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Voices of Victims from New York

Yonas Jermano Natti and Maaza Petros Solomon, the son of the soft spoken community leader and daughter of the would be head of state have been to New York to add their voices on behalf

Yonas Jermano Natti and Maaza Petros Solomon, the son of the soft spoken community leader and daughter of the would be head of state have been to New York to add their voices on behalf of their fathers, who are languishing in the underground death camps of the dictatorial PFDJ regime for more than 10 years. Maaza, whose mother, Aster, has also been snatched from her by the PFDJ, is just 14 and says she barely remembers her dad; while Yonas insists that he believes strongly in the rule of law. When you listen to their calm voices, you feel reassured that you were right to have thought Isaias Afewerki was talking to numbers not human-beings, on Sunday 25th September, in Manhattan, New York. Listen to this Voice of Asena ClipAseyeasena-VoiceOfAsena20110927VoicesOfVictimsFromNewYork344.mp3

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Review overview
69 COMMENTS
  • kozami September 28, 2011

    Belezet

    Our differences aside, a lot of what you say is very reasonable and mature. Firstly, I am not affiliated to any political group and try to speak my mind to the best of my judgment. Before getting to my response though, we need to be clear that no one has the monopoly of “Truth” and as such democratic values are not born out of intimidation, accusation, fabrication and prevarication. People have the right to believe what they may, and any one has the right to agree or disagree. I am at a loss to understand your brazen attack on “diaspora Eritreans” Frankly, it is non-nonsensical and avoided at all cost, as it only complicates matters and serves, at the very least, no purpose.
    Now to your points… You see, the event that lead to the arrest of G-15 is something that has saddened every Eritrean (what ever the reasons may be). Do I want them have fair trial …. Yes, even above and beyond that I wish they are let go and be united with their loved ones … anytime as soon as yesterday. Unfortunately, there exist no quick fix as things stand now. Rather than the empty bravado of demand this and demand that, lets talk reason. Would it have been much more effective say if the families and immediate relatives of the individuals were to organize a ‘Release Them Now’ campaign, with which most Eritrean’s will have poured their support that every “user” and “manipulator” of wanna be politician “leaning back” and thinking and scheming to use them as a rallying point to luring others in to their rather sinister political agenda. Their families must liberate themselves from the so called “opposition” that is using them to garner attention and score political points. And, hence reach out to the Eritrean public at large…directly. No Ethnocentric, power thirsty, enemy collaborator so called “opposition” should take up the issue directly…as it can prove discrediting by association. This should be taken up as a family matter and for a possible alternative solution. In all my conversations with Eritreans, as much as the overwhelming majority of them despise the ugly and anti-people so called “opposition”, are equally sad and wounded by the continued detention of those iconic hero’s of our epic struggle. I urge the families to give this idea due consideration and dissociate themselves from “users” and “manipulators” no matter how many times they shower you with “hawey”, “haftey”, “mearey” and “shikorey”.

    In closing, to all the families of the detainees, my God bestow his love and strength upon you for you are the main innocent victim here.

    • belezet September 29, 2011

      kozami,

      “Their families must liberate themselves from the so called “opposition” that is using them to garner attention and score political points. ”

      Wow! First our heroes are “traitors”, now their families are naive feeble minds that are easily influenced/ used by politicians. Have you ever met any of the families and if so, do you care to share details about your experience? I have met many of them and none fit your description. Like their detained family members, these families are independent-thinking, fair courageous and forgiving. “The fruit does not fall too far from the tree” and these families’ courage, grit and integrity has been permanently reflected in their rational children who chose to give DIA a chance to redeem himself, instead of conducting a coup d’etat secretly, as he ultimately did with the help of the traitor par excellence Sebhat Ephrem. It is amazing how you defend diaspora hypocrites who cheer a rogue regime from a distance while refusing to subject themselves and their children to the policies of the callous PFDJ Yet, you have no reservation in inferring that families of heroes are weak and easily manipulated.

      At any rate, I thank you for trying. We all have choices to make. I hope you decide to to speak out on behalf of the silenced, even if you do it behind closed doors and while you continue supporting the PFDJ. I am assuming that you reside in diaspora and “halengy” PFDJ will not be able to reach you.

      Good day!

      • kozami September 29, 2011

        Belezet

        My suggestions has aroused your otherwise, well tamed temperament. Mindful of a possible undercurrents for your defensiveness, I will elaborate my suggestion one more time. There is the political and personal aspects to the issue at hand. The former aspect has been used and abused by every wannabe activist and those with axes to grind. And the latter hasn’t been tried. The family aspect is convincing when presented with in just that context, without being hijacked by the above mentioned groupies. Let them give it a thought.

