The World's Worst Dictators No. 17 Meles Zenawi began his political career in 1974. Twenty-one years later he gained power in Ethiopia. To satisfy Western demands, Meles created puppet parties for all Ethiopian ethnic groups. In 1998, he forced his people to an unnecessary war with Eritrea, causing thousands of deaths. He agreed to arbitration but when the Commission ruled against him, Meles refused to abide by the decision and kept for Ethiopia land that belonged to Eritrea. Source: Parade

Gerrilijam, you are simply on the behalf of ertrian gov't/Higdef...it is realy shame to talk about ethiopia you are not morally fit...Ertrian journalists and veterans are the eye wittness.but unfortunately no one knows where these inocent people are now living....in which jail .. in ertria there is no free press,no freedom of religion,no constitution,no election....so please don't post nonsense comment on this respected web site ! please! you can't persuade the people of the world ..in this information age!!!no political gain you can achieve...Do your home work please what can you say about: "Some 1300 Eritrean soldiers crossed the borders to Ethiopia over the past 6 months in defiance to massive oppression and ill-military policies they face at home, Sudan Tribune rported on Tuesday citing the Administration of refugees and returnee Affairs"

We have to give due dilligence to the current Govt, which is doing the best to assist the farmer. The 'love affair' of the EPRDF with the majority rural population is doomed to fail so long as they don't allow prosperous and hard working farmers to own more of the arable land. Unless the land tenure system is fundamentally changed, the Nation will be susceptible to reoccuring drought. Only wealthy farmers who are able to consolidate their land ownership will survive such calamity by using modern technology( high tech irrigation schemes). For that to happen the Nation has to allow private ownership of land. The hard working farmer will be able to acquire adjusant land and use it as a collateral to acquire modern machineries and hire the 'out of luck' farmer as helping hand. As it stands, the miniuscule land ownership of some half a hectare won't allow the Nation to achieve self sufficiency in food production. I understand the Regime's fear that the farmers will sell their land and flock to the Cities. It seems that is what is happening as the dwellers of the major cities is swelling beyond capacity. Remember Zimabawee before Mugabe natioanalized the land of the white farmers? Some 2000 of them made it the bread basket of South Africa. For they were able to utilise the best which was available in modern agriculture. All Ethiopia needs is some 10 thousand commerically viable farmers to till the massive idle land ( mind you only a small portion of the land is actually being tilled) to achieve total independence in food production. In the United States, the percenctage of farmers have dwindled from as much as 60 % to the current 1or 2 %. And these folks, literally, feed the World!