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Thank u Dan, I`m sure the blind supporters of the Eritrean president will call u a woyane, kedaie, akleguzai etc but u r none of the above mentioned. The Eritrean president has under any circumstances no trust from the Eritrean people except from those who have crisis of identity like the president himself. Time will tell.
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Yoseph T. Hans, Stockholm, Sweden 13 Nov 2003
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Eritrea had already its amazing revolution. For more info. you could refer to its 30-year struggle for its independence. However, right now the country is on its evolution which definitely will need years to be fulfilled. It's madness to push just a ten years country to implement a western style democracy.
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Wedi Denden, Asmara, Eritrea 13 Nov 2003
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Vulgarity of character, foul mouth, inability to discuss ideas intelligently and sensibly, hearts full hatred to those who disagrees with them, turning against anyone who shows dissent irrespective, of that person's history and dedication to their cause are the hall mark of diehard PFDJ (Peoples Front for Democracy & Justice) supporters.
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These are hero worshippers who cannot differentiate between the state and the leader who is running the country as his own backyard. For them Isseyas equals Eritrea and Eritrea equals Isseyas.
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During thirty years of armed struggle and as leader of the country for over ten years, Isseyas has always been a figure of polarisation and extremism. It is time for Dan to see the dark side of the organisation he thought he knew well.
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It is also an opportunity for the world to see and judge the type of people who are ruling our country.
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Zaki Ibrahim, London 13 Nov 2003
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Eritrea is nothing but full of myths and terrible lies. Dan Connell has been Eritrea's LONG TIME friend and a BIG TIME liar. Why he had to go so public now and criticize his drinking mate Eritrean president Isaias is only known to him and Isaias. Isaias has always been an evil man but I like him because he is a consistent evil, easy and straightforward to deal with.
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Ashenafi, Tokyo, Japan 12 Nov 2003
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Let go of Ethiopia you ignorant Asmerinos. When is your obsession with Ethiopia gonna come to a closure? We are not thinking about you at this moment. So take the intiative and move on to your next Agenda. It is over damn it!!!!. Get over it.
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Ethiopian, USA 12 Nov 2003
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I don't think we are that obligated to spell whatever his name right. True he needs to mind his own business and enough with the betrayal of the poor nations by the west. What do they really want from us poor nations? it is always clear, theft and more theft. We need to wake up and be alert and do sth. about their mismanagement of our land, our people and our expensive resources ( all Africans). They never cared in the past and they won't in the future either.
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Mame, GA 12 Nov 2003
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Come on, people. Get rid of Isayas, and his dictatorial regime, and the special courts, and the political prisoners, and opposition leaders... Get rid of him! And, you Eritreans who support him, wake up! He's ruined Eritrea! And really, racist people, stop accusing white people of being all the same! Stop! I, for one, a boy not even 18, a white boy, care about Eritreans, and about democracy, and peace, and getting rid of Isaias for the benefit of the Eritrean people! That's all I care about!
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Robert Jung, Toronto, Canada 12 Nov 2003
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Dear reader,
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My comment is not restricted to political issues in Eritrea. It's just unfortunate that competent governance has eluded us. Our leaders try and try, somewhere along the line, it crashes.
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The whites who ruled, enslaved and exploited us, kept aside all regional differences in Europe and forged ahead because they were determined to get what they wanted.
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Concluding, we have to review our concept of self-governance, competence and sorry to say, if we are humans, what good result, at the political scene we've been able to make.
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Eritrea is not the problem. The problem is the black man and his black soul.
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Chimeka O. Ugoagwu, São Paulo, Brazil. 12 Nov 2003
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I am amazed at a number of people who misspell DAN CONNELL's name, yet they dare to criticize him. A word of advice may be in order for the very few and foul mouthed: since obviously you don't know the man, get to know him first; open one of his books; learn to spell his name, and learn what he stands for, then come back to criticize him.
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Furthermore, some of you are naturalized American citizens, but you want to deny Dan that privilege when he may have done more for Eritrea than you. Like it or not, Dan has a right and a duty to air his view on Eritrea. You can disagree with him, but you have no right to tell him what to say and not to say. I think we should understand that basic civility first and foremost. Otherwise, your views have no currency whatsoever.
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GTKHF, Pittsburgh, PA 12 Nov 2003
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Mr. Connel,
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Please leave us (Ethiopians) alone. Badme was, is and will be Ethiopian. There is no one in this world who can take an inch of Badme land from Ethiopia. Mr. Connel, you better care for your country and soldiers who are daily dying as a consequence of your invasion of a sovereign land.
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Tesfaye, Germany 12 Nov 2003
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A credible and accomplished personality, as Don Connel is, takes us a long way towards convincing the rest of us that there is no alternative to an accountable, transparent and law-abiding leader. A job well done!
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T.Asfaha, Virginia 12 Nov 2003
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Dan,
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Not much to say but THANK YOU! And can't wait to read your book. Is it on sale yet?
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Sara, SC 12 Nov 2003
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It's a pity to hear some eritreans still praising their arrogant, warmonger leader. They are deluded, please wake up and overthrow him.
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Fish Zebenay, Cape Town 12 Nov 2003
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Dear Dan
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I am not sure whether to say well-done or to say too late pal. As a non-partisan Eritrean I find some of your analysis, such as your claim that there was a collective leadership culture in EPLF prior to independence, as misleading.
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As would any self respecting Eritrean would attest, there was no consensus or remotely democratic culture within EPLF. Only through fierce loyalty and blind obedience by people in the leadership position that Isseyas was able to maintain his power. He was never challenged or made accountable for any of the crimes he committed against fellow Eritreans who happened to be on the wrong side of his. Even after independence the same leadership who were fiercely loyal, remained loyal and docile when Isseyas was making major decisions without asking their opinion.
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Had the outcome of the disastrous war with Ethiopia been different, I am sure most of his critics within his front would have been performing the same role they were accustomed to. i.e. to remain silent and obedient.
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What puzzles me from you is, to fail on your part to see, what is coming from a leader who always demanded an absolute loyalty to his person. Where you naïve or preferred to remain silent for reasons only known to you? Don’t you think? The writing was on the wall for some time?
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I am glad that you finally decided to open your ears and your mouth. But, please remember to stop seeing Eritrea’s past achievements and Eritrea’s future through the prism of EPLF.
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Jamal Al-Muallem, London UK 12 Nov 2003
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Mr Dan, these people who are calling you all kind of names are the worst element of the Diaspora Eritreans. Don't give them the attention they don't deserve. I know it, they know it, and my parents who live in Eritrea, who start their conversation by cursing Isaias every time I call them know it; that Isaias is failing us everyday. His actions are indefensible; I have yet to hear, privately, any Eritrean who does not complain about what is happing in Eritrea and yet the internet is full of comments from self-serving, vulgar Eritreans who are merciless in their attack to those who dare to criticize their cult leader. So on behalf of the majority of us who are absolutely grateful of your contribution during our armed struggle and now, I like to apologise to you about this hooligan reaction. Forgive them, they are lost. Once again thanks for being there for us.
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Embarrassed Eritrean, Canada 12 Nov 2003
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On what the U.S. should do:
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The Bush administration needs to use all available means to force Ethiopia to accept and implement international arbitration of the border dispute by allowing demarcation to go forward. This should happen at a bilateral level and in multilateral forums like the UN Security Council, the IMF/World Bank and others.
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To do otherwise makes a mockery of all such mediation efforts and puts every such attempt at conflict-resolution in Africa and elsewhere at risk. Further, it unmasks Washington’s relentless pursuit of peace in neighboring Sudan as yet another oil-driven initiative that puts the pocketbooks of its authors before the lives and livelihoods of that war’s many victims.
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On the legacy of the EPLF:
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Take note that the lengthy critique presented at the Eritrean Studies Association panel last week and posted since then at AllAfrica.com is drawn from introductory essays to a two-volume, 1,000-page collection of articles on the remarkable achievements of the Eritrean liberation movement over the past 27 years. That this legacy contains contradictions that go back to the start should not surprise anyone. This is the nature of politics. That it is threatened with reversal today should upset all of us. And should not only be criticized—it should be opposed, precisely in the name of those achievements.
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Dan Connell, Gloucester, MA 11 Nov 2003
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Just because you claim to donate some royalties (probably not more than 100$ if even it is true) to some Eritrean charity group from the books you wrote on the expense of the Eritrean people doesn´t make everything ok. It is publicity stunt.
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Teklemariam, Kasl, Germany 11 Nov 2003
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Some comments from Dan Connell on the comments so far:
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1. On democracy:
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Progress toward democracy is not proceeding “slowly” in Eritrea; it has been reversed. I am not talking check-list Western democracy (the appearance of multiple political parties, a privately-owned press, free markets, etc.). I am talking about fundamentals, whatever the specific mechanisms a society draws upon—interactive rule with accountability at the top and opportunities for collective assessment (and change) of important decisions and policies. There are no checks and balances in Eritrea today to promote political dynamism, without which no state or political movement can long survive, however brilliant or benevolent its leader. This vacuum is evident within the executive-dominated state, within the one-party political sphere (and even within the party itself), and in the society-at-large, where no independent, self-organized social forces are able to express themselves on political issues without penalty.
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Democracy in this sense is not a luxury of economically developed societies — it is an essential property of a political movement or state struggling to survive against great odds that permits it to draw upon the strengths, motivation and creativity of its members in ways that authoritarian societies simply cannot.
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2. On Eritrea’s sought-after relations with the Bush administration:
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The Isaias government is trying to win favor with a government in Washington that is undermining the international rule of law through blatant disregard of existing treaties, that refuses to sign onto new ones aimed at promoting world peace and stability, that appropriates to itself the right to preemptively attack any perceived threat, and that is flaunting international law and simple good sense in Iraq today. The role of junior partner to a rogue superpower is surely a reversal of every principle the EPLF ever claimed to stand for--and will kick back on Eritrea in ever more dangerous and damaging ways in the future, when the US finds no more use for such partners and Eritrea is left to be a pariah in the region. This is shortsighted nonsense.
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3. On Eritrea’s failure to win the Bush administration’s favor:
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Given the Isaias regime’s eagerness to win favor with Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Cheney and their neoconservative cabal, it is mind-boggling that it still detains without charge or trial two Eritreans who worked as minor embassy staffers. Their incarceration remains a major stumbling block in normal relations with Washington. If you really want strong relations with Washington, get rid of such inconsequential obstacles. This is yet another example of petty stubbornness at the leadership level that undercuts Eritrea’s international relations and leaves it isolated on the global stage.
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4. On criticizing those you love:
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On this front, I defer to writer Al Franken. The following is from his book “Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them” in response to charges by rightwing American ultra-nationalists that he is anti-American because he criticizes the Bush administration. Change “America” to “Eritrea” and you will get my point:
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“They don’t get it. We love America as much as they do. But in a different way. You see, they love America the way a four-year-old loves her Mommy. Liberals love America like grown-ups. To a four-year-old, everything Mommy does is wonderful and anyone who criticizes Mommy is bad. Grown-up love means actually understanding what you love, taking the good with the bad, and helping your loved one to grow. Love takes attention and work and is the best thing in the world. That’s why we liberals want America to do the right thing. We know America is the hope of the world, and we love it and want it to do well. We also want it to do good.”
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5. On the proper timing for criticism:
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In the Introduction to my new book, “Taking on the Superpowers: Collected Articles on the Eritrean Revolution” the highly respected British historian Basil Davidson describes a moment in 1993 when Isaias told visitors: “What Eritrea will now need most from its ‘Friends’ is criticism.” Davidson goes on to say that the regime has greeted criticism with “extreme defensiveness” ever since. Finally, says Davidson, “[I]t is more than timely now to remember Isaias’s words and to assert that criticism of the regime like Dan Connell’s is the true mark of commitment to Eritrea’s people.” Let’s be real. There has never been a time when Isaias and his advisors genuinely welcomed criticism.
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6. On getting rich from writing on Eritrea:
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If this weren’t so obviously intended as a slur, I would think the writer was joking. Does anyone really believe that anyone could get rich writing books about an obscure Africa revolution for a small niche publisher like Red Sea Press? When they make the movie of “Against All Odds” with Harrison Ford as me, we can talk about money, but to do so now insults the intelligence of those debating these issues. Furthermore, if you read the dedication page to the new book, you will see that every dollar in author’s royalties will be donated to charitable projects in Eritrea.