        • belezet September 29, 2011

          kozami,

          I take you have never met any of the families since you did not answer my simple question.

          good day!

    • belezet September 29, 2011

      With God, I hope you are not thinking of DIA, jk:)

    • selam October 3, 2011

      Stop being cynical and hypocrite Kozami. With one voice let’s say a spade a spade.

  • Haileyesus Teckle September 28, 2011

    AS i know the (Bazit )dictator very well .I am quite sure that our legend and hero for democracy are innocent .The dictator in Eritrean could’nt lives life without power and he will do anything to grip power.Imagine nobody work hard for Eritrea and E.P.L.F than G15 member but right now where are they now Is it fair .

  • Temesgen Medhanie September 29, 2011

    I just finished listening to VOA Tigrigna program interview with Isaias. I must say, the guy (Isaias) must be on something. I mean something really heavy. I don’t even know where to start. For real. Simply because the guy is hilarious to say the least. When he was asked about drought, he vehemently and emphatically denied it. He went on to say that, not only there is no drought in Eritrea, there will not be any drought in the future either. When he was asked about democracy and rule of law, he said, he never signed any contract with anybody to serve the country (John Locke’s Social Contract cries out loud to be heard) and he went on vilifying the US where he said, the US should first respect the rights of African Americans, Native Indians and the Hispanics before it points its fingers and lectures the rest of the world about democracy. Mind you, he is saying those outrageous things after he finished making a speech at the UN where he sugarcoated Obama and the West. When he was asked about the comments he made pertaining the Arab spring, he said, it will never stop and it will continue spreading to other parts of the world where he blamed the West as the main culprits in oppressing the Arab world as the former accommodated, hosted and laid a red carpet to the very leaders whom the people are rising against. He is saying this as if he never kissed Qazafi’s butt in a bid to get bank rolls. That is the typical back stabber and lekhbaT Isaias. He must have said it in light of the recent meeting with Eritreans in America where they came out under duress to see him and of course, he is convinced that, the Eritrean people have given him a license to reign over them and to abuse them left and right ad infinitum. Finally, when he was asked a question that was sent to him from Eritreans who have been waiting for the proper permits to build houses in Eritrea, he said, their needs will be met soon. He went on to say that, his wish is for every Eritrean to own three houses where he envisions the houses to be built one by the shore, one in the lowlands and the rest in the highlands.

    When Eritreans are struggling to make ends meet; when Eritreans are lining up in the wee hours to get a rationed food; where the stores in Asmara are wallowing with empty shelves; where middle class is obsolete; when the means of production is in the hands of a mafia curtail, to boast about an individual owning three houses is not only insulting the intelligence of the Eritrean people, it is just beyond one’s comprehension.

    • belezet September 29, 2011

      Temesgen,

      I no longer try to wrap my head around DIA’s rant. With each interview he seems to inch a little closer to insanity. But the housing comment is outrageous the same. While diaspora Eritreans build vacation homes they use only a couple of months per year, many Eritrean families are being evicted from their homes either because they can no longer afford the rent or their property has been eyed by some general or his cronies. “Eritras kab ziserhala, zewdekdikela” .

      • Temesgen Medhanie September 29, 2011

        belezet,

        As you have aptly put it, the guy is either playing an insane leader or he is taking the otherwise kind and forgiving heart of Eritreans for a free ride. Mind you, it is one thing to deny the reality of drought in Eritrea, it is totally utter arrogance to say that, there will never be any drought in the future as if he owns the future where a humble heart hopes and prays for God to have a complete reign over the future. Let alone Isaias who presides over a small and poor country, leaders of powerful nations do not talk about the future with a complete certainty. But of course, we shouldn’t be surprised as Isaias is a God-less individual with no qualms what so ever to haul a Holy man (Patriarch) into a house-arrest. I often wonder why would the heavens sent us a cruel and incredibly cold-person completely devoid of sympathy and empathy like Isaias to reign over our people. I wonder.

  • Free Dr Fitzum September 29, 2011

    kozami go to Hell.

    Temesgen Medhanie, belezet & Maazza. WOW! alewona alewana (Hope i spelled it correctly)

    • belezet September 29, 2011

      Free Dr. Fitsum,

      thank you

      • Jeana December 16, 2011

        That insight’s pfreect for what I need. Thanks!

  • Kozami September 29, 2011

    Belezet, Meaaza, Temesgen and others….

