August 1, 2002

Brief intro

For the sake of clarity, brevity, and to avoid redundancy, please allow the following short introduction:

Our society finds itself in a state of mutual non-recognition, which in turn can be attributed to colonialism. Various and varying colonialists abused our God given diversity to divide our people by religion, ethnicity and region true to their evil purpose of “divide and rule” to perpetuate their colonial interests unhindered and without fear of any united resistance against their colonial rule for over a hundred years, now. Unfortunately and to the surprise of the colonialists, the people of Eritrea have successfully demonstrated their will, desire and aspiration to stay and remain one nation both during our liberation struggle and recently by foiling and crashing the Woyane aggression in unison, despite and in spite of our differences.

Even then, the hundred-years old rotten culture, yes culture, of insane “mutual non-recognition” persists and is plaguing our society in defiance of the multi-ethnic and multi-visionary nature of our people and the inevitability of the consequential multi-party system. And following is what president Issayas Afeworki had to say regarding that:

Adulis vol.VII No8, October 1990,

special issue, interview with PIA. page 4.

Asked about multi party system for future free Eritrea, he answered "In a future Eritrea different interest groups will naturally seek to persue their own interests. Their freedom to do this can only be secure when each individual's or group's basic political rights are guaranteed by law. Otherwise, if any individual or group or a section of a society is allowed to be above the law and politically, economically or culturally dominate the others there cannot be the peace and stability, which will be a key to our progress. For these reasons a one party system will neither enhance national security or stability nor accelerate economic development. In fact, a one party system could be a major threat to the very existance of our country". Please allow me to acknowledge Aida Kidane for this excerpt from Adulis. That was for your kind information.

Well-said Mr. President. You are damn right, very right. It was right then and it is right now, for the president reiterated the essence of this same message in an interview regarding D-15 last year (2001) when he said to the effect that “multi-party system is a non-issue because it has already been incorporated in our constitution”. But that doesn’t mean that it can be achieved by force, coup d’etat, short cuts or overnight. No, a state of multi-pary system can only be achieved peacefully and democratically and after establishing a state of “mutual recognition” via the process of, yes, rapprochement.

With all that in mind, “mutual non-recognition” expresses itself best in the way we debate, discuss or handle intra-Eritrean issues (From famine and natural disaster to foreign policy and more) where they are dealt with from purely contrary perspectives and regardless of the interest of our people and country. Consequently, we remain divided along those lines and maintain our culture of mutual non-recognition for we are only hearing not listening to each other because of the lack of a medium/ambience that would allow to listen to each other at the least and to reach consensus at best. It is this the lack of an appropriate discussion medium that motivated the launching of this initiative called EAR (see below for details). EAR provides a common premise on which we can base our arguments and debate issues as we perceive them in an amicable and friendly environment where we listen to each other at the very least, minimize our differences when possible, and reach consensus in the sense of mutual recognition at the most. And mutual recognition fosters, enhances and provides the basis for mutual national actions, whenever and wherever necessary. Case in point: The devastating natural catastrophe that is about to hit our people and country.

Definition and modus operandi

EAR, Eritrean Actionforum for Rapprochement, is a virtual study forum that is activated to become a reality every time whenever any number of Eritreans, regardless of their political views/opinions and personality, spontaneously and/or voluntarily decide to gather in any form, at any level, anywhere, to study and discuss the meaning and concept of rapprochement (M’qrirab) and its applicability to resolve intra-Eritrean socio-political contradictions in a peaceful and democratic way.

EAR does not have members but voluntary participants.

EAR neither follows fixed rules nor does it have bylaws but temporary and variable standard procedural rules that the study forums deem necessary to conduct decent and harmonious sessions. In other words, each study forum sets its own rules of operation.

EAR sessions are free and open for all Eritreans

EAR participants understand, emphasize and accept that “rapprochement (M’qrirab)” is not merely a word meaning “getting closer/nearer to each other” but more than that: A concept and a socio-political philosophy with distinct provisions pertinent to the situations in our country.

EAR participants recognize and accept that the provisions listed in the preamble/introduction in particular and the concept of rapprochement in general shall form the common premise on which discussions are based, for there is nothing that cannot be resolved/achieved via the process of rapprochement.