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Dan Connell, Gloucester, MA 11 Nov 2003
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BIG DEAL! So Dan Connell has given Eritrea his back! What is all this fuss about, if not the preface to another book deal which will have him laughing all the way to the bank, yet again. You stupid Eritreans, opposition or not, you should be ashamed of yourselves for looking up to a foreigner to save your country and betraying your own leaders who had brought you back from the wilderness, which even Dan Connell attested to in his first book. This is exactly what Dan Connell wants, something to write about and sell a book. So what for are you thanking him for? He should be thanking you for your stupidity. Wake up you opposition and traitors. Write your own articles and do not depend too much on white people to do your dirty work, because they will do it gladly.
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Brook Getty, Germany 11 Nov 2003
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Let us forget Isias for a second. Let us talk about white people like you, Danny boy.
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White people like you have one thing in their minds, adventure and money. They would like to say I discovered this people, I discovered this land, and I was the first one to write about them. I am an expert on that people and their history. I bet you felt like the Columbus of Eritrea. You think just because you have written some articles on Eritrea and its struggle that now suddenly you are a specialist in everything that has to do with Eritrea. You wrote the things you wrote for one reason. To make quick cash! You don’t care about the Eritrean people.
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Isias is an Eritrean born of Eritrean mother and father and no foreigner can ever love Eritrea as an Eritrean. You white people are writing books - on the expense of other peoples histories and cultures- to make money and get famous and come on CNN as experts of a foreign people and country that you don’t really know. Why can’t you white people live the world alone. Stay in your own country and mind your own pale business.
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But I do understand it. It is boredom, isn’t it? You white people don’t have any worries in this world. You are bored. You need action and adventure. That is in the first place what brought you to Iraq, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Africa….Well, I don’t think there are one people in this world that haven’t been killed and abused by you westerners. Isn’t it enough? Leave Eritrea alone and the world alone.
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Teklemariam, Kasl, Germany 11 Nov 2003
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I have little objection to a country that has the best interest of the its people at its core politics. If a country is truely serving the people it will be obvious to all involved, inside and outside.
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If this was the case with Afework and the current Eritrea he has created than this whole issue would be moot. But we are all here providing our view of the matter.
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Afework's Eritrea should learn from the mistakes of so many other countries in Africa and elsewhere that forged and "iron curtain" around the government effectively locking out the people it is suppose to serve and the global relationships that greatly effected its greatest accomplishments.
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Build the confidence of the people, educate and feed them, provide prosperity for all who seeks it. Create this and build this now before the wall comes tumbling down.
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It is inevitable.
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Amdetsion, New York 11 Nov 2003
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THANK YOU BUT NO THANK YOU Mr Connel.
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I have always been interested in what you have to say when you write your articles about eritrea. you 've been one of many eritrea's good friend ,in eritrea's history you have a place upto this stage and time. the so many Eritrean friends will continue to be Eritrean people's friend untill they will rejoys with eritreans for ever.now you have got off from the eritrean marche to the final glory,prosperity , peace and equality for Eritreans and friends of Eritrea.too.
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you have been a friend of some eitrean leaders.why we don't know and now you have stop become a friend of president isayas afewerki.
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the deep feelling, trust and our admoration about pre. isayas afewerki is incomperable to anything else that you can imagin of including the people who work,struggled, die and rose to the chalenges are standing with him by that the eritrean people.
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majority eritreans realised in order eritrea to exist as a viable and free country it needs a leader as smart, strong,compassionate and visionary as pre. Isayas Afewerki and his friends(comrades).
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Eritreans abroad like my self to say the least stunned but never amazed by your timing, reason and the way of approuch,your timing couldn't have come in the critical time of the Eritrean people where we are eagerly waiting to finalize the bogass border war of aggresion with the neighbor country. which i've so many questions to you ,why didn't you come out of your shell and speak about Ethiopia's refusal to accept the border commitions decision,why didn't try to explain the situation to the world as you have done in previous time in Eritrea's case(the struggle for independence),why didn't you? is it because you don't want take stand on the issue because there are big powers involve directly or indirectly? we have witnesed powerful nations threatning Eritrea with thier food donation,if Eritrean governament didn't release the so called, opposition or implement democracy on and so on...... but we know better, some people they don't want to see Eritrea become united,strong and prosperouse nation in the world,especially in africa,I think what they would like to see is a country which is suitable to thier interest where they can dectate the economy, poletical and social affairs.
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The political clowns which "one size fits all"(opposition)have no vision or the abilityto forsee what the dinamic of the country will be this buffunes were incouraged and supplied by a countries that invest in the destruction of the Eritrean governament and the Eritrean dream,but as usuall and we took path played by the rule of law got the verdict and all alone we were right once again, but this is not enough again we see another colour disguised to make beieve that some one from out side thinks for us,have a vision for us. we'r flattered "thank you but no thank you" this time.
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For the people of eritrea and our governament we have to keep dreaming the good dreams for our people and our country. interms of clowns call themselves oppositions,it's a joke! if any one of this groups ever take a place in the Eritrean poletical stage that's the time and day when eritrea's dream will be shuttered for ever. this clowns who joggeled their lives leaking the bottom of thier masters can't and won't be allowed to taint the Eritrean history into become"THE SAME AS OTHER AFRICAN NATIONS" say. eritrea should be and will be the proud nation that gives light to our African brothers and sisters not to the mokery of outsiders.
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As part of this beautiful ever changing world, Eritrea will go under poletical and social change too,the Eritrean case isn't different we have to change and adopt things to our likings not because somebody want us to change but rather the world is changing idiologicaly,economically and poletically, to integrate with nations that shares the vision of cooperetivenece and respect of all human beings regardless of colour,ethnicity or religious differences that is the vision of the Eritrean people and the governament.
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It's too bad for you and others who run out off a steam and gave up the believe that Eritrean people and Eritrean leaders."WHEN THINGS GET TOUGH THE TOUGH KEEP GOING" but in your case and your friends want to make a deal & rest in the easy life for themselves. True fighters always insist on the truth not in the deal making that's for the business people and it seems to me your deal proposal has been rejected by the president of the state of Eritrea and the Eritrean people.
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I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
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DEMSAS, TORONTO/CANADA 11 Nov 2003
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Dan Conell did his best to impress on Eritreans (no mater how late)on the gravity of the siutation at home. He is too smart to deal on the demaraction issues which has preoccupied the sychophants such as proffesors Tekie,Andemariam, Asghede etc. In fact demarcation has nothing to do with good governance. To the contrary good governance, democracy, respect for human right has a lot to do with the infintile issue of demarcation so much talked about by innocent Eritreans and the intellectual prostitutes. To the common man and woman of Ethiopia and Eritrea it makes no difference whether the godforsaken Badme is here or there. Or that the Saho speaking people of EROB remained within the imagenary border line of Ethiopia or across it. The real issue at hand is to live in peace with one other in an atmospher of democracy and respect for human rights. The more one speakes obseseviely of the external issues such as demarcation or the threat from the Big Brother south of the border the more we give the opportunity for the government to bankrupt the country of its Intelectual,spiritual and material resources.
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Amdemeskel, New Jersey 11 Nov 2003
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How does Eritrea survive the stalemate (Cold Peace) with Ethiopia? An alternative from the new generation...
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Those who insist on demarcation first, or nothing, are terribly misguided.
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They will only help to exacerbate Eritrea’s dilemma. We have to acknowledge, to our unfortunate luck, the current situation between Eritrea and Ethiopia is a stalemate. But as long as the UNMEE serves as a buffer between the two countries, a war of the magnitude we had seen is highly unlikely. What we have is Ethiopia occupying internationally recognized Eritrean land. And, for better or worst, we also have a ‘no war, no peace’ or Cold Peace situation. How does Eritrea maneuver out of the cold-war like situation?
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The demarcation writers, who also happen to be PIA’s staunchest supporters, refuse to entertain any viable option other than innuendoes of using force to remove Ethiopia from the occupied territory. Force will not work for neither Ethiopia nor Eritrea. The advocate of violence have fooled me once, they will not fool me twice. There has to be an alternative to violence out of the stalemate with Ethiopia. If anything, the Cold War should have taught us, allies make all the difference. PIA has ostracized and isolated himself from his people and neighbors. Eritrea needs leader that will mend relation with the people and the neighbors, other than the one refusing to evacuate from internationally recognized Eritrean land. PIA, we all know by now and even his supporters don’t deny it, is the sole decision maker with the power to forgive or incarcerate. This one man has done the most damage to the Eritrean psyche more than all of Eritrea’s enemies combined. He has to step down—plus does anyone think he can win Sudan and Yemen, Eritrea’s historical allies? That allow, I think will go a long way in making sure Eritrea not only survives the stalemate with Ethiopia, but eventually retain its rightful land.
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The Eritrean's policy should now be to shake hands with its neighbors and wave at Ethiopia. As sad and unfortunate this may sound, I think in the long-run Eritrea under the right leadership can adjust. Also, in the long-run, we absolutely deny these who want to wage war against us BECAUSE, they say, we have so much in common, we are the same people, we have the same culture. While deep inside, their only appetite is not for the people, but for the land. For any observer, this has been made absolutely clear, not just by the current impasse, but by the brutal past. Should the current stalemate continue into the foreseeable future, we should find ways to live with it, and in the long-run those who think we are the same people now, won’t think the same. The current impasse is the defining moment.
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With love for Erit
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Futsum, Pittsburgh 11 Nov 2003
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Please leave the Nation and President Isaias Afwerki alone, PIA and the "never kneel down Eritrean people" are doing their best to secure eritrean interest first.
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EritreaFirst, Memphis 11 Nov 2003
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Please leave the Nation and PIA alone, PIA and the "never kneel dawn Eritrean people" are doing their best to secure eritrean interest first.
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eritreafirst, Memphis 11 Nov 2003
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I have been reading all the comments cited here. However, both the countries and peoples have been under stress because of the war created by the two countries leadership. Let them both feel that that the peoples of these countries need peace and tranquility to have time for development.
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As we all know, both Eritrea and Ethiopia's leaders are socialists and communist oriented students of the HSIU/AAU. No one expect them to have a democratic notions for the sake of their people only. Socialist and Communism has its ideology as the rain; the leaders say is governing. They have all and they are the owners.
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The people of these two countries should be concerned and should wake up from their long years of sleep, 30 years of war and 13 years of so called freedom. There has never been freedom to both. They have been ruled and ruled, told to do and told to do and have died and have oppressed all these years. During the Emperor's era they had all the times to talk, i.e. they were free to think and collect themself in a compound to exchange their views. How about now, they have lost that opportunity. Their present leaders were those ones who had the chance at that time.
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Now is now, it is time to realize what you have lost. Think over it and concentrate to your ownself. Do not blame each other. Work for each other's freedom. Both these leaders should go.
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Zere.
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Zeremariam Hagos, Addis Ababa, ethiopia 11 Nov 2003
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There are people who have been in jail for years now who have never seen a day in court, the constitution sits on a shelf, people are displaced and starving, and still there are people being completely naive and stupid, or deliberately seeking to destroy the Eritrean people with the support of this dictator for their own narrow benefits. Even those who naively say that Eritrea needs its border demarcated first must realize by now how impotent the GOE is in the international arena. Eritrea is suffering and Dan should be commended for finally speaking out. When Eritreans say "never kneel down Eritrea" that includes the oppression of home-grown dictatorship.
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Aman, US 11 Nov 2003
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Thank you Mr. Connell, for being the voice for the voiceless. Yes indeed, our country needs change and better leadership. We need a leader who have vision, one who thinks what is best for Eritrea's future. Our country is being held hostage by its own leaders. Our population and economy is going down at an alarming rate because our productive citizens are either imprisoned, dead or in the military building palaces for high ranking military officials.
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Although I wish to have seen you come out earlier, it is better late than never and I hope many others would do the same.
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Maaza , Santa Rosa, California, USA 11 Nov 2003
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Those who want to see Eritrea on the top in regards to its economy and democracy, are waiting patiently. And we will do it in our own way, not from westerners like, Dan.