    It tends to easily get confusing to keep track of the multiple conversations strewn all over this “comments wall” , hence my decision to address you collectively (assuming you’re all different pple!).
    When discussions of this nature take place, it is understandable for participants to challenge one other it “provide personal accounts” or “pen name” related issues and so forth… Meaaza (oh poor Maaza!) may use pen names to deflect PFDJ radar incognito. For the likes of me, it is simple online safety protocol that dictates that personal details as name, place/date of birth, geographic location… not be shared in public mediums as this one. It is not only us here….nor do we all read this comments for identical purposes, hence nothing to do with Maaza’s paranoid camouflaging, but a simple online safety protocol.
    Temesgen seems, user and manipulator as he is, to counter every response with ….just like dehai…just like PIA….line of fallacy. You need to be aware that myself and thousands upon thousands of Diaspora Eritreans have great respect and love for both those entities. PIA is a phenomenal leader that I hold with great respect and esteem only reserved for Kbur President Hagerey Ertra. His Aljazeera interview was on of the best in my opinion…imagine a T-shirt draped coward like you delivering the message of the oppressed ppls of the world like it is….I guess you will wet your pants trying that!!! PIA, Egus anbessa, told it as it should be…you are a lair, you are telling a pack of lies….lair!. It takes guts, grit and determination of his calibre to do just that. He is not mekmesmesi and mewdekdeki, rather up front and straight to the face…what a great leader.
    How about some myth busters for a short detour…
    Shoot-to-kill (oh poor maaza gain!): It is a myth. You tell us 3000+/month of our youth fleeing…then you tell us there is shoot-to-kill policy! really? Not a single reputed media ever reported to date that a single Eritrean was Shot dead, Shot wounded or otherwise… EDF must be shooting in the wrong direction but not shooting at all to miss 3000+/mo!!! what a waste of munitions if you ask me.
    Drought in Eritrea (never ever ever ever!….just for Temesgen) This is a myth. I have recently personally travelled to Erie…None what so ever…no amount of Recycled propaganda will stop the soon to be announced bumper harvest …/for a second year on a row.

    Now to Belezet: Yes I personally know many of the G-11 themselves, as well as their families (many years back, I had enjoyed a cup of coffee and a long conversation with the late Fetawrari Solomon, the father of Petros Solomon, I have met Petros and spoken to him over the phone just weeks after the start of the border war. I have briefly spent time with Ayay China (in Assab and Asmara) and the current Eritrean Consul in S. Sudan Col. Alem Negash is a friend from back his days in the Immigration dep’t… I have met Ex-Minister Haile (Drue) and with wife along with the current Minster of Justice Ms Fozia..I can go on and on…but I see no relevance in all this as it serves no purpose at all. So Lets discuss ideas not people!!
    Eritrea is in a very good hand, and I fully support the work and policies of GoE. However, the issue of these detainees needs to be resolved some how. It is long over due…Those of you trying to use it as a rallying point to your otherwise failed and foiled agenda…STOP. Above all the close family members, should know better to distance themselves from “users” and “manipulators”.

    • belezet September 29, 2011

      You missed the question completely. I did not ask you to enumerate the persons, I asked you have met any of them in the context of the detention of their loved ones. Anyway, I happen to be a family member of one of the detainees and I guarantee you I have a mind of my own. I want my family member to get justice, but since this has taken too long, I have come to the conclusion that if justice is to be served fully the regime has to be removed. You said “let’s discuss ideas not people”. That’s silly! We call the PFDJ a brutal regime not because of its ideas (those look really great on paper and slogans) but because when its ideas are implemented bring immeasurable suffering to the people (victims). By the way were the one that bought up the issue of their families first. I had limited my argument to the “idea”. Overuse of cliche at times reveals and underlining discomfort with the issue at hand. Again, support the rogue regime all you want, but since you agree that indefinite detention and disappearance is unacceptable, I am hoping that there are enough people like you within the regime that will do the right thing and demand justice to be served IMMEDIATELY.

      • kozami September 29, 2011

        Trust it or not , I have had those meetings albeit informal types. However, I am not a “user” and “manipulator” enough to be insensitive to the detainees situation and narrate anything here. T-Shirt draped “users” can do that. If you are a family member, you are entitled to decide to work for a peaceable resolution or jeopardize the unfortunate situation for other issues you perceive more valuable for you.

        @Temesgen & Maaza

        Ye ne tolo tolo bet Gidgidaw sembelet, continue building you tower without foundation…and you can wear a matching shorts to go with your T-shirts as you do it…

        • belezet September 29, 2011

          kozami,

          Your statement “Trust it or not , I have had those meetings albeit informal types.” would have sufficed. I will take your word for it.

