September 23, 2001

KEEPING“THE CASE”CLEAN

 

M. Filli A.

 

I would like to say upfront that I, like many others, am saddened that the

Drastic measures taken against the D15 were even necessary, but they

Were, in order to maintain peace and order and to assure the orderly and

proper function of society. The same applies to the private press.

 

It requires no further explanation that by virtue of the national mandate,

the country is being governed by the PFDJ ever since independence. The

D15 split from the PFDJ not because of ideological differences but

because of their discord with the modus operandi of the PFDJ/GOE,

giving rise to two strains of PFDJ. But the country can handle only

one strain at a time as a government for peace and order to reign – the

GOE. The case of the D15 must then be understood and dealt with

Properly within this context only. Any other allegations, accusations, and

Implications must be proven beyond any reasonable doubt, whatsoever.

 

Having said that, case in point is the all out campaign that was launched

By the president and only member, correct me if I am wrong, of“US

Eritrean Peoples Friendship Association” and others immediately after the

arrest of the D15 alleging their direct link/association withBin Laden and Jihad:

 

To CPJ, Amnesty, HRW etc; Eritrean "opposition" linked to Bin Laden(Commentary) . 

 

In fairness to the D15, the Eritrean people, the GOE, and even to the

world at large, who are not privy to information at the accusers disposal

regarding this issue, I call upon them to enlighten the world in no uncertain

terms, as to how and what, if any, the nature and  the relationship between

D15 and Bin laden is.

 

This is a very serious allegation which cannot be justified by hearsay and

rumors but facts. No body should be allowed to get away with it. Emotional

outbursts and wholesale allegations are not going to do it. Whatever is

being alleged must be substantiated by indisputable facts.