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Dan seems to forget his own country's history, the USA. It went through a lot of ups and downs when it has Eritrea's age. I started to question Dan, that he is some how brainwashed or deceived by his close frinds, meaning he is not thinking with his clear mind. If he was, he would put a lot of situations what Eritrea is facing under consideration.
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Why is he talking about constitution? I am sure Dan knows, the constitution that we have underway is written in the field during the struggle, no one forced and twisted the arms of EPLF to write it, and after Independence, the same thing, no one did force any body to ratify the constitution. One might ask why it is not implemented yet? There is a good and simple reason for that, and that is the minority Ethiopian regime declared war on Eritrea.
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To every one, whether you are Eritrean or from other African countries, you need to stay vigilant, because there are a lot of ppl who can change their heart overnight for their own interest, specially the westerners, they don't care about Africa, we are less interest to them, we see it every day, every month, every year..., We saw it in Rwanda, Chile, Panama, Grenada, Iran (40 years ago) it can go on and on . . . .
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What they want in Eritrea is, some one who is weak, could be a puppet to the west and corrupt country. To tell you the truth though, readers, that is an old fashion tactic, it is not going to work in Eritrea.
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President Isais is the country's leader and he can be re-elected or resign, leave office or what have you, is up to the people of Eritrea. I am talking the ppl Inside, not the ones who are spoiled by the west democracy.
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Eritrea is in a process of learning, it will reach its goal on its own term. Eritrea is not going to accept and swallow the one medicine for all, western prescreption.
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Finally those of you Ethiopians who, pretended to be Eritreans, and wrote as if you are bitter by the Government of Eritrea, please do us a favor and don't waste your time, "It ain't going to work".
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Sele, Virginia 11 Nov 2003
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Mr. Dan it is just a desperate move you are doing to get some money out of stupid politics. Eritrians 99% are waiting very anxious for the demarcation, 1% like awate groups who are very desperate to see the demise of Eritrea. Mr. Dan why don't you condemn TPLF regime's rejection of the ruling of boundary commission, rather than talking about President Isaias Afwerki? Don't expect, as I said, 99% of Eritreans, it is not in their mind to see a change of leadership at this time, unless demarcation is completed. We need stable Eritrea first, then we can talk about change. Mr.Dan, we heard you were friend of Eritrea... I am not surprised people change their attitude for selfish reason like you and weyane. you have a peaceful country please leave us alone. The most striking thing to me is why now? Something is fishy here. Did you see how Awate (desparate groups), how they were happy to post Dan story, they felt they won a powerball, I feel sorry for them, they cannot do anything on the ground except on the cyberspace. Mr.Dan attempt will go down in history. Eritria with its strong leadership, strong people will do history again and again.
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Kifle, St Paul MN 11 Nov 2003
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Of course, Eritrea is not governed by Eritreans. Eritreans go to prison and strangers run the country. No wonder there is a chaos in the country.
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Zigerim , Toronto 11 Nov 2003
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Eritrea is in the hands of good people. Eritrea never depended on the help of others like Dan Connell, and the future is also the same. He can write/talk whatever he wants but won't affect our progress to the Grande Finale, The attainment of Supreme Economic, poletical and social development. Mark my words!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Ay, Oakland, California 10 Nov 2003
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Nothing can justify dictatorship. Eritrean government should pursue its goal for people, not for a dictator, and by will of people, not by repression of people. I hope Eritrean people overcome this crisis wisely.
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Eugene, Seoul, Korea 10 Nov 2003
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Dan
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Your critique is based on rumors and gosips. Even though you were a friend of Eritrea, don't forget that you are a foreigner. Because of the Eritrean revolution you accumulated a lot of wealth by selling books and articles. Now your money is gone, you are for sale for the highest bidder. Woyane will be very happy and reward you a good sum of money for vilifying the president of Eritrea.
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You have to remember one thing, we are Eritreans and we will never bow to any foreigner. We will build and administer our country our way. Nobody gave us our independance. We paid dearly for our independence and we are still ready to pay more for any circumstances that we may encounter on our way. So, please leave us alone and don't try to make money by selling false articles.
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Berhe Kahsay, Toronto, Canada 10 Nov 2003
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Dan, you are contradicting your earlier assessment about the Eritrean revolution, government and its people. You seem to forget the TPLF's unwarranted aggression on our country and the refusal of the final and binding Algiers agreement. You seem to forget the unpresidented achievement of progress of all sectors of our government under the leadership of PIA until 1998. Eritrea was named star performer by the Imf and the World Bank. By your own account the corruption-free ,self reliant attitude of the govt was and is still unique even by the standard of the developed contries.
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Dear Mr Dan, our uniqueness at the time of our revolutionary struggle was perseverance, vision and love of our country. Defending and protecting our borders is number one priority. You should know that American process of democratiziation was not completed in five years. And certainly the process was pushed back around the time of 1812. Because defending the motherland have to take presedence over any other issue, including implementing constitution.
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Every country have its own priorities. Combating terrorism is the number one priority of the USA at this moment. Rightfully so, since you are an American citzen, it should have been your priority too. There is no other country in the horn of Africa better equipped psycologicaly, emotionally and militarily to help the United States than Eritrea.
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Mr Dan ,if you are lobying the Bush adminstration not to consider Eritrea as an important ally on the war against terrorism, it will only be a loss of a great ally in that hemisphere. By the way who is going to be the alternative of PIA and PFDG while the agrression of the woyane is still looming on eritrea? Please don't tell me it is Abdela idris and the ENA [jihad,harekat, regionalists, fundamentalists etc.]
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Y.H., USA 10 Nov 2003
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At the outset, let me declare that I am not Eritrean lest I be accused of being an Ethiopian individual, trying to impersonate an Eritrean one. I am neither of both.
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I decided to throw in my two cents worth because I am also from that part of the world, and most importantly I have always supported and defended Eritrea's right of seccession from Ethiopia in the hope that with independence come democracy and justice.
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How could I have believed otherwise for the 30-year struggle was purportedly waged to bring democracy and justice to Eritrea which had suffered injustice under Ethiopian colonization for far too long. But, alas, that was not to be, as was the case for almost all African states after de-colonization. One party "democracy" (in which the legislative assembly, the judiciary and the excutive branch of the government is populated by members of the ONLY party in country) is instituted; an iron fisted hero from the liberation struggle days was put in charge. Is it any wonder that power is concentrated in the hands of such a person? What worse intoxicant is there in the world than absolute power?
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I see most Eritreans who responded to this comment would rather deal with external enemy (Ethiopia) at this time and return to internal issues at a later date. It is up to Eritreans to decide which of their problems they tackle first, second, etc... I am in no position to tell them what to do and when to do it. However, given the behavioural pattern of most African leaders, it seems to me that they will have to wait looooong years before they can solve the external problem and turn their attention to internal ones. This is simply because the person in power can keep the country in perpetual state of war, or at least in hightened alert for a long time to come as a means of staying in power. Meanwhile, democracy, justice and human rights will suffer thereby eventually eroding people's trust in the rule of law and their government. What happens after that is anybody's guess.
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My advice to Eritreans: External and internal problems are mostly (specially in this case) intertwined. One cannot be seen in isolation from the other. Their resolutions go hand-in-hand. Tackle both at the same time perhaps with varying degrees of attention given to each of the issues. After all Eritrea is full of heroes who would stand for Eritrea's interest as resolutely as Afeworki.
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Long live the Eritrean People!
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Lest you forget other colonized nations in the Ethiopian Empire!
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Gurraacho Silgaa, Toronto 10 Nov 2003
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The train had just let another disillusioned get off from its wagon. In 1993 few days before the referendom takes place, some dogs barked, however the caravan continue its journey. Then comes woyanes third offence, other set of dogs start barking, again the camel kept marching and now at the time of an certainty, new breeds of dogs have started barking; the journey will continue with grace and confidence. we shall stay focused and continue laying bricks of democracy, unity, economic prosperity, peace and justice carefully. The wolves of the wilderness howl during the full moon and the enemies of the state bark at times of difficulty as in the above example.
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Dan, you are not a good friend.
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please jump off the wagon, woooof.
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never kneel down, MN 10 Nov 2003
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This is ridiculous! Go, go out of Eritrea, go! Go Isayas Afwerki! You corrupt,dictatorial "president"! Go! Thank you, Dan Connell, for exposing the truth about Afwerki!
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Robert, Canada 10 Nov 2003
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For this was my first comment, I TRIED keep it short.
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"Midja Bi'Lewawet, Wetu Aytafitm"
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So much shared culture, so much shared together. So much could be shared in the future, and will be. There is no substitute for LOVE. Love thy enemy. Love thy neighbour. Love is the essence of life. Love not only when the going is good, but specialy when the going is bad.
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Fellow Eritreans, my belovered neighbours Ethiopians and every one else who may read this. Try not to speak in anger. Wish on to others as you would onto you. For in the eyes of the Lord, we are all brothers.
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Why spend so much time and energy spreading hatred and anger amongst ourselves and others. Yesterday we were brothers and loved eachother. Yet today, because someone else said so, am I to hate you? No. There is much more to love than that. Love is much deeper than that. At times of war we should strive for peace. Let us not discuss military strategy for it is not our place to do so. Let us discuss peace for it is our place to so. The fruits of love are sweet yet the fruits of hatred are bitter. Many will testify to that.
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I am saddened to see an animal suffer. Yet to see the same of a fellow human being, whome I love, a hole burns in the depth of my heart. Yet for my neighbours whome I so love, I cannot describe it.
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Yet I know squabling amongst us is a sign of troubled times and unclear thoughts. We ask, if this changes will things get better? Show me a man or woman on this earth who can guarantee better things. We must remember God. He CAN make things better. We must remember our fore fathers and mothers who praid at times of trouble and praised at good times. As heroic as they were they knew nothing comes above the lord. Let us pray fellow brothers and sisters. Pray that the lord delivers us from this troubles times. Let us pray that the Lord delivers us into times of peace with our neighbours.
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Some of us live in peace in the lands of others, let us thank God for their acceptance and pray for a time when peace will rain on the land God gave us.
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So brothers and sisters do not say here on the internet what you are not prepared to say in front of God. For in the eyes of our enemies we are enemies. Yet in the eyes of the lord we are brothers. We must work and fight for our right but we must have peace in our heart. Peace as our main objective. In our fight we must not let evil fill our heart with haterate. Yet try to keep to our objectives.
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Peace AND love.
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<>
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Eritrean, London 10 Nov 2003
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You posed a question, which at the heart of the course/matter to all Eritreans.
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Why has taken this course? For a simple reason, to cover his ass which is full of holes starting off by killing so called"Menkae" and in 1984 to those handicapped exfighters.
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Second he saw the desire of Eritreans wanting to be governed/run by a an elected person and knew he was not going to elected to the chair but remain so called " Second citizen".
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And has thin skin who does not know how to handle and compromise but desire to dictate as club leader not as country state person.
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On top this, his identity wanting to be sealed forever otherwise Eritreans are well known for making fun of Agame's heritage. Wanting to be seen as Eritrean who fought for Eritrea with Eritreans. If he sees his id as origion of Tigrai,he will be as Ostrich hanging its head down and be buried under the sand once for all.
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What ought do is get him ticket one way trip.
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Good job Mr. Don and God bless you, keep up the good work exposing the DIA and his stooged Dr.
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Eyob, Toronto,ON Canada 10 Nov 2003
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hey Dan from what i read what you said you are just against our government and you are not talking for the people. every leaders in the world they do good thing and bad things. our government is doing more good things for eritrea then then bad things. if he was n't training our people for militier we would have lost more people. he had our people ready incase Eritrea is one off the most improved country in edication in african he brought us independs. to get democracy it took over 70 years for u.s so why made you think Eritrea could just do it in 12 years. the economy is the most important thing to out people and the economy was good until the war with Ethiopia the Ethiopian government had not more harm to Eritrean people sins Haile Selsei he took all the Edicated Eritean and build addis abbeba,Mengustu no Edication in Eritrea never did anything good for the Eritrean people Meles we helped him become a power in Ethiopia and killed raped took our people money houses deported them. the real problem in Eritrea is Ethiopia no our goverment that and the people who are supporting the ethiopina like dan
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ahferom, chicago, Illinois 10 Nov 2003
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Mr. Connell, I have read exactelly what you have been saying in your article. And, I'm sorry.