    • belezet September 29, 2011

      kozami,

      “Not a single reputed media ever reported to date that a single Eritrean was Shot dead, Shot wounded or otherwise”

      I am really curious to know which of the media outlets you consider “reputed”. Mind sharing the list?

      thanks

  • Temesgen Medhanie September 29, 2011

    Qozami,

    When you earlier promised us that you would tackle and respond to every question we posed to you, I kept my lap-top on around the clock to see with my eyes wide open for the much anticipated elixir. Damn, is that all you have to say? Ata entay bedilna? Ezi khulu tetsebina. Did you actually re-read what you have just scribbled? After I finished the first paragraph, I was still tittering on a thin ice where I hoped you would still come up with something of a substance in the next paragraph. But you finished your otherwise mundane blabber with your seemingly well connected-show-off to the personalities in the highest echelon the dead and the living. Typical of a PFDJ thug and a zombie you threw your empty accolade on Isaias when you said, Isaias is a phenomenal leader. Are you for real? I really beg you, in fact I implore you, I even supplicate to tell us the things or the qualities that makes Isaias a phenomenal leader? I don’t pretend to be a psychologist, but you could as well be infatuated with him where you confuse his good looks with the word phenomenal.

    Do you know that, Eritrea is the most diplomatically isolated nation with in the third world countries? Do you know that, the Eritrean economy is in a downward spiral into the unknown abyss? Do you know that, Eritrean families and households are suspicious to each other as the spy network of PFDJ infiltrates in the bedrooms including between the sheets? I dare repeat it again. Do you know that, Eritrea is the only country in Africa with no independent media not to mention no Constitution what so ever? Do you know that one couldn’t help it but feel this eeriness as one lands in Asmara where the city is turned onto a ghost town with old people roaming around with depressed look reminiscent of the erstwhile Communist era? It is not unprecedented for ‘small’ leaders to take on giants or powerful leaders where Chavez comes to mind. But mind you, Chavez can afford to rant against the West including the US simply because he has oil at his own disposal where he manages to feed his own people and let them opine on the things they hold dear and believe in. Here is the question begging to be addressed and cries out for everybody to hear: What does Isaias have? Nothing, zilch, nada but to squander the otherwise precious lives of the Eritrean people as he has foot soldiers armed to the teeth with lies and deceit where they gamble with their souls as Isaias gives them perks here and there.

    • Maazza September 29, 2011

      Dear Temesgen,

      How powerful your pen is! It really hit home. I am inclined to say it is essential to have Kozamis because then DIA’s supporters could have a glimpse of the Temesgens and Belezets (and some others) staring at them squarely! You speak for humanity, for the millions and millions of the wretched of the earth as Franz Fanon would call it. God bless you.

      • Temesgen Medhanie September 29, 2011

        Many thanks for those kind words haftey. I am sure, the feeling is mutual. We will not relent. We will fight and fight to bring justice, freedom and prosperity to the one and only Eritrea.

    • belezet September 29, 2011

      Temesghen,

      I do not doubt that kozami knows all that you mentioned in your 2nd paragraph and probably more since, by his owns admission, he has access to PFDJ’s inner circle. But for whatever reason he supports the PFDJ and there is absolutely nothing we can do about it, especially since this is 2011. I am of the believe that any Eritrean that was an adult in 1991 and supports the PFDJ regime in 2011, is quite comfortable with the blunders of the PFDJ and will remain so to the end. I sense kozami being one of them, although his conscience is not completely depleted:).

      • Temesgen Medhanie September 29, 2011

        belezet,

        I wouldn’t be surprised if he is an immediate relative of Isaias even his own brother. But of course, the measure of a man is not indexed against how high he has climbed onto the social ladder, rather in the realm of politics, the measure of man is how much he stands for the poor, marginalized, and those who are denied justice. It is only then only then we will join Qozami as he throws garlands on the neck of Isaias.

  • Maazza September 29, 2011

    Kozami

    Regarding pen name: I wonder why you chose to be known as kozami. Can some professional in the Forum give us a hand in analysis? In Tigrigna a kozami is one who WAILS. I suggest you meditate on that and learn why your innerself provided it. If otherwise (it does not mean a wailler), do enlighten us. Having said that, there are courageous people (also in the oppostion) who even send their photos together with what they write, such is their exemplary nature. Go on and hide from what is coming your way and in the meantime, give it all sorts of excuses distorting the facts, wallowing in denial. My guess of why the use of pen names of guys like you who support the regime is, you will be the first ones to jump into the winners wagon, when change will finally occur, which may be much sooner than later (struggle for freedom BUG is here to stay).

