Respond to Rep. Benjamin Gilman

By: Tesfaye Yigzaw

1/6/2000

C/O of Washing post
Re: Respond to Rep. Benjamin Gilman

Dear Editor;

As most of the people, I have been amazed reading the statements of Rep. Benjamin Gilman. Published on January 3, 2000 on Washington Post "Ethiopia needs a push towards peace."

A gentleman from great state of New York had failed to grasp the truth about the Ethio-Eritrean conflicts. I am not sure whether Mr. Gilman has been closely following the situation in the Horn of Africa and Africa in general. Let me remind him if he has forgotten, it is not Ethiopia who invaded Eritrea. It is Eritrea who does not like to live peacefully with its neighbors and had went war with Yemen, Djibouti, and Sudan. Now Eritrean armies are sitting on the land it occupied from Ethiopia. It is Eritrea that carried words of blasphemes to those out of its reach. Indeed Eritrea is a new country, and historically it was part of Ethiopia. If it would not be of colonial laws and rules that have disturbing the world peace today, it could still remain part of Ethiopia. Because of Ethiopia's current affairs and lack of Nuclear power, this former province allowed seceding. Why the laws are double standard when it comes to Africa? While Chinese territories, those have been under colonial rules for about a hundred of years are returning to motherland. And Germany was allowed in the unifications. I am sure Mr. Gilman of the foreign relation committee can answer these questions.

We expect from our politicians to find a fundamental solutions and lasting peace for the two nations and somewhere else. Instead, Mr. Gilman's letter rather sounds as Eritrean Government's statements. It is also an intimidation to Ethiopia.

Ethiopia has a full right and obligation by the law and otherwise to defend its sovereign territory as the rest of the countries have around the globe..

If Mr. Gilman has been truly concerned finding solution, he should advice Eritrea to use their scarce resources in learning international laws, norms and rules rather than spending on delusional ambition of becoming the world power. He should also tell them to vacate the land they have occupied. Eritrea surly needs help from wise people like Mr. Gilman to teach them good manners. I am sure Mr. Gilman can analyze the behavior of Eritreans, the other part of the world knows it very well, they bite the very hands that feed them, and in other word they do not fit for friendship. Let us ask our selves few questions; stealing aids grain is a crime, is it not? Who is going to clear the land mines they planted on the area? Who is responsible for hundreds of thousands of lives perished because of the Eritrean aggression?

Mr. Gilman's statement is a direct interference of the OAU mandates, and USA/ Rwanda peace solution in this conflict. His statement will cause bitter relationship between USA/ Ethiopia, also counteract the leadership of the USA in global peace. It is my hope, peace will prevail in that region, and the two nations again live together. Let not Mr. Gilman's statements interrupt the on going solution for lasting peace.

Respectfully;

Tesfaye Yigzaw