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When Ethiopia is broken to seperate states and civil war broke out, what noone will really hope, then noone will speak bad about the Eritrean goverment or Isayas Afeworki.
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It is nothing new in Africa that when a country is in war or cold war, everyone takes his advantage of it.
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A country of just 4 Mill. people have an army of 10 % of its population. No country in the world can handle this problems that the country is facing in the last years. This what you talking will just be a short period of history for groups, who wanna have shown their interests.
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Robel Gebrehiwet, Frankfurt, Germany 10 Nov 2003
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As the current leaders are aging, we need change. But what kind of change do we need? The change can take many different directions. In my opinion, the change should tranform Eritrea into prosporous united democratic and peaceful country. For this to happen, the new young genration should take the resposibility of continuing the legacy of the current leaders devotion and vision. Like president Issais, the current generation should be free of greed and they should love their country like him. They should keep Eritrea corruption free, crime free and greed free.
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However if we see the other side of change, few greedy old men with a violent history are salviating to snatch the peace, freedom and unity of Eritrean people. If the change is in that direction, we will see anathor somilia. At present there are more than 20 mafia like groups ready to kill each other. Those groups either ethinic or religios based fanatic groups. They are united against this government because the government is obstacle to their motive of transforming into another killing field like Somalia. If the present unifying government fails, those war lords will take over start killing each other. If we check back the history of those power greedy old men, their hand is full of innocent bloods. In the 80's those war lords dividing and multiplyimg like ameoba among themselves, have comtted horrible crimes in Eritrea. I am hoping and praying Eritrea will never fall to those warlords. I hope God will save Eritrea from those greedy mafia like groups.
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Yonas, US 10 Nov 2003
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Dan Connell's article confirms that Issayas' power-base has been eroded, and that it is high time for the criminal to get his one way ticket out of the country. The dream Asrate Kassa shared with him, later enforced and blessed by Woldeab Woldemariam has been shattered. Even the kishas and monkeys who were selected and kept abroad for so long for this specific dream of Asrate Kassa and Woldeab Woldemariam with Issayas at the helm are of no help. The monkey must go to south Asia and find his ancestors, same for kisha who must find his place in the politburo of the TPLF armed with millions of dollars.
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Simply, Eritrea belongs to Eritreans and not for the wannabes.
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Kesette, ER 10 Nov 2003
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After reading your article of today on asmarino.com and from your speech of last week you gave to the audience in Bostom, I am very glad you said it what is in my mind for long period and someone has to tell him, the dictator enough is enough. And those Drs, who are supporting him no-matter blindly, shame on them and have sold their soul for a dime that is worth a nill.
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Please keep up the good fight with us and to see Eritrean breeze fresh air
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T.Johanes, Toronto, ON Canada 10 Nov 2003
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Stop mr Dan. If you are friend of Eritrea, why not voice against Ethiopia's rejection of peace? The first thing in the priority list of many Eritreans is demarcation. Like you have a country called xxx, we also want to have a country called Eritrea. After we secured our survival as a nation, we then can move on to other issues such as election and implementation of constitution. If we don't have a country, are we gonna elect stateless president to lead non-existent country. Where we goin to implement the said constitution with out having a secured nation. Demanding untimely issues such as your is absurd. We have close to half million displaced civillians (out 3.5 million), who are victims of Ethiopian war of agression, waiting for the demarcation to take place and live normal life like you and me. If you really are friend of Eritrea, you should have voiced for those helpless people who are presently ignored by the world. When the world is showring Ethiopia with excess aid, those deported and displace Eritreans are forgotten and suffering the consquences of Ethiopian agression. Nobody except "dictator" Isaias came to their help. The so called democractic world is bussy sending aid to Ethiopia so that Ethiopia can arm itself and ignite anathor war again.
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My priority before the start of the war was for democratic election and rule of law while your friends the Haile tilkuys and others were against election and democratization. After Ethiopia ignited war of agression, I switched my priority and those tilkuys (cowards) turned themselve in to democrat overnight. All they are trying is to mask their cowardness with democracy. If they are for democracy what did they do when they were in power? We all know it is (betri woyane) that made them "democrat". They surrendered, but they want to cover up their surrunder with democracy.
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At last we all need democracy but the real issue now is demarcation and not democracy and as friend of eritrea don't try to divert the real issue.
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embeba, US 10 Nov 2003
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Mr. Dan Connell....though you are late (surprisingly it took you about four years to defend your field!) thank you for clearing the road for other PFDJ supporters. You know what they say: Late is better than Never. Isaias Afewerki and his colleagues, the ex-heroes of Eritrean struggle for independence, have confused heroism with dictatorship and have transfered the hopeful small country to a big prison of more than 3.5 million citizens. If you go to Eritrea now all you see is people scared of their own shadows; bright young people with no future and hope; corrupted government system and officials; abused young women; parents deprived of long awaited support from their children...the list goes on. I believe it is upto the Diaspora Eritreans to help change this pitful situation in our country. Let's not claim that democracy is not important while we are enjoying the democracies of our host (adopted) countries.
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Ruth, USA 10 Nov 2003
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I think, we Eritrean are eating by pride. What this gov't brought us is misery, chaos, famine and destruction. I remember back in the 90's one of the people in DC was praising the dictator as a God to tell him the future of Eritrea. Those kinds of people should be destroyed and eradicate from the land of Eritrea. Those people who are asking to wait until demarcation are, I am very sure the cousins of the leadership or they paid boned when the country was at war. They are not worried about the country’s future, what the are worried for is that their cousins power and their money.
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We need to wake up, especially the so-called intellectual once. Dan, your article is well written, I hope you can convince the Bush administration to exile the DIA from our land just like Charles Taylor of Liberia. If he stays in a country he will be a cancer to Eritrea society. Again thanks for your support, I hope you will not stop supporting us. God bless you.
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Jemal, USA 10 Nov 2003
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Since Eritrea has come into formal existence, the country has never experienced even the massive-fraud-polluted-ruling-party-feel-good pseudo-election that many African nations went through let alone a free and fair election process. Thus, it’s ridiculous to say that the majority of Eritreans support the current regime and its omnipotent leader. Sure, before and just after Eritrea’s independence, Issayas Afewerki was highly estimated by his compatriots and enjoyed a huge support and empathy that he mistook for carte blanche to reign and feign (pretend). However, he has been consistently losing grounds as he stubbornly perpetrated one blunder after another. Today, if one can’t talk about a precisely approval rate, no one can ever contest the fact say that Issayas Afewerki’s support base has shirked into a small but vocal die-hard group of supporters.
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The heavy weights of the government, some in prisons others in exile; the ranks and files of the ruling do not feel any more represented by the People’s Front for Democracy and Justice, that unable to deliver neither Democracy nor Justice. Eritrea is in deep leadership crisis. It would be irrational to deny this fact. Issayas Afewerki is an integral part of the problem; in fact HE is the problem. As such, there’s no way he can be part of the solution. No way. If he has Eritrea’s best interest as his cronies want us believe, he should go. Peacefully. But I doubt he will. He has said time and again that “might is right”. A rightful might will come to hunt his down. It’s a matter of time. A dictator’s end is always tragic.
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Yeman Gebremicael Baria, Asmara, Eritrea 10 Nov 2003
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Mr. don
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let me tell you one thing. whatever you said. the poeple of Eritrea is united to kick out the Ethiopia regime. don't try to teach us about our country and ledearship. we know everything what's going on inside Eritrea. but first is first, and that is our enemis, the Ethiopia regime to kick them out from our countery and to teach them our streangth and unity. the next is next.we heard the leason a head of you from our enemis. so don't wast your time, telling us about your foolish speach. if you want to get audionce, may be prime minis. meles,he will give you a chance to give a speach on his ideal parilament.but we are united and protecting our country soveirnity from agrassor, whatever it cost. no more colonializm.
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awet nehafashi !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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long last freedom to the people of eritrea.
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gebre, Washington Dc, U.S.A 10 Nov 2003
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Having just finished reading Mr Dan’s article in Boston globe titled “redeeming the failed promises of Eritrea”. I can’t tell how grateful I am to Mr Dan right now. Finally someone is speaking to the world stage on the behave of us; who feel betrayed by our own leader who is determined to do anything to stay in power and our warmongering neighbour who are just as determined to see our country destroyed. Eritrea will prevail again.
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Awet, Canada 10 Nov 2003
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This comments from Dan Connel are not new but a part and parcel of the so called "opposition and their friends" on the eve of demarcation and Ethiopia's refusal to comply with the righteous approach of to the the "border conflict" incited by Ethiopia. Knowingly or unknowingly Dan Connel is parroting the "oppostion's" views which are "coincidentally" in agreement with the Ethiopian regimes stands on the "sensless border war". Dan "thanks for your concern of Eritreans' rights", we Eritreans know our government is on the right path, we don't need you to remind us about democracy.
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abraham, san antonio, TX USA 10 Nov 2003
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i think, it is time to go!
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time to go without dameging more to history, country and the people.
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time to go for the sake of his name.
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time to go for the sake of what he has done before.
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time to go becouse people want change.
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time to go becouse people wanted to
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time to go becouse people fed up
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time to go becouse it is due.
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please go for the peoples' sake becouse they are paying to much.
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ted Daniel, London 10 Nov 2003
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This is sad, there was a nice conversation happening between us eritreans in here. Now it is infested by ethio’s. This what I don’t like about Internet politics sometimes. I suspect most of the people who are commenting now are from Tigray. That is pathetic
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Awet, Canada 10 Nov 2003
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Mr. Dan C. Your interest in the Eritrean affaires from the days of the fight for liberation till now is very appreciated. The fact of the matter as St. Paul wrote in the book of Romans ch 13 :1-2 "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves." The main focus of our government right now is to safe guard the hard won nation not to appease those who are law less and trying to over throw the executive power in the middle of war.Our own history tells us about Eritrean hero by the name of Ras Weldemicael Solomon how Some betray him and Eritrea became the victim of Ethiopia. Yes, we want democratic Eritrea but, not at the expenses of our nation. Dan we will get there Eritrea will be democratic if the treat of weyane is over. As you know there is cause and effect. Our enemy is too big and supported by many. We only depend on our selves, as of now for the sake of nation we tolerate some of the secondary issues. We hope our prayers for peace will be answered. Peace be to the Eritran, Ethiopian and the rest of the world.
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Selamawe, Atlanta, Ga. USA 10 Nov 2003
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Dan after his own Interest ?
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Yemane Girmay, DC 10 Nov 2003
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mr. rüdiger hartmut,
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no marriage funktions, if both of the parties are not willing. so, please stop blaming us for not willing to be ethiopians. good relation as a neighbour is better than bad relation as we had in the time when we were damned to be ethiopians. i believe in a good neighbourhood with our ethiopian brothers and sisters. what we need is a new and dynamic generation, who will be ready for compromises. mr. hartmut, if i were a german i wouldn`t wirte insults like dreamers and so on. i hope you understand me, what i want to say.
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dear eritreans,
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most of the critics are right. we made somany mistakes. so let`s wake up and be ready and concentrate our selves on the challenging questions like diseases, analphabetism, hunger etc.
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dear ethios,
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please withdraw from your "ye 3000 zemen tarik" dreams. we are living in the 21th century. the basis for a good neighbourhood (which help you to be prosperous) is, to accept with its intergral territories. then we can discuss about every possible topic eg. port. the primise is only to accept that we have something that u want to have and we habe to negotiate how.
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sincerely
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DS
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Delay Selam, Berlin 10 Nov 2003
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Thank you Dan, you are always the friend of Eritrea.
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The president has impliment the constitution of Eritrea and give chance to the other Eritreans. Thank you again for your good effort Dan.
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yohannes, Germany 10 Nov 2003
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Eritreans, please wake up for your own sake. You shouldn't make nonsense arguments such as "demarcation first", "first things first", "final and binding". Your people are not going to eat these arguments. Are they?
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The world is moving. Look at the following account from awate.com.
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And how are our good friends in the international community dealing with the issue of “final and binding”? The Brits, through their Director of Africa, British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, said that “as far as the international community is concerned, the debate on the border issue was over,” according to Addis Tribune. But there is one member of the international community, namely Ethiopia, which doesn’t think the border issue is over. What shall the Brits do about it? “We are not planning to put pressure on Ethiopia to accept the ruling of the border commission’s decision.”