    Addressing us collectively: You go as far as saying ‘assuming you are different people’, and you make my day! I feel honored to be associated with Temesgen and Belezet and overjoyed to be mistaken for one of them. Their stand in what is happening in our country says it all. It fills me with hope and makes me love my compatriots and have faith in humanity. In an equal measure that I am flattered to be associated with Belezet and Temesgen, I woudl dread and cringe with shame to be associated with or be mistaken for the supporters of DIA’s iron rule, like your goodself. I did not feel pride when DIA went to the UN podium to address the Assembly because he does not represent me and my dreams of a peaceful, prosperous and above all a free country. During the struggle, we dreamt of an independent Eritrea where the prisons would be rather empty, to the admiration of the entire world!! The reaility is there for everybody to see!! Hours in a que for a daily ration of bread was not the apiration of our Martyrs when they laid their lives for our independence. Now that DIA is bent to send modest amount of food to starved Somalia, even that piece of bread may not be a daily but a weekly ration. Tell you what, when he said (VOA) he would have wanted for Eritreans to have three houses each, being the very first time I ever heard him say such type of kind wishes denoting abundance, I was very much astonished. It is a far cry from ‘hamus hamus begiE dina knHardelom’ or when he indulged in what should be the daily calorie intakes, etc.

    Regarding ‘poor Maazza’: Any adjective that comes from you (bizzare, frustrated, paranoic, and what not) cannot be assimilated and metabolised since I have no regard for ‘AwKo Abeds’. You do not earn my respect, enough for me to care about what you think.

    Finally, you had me thinking that you are an intelligent person. It turned out you could not tell whether Belezet, Temesgen and Maazza are one of three. I am wondering if you really read what we write and how distint our styles are. Your confusion made me think that you are either in this debate in a half-hearted manner, or you ain’t as smart as you appeared to be prima facie! Ezi wodeHanka.

    • belezet September 29, 2011

      Meazza,

      kozami knows that the three of us are not one and the same. But he has been hanging out too long at PFDj circles, where paranoia and suspicion permeate daily activities.

    • Temesgen Medhanie September 29, 2011

      Maazaa haftey,

      As much as Qozami is a lone thug in an ‘enemy’ territory, he turned us onto ‘misTire S’lassie’ as he thinks you, belezet and I are one and the same where I am honoured and privileged to be in the company of yours and belezet’s caliber. You could see that, the likes of Qozami echo in an empty barrel as they are not able to answer specific questions instead they go around and hide behind an old and tired bravado. Sure enough, as much as it is anachronistic in terms to indulge on the past glories, one can not possibly ignore the clear and present danger hoovering on the clouds of Eritrea. We in the opposition camp are not throwing the ugly reality at them just for the heck of it but to keep them in check, so that they would come to their sane senses to set Eritrea in the right course of events. Mind you, if say tomorrow Isaias announces to the Eritrean people that, he would be ready to listen to their grievances; bring the political prisoners to the court of law; implement the Constitution; freedom of worship and freedom of press and speech; refrain from causing havoc in the entire region, I am sure, the Eritrean people would forgive him and if need be they would give him a second chance to recant and redeem himself. The question then remains: why is it incredibly difficult for him to do so and why is it incredibly difficult for his followers to talk him into doing just that? Why is that? Instead of cutting right into the heart of the matter and courageously tackle the glaring and mounting problems head on, they go and keep beating around the bushes. Z’gerim neger eU.

      On a separate note: Qozami, if you’re reading this, you’ve called me names several times as I call Maazaa, Maazaa haftey. It is a term of endearment and an affection I use to express my respect when I bump onto a sister like Maaza. Nothing more nothing less. I hope you’re not trying to rob what is left in us as you have finished robbing the kind spirit in us.

  • belezet September 29, 2011

    Meazza,

    “Tell you what, when he said (VOA) he would have wanted for Eritreans to have three houses each, being the very first time I ever heard him say such type of kind wishes denoting abundance, I was very much astonished. It is a far cry from ‘hamus hamus begiE dina knHardelom’ or when he indulged in what should be the daily calorie intakes, etc. ”

    Don’t let it fool you . It is a euphoria comes with the gold rush:). DIA is too “kenae” to wish anything for another human being. The man is a mental case that squandered the good will and turned unconditional love into fear and hatred. In the process of imprisoning so many he has created a formidable prison for himself. Honestly, I have more compassion than hatred for him. He is a lonely paranoid person needing adoration to make sense of his miserable time on this earth. May God put him out of his misery so all of us, including himself can rest in peace.

