July 17, 2002

In defense of rapprochement (M’qrirab)

Re.: Dr. Mike’s gracious response

M. Filli A.

Greetings all!

Firstly, allow me to publicly acknowledge Dr. Michael Fissehaye’s reactions to my response that were posted on Dehai MSG board and bring to your attention the powerful statements and compelling arguments contained therein:

“ Host: 150.167.26.79
July, 15 2002       07:49:43 PM
Mike
[A] Deki Ere, I read Dr. Filli’s response twice. Frankly, at this point in time, I am inclined to take Dr. Filli as down-to-earth and well meaning person…. At this stage of the Eritrean politics, our experience tells us that good intentions and well meaning are no longer applicable or practical. Let face it, if well meaning and good intentions where to produce tangible results worthy of recognition and repeat; the good intention and gesture of reconciliation put forward by Shaebia in 1991 could have and should have bear fruit. In1991, Shaebia declared “let by gones be by gones” and let us “live and let live”.”

Dear Mike, thanks for your gracious and kind words to my person. Thanks, too, for reminding the public about the reconciliatory efforts of Shaebia that was offered immediately after our independence in 1991. Dear Mike, to my understanding, Shaebia made that offer then not in the sense of “now or never” and, as you would agree with me, the socio-political situations then were much more different than they are today? I understand and share your concerns without any doubt in my mind, whatsoever. But, I am certain that you would also agree with me that different socio-political conditions call for different resolutions? Or, to use Shaebia’s Lingo “fluy kunetat fluy qolahta yitelib, fluy meftihi dima yirekib” Dear Mike, let me add that I consider all Eritreans to be “well-meaning” people. It is either expressed differently, expressed but not noticed, or may not even be expressed.

Host: 150.167.26.79
July, 15 2002       07:47:47 PM
Mike
[C] Can Dr. Filli receive positive responses from these elements today? If history is of any indication and if their recent practices is of any clue; I am afraid the fate of Dr. Filli’s call is similar to that of Shaebia; that is rejection to just and correct rapprochement and reconciliation. I wish Dr. Filli the best of luck. If I see that Dr. is make some head way on a genuine and true “rapprochement”, let alone Eritrean people, I could see GOE will give him a helping hand and he will witness the government to going the extra mile. But first comes first. The anti-people and anti-government elements should stop their destructive addenda now and today. Time for the “Mekelawian” to lay down their arms. Time for Jihad/Harakat to dissociate themselves from Al Queda. Time for the Alliance to denounce the policies of Weyane. Time for “Chifra Esra” and Gadi’s camp stop their “to kill the fish drain the ocean” practices.

Fellow Erireans and compatriots, I am thankful for Mike’s question: “Can Dr. Filli receive positive responses from these elements today? This question is compelling and tricky, too. I can think of only two answers:

1) Yes if they want to prove to the people of Eritrea that their cause is genuine and serves the interests of our people and country and if they have a case to be made, our people will certainly hear them out fairly, peacefully and democratically under the provisions of rapprochement (rä prôsh-mä).

2) No, which I certainly don’t hope, if they choose to expose their cause as merely self-serving with the primary goal of toppling our government by all means necessary and regardless of the interests of the people and country of Eritrea. That will be detrimental to their cause and the process of rapprochement will proceed without them and they will be totally rejected by the people of Eritrea, to say the least.

Now to Mike’s powerful statement “If I see that Dr. is make some head way on a genuine and true “rapprochement”, let alone Eritrean people, I could see GOE will give him a helping hand and he will witness the government to going the extra mile.” Fellow Eritreans and compatriots, this is an excellent challenge directed not only to me but also to all of us because rapprochement (M’qrirab) is not a one-man but a collective undertaking. Thus, let’s all prove to Mike in a well-meaning sense that it is not a matter of “if” but a matter of “when” and make rapprochement happen and salute our government and Mike on board of the train of “Miqrirab”?

“Host: 150.167.26.79
July, 15 2002       07:45:41 PM
Mike
[D] These are not precondition but it is the right thing to do for the people of Eritrea. Short of doing the right thing for the people of Eritrea amounts to nothing but asking to share power without the needs of the people taken into consideration. What Eritrea is looking not rulers but leaders and Eritrea in not in the mood “power sharing” with some from across the border or the sea. I hope Dr. Filli will not hold it against Eritreans if he sees them playing safe, the Gobye style. Give credit to Dr. Filli for his holy and honorable intentions. I like to see good intentions floating rather than the see “Hasote” and “Godufe” web sites inundated by “7-Eleven” type “Entay Tebahile”.” (räprôsh-mä)

Finally to Mike’s comments on sections [C} & [D]:

“But first comes first. Time for the “Mekelawian” to lay down their arms. Time for Jihad/Harakat to dissociate themselves from Al Queda. Time for the Alliance to denounce the policies of Weyane. Time for “Chifra Esra” and Gadi’s camp stop their “to kill the fish drain the ocean” practices. … These are not precondition but it is the right thing to do for the people of Eritrea.”

I consider the above statement as a breakthrough because although Mike phrases his statement as preconditions, he emphasizes that “These are not precondition but it is the right thing to do for the people of Eritrea.”. What a way to show the much-needed flexibility, Mike! This is “M’qrirab” unedited and I thank and congratulate you for that. Mike has opened a window of opportunity that those “elements” must take advantage of?

“I hope Dr. Filli will not hold it against Eritreans if he sees them playing safe”. Certainly not, Mike. We all want the best for our people and country and we are only debating the best way to achieve that. And I have no doubt that we will attain consensus on that, too.

Dear Mike, that is how I understood your response. If not, please forgive my misconception. Thanks. With that I rest my case and urge Mike to continue participating in this debate and remain

Sincerely and brotherly yours,

M. Filli A.