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The French, through their Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Herve Ladsous,expressed their hope that the “Algiers Agreement between Ethiopia and Eritrea would be implemented in its entirety,” according to Djibouti’s ADI News Agency. And what if Ethiopia is objecting to implementing the agreement “in its entirety”? Well, then, France calls on “Ethiopia and Eritrea to return to political negotiations, which are essential to the restoration of relations between the two countries and for the success of the peace process.”
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Mais, oui. C’est bon.
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How about the European Union-African Caribbean Pacific (EU-ACP) folks? “Ethiopia gained a big victory in the African, Caribbean and Pacific/EU (ACP/EU) conference held in Rome as African governments rejected an appeal by Eritrea that the UN should impose sanctions on Ethiopia,” crowed the ENA. Not only that, but “the conference elected Ethiopia to host the next ACP/EU conference.” And while they were at it, they “passed a resolution that Asmara makes known the conditions of the 11 officials jailed.”
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Simrete, Stockholm 10 Nov 2003
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Isaiyas will be kicked out of his palace and might prefer to live in Ethiopia with his accomplice,Meles Zenawi, his incarnation, the devil of devils of the Horn. But Eritrea will hope for salvation, salvation through self-epiphanazation or revelation of the truth that inevitably demands once again sacrification, to come back,turn back, to its real identification. The false mesiah, Dan Connell, I wish you hell with your anti-hero Isais.
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Amanuel Kassa, Amsterdam 10 Nov 2003
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Thank you für exposing the truth in today's Eritrea, Mr Dan!!!
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You foolish Eritreans have squandered it all by playing war games all over the Horn region hier and there, now and then, since time immemorial.
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The root problem with you Eritrean people lies with your distorted self image psyche about yourselves vis-a-vis your brothers/sisters the Ethiopians!!!
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How dare you think of basing your future development strategy on the parasitic blue prints of the settler Italian colonists/colonialists??? You got it all wrong!!! You lunatic Eritreans boast and claim to cherish the principle of "self-reliance" but wait a minute: Does Ethiopia have no right to be self reliant on its vast untapped natural resources to develop??? Is the principle of "self-reliance" your own Eritrean private property??? Why can't you Eritreans work together in a just and peaceful manner with Ethiopians and finally integrate your countries in the Horn für an eventual unity (be it federal or confederal) like we Germans do together with the French for the betterment of the whole of Europe/Europeans???
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We have been one of the staunch supporters of the Eritrean peoples revolution für justice and the right to self determination but well our support on these principles is valid für all Ethiopians, too!!!
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After the initial hesitations in 1997 long before war broke out, around 1999 we decided to withdraw our support für Eritrea after painfully learing the true parasitic intentions of Isayas brutal regime over the entire region in general and on Ethiopia in particular!!!
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We are really sad and angry at Eritrea's disgrace on human rights, press freedom, dictatorship, war mongering mentality, greedy and deceptive behaviour, self inflicted national wound etc.
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Alas, you think you are smart people but the objectuive reality and Zenawi have disproved you otherwise before our/your eyes!!! Good luck Eritrea, sorry!!!
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Helga und Bernd, Frankfurt am Main, Germany 10 Nov 2003
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I believe Dan has brought to light (the Eritrean people) the fiction and myth about Isayas's leadership as a Freedom fighter and a President of Lawless Eritrea. Eritrea has been reduced into prison for the 3.5 milion people. The people can't speak, write, and oppose whatsoever except obeying Isayas's orders. There is no right to travel (for instance many spouses of Eritrean students working on their Graduate studies in the west have been denied to join them; many DV lottery winners have been denied to leave the country for other opportunities - now many of them decided to vote by their feet to the Sudan and Ethiopia). I have met many who were in the army who found their ways to the west (CANADA, US, etc) after escaping from the army to Ethiopia.
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Samson, USA 10 Nov 2003
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Dan — welcome to Reality!
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I am not surprised by Dan Connell’s political divorce from Isaias Afwerki. I was in fact very stunned by his blind adulation and reverence of the EPLF and its leaders since the 1970s. Connell’s belated decision to disown Afwerki might cause him emotional distress and of course other personal benefits. But it would have a salvation effect not only for Connell but also a number of other white fellows who pretend to know our society and behave more patriotic and nationalist than Eritreans themselves. Dan, welcome to reality! The EPLF from its very beginning has a birth defect. The problem did not start after the arrest of your ‘comrade in arms’, it started when the EPLF waged a war of attrition against other Eritrean brothers. Thanks God you burnt your figure and also got a good message. I wonder when you brits would start to understand us.
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Best Wishes
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Zendi Sellas , UK 10 Nov 2003
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Just by looking at the articles posted alone, I don't doubt that you were and perhaps still are a friend of Eritrea. But the timing of your comments in my view is rather careless and perhaps ignorant to the fact that Eritrea had become the nation it is now, which you seem to criticise so badly, almost entirely due to and since the war began. If you can't accept the vulnerabltiy of a nation that is 10 times in size and 20 times in population less than that of its arch enemy, which happens to be its former colonizer, would put its very own existance as a priority, I am afraid in my view that would put your loyalty in question. I could go on and on, but it seems you're just as adamant as our good neighbours down South (sorry if it seems harsh), to have you view and believe them at any cost. Thanks to you and people like you it may take us another 30 years of propaganda war to get all our people in one side.
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P.S. While you are at it, how about making a constructive critisism. you know, one that can help Eritrea progress. That is, if you are a friend.
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Merhawi, London 10 Nov 2003
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You said "Isaias forced Romedan to retire from the leadership altogether in the early 1990s" but Romedan is back!!(by the way that was quoted from Dr Tesfai-G13) regardless of how he departed, unlike you, my dear friend, when the country needs him, he put aside all his differences (that is if he has one) and back to serve his country. Yes Romedan is a unique person, why? unlike many of our politicians (G15, G13)who were digging a big deep hole to overthrow their president knowing that he was too preoccupied to safeguard the nation, thinking that they would not be noticed. Romedan, on the other hand, back to politics to help his long serving friend. But then again I should not blame the G15, it was people like Dan who convince them to commit such atrocities (19 thousand) against their own people.
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You mention Mussie deliberately to create divisions within the Eritrean communities, however this tactics have long been dead and buried with the emperor Haileselasie (Ethiopian King, in case you lack History). Naïve of you. If Mussie died in questionable circumstances, do not forget you are also incriminating the G15 because they were all in it. Advice to you - do not underestimate the Eritrean people, you may convince few but the majority of us think our internal difference remains ours and if we are unhappy with GoE, we will ask when we have eliminate our external enemy who are the main enemy to our existence.
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Majority of us do not think the way few friends of yours think, democracy does not have use-by date like a pint of milk, that is why we do not have to rush and spoil everything to satisfy people like you.
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Yonas, Uk 10 Nov 2003
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You Eritreans, you are born in dreams, live in dreams and you will wake later from your dreams as Ethiopians. As historian I can assure you this truth.
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Rudiger Hartmuut, Siegburg, Germany 10 Nov 2003
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Dan is not writing anything about the good deeds of the Eritrean government. He is very negative. Does he know that many schools, roads, hospitals etc were built by the current government? I hope he leaves Eritrea alone. Let him criticize about his own country's civil rights violations done under the pretext of fighting terrorism. Then he might understand why the Eritrean government took the necessary action to save the country. I agree that the arrested journalist and former government officals were wrong. They were not asking for democracy. They were spreading false rumours and they were trying to overthrow the government and be dictators themselves.
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bahta, washington d.c. 10 Nov 2003
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U are the best and U are one of our ppl. I always think that you are from Eritrea, Dan Connell.
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Maybe there will not be a change for a while but I love what you wrote.
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Zeyterf Eyu, Asmara 10 Nov 2003
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Well, Isayas has been in the office more than 13 years as the state president. If the man leaves office now, it can be only good for him and for Eritrean people. I am disturbed by some people who think Isayas as an indispensable personality. This is equivalent to assume the country as barren country, and Isayas has been a guardan angel. I believe Eritreans are better than that , and we could have hundreds better than Isayas. who could do much better job than he is doing. Whatever is achieved in the liberation struggle is the collective effort of the people, not a single personality. So let the man go or let's push the man to go.
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Let's have the democracy. The dynamics of the Eritrean society will bring about much finer personalities to lead the country.
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Peace out
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Selam, Cape Town, South Africa 10 Nov 2003
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Dan, may be you are right! But the burning issue we have at hand is demarcation now! First thing first.
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Aman, Germany 10 Nov 2003
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Eritreans, please stop blaming Ethiopia for every bad thing that is happening in your country.
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Concerned Citizen, Germany 10 Nov 2003
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Dan, thank you. For those Eritreans who are living in the Fantasy world, you need to go visit Eritrea just for a few days and you will come down to Earth very quickly. Eritrea is under siege. Eritrea is not free yet. There's no sign of freedom. Eseyas controls and owns everything, in the name of Higdef of course. The economy is in shumbles; our people can't even feed themselves. If it wasn't for the diaspora Eritreans, our people would have starved to death. When a 4th grader "Wichu" second in power is literally running the country, it doesn't take much of an imagination to what kind of trouble that we're in.For those who're praising the dicatator, why don't we have a vote by asking the citzens inside Eritrea by asking a simple question do you want Eseyas to continue yes or no? Then we can see the results. Many people are writing in disguise, and writing under different names to show the support in this discussion are fooling themselves. We can't be fooled easily. The writing is on the wall, the time has come the dictator is sinking deep in a record time.
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Hadish, Germany 10 Nov 2003
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The truth will never be defeated, Mr. Dan you are the trusted and true friend of the Eritrean people. Eritrea is dying slowly but surely under the power dictator. In the past 30 years armed struggle, Isayas has been killing hundreds of democrats and anyone fret to his staying in power, Also. He was taking credit at the other heroes work.
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This dictator must be removed from power by any mean. In addition the majority of the Eritrean people do'n belive Isayas as their leader just waiting for the right moment.
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SAID SALIH, FROM CANADA 10 Nov 2003
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People on Eritrea and friends of Eritrea around the world are talking these days about border problem and for two years ago about the Reformers but nobody talks about the justice in Eritrea since we get Indepedent even Mr.DAN... How many persons does the Eritrean government send abroad for scholarship how many of them are Tigrenga?? Almost all of them... IS that the Etitrea all "ERITREA PEOPLE" died for?? since Eritrea get free a lot of people sent to jail, nobody talks about them. Anyhow I write this comment to remind my bro,sis that "ERITREA IS FOR ALL" and I give my voice to MR.DAN Connell that Mr president to leave the office.
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Eritrea of Justice, Sweden 10 Nov 2003
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Thank you Mr.Dan Connell for your valuable input in Eritrean Politics. Your critique about the government in Eritrea is timely and it reflects your scholar background at seeing things.I really appreciate your concern about the bad situation hammering the Eritrean People. Thanks to President Isayas, Eritrea is now a living hell to its own people. Freedom has become an alien word to the people who fought and bleeded to get it. The freedom in Eritrea at the moment is restrained to the level the world has failed to comprehend. There is no freedom of speech, no freedom of belief,no freedom of movement, no freedom of any kind in general. The government in Eritrea cannot justify the violations of Eritreans human rights by the fact that it has brought a politically sovereign Eritrea. The Eritrean People's struggle was originally for freedom. Independence was the means to achieve this end. It is time for the world to say enough following Mr. Dan's steps. I hope Mr. Dan Connell will stretch his hands as usual to help the Eritreans who are fighting for justice and freedom. Thank you
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Mussie, California, U.S.A 10 Nov 2003
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Dear participants of the debate,
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It is good and has moral obligation to discuss and argue about our country's politics. Currently I have got a strange feeling of asking myself "are we going to continue as a people having a country called Eritrea" If yes HOW? Our unity is getting degraded, we are not loving to each other, we lost our genuine culture of speaking out mainly because of its BAD consequence etc etc.
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This is due to the failure of our government to be as loyal as before on the one hand and continuous support to the government by those who don't know what is going on back home and beneficiaries of the existing political crisis on the other hand.