  • eyob September 30, 2011

    “Dr” Temesgen

    Temesgen you sound as you are soothing a kid by giving sweet candy, when you express the political life of PIA. Why don’t you breath and think why the so called “opposition” in fact I prefer to call them te’ta’lakeiti do not have followers. They have been beaching and crying for years but never reached into a concrete goal except multiplying every day like amoeba. For instance, in New York in PIA’s seminar we were 5000-6000 participants with enthusiastic mood and nationalism comparing to 20 protestors from the so called “opposition” covering their faces with posters embarrassed to be recognized. Why 20 people? This is a clear fact that shows how the Eritrean people love their great president PIA. The 20 people are including tigrawot from Washington Dc. if they can’t comprehend the logic of the quantity in the gathering, they are half dead. I hope you will catch this comment before some delete it, the host wants to keep comments like yours tainted with hate and anger.

    • Maazza September 30, 2011

      Ayte Eyob,

      Temesgen Medhanie, I believe, will give you a taste of his sharp mind, immersed in and guided by TRUTH, GOOD GOVERNANCE, RULE OF LAW, among other high principles (as can be verified by what he writes). So, hang on!

      In the meantime, thanks to ASSENA, I will express, FREELY, my views in response to your message. To start with, you seem to be the type who has knelt down to worship at the alter of a self-appointed and incomptent leader who is taking many innocent and some kniving elements, in and outside the country, for a free ride. Needless to say, there must be a prize to obliterate your judgement to this extent. You only know what it is, we can only guess. I therefore suggest you examine your motivation for choosing to attribute the success of a monumental collective undertaking as was the Struggle in Eritrea to a single megalomanic and power-starved man who has squandered the undeserved trust his colleagues and the Eritrean people at large lavished on him. Eritrea gave its best sons and daughters to achieve its independence and you will have us believe that either all the credit goes to a single man, DIA, or nothing. I will begrudgingly concede that, during the struggle, DIA’s obssession and unwavering focus on reaching and staying at the top, albeit extremely costly because of the ‘menkae’ and ‘yemin’ eliminations, among other things, may have partly, in a contorted way, contributed to the cohesive march to victory of the mighty Sha’abia. It may have served as some sort of glue. This I say bearing in mind, what may have happened if the SEMRET of at least ‘Tera Tegadelti’ that a lot of Eritreans craved for in the mid-70s, but Isayas & co.managed to crush, had taken place. Perhaps a more united, a more plural and a happier Eritrea today?

      The Eritrean people, in general, amply cheered and demonstrated their love and appreciation for the ‘charismatic’ role DIA played. But for him it is not enough. Twenty years on, we have a country where there are no institutions, no accountability, no unversities, no thriving private interprises, no rotation in serving the country,and we are going backwards (equality by subtraction as Yosief Gebrehiwet would say). Running the government, are the same cronies (most of them incompetent) recycled over and over again, ad nauseum. DIA has many imagined enemies and insignificantly few friends (Gaddafi has gone and H.H. Emir of Khatar is giving him cold shoulders lately, it is reported) all over the globe. Eritrea is deep in isolation. His whims and moods and personal likes and dislikes dictate Eritrea’s foreign relations. Furthermore, eye witnesses say he boozes real hard which affects adversely his whims and moods. So you see Ayte Eyob, the situation is rather tragic.

      You wirte ‘They (the opposition) have been beaching (I think you mean to write bitching) and crying for years but never reached into a concrete goal except multiplying every day like amoeba. I love and endorse whole-heartely the way you unwittingly say multiplying every day like amoeba. This is a correct vision. Woe to your idol, DIA, because this multiplican by the day like ameoba that you clearly inutite will sweep him and his adorers to the dust bin of history in the very foreseeable future. It is a force to reckon with and some trembling like a leaf is showing its tentacles. Scientists hypotise that Man, this complex being who is supposed to be the image of God, evolved from a single-cell amoeba. I know it is a lapsus and you probably wrote it to mean something else but you unconsciously predict that the opposition is unstoppable!!!!!! By the way, the concrete goal is to replce DIA and hgdef, through mass protest, by good governance and rule of law. Don’t know how you could miss that. I bet the cunning and crafty Isayas sees it coming as clear as day as he is running right and left trying, belatedly, to make amends.

      Remember: a priarie starts with a spark! (or something like that. Somebody correct me please. Thank you.)

      • belezet September 30, 2011

        Maaza,

        “Scientists hypotise that Man, this complex being who is supposed to be the image of God, evolved from a single-cell amoeba. I know it is a lapsus and you probably wrote it to mean something else but you unconsciously predict that the opposition is unstoppable!!!!!!”

        Cleverest and complex observation!

