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Ethiopia: Foreign Strategy And National Security in Tatters?
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The Reporter (Addis Ababa)
OPINION
27 October 2007
Posted to the web 29 October 2007
Polemic Ethiopicus
October 18, 2007 the Public Diplomacy and Public Relations Department by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its statement made public that "the most urgent matters between" the Ethiopian and Eritrean parties "are the restoration of the TSZ,
the removal of the restrictions placed by Eritrea on UMMEE and full compliance with the provisions of the Agreement of Cessation of Hostilities. "It further states that there can not be any form of demarcation; neither "virtual" - demarcation on paper - nor any other kind.
Well, anyone reading this statement expects that concerned government instructions will staunchly exercise their obligations in making the above-mentioned "urgent matters" get restored. However, don't get surprised if some institutions might resort to practice just the reverse.
For example, just a few days after the above mentioned statement was made public, official news outlets reported that over 800 refuges from Eritrea have crossed the border recently and, unlike previous times, gotten permission to travel to their acquaintances residing in this country.
Hard to imagine how this kind of unilateral gesture ever will resolve the matter and bring about cessation of hostilities? Neither is it clear whether it doesn't addup internal insecurity; considering Eritrea's reputation of involvement with jihadists, janjhaweeds, etc. . . Well, do such practices happen everywhere or only in Ethiopia?
If such practices are to continue unchecked it becomes very clear which direction the wheels are about to turn. It is also clear what kind of excesses are to follow.
Soon after musing over this piece of 'development', a report aired by ETV quoted a prominent person working with an international organization over goiter prevention as saying iodized-salt is found in Eriterea and efforts are under way to introduce it to Ethiopia.
This really is a new development. Surely the issue discussed here is not of the appropriate means of goiter prevention. The issue raised is that of making Ethiopian choose either to live with their goiter, or accept iodized-salt coming only from Eritrea despite it being manufactured here.
It seems international organizations, even those not under the Security Council, are simultaneously flexing their muscles.
Well, don't even presume this is some kind of mistake, minister-pretation or misjudgment. It is a timely default by design. All the more so as no head, vice, .. of a recognized international organization would ever dare to design such a work outline, not spell it out to our face, unless and otherwise he has got undeniable "go ahead" or "go aheads"! Who or what promoted him to do just that? Is it because this is Africa? I leave it to you to figure it out.
No matter whether this person will come up with sufficient reason(s) justifying his and/or, the organization's outline or not, I just want readers to note one thing - the wheels already have started to turn towards undesirable directions.
One might wonder which event instigated or encouraged such odd measures to be taken. Some might argue that the very institution that permitted Eritrean asylum seekers to brood around is the one.
Anyway, what is the big deal in trying to find out which one came first and which one followed? That is, but a nasty was of deflecting the issue at point; the same nasty game practiced over and over again to delude the public. Unless countered soon, be sure to witness more horrific consequences.
For now, let us wonder over what shall remain after all the theatrics is played through; played, regretfully, even by those without knowledge on the matter. For good or for worse, .. full compliance with the provisions of the Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities" this time around is for sure gone. Surely, some free brooding Eritrean refugees are being introduced; guys, with - lord knows - some king of special trainings; either is Sawa, Darfur or even in the caves of Thora-Bora.
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But as to what concerns the simple Ethiopian national, what remains is another bewildering, tortuous life full of suspense and risk.
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