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"If there are million items that need freedom, none apply to Eritreans at the moment". Trust me, as I am from the heart of the nation a few months ago, we almost became a ship that lost its compass...WE ARE LOST AND WE NEED A CHANGE, WHAT EVER IT IS...Wolla sheitan yimrahana...
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I believe even a devil could be a better option at this point in time SO I STRONGLY SUPPORT Dan's demand for the retiring of our president soon and just before we erase the last piece of respect we have in our heart. PEACE AND STABILITY FOR ERITREA.
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Note to Eritreans in diaspora: Please don't be absolutely stupid, rather be responsible, in supporting or rejecting the nation's politics since you are the only part of the nation that own freedom to speak and write. Please don't abuse or misuse this right as it is the only means we have to get our compass back.
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Merhawi, South Africa 10 Nov 2003
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Who is Dan in the first place? He is a white man, who is paid by weyane to create a division between Eritreans. I am sure this is a ploy done by weyane. I don't think it is hard for weyane to do that when they bought with money our brother eritreans. I am not surprised Dan will hesitate to do that if he is paid, after all Eritrea is not his country. Weyane will try hard to do anything but it will fail. Mr Dan will regret one day when Eritra comes out against all odds. Eritrea will prevail with her strong leadership. God bless Eritrea.
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Menya Resom, St Paul, Minnesota 10 Nov 2003
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Thanks, Dan Connell, You are are 100% right.
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It is time for Issayas to leave the country. If he cares about the people and the country.
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Thank you, Issayas
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Aster Temesgen, San Jose 10 Nov 2003
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I should add a footnote to my earlier comment, a trivial question for Dan: Tom Kenneally: was offered an Eritrean citizenship by PIA. Tom rejected the compliment because Australia does not allow him to hold a dual-citizenship. As a dual-citizen myself, I know the US does not object. I would be surprised if the president, although he may not now, did not extend the same to you. If so, it goes to show that any attack on your nationality is, as the Ethiopian love to say now days, 'void and null'. They better consider that you may hold a dual-citizenship, with all the rights or lack of rights we have.
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Futsum, Pittsburgh, PA 10 Nov 2003
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When a long-time, dedicated friend of Eritrea, who I credit, while growing up in the Diaspora, with helping ignite the everlasting dream of Eritrea, independent, free and prosperous, that resides in me... and to this day invoked only when I remind myself Dan's three words, "Never Kneel Down", that hallmark symbol of Eritrean revolution and Eritrea's image translated and broadcasted by no other than Dan... and when my dream of Eritrea and dream of the vast majority increasing seems to vanish under the weight of not traitors or defeatists, but saboteurs, cronies and accomplices... WHAT does one do? The least one should do is same as Dan's, come-out: say enough and refuse to be an accomplice.
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Dan played a role in bringing about an independent Eritea and fortunately, unlike these who are labeled defeatist, and denied not only their human rights, but also their role or obligations to continue to cement that dream of Eritrea, Dan cannot be denied his role. While the accomplices only see the trees in the forest, Dan --may I add, like the majority of Eritreans -- sees the forest. These who dwell on the small issues, consciously or not, whether they like it or not will wake up to find that dream of Eritrea deceased. I congratulate Dan for refusing to be an accomplice of this destructive trend entrenched in Asmara.
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Sadly, let alone Dan, even those who tattooed the dream of Eritrea on their arm could never identify the wolf in the sheep's skin, until he undone his disguise; although the wolf displayed many incriminating hints. But the beginning chapter of democratic Eritrea is yet to be written and Dan, as he did with the ending chapter of free Eritrea, may be the one to write it. The dream is not a one-man dream and the tools to implement it can not and shall not be under the control and stewardship of a magician.
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I believe the solution to Eritrea's problems can only come from the Eritrean people. 'Trust the people', that is the only cure. Nothing should be tolerated less than freely gathered Eritrean farmers, Eritrean students, Eritreans workers, men and women, who freely elect their representative, freely elect ways and means of securing their liberty and freely elect on how to best ensure their sovereignty. Our wolf may squash every free-thinker, every do-gooder, who differs with him, but he can not squash the people; they differ with him too. Anyone who says otherwise, considering the dire situation Eritrea finds itself, can only be vindicated in the congress of the Eritrean people. Regardless of an individual's political persuasion, as long as Eritreans can not freely and peaceful agree or disagree and the people are not the arbiter, Eritrea will not begin to be democratic. We can also expect violent transitions to come. May the dream live and grow….
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Thank you Dan
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Futsum, Pittsburgh, PA 10 Nov 2003
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Would online politicians or opposition party work for Eritrea? The answer is an emphatic, NO! And regarding Dan C., I say who is speaking, and to whom? And does he deliver for Eritrea? I don't think so! This man or anyone who is talking negative of President Isaias cannot replace the Sahel-Badme lion with ruffians that can afford luxury and living in foreign lands.
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Dan is not a friend of Eritrea and I am glad that he is not welcome to the President's office or Isaias doesn't see him anymore. I, as an Eritrean, know very well, Dan or any other foreigner did nothing for me and Eritrea, and I can bet my life Dan was writing before and now self-serving statements; too bad he is mad because his friend Haile is in prison, but Eritrea is not Haile.
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Whether he likes it or not, Eritrea's interest comes first, and no matter who these ex-leaders are, Eritreans know what is good and bad for them. We don't [want] to hear [him] tell us that the government in Eritrea is our enemy because it is the other way around. Dan thanks, but no thanks. And for the Ethiopians who are trying to pass as Eritreans, it won't work. Eritrea will always prevail
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Eritrawi, Bay Area, California 10 Nov 2003
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Dan Connell, risking his life & comfort of the western world, has served as the only means of reliable source of information of the Eritrean armed struggle to the west, in the last 30 years.
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As loyal & good friend of the Eritrean people, his voice was the only loud & clear voice of reason & justice for the liberation & reconstruction of Eritrea, while the whole wide world was lending deaf ears to the Eritrea people's cry of misery, famine, mass destruction & jenocide by the Ethiopians.
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He should be honored & credited for his unflinching sympathy & support for the Eritrean people durning the last 30 years.
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Dan Connell, may disagree with the present policies of the Eritrean government, that does not necessarly make him the enemy of the Eritrean people.
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While Eritrea & Eritreans are grateful for his support & contribution to the Eritrean people's cause, many Eritreans would like to differ on his stand opposing the Eritrean government.
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I'm sure Dan Connell is aware of the many internal & external struggles & strifes the United States had go through, fighting for it's own independence against the British colonialist & restoring the unity of the new nation, waging American Civil war, against confederalists.
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Dan Connell, knows better about the enslavement of millions of Africans & encirclement & displacement of Japanese-Americans because of the World War II.
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Drafting many Americans into the military durning the wars in Vietnam & Combodia, (far east Asia), can be considered one of many violations of American civil liberties of the 1960s & 1970s.
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I'm confident Dan Connell knows, in many nations of the world, citizen's civil liberties has been suspended & curtailed during internal or external wars.
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Eritrea, as a victim of 30 years war of annhilation, genocide, destruction & displacment & as a struggling new nation under constant threat of Ethiopian aggression, does not have the luaxary, resources or the time to impliment all the civili liberities the Eritrean constitution.
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Therefore, practically safeguarding the liberty of Eritrea & defending it's territorial integrity from the constant threat & war of the sworn enemy of Eritrea & Eritreans, Ethiopia, takes precedence & priority to the implementing of the Eritrean consitution, simply because, when there's no Eritrea, there won't be Eritrean consititution or Eritrean civil liberty.
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In this case, I think, the Eritrean government is right on track than Dan Connell.
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Gerrie Lijam, San Jose, Ca. 10 Nov 2003
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Dan,
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You are a true friend of Eritrean people. I hope and pray Issias (risi Akat) will listen and retire soon. We fought for over thirty years for our independence and yet we are not independent people. There are very few independent thinkers in the Eritrean political landscape. Many intellectual Eritreans will die in silence despite the abuse of the Eritrean government. Dan has done a big favor for all of us. I hope others will follow Dan's footsteps in calling the resignation of the mad dog, Issiais. It is time this risi Akat retire.
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Yemane Yosief, Atlanta, Georgia 10 Nov 2003
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"History judges politicians."
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Let's talk about the future of Eritrea and Eritreans. If Isayas is to leave office right now are we ready for a better government? and who would that be?
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It is encouraging to see many Eritreans writing their grievances, no problem, I have mine too.
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Many Eritreans want a change. Let's not forget that there are changes for the best and a change for the worst. I hope ours would be a change for the best. A familiar answer would be nothing is worse than the status quo. Sure there is, anarchy and chaos.
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Berhan, Canada 9 Nov 2003
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Dan is a true friend of Eritrea, and his analysis is dead on accurate. I hope him speaking out will help others come forward, and give those who blindly worship Issayas to give a minute of pause. Eritrea had started out looking very bright, and I believe we still can have a bright future ahead of us. The dedication Eritreans have to the country is unquestionable, after all we did fight long and hard for it. It is a pity that Eritreans are polarized now. It used to be very common to see Eritreans sit around coffee and talk the politics of the nation, but now it is something people hesitate to do either because they want to avoid argument, or for those back home to avoid being arrested. Some Eri's need to pull the wool from over their eyes and look at the facts, we are proud but failure to admit failure is stupid. Issayas is failing our country, and as Dan said he needs to step down. Eritreans will come through this shining brightly again, if we can survive Isayas's mistakes and polarization.
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Ahmed , US 9 Nov 2003
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Dear Mr Dan,
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I read your infamous article posted on Asmarino. I know that you were a friend of the Eritrean people for long time. But why did you write such criticism at this critical time as there is no tomorrow? Why you didn't talk about the border problem at this time? At this time demarcation of the border is the most burning question to our people, not democracy.
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All your critic against the president is just a rumor that you heard it from your friends. Your article is based on some garbage rumors that you have collected from Adhanom Ghebremariam and Gedab news which is completely false. How dare could you say "Isaias forced Romedan to retire from the leadership altogether in the early 1990s". This allegation is false and you got it from Adhanom. At least you should have written a balanced article by interviewing both sides, the government and the so called "opposition"
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You mentioned about Musie too. What has Mussie to do here? Why do you have to go back 30 years?
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Mr. Dan, I am very disappointed by you and I don't have any respect left for you. Just hands off Eritrea and we don't need any foreigner to ignite a fire among Eriteans. We are able to solve our problems by ourselves and don't worry about out internal problems. Just stay neutral or just shut up.
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Haile Mehari, Canada 9 Nov 2003
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Mr.Dan Connell,
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You can teach us about Western values of hegemony, corporate dictatorship,in search of marketplace and profits at the expense of the powerless and poor people of the world. But I can teach you about Eritrean values, no matter that you can be a friend of Eritrea, Eritrea internal affairs are off limit to foreigners like you.
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Woldu Ghebreab, Sprigfield Va. 9 Nov 2003
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It is a futile exercise getting the opinion of some gruntled elements who are basically stooges of the Wayane. What matters for Eritrea and Eritreans is the Hafash, the ordinary masses who have Isayas deep in their heart. If leading a country with such honesty, humility, sacrifice and sense of direction is dictatorship, so be it. For most Eritreans, Isayas is is not comparable to any leader. He is unique and ours. Back Offff!
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Selas, Toronto, canada 9 Nov 2003
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Dan is way out of reality to criticize our leadership in this crucial time. He is acting like the G-15 or 17, how many ever they are or, should I say, were. I think he was expecting to spend as much time, with Isayas and friends, as he did during our strugle period, now that Eritrea is a free nation.
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Isayas is a head of state, for God's sake. He has more important affairs to accomplish, rather than like the old times sitting with Dan and sipping tea, while waiting the Selassie's and the Menghistu's terserawitoch appear from some where. In short he felt left out and opts to dish his comments to create friction amongst us.
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Well, my people, trust me, with out Isayas on the helm, our country will go back to be a colony of the south. Oh, God forbid. Under them again? Heck no. We want Eritrea to be as free as a bird for ever. We want an Eritrea which has the least illitracy in the continent. We want a prosperous and democratic Eritrea. We want an Eritrea which will be the envy of the other African nations. I bet we agree on those issues. The only argument we have here, how to go about it.