    • belezet September 30, 2011

      eyob,

      Aside from the fact that the majority of Eritreans live inside Eritrea and that’s where DIA’s support should be tested via elections, unconditional popular support is most often a manifestation of totalitarianism and personality cult. Hitler had the unprecedented support from the German people all while he was sending 6 million plus Jews to the gas chambers. Stalin, Pol Pot , etc . had similar support. Where they good leaders? I am sure you can arrive to the answer on your own.

      http://www.google.com/imgres?q=Hitler+support&hl=en&client=firefox-a&sa=G&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1153&bih=561&gbv=2&tbm=isch&tbnid=ITQkYFOM99egDM:&imgrefurl=http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Adolf_Hitler&docid=ILlhEXTZQxB3YM&w=434&h=320&ei=sK6FTs_aOojq0gHv0djEDw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=382&vpy=249&dur=175&hovh=193&hovw=262&tx=148&ty=116&page=1&tbnh=120&tbnw=165&start=0&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:15,s:0

    • belezet September 30, 2011

      eyob,

      Just for clarification purposes, were you referring to the persons in the following videos when you said “20 protestors from the so called “opposition” covering their faces with posters embarrassed to be recognized. Why 20 people? This is a clear fact that shows how the Eritrean people love their great president PIA. The 20 people are including tigrawot from Washington Dc.” ? I hope you watch the video intently and learn what genuine courage and grit looks like.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAHUlj8weOU&feature=player_embedded#!

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ba_vcBWHjAA (preemptive reply: No it is not a useless video made by thugs….in fact, it is so damaging to the persona of PFDJ leaders that operatives of the rogue regime have been conduction countless meetings to figure out ways to make the viral videos disappear. So far, their paid hackers have had failed miserably, as has the lame lawsuit of “harassment” the audacious/abandoned lady in the video filed against the courageous young me. )

      • belezet September 30, 2011

        corrected version

        (preemptive reply: No it is not a useless video made by thugs….in fact, it is so damaging to the persona of PFDJ leaders that operatives of the rogue regime have been conducting countless meetings to figure out ways to make the viral videos disappear. So far, their paid hackers have had failed miserably, as has the lame lawsuit of “harassment” the audacious/abandoned lady in the video filed against the courageous young men. )

    • belezet September 30, 2011
    • Temesgen Medhanie September 30, 2011

      Eyob,

      If I have to paraphrase Milan Kundera, there is nothing painful as the unbearable lightness of shallowness. One doesn’t have to go far to see that in your seemingly terse but otherwise turbid supposed rebuttal. You should bear in mind that we are responding to your ‘assertion’ out of courtesy when you strike us as a spoiled brat in the circles of YPFDJ. You’re not mature. As much as Isaias’ childhood, adulthood, and ‘formative’ years are shrouded in secrecy, what seems to stand out in full colour is his safety net and comfort as he lived in Machiavelli’s famous dictum when he said, “If a crime is committed for the preservation of a cause, it is a glorious crime.” But as Maazaa haftey aptly put it, during the struggle for independence, people with in Gedli or people on the side line kept a blind eye as they justified their indifference to the heinous crime (read Menka’E inter alia) as “m’Enti mogogo t’Hlef anch’wa” came to mind.

      However, when Eritrean independence was realized, when people after a long haul breath a sigh of relief, Isaias’ lust for more blood, for more intense jealousy and his razor sharp focus on consolidating his power by any means necessary became pathological where the pathos defied a petri dish, eluded a biopsy, and any other high tech medical facility. And it was only then when the rest of us who had been otherwise duped and mesmerized by his intense charm opted to stand up to tyranny and an utter madness as Eritrea descended onto an abyss of darkness. Literally.

      I am sure, you’re familiar with the plot of Milos Forman’s classic film, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” where the nurse-character maintained a complete order on the psychiatric patients when beneath the charade and facade was a maniac nurse with a dictatorial tendency who subjugated the patients into a complete obedience. Sure enough, Milos Forman made the film as he reflected his childhood upbringing in Communist Checkoslovakia. As much as the gist of the film is defunct in Eastern Europe, it is still relevant as one senses a bizarre reality in New York Centre as Eritreans flock en mass to worship a sick egomaniac who subjugates herds into a complete obedience. As for us standing across the street, we may not be in thousands but one thing remains a fact. That is, history is on our side and we go to bed at night with a clear conscience as we remain relentless in our fight against tyranny and injustice. We will not relent. Never, never, never. We will fight and fight until we bring justice, freedom and prosperity to the one and only Eritrea!!!

  • kozami September 30, 2011

    Eyob,
    You ask what should have come as a poignant question to the so called “opposition”, but there is no way you would be able to remove a dangerous toy from a child’s hand without a fight.

