estimation of cost and distribute it to participants.

Cost of conference starts during preparation, then accommodation, follow-up functions, technical assistance, facilitation and logistical support. Foreign financial assistance is often necessary to organize a national conference. 

EXPECTED PARTICIPANTS GRASP OF THE CONFERENCE CONTENT

• Mentality change after many years of bickering and dictatorship.
• Develop the ability to compromise.
• The importance of consensus after even bitter debate.
• Cooperation for the sack of erecting democratic Eritrea.
• Working language of democratic decision- making and flexibility.
• Transparent structure.
• Efficient and transparent financial mechanism.
• Open, clear communication culture.
• Unity in diversity

WE STRUGGLE---WE SUCCEED

GLORY TO OUR MARTYRS

VICTORY TO THE OPPRESSED                                    (EAIM)

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In your article at asmarino.com ERITREA: AFRICA’S LARGEST PRISON, NOT ONLY FOR JOURNALISTS, you said that “it is a naked propaganda for Isaias dictatorship and against the basic principles of journalism and human rights” to Thomas C. Mountain who wrote about Isaias’s seminar in New York. I completely agree with your statement, but aren’t you becoming a copy cat of Mr. Thomas C. Mountain the hired journalist as you said when you propagate Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s   propaganda. People say “tell me who you go with and I will tell you who you are”, at least you don’t meddle with the Eritrean social fabric.

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Glory to our martyrs