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Did it cross your minds, that in a process of democratizing our country (while our lands are not completely free), while our masses are not litrate enough to decide on what is democracy and on who is the best leader, we lose it for good? After all, one has to have a free nation (country) to demand a better life, a better health care, a nice job, a better education etc.
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Weren't all of us who visited our country prior to the woyane's short and jealous war, applouding and praising on how much progress the leadership undertook? I know, you are saying to yourselves....."yeah, I said that. Didn't I?". Well, the fact of woyane's attempt of distracting our leadership's agendas, are some of the tip of the iceberg on the obstacles our leadership is tackling now. Don't you believe, if we didn't have to go through what we are going through (concerning the woyanes) the progress could have been amazing? My people, let's give the benefit of the doubt to GoE (Isayas and friends) until the woyanes are off our backs. Then and only then should we start to criticize our leadership.
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PS, when I said Isayas is the only man who can keep Eritrea intact, I mean "our jeghanu troops and our people, under his leadership"
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And finally, I say, Democracy is not a thing which can be imported and forced upon. It only comes from with in, and only when the mass is educated, when the country is equipped with communications such as roads, telephones, TV, media and news papers which can reach the majority of the people in the cities, towns and villages. And PIA was doing just that beore they again put a huge log on his highway. So, let's unite and move the log and we will be cruising to progress and prosperity, in style.
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Yohannes, USA 9 Nov 2003
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It is good to talk but not for the sake of talking (if you don't convince them, confuse them) watch out, be careful and selective on what you see and hear for all that gliters is not gold. Keep asking for things that you think are not right and never kneel down for your rights, to individuals or groups for that is how strong, intact and democratic (government) community is built. Pointing finger at individuals harshly won't do us any good for there are other constractive ways of doing things (constructive criticism with optional and alternative ideas. The clock is ticking; speak loud for the sum of good words can make a sensible sentence that one can understand quickly.You politicians, speak the truth, only the truth without confusing the public, for this is the only way out from unnessary things happening to us all.
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We are loyal to our beloved country (ERITREA) and will remain loyal for ever.
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Haile, London 9 Nov 2003
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To Hagos; are you sure you are not from Tigray?
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Alem, Canada 9 Nov 2003
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A RESPECTFUL Criticism to Mr. Dan Connell:
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The piece you have written breathes a minute-long life span to those who desperately need a moral boost who are courageously fighting a cruel system in Eritrea. However, Mr. Dan, why wait this long!!!? But, why !!!? why !!!?
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You have talked about Mr. Issayas giving all sorts of clear signals in demolishing his critics systematically, however,intricate they had been and paving his road towards to what he has become now. All those signals in the mid-eighties (remember we have consumed almost 20 years and it is a long time. Mr. Connell, why silent back then before the Eritrean ordinary people that you have passion for ended up to this ugly mess!!!?
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Indirectly, you as a great, true friend, along with all those heroes that are in prison, or in exile have miserably failed the Eritrean masses. Because those who dared to speak out back then were systematically perished by the guns of Issayas and you, the sleepy lions and lioness fell asleep back then. What Eritreans dissent coming up as an excuse now is that, back then, we had the attitude of " meenti mogogo tehalif Anchuwa". What a failure !!! no visionary !!
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As if the Eritrean masses a) were not capable of performing multiple things at a time. Excuses were used to appease a shadowy Frankenstein's monster.
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Mr. Dan Connell, I can understand why you had to "hold off". However, you "held off" to protect the power, the privileged, because by extension, by befriending with powers, you became the privileged too in the process, you are a human being, you tended to forget the ordinary Mrs. Fana, and her likes, who respectfully used to receive you and cooked you cofee, the Eritrean traditional way. Remember mama Fana, in your own book !?
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Mr. Dan, I have no animosity towards you. However, you must also admit to your conscience, that you have failed the masses miserably since you had had better position and experience to pin-point dictators in the coming than any Eritrean at the time. Eritreans were absolutely blinded with emotions, anger, passion and compassion during that struggle. You may not have had an Eritrean listener back then if you had dared to, however, you would have remained clean consciously.
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Always, remain with the Poor, the masses, the Uniques, not the powerful, the cruel, the untrustworthy.
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Let people like Mrs. Fana say, dynamic Dan Connell failed us, but we forgive him, for we are eternally grateful for his support, sacrifice and passion + compassion.
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May Dan Connell become an aggressive fighter alongside with the ordinary masses of Eritrea and African people who are now languishing with all sorts of dictators.
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Zebib Tekle, CA, USA 9 Nov 2003
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I applaud Dan Connell's ability to call a spade a spade. It seems as if he is indicating that his years in support of Issayas have all been a big waste of time. The end of Isayas is a matter of time. Those who blindly echo his madness will be held accountable. It is time that Isayas step down and we get a government in Eritrea who will learn to live peacfully with itself and neighbors.
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Lastly, I urge all my Eritrean brothers and sisters to wash and bleach from their psyche the hatred we have developed to our Ethiopian brothers and sisters. Having once been brainwashed myself, I will not be brazen enough to question why we have become so hateful. I came to realize that Shabia has taught us that in order to like ourselves we need to hate and look down on our own brothers and sisters in Ethiopia and Tigray in particular.
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I once hated my long life Tigrayan brothers and sisters because I refused to open my eyes. Now I realize that I was a tool used by Isayas for him to retain his power. Weyane and Shabia are not Eritrea and Tigray. We are brothers and sisters by blood and marrige. Stop the hate and let us live amicably with one another. Especially as everyone of you knows we are more family than not. At the same time, Ethiopia must accept that we are different countries. Just like the British accepted the United States being independent, Ethiopians must accept our independence. It does not mean we are not brothers and sisters. Just like you must accept that we are independent, we can not deny we are tied by blood.
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Thanks.
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Long live the peoples of Eritrea and Ethiopia in peace
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Hagos, Washington, DC 9 Nov 2003
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Rather than focusing on the failures of the leadership of both Eritrea and Ethiopia, I would like to bring attention to the root cause of instability in the whole horn of Africa.
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Like Prof. Isahak mentioned previously, problems that previously could have been addressed through the wisdom and fear of God of the elders, have turned to be unnegotiable because of the influence of the Marxist-Lenninst ideology in the region. People who have been brainwashed by this ideology have rejected the traditional values of their elders: politeness, fear of God/Allah, genuine respect for others, hospitality, humbleness...etc. For them these values are archaic and a sign of lack of education. They would rather resort to solve all problems through violent means and their arrogance and the so-called "pride".
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I don't know if there is any silver bullet to address the instability of the region, as a first step we should have genuinely elected leadership, rule of law, separation of powers (executive, legislative,and judiciary), respect for minority rights, freedom of press and a constitution that represents all segments of the population.
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Hagos Tecle, Canada 9 Nov 2003
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I do not believe that Dan's loyalty or support has changed or will change, for that matter. I believe he was in Eritrea a couple of weeks ago and will return very soon. He is part of the dialogue. I believe we should candidly debate issues in constructive spirit while we also address the issue of sovereignty and our nation's survival under the current circumstances that could dash our existence. Dan will always be Dan. That is, he will say it the way he sees it. I respect the man, because he has uttered love for the country, but I see things differently, and not completely differently.
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Eritrea's priorities should be recognized by all of us, and we should keep supporting the nation when it comes to preserving its freedom and the well being of its people, and Eritreans should continue to debate objectively without attacking and blackmailing each other. I am of an age that can recall excessive debate and at times our violent past in the 60's, 70's and early 80's. We have a culture of plurality and openness. I do not have a problem with opposition groups/parties. What is making me uneasy is their relationship to the Ethiopian regime that is trying to undermine the nation of Eritrea.
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So lets deal with the most urgent matter of supporting the nation of Eritrea who is doing its best to finalize the demarcation of the border with Ethiopia, because if this does not happen very soon, our debate for a better Eritrea means nothing. I believe all these democratic nations went through the process of debate and struggle before they were where they are now. They all rallied under their flag when their nations' survival was at stake. I do think for the most part Eritreans did the same, and we should continue to address the issue of having a strong Eritrea and having a democratic Eritrea separately, because no matter what we need a strong Eritrea that is capable of defending the nation, but we also want an Eritrea that respects the aspirations of its people. We really need to have the balance; otherwise I am afraid that we are losing the picture.
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John Kidane, Philadelphia, PA 9 Nov 2003
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Dan, you are a true friend of the Eritrean people and thank you for speaking out. Issayas has been a leader for over 30 years. He led EPLF since inception. He couldn't see himself as a commoner. Anybody who cares for Eritrea and its people should advise him to relinquish power. Especially the superpowers should encourage him to leave the country like they did to Mengistu.
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The more Issayas stays, the more Eritrea will sink into the abyss. So, for Eritrea to be saved, Issayas must go. It is a prerequisite.
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As a first step though, We should push him to free all political prisoners without any condition.
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Ghebre, Alberta, Canada 9 Nov 2003
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At a peril of intellectualizing the seemingly dynamic cinematic flow of the Eritrean revolution, let me para-phrase Voltaire's famous dictum pertaining to God/religion, "If Issaias didn't exist, it would have been imperative to invent him". I passionately believe that, as much as Germany and Yugoslavia needed Otto Von Bismarck and Marshall Tito respectively, Eritrea needs Issaias for the cohesivenss of its unity. My assertion may sound a bit melodramatic or hyperbolic but who else can we think of with a potential to unify the country? Nobody. As far as Mr. Dan Connell's villification of Issaias in undermining his comrade-in-arms for the sole craving for power, it is the nature of the game otherwise known as real-politik. Yea, politic with the "k".
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"If a crime is committed for the preservation of a country it is a glorious crime" (Niccolo Machiavelli)
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Adonai, Toronto, Canada 9 Nov 2003
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Why does this Dan who calls himself friend of Eritrea write about our President, who the majority of Eritreans support? Shouldn't he be writing about the fact Ethiopia rejected the border ruling? Our President kept his word, a truthful man; Ethiopia's Meles didn't. Shouldn't a so-called friend come to help friend when a friend needs them? Dan, no real Eritrean would believe what you wrote, it looks fishy, very fishy. How is it that you write this faked story at this time? Right when Ethiopia rejected the border ruling? Many asked this question, but no answer from you. Are you sure you are friend of Eritrea? Our LEADER NEVER LIED TO US. If anything he is too honest. Our president never took money from the people, like other countries in Africa, I can name a few, but then they are not countries, they are just puppets of the West, where they rob them of their natural resources...Dan stay away! you are not fit to write about Eri. This is our country, not yours. Who is behind this forum anyway, don't we have other 50 countries in Africa, why pick on us? why now?....
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janitorial, jax 9 Nov 2003
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It is about timing...
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Dear Sirs:
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As many Eritreans, friends of Eritrea, scholars in academia and fellow students have done, I have read the works of Mr. Connell on Eritrea and the Eritrean struggle. What amazed me and perplexed to the core was Dan’s total dedication to studying the liberation struggle. His personal sacrifices and all taken into consideration Dan has been a true believer of the Eritrean struggle. However thus said, I am deeply disappointed with the timing of his current article, no matter how valid it might be to the core. He made clear and concise points that are facing Eritrea internally without taking into due consideration to the predicaments that the external problems have befallen on Eritrean sociopolitical structure, vis-à vis Ethiopia.
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Yes, Eritrea is in extremely dire situation, politically, socially, economically, you name it. But most of all its sovereignty is under attack. Its sole existence as a nation and its being. What matters the most at this point in time for me and many other Eritreans, however limited or however numerous we might be in number, is this juncture in Eritrean history when we are hopelessly waiting for the border demarcation and eventual recognition of this boundary by friend or foe. What now? Shall we turn our back to the current external problem and deal with the internal one while Ethiopia is ready to claim its war trophy. I think not. The Amhara have a saying “benqirt lay joro degif” meaning a “strained neck on top of a goiter.” We have a problem here. This nation can only be helped to escape its current predicament if it deals with its external problem collectively then deal with its internal problems again collectively.
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B.K., Canada 9 Nov 2003
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Our president of Eritrea is hero. Eritrea has very good leaders. Our enemies are: weyane, Eritreans in Gonder and Addis Abeba. God bless our leaders and our land.