    Eritreans came to greet and congratulate kbur President on a job well done, not in dozens but thousands. Yet:

    For Selam Kidane, the Ethiopian born and diaspora raised, commentator, it was a mystery as why they were there. She has no idea that welcoming and greeting a beloved guest is usually the sole purpose of such visitations.

    The woyane implant Seyoum Tesfay, was lost for words and left pondering why the numbers didn’t match the 15000+ compatriots that conferred with PIA a decade earlier about the invasion of their contry by woyane thugs. Well, he has been away for a life long from Eritrea but needs to down on him that usually wuray Timket is smaller that wuray merea.

    Others raved and ranted about “hand picked” “forced at gun point” “lack of knowledge due to blindness” as reasons for attendance. What was funny though is that those calling out “blind” themselves mistaken the guest of honor and came out with the wrong placards to protest against Saddam Hussain. Reminds me of the elderly Vietnamese khamekazi who still believe the Vietnam war still going on.

    In the end, trust, stewardship, integrity (as in what one does when no one is looking) have all been traded for debased and disjointed quick fix’s at one another’s expense, of course with in the guises of hollow exchanges of praise to each other on a vocabulary well discovered and a sentence with sweet nothing aesthetics.

    • Maazza September 30, 2011

      Kozami,

      When you refer to ‘Eritreans came to greet and congratulate kbur President on a job well done, not in dozens but thousands’ a picture flashed in my mind. When the father of the present N.Korea leader Kim Sung Il passed away, I saw a news reel that was so surreal, I had a hard time registering it as something genuine. Hundreds of thousands of men and women were inconsolably weeping real tears gushing and flowing like it was the end of the world. It was so horrifying and pathetic to watch this Orwellian drama and so ugly to see multitudes of people without any shred of dignity displaying a deep precious human emotion at a command it seemed utterly degrading. The people looked just like puppets and as those who have witnessed it will agree with me, one saw clearly what totalitarian systems can do to you if you let them. You cheer, scream and shout, cry and what have you at a command!

      I believe, how the crowd at the Center in NY behaved is nothing yet if DIA and Hgdef are left to their evil deeds.

      Speaking of Selam and Seyoum Tesfaye, to some of us they are the shinning light. The English say: one man’s meat is another man’s poison. They both are relentless in denuding DIA and Hgdef and spreading the messages of hope and a better tomorrow. They pain because the trodden and voiceless are being had. They are icons of our times. One rushes to read what they post and it is invariably to fight tyranny and abuse of power. Did you hear Selam’s participation at the BBC debate with Monkey when he was last in Uganda? I do not know Selam, but I was so proud of her courage and truthfullness. She put Monkey in a very poor light and he faltered and stumbled in his replies. You should come and see the country for yourself Monkey told her so he could arrange to have her picked from the airport and sent to a container in WiaA. She told him she does not need his invitation to go to her own country.

      On the other hand, I invite you to go to Dehai and read what this Hgdefite (elderly man) Fesseha Habte has written about a friend who came to visit from Sweden. One does not know whether to laugh or cry. When his friend protested about the imprisonment without trial of Dawit Yishak, he reprimanded him saying that he should not reach a conclusion until GOE reveals the real reason for his imprisonment, in its own good time. In the meantime, it is acceptable to Fesseha Habte that Dawit is detained for the last 10 years and may rot in jaoi!!!!!!!! Another surreal stuff. This is a man who has his family, his children and grandchildren in this great land of freedom and opportunity. He will duly and dutifully wait for as long as it takes until the mighty GOE decides to reveal why it has disappeared Dawit Yishak.

      Seyoum Tesfaye and Selam are two very successfully integrated people in the Western world but their conscience does not let them rest for a minute that in their homeland a system exists that would lock people up and disappear them for undeclared crimes. I am inclined to believe it, but the reason, it was reported, Dawit Yishak is rotting in jail during the best productive part of his life is, when Hgdef announceed, formally, to each family about the deaths of our Martyrs, he wrote about the waillings and the unbearable pain felt by parents and family members. This was unacceptable to Hgdef’s propoganda because as they would have it parents, siblings, family members and neighbours ululated at hearing the news. Now, should this be ture, it can drive one to paranoia!

      So you see kozami (better Qozami), you sound allergic to the Selams and Seoum Tesfayes and for some of us their struggle is the stuff of life. We are allergic to DIA, Hgdef and supporters like you, Ghideon-Sophia and Fesseha Habte and you glorify in each other because you endorse tyrannical rule and abuse of power.

      We all make our choices, but I am gratful that your is not mine.

      • Temesgen Medhanie October 1, 2011

        Well said haftey. All the power to you.

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