EAR participants recognize and reaffirm that there is nothing that cannot be resolved by our constitution when implemented.

EAR participants also recognize and reaffirm that “every Eritrean is innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt” as guaranteed by our constitution.

EAR neither collects/requires participation fees nor does it issue ID cards, all are welcome.

EAR is not some kind of political, social, cultural or any other kind of organization but a non-partisan, secular and unorganized/loose network of Eritreans who see rapprochement as the last and viable resort to resolve intra-Eritrean contradictions peacefully and democratically.

EAR study forums understand that the lower the number of participants at any given session the more safe and secure the integrity of the study forum will be.

EAR study forums understand that it is in the best interest of their purpose to involve and utilize existing Eritrean websites to share, communicate, and further all aspects of rapprochement, wherever they are accepted.

EAR is devoid of any kind of political binary system, such as “for me or against me” or “us against them”. Instead, they shall always adopt whatever they take to be the right thing to do, regardless of politics and personalities, because no one has monopoly over what is right and wrong.

EAR participants have the option of posting their articles in their own name, simply as “EAR- participant”, or name followed by “EAR- participant”.

EAR as an auditory organ symbolizes the need not only to hear but also to listen to each other. It also symbolizes the purpose of the study forum: To listen to each other despite and in spite of our socio-political and other differences.

The designation “Eritrean Actionforum for Rapprochement” lends the participants a sense of sharing common identity with people sharing common goal (rapprochement) and purpose (actions to achieve goal).

Objectives of EAR

· To cooperate with and help our government and existing Eritrean communities, associations, and NGO’s in all the endeavors to get our country back in its feet in whatever projects deem necessary in general and the current/future famine and looming humanitarian crisis in particular in the spirit and letters of rapprochement.

· To participate in the defense, protection and preservation of the interests of our people and country over any and every thing else, in the spirit and letters of rapprochement.

· To further and advance the purposes and intentions of rapprochement (M’qrirab).

· To participate in defending our country against internal or external forces aimed at undermining the governance of our country, national security, sovereignty and unity, in the spirit of rapprochement.

· To study, research, and debate the concept of rapprochement and to explore, establish and share the best possible way of taking advantage of it to resolve intra-Eritrean contradictions peacefully and democratically.

· To enlighten and educate the Eritrean public and ourselves about the concept of rapprochement and its applicability in Eritrea.

· To communicate/share our findings, agreements or disagreements between the various study forums and the public via available Internet accesses, wherever accepted.

· To tackle, debate, and resolve controversial intra-Eritrean issues within the context of rapprochement.

· To criticize, communicate with, and challenge our government peacefully and democratically within the context of rapprochement.

· To use the study forums to enhance and foster amicable and friendly personal interactions amongst Eritreans, despite and in spite of our declared differences.

· To research, explore and take trust and confidence building measures between Eritreans.

· To finalize the proposal for rapprochement to an extent that is acceptable to work with.

· To be the driving force in spreading and implementing rapprochement (M’qrirab) within existing Eritrean communities, associations, NGO’s and the Eritrean public at large and to contribute to the eradication of the insane culture of “mutual non-recognition” and to work to turn it into the sane culture of mutual recognition as a necessary socio-political substrate of a state of peaceful co-existence, the ultimate goal of rapprochement.

· To de-personalize rapprochement and to turn it into a subject by and for all of us, since rapprochement pertains to the entire people of Eritrea, whose participation is of paramount significance.

Why and how does this work?

Because it is already happening and taking place. Eritreans meet/gather in Cafes, restaurants, clubs or wherever else where they do raise and talk about issues that matters to their people and country only in a haphazard manner and from whatever perspectives they hold, where rarely a minimum of consensus is reached if at all. To make such and other similar gatherings fruitful, we need to call up the provisions of EAR, provide a common premise, establish basic procedural rules and carry out the talks on that basis. People will at least listen to each other, agree on some points, disagree on others, respect each other’s views/opinions and break up in mutual recognition. It would then be very constructive and of great service if they would share their experiences with the public at large by posting them, by word of mouth, or by any other means they deem necessary.

You are all herewith urged, appealed to and called upon to participate in EAR.

Let us give our country a kiss of peace and meet halfway.

Yes, Rapprochement (M’qrirab) works.

EAR – participants. Contact EAR