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Mesfin, Rotterdam, Holland 9 Nov 2003
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Mr. Connell has posed a timely critique. Indeed the path that Issayas has taken is obviously that of dictatorship, and we need no further verification on that as far as what he has done is taken into consideration. He must step down before the ordinary dictatorship turns into extraordinary dictatorship. DAY AFTER DAY THINGS ARE GOING TERRIBLY WRONG .
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Linda, RSA 9 Nov 2003
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The people of Eritrea had enough! It is time for Iseyas and his group to disappear. They have done a lot of damage to the country and people. Some of the damages are irreparable!
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Practically everybody in Eritrea hates the system. Those who pretend that everything is OK are, sorry to say, liars and have some minor material interests to guard. They will repent soon. Iseyas shall go by hook or by crook, this he must realize. He has very little time left and I advise him to hand over the power to the owners "peacefully" - The Eritrean People. Failing to do so will be humiliating and disastrous for him and his group. Yiaekl! Yiaekl! Learn of the humiliating end of all former dictators!
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Ashebr, Sweden 9 Nov 2003
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Issay's started destroying Eritrea and Eritreans right after independence. Instead of reconcilliation he chose confrontation. He suspended Erirean heros because they spoke their mind because of his misguided policies and arrogant street talk. To make matters worse, he engineered War with all our neighbours. A young nation with no resources and coming out of over 30 years of brutal war needs peace and good neighbourly relations. Instead he chose war and brought destruction to Eritrea and young and innocent Eritreans were massacred in tens of thousands. Not only this, he suspended the 1997 constitution, detained his long time liberation fighters in his torture chambers. Isays has to go, by any means necssary.
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Azmatch, Toronto 9 Nov 2003
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Dan was nothing but one of those whites folks who doesn't care about black peoples, he puts fire with two brotherly countries to fight, and I don't understand why it took him so long to expose Isiase; by any standard Ethiopia is much better than Eritrea, I really don't know why he was supporting Eritrea when he knew that we don't have any resource, he was the one exaggerating our revolution and other Eritreanism with nothing but a lie. Now because he couldn't share the profit with Issias with his misleading outlook, he told us no longer support him, who cares whether he supported or not, we as a peoples, we will find a way out.
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So long
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Kiros, DC 9 Nov 2003
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It is about time that good people like Dan came out and spoke. His silence over the years has not helped. Neverthless, we Eritreans appreciate this honest and constructive input.
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Eritreans in the Diaspora today are starting to give up on the hope and dreams they have. Without dreams and hopes what is Freedom? It is the dreams of a Free, equal and just Eritrea that made the 91-97 years and the years of struggle the best years for Eritrea. It defined our existence. Now that we have the Freedom without the equality and justice we are soul searching and the dreams are gone. Without the dreams - we are lost souls wondering the foreign land. The following poem by Langston Hughes speaks volumes to me.
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Hold fast to dreams
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For if dreams die
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life is a broken-winged bird
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that can not fly
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Hold fast to dreams
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For when deams go
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life is a barren field
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frozen with snow
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In our euphoria to idolize our leaders (and Dan has helped a lot in this) we forgot to hold fast to our dreams.
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So, what now? What should Eritrea do? The solution is glaringly simple - it can also be found in another poem of Langston Hughes; don't wait for it to "stink like rotten meat" - men of good will please speak up!
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I take the liberty here to quote the second poem of Langston Hughes.
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Harlem: A dream deferred.
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What happens to a dream deferred?
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Does it dry up
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like a raisin in the sun
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or fester like a sore -
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And then run?
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Does it stink like a rotten meat?
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or crust and sugar over -
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like a syrupy sweet?
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May be it just sags
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like heavy load
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or does it explode?
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Thanks for AllAfrica for this opportunity.
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Tesfaledet Berhe, Stillwater, OK 9 Nov 2003
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Dan as always is right on his analysis. It does not bode well for Eritrea that it is losing friends faster than its is making them, if it is making any.
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On the other hand, there is genuine risk of the very survival of the Eritrean state at this juncture, mostly of Issayas's making. The Question now is, how do you save Eritrea while ridding her of the ways of the present leadership? How do you save Eritrea from its neighbours who have genuine interest in its demise/weakening while developing it as a genuine democracy. That is the issue that has me scratching my head. Agreeing with Dan is the easiest part of the puzzle.
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Berhane, USA 9 Nov 2003
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Now that we have unequivocally established the danger that this regime poses to Eritrea, the question is what are we going to do about it? What happened to our yearning for justice, democracy and freedom? How can we allow this menace to linger this long? Is this what we fought for, what independence is supposed to mean? Dear Eritrean, your survival is at stake, stop blaming others for a problem that's staring you right in the eye. Do something or your country will be done with. And do it now, not tomorrow.
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MESFUN, USA 9 Nov 2003
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Meles and Isayas have to leave the power. Since they took the power, the country became the field of war, many lives lost, poverty, more disease and starvations. They don't care for their people, they want to stay on power and play the game of war and kill innocent people. Both of them have to go. I'm tired and sick to hear about war... those innocent people need to breathe the peace and love. [We need to get] rid of Meles and Isayas and see the future of Ethiopia and Eritria friendship and love.
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Shinke Wato, Apple valley,MN U.S.A 9 Nov 2003
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I read and understand the overall view of Dan Connell and it is the outcome of the long and intensive observations and analysis that came to the conclusion; the president has to give a chance to others and implement the basic constitution.
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We Eritreans have to think a long strategic security and development rather than a current one-party rule which is highly programmed on one-man rule. Even though I have some reservations on Prof. Christopher Clapham's latest comment, to deal with [the] national interest of Eritrea is the best way. I hope we have to come one day to the area where rights and peace existed.
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ghirmyasolo, united states 9 Nov 2003
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Comrade turn Adversary and Adversary turn Comrade, that's politics. It's a very dirty game. Eritrea and Issayas are not the first or the last of the political turmoil. It's unfortunate to see [this]happening in Eritrea. These too will pass and time will prevail whether Issayas is a hero or a mass murderer.
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Abraha Mehretaab, New York, New York 9 Nov 2003
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What a great and on-time research had Dan. Nice comment. A friend in need is a friend indeed. But I don't know how and when our president is going to take such a step or else do some change. It is only a matter of time, I think. And meanwhile let us pray to God for he can safe us from any bad thing that can happen. Let us work together united as usual to fight the enemy now (the enemy now is the one who is rejecting the peace agreement)-yeah, the Weyane.
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VICTORY TO THE MASSES
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ZELALEMAWI ZIKRI NSEMA'ATAT
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Degen, London 9 Nov 2003
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Mr. Connell's piece is a long overdue paper. It's a well articulated analysis of the past, present and the future. I hope that it's a tip of the iceberg and other scholars and well-known personalities will follow the step.
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To the die-hard PFDJ supproters - Is Mr. Connell a traitor or a woyane agent? Did he earn a brownie points in your black list yet?
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Cheers,
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Aman, Toronto, Canada 9 Nov 2003
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I am friend of many Eritreans because they are my brothers/sisters but I am a proud Ethiopian-American. I am very tired of hearing "Ethiopia and Eritrea have crap government" - we as border-living people need to do something about it! I KINDA agree with one of the comments made by this person saying "Issayas and his friend Meles of Ethiopia are children of Sadam who are alive. They were trained by him. They know one thing. They came to power by force and can only be forced out of power by FORCE. Presidency by vote is not in their vocabulary." Surely they got their power by force, but we still should pray to God for their leadership. Come on Africans, we need to pray because...God is way better and bigger than Meles or Issias!
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Thank you and God bless Ethiopian and Eritrean people!
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Allen Thompson, La Crescent MN 8 Nov 2003
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When a government becomes a menace to its own people, yet due to our loyalty to our country, people and blood, the people do nothing but groan in hushed tones, we have to know something is horribly wrong! When I talk to fellow Eritreans and dread to bring up politics as a regular part of our country's evolution, because I don't know "whose side they're on," this is wrong. There has to be a difference between loyalty and blind devotion.
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I am loyal to Eritrea, not to any one man....ever! Even to a man that has brought us to independence, but not into independence. When any man cannot listen to critics, let alone punish critics - not traitors, but people speaking their mind for the betterment of Eritrea, right or wrong - start to worry. I speak from the comfort of being a first generation Canadian, being in a country where contempt for national politicians is a national pastime. Time will tell all in this case, but time and history are on our side....
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Andreas Tesfaye, Yellowknife, NWT, Canada 8 Nov 2003
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Issayas and his friend Meles of Ethiopia are children of Sadam who are alive. They were trained by him. They know one thing. They came to power by force and can only be forced out of power by FORCE. Presidency by vote is not in their vocabulary.
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Thank you for reading.
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Adnew Zegeye, Kansas city, KS 8 Nov 2003
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I have had the privilege of visiting Eritrea and learning much about the people during a military mission with the United Nations. The progress that Mr Connell talks about (road system, electricity, etc) is in jeopardy of being turned back by the scars of war if Isaias is not removed peacefully. The people of Eritrea are extremely smart and even more so, they are tough. They are also patient. They will wait to let politics take their course, but there will be a time when "enough is enough" and they will reclaim the rights they deserve and have fought so many years for.
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I have witnessed much of the cruelty of Isaias' dictator-type leadership. I saw the fear in the young men and women who never knew when they would be forced into national service, and have spoken to the adults who were jailed and threatened by his government.
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Six years is too long to wait for a constitutional government. I pray for the people of Eritrea. I pray that someday they will have their freedom and liberty without the need of any more bloodshed. Unfortunately the history of the region is against them.
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Jay Benson, San Diego, CA 8 Nov 2003
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Eritrea's revolution is not dead. It is Isaias that is on life support. Eritreans still have the spirit, just not the right body in government. Time has come for Isaias to go. We don't like to speak against our own kin, but enough is enough.
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Tesfab Sahle, United States 8 Nov 2003
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First I must thank Mr. Dan for being a friend of Eritrea, now and before. He is a rare jewel to us, the grateful Eritreans. To answer your question, why has Isaias Afwerki taken this course? Dan has a quote from Isaias that sums up the root of his reaction "When I am challenged, I become more stubborn - more and more rigid. I'm very emotional."
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You see, Isaias knows he failed us during the 1998 war. His colleagues; our heroes like Haile "DruE" Woldetensae knew it as well. When they tried to intervene to stop the bleeding, Isaias went ballistic. He is stubbornly; determined not to admit his failures and allow others to take over. He has arrested those who dare to crisis. He is destroying Eritrea; a country which would not have been realised if it wasn't for a heroic struggle by himself and the ones he is calling defeatist now. Isaias' crackdown was initiated to hide his failures; ironically though it has, in fact, helped to highlight his failures even worse.
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Like I said before, we Eritreans, the majority of us anyways, are grateful people. We would have found a way to forgive Isaias had he not resolved to such a heavy-handed approach to hide his failures; he still has a chance to do the right thing. Give us back our country; release our heroes from jail. That is the only way Isaias or the whole Sheabia organization could regain back our trust and help Eritrea in the process.
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The Diaspora Eritreans have been his loudest and consistence critics; unfortunately, though, he has given us the deaf ear. Personally I think change will come to Eritrea if only the army that liberated us decides to react on our behalf once again. They are the only one who could demand or convince Isaias to do the right thing. I hope they will wake up before it's too late for our beloved Eritrea.
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Awet, Canada 8 Nov 2003
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Dan Connell has been a friend to Eritrea for many years and he has contributed so much for Eritrea and its people. As an Eritrean, I always remember Dan as a friend of the people and the country. I respect his opinion but he sounds like he made only few friends in Eritrea by betraying the people of Eritrea. I challenge Mr.Connell to find such good leaders like Issayas of Eritrea.
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Eritreans, as you have known a great deal, are not pro-individuals but loyal to their country. Especially, during the time when our sovereignty is at stake with war-mongers, Ethiopia. Eritrean people made up their minds about traitors in their country, not Issayas. As Eritrean, I am proud of my president's performance toward the country and Eritrea's progression politically, economically and socially. Eritrea has a jail for all traitors, even for the president of Eritrea if he committed such thing. Eritreans are more concerned about the people and the country and not individuals, who are seen as power-hungry in general.
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God Bless Eritrea.
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Bereket Andebrhan, Columbus, Ohio 7 Nov 2003
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