What happened at Hawzen was a tragedy but I do not believe the Ethiopian Airforce Pilots deserve sole responsibility. TPLF gave out intelligence indicating that its officials were going to meet at the Hawzen market and they made sure that it was picked up by the DERG intelligence at the same time TPLF had given indication to the public that they were going to distribute food aid on that day which of course brought out the unsuspecting residents in large numbers. The TPLF clearly knew what was going to happen and instead of telling the people to move to safety they set up their video cameras so that they can use the gruesome images for their propagand. The brutal DERG regime (specifically the party leadership) clearly bares responsibility for what happened at Hawzen but the TPLF which set up the whole tragedy has a serious case to answer.

The Ethiopian Airforce pilots did as they were told under pressure from the DERG command. What people need to understand is that these were highly professional pilots who joinded the airforce inorder to serve their country and for what its worth some of them were not even party members. TPLF has always had a grudge against the former Ethiopian airforce pilots since they were responsible for doing the most damge to the TPLF force and this sentencing is nothing but an act of revenge.

Throughout history, the most honorable way to serve ones country has always been to join the armed forces and sacrifice ones life to defend ones country. Unfortnately thanks to the erratic leadership we have had throughout our history patriotic Ethiopians have not been able to serve their country without being forcibly dragged into the dirty and violent political games our leaders play and bearing the brunt of the incoming regime. The case of this Ethiopian Airforce pilots is a clear example of this. Blaming pilots who were merely following orders for crimes that were orchestrated by the TPLF and carried out by the order of the DERG politiburo is insulting the intelligence of Ethiopians and dishonoring the memory of the innocent people who died on that fateful day. I pray that a day will come when Meles Zenawi (and not mere slodiers carrying out his orders) will be held accountable for the Anuak and Ogaden Massacers. Long live Ethiopia! Long live my fellow Ethiopians!

blaming TPLF for what happend in Hawzen is realy the indication of hate in the Tigray people,realy shameful. Those inoccent people were killed by Ethiopian Airforce air strike bombs...instead of talking much about the people the writter was concerned about the "inocence" of the Airforce....eventhough it was an order from the Derg officials the Airforce members did it accepting willingly..It was not new for Ethiopian Airforce to to kill people... ..Temben,Marsa,Sekota,........it was not new for Derg to kill people -Red terror ,white Terror... so those who involved in such crime should be punished. the paradox is when yyou talk about the criminal act of TPLF in oromia region,you explained that as it was crime,But when you explain about Derg Airforce you said that "It was an order ...what coul they do.....?!?!?!?,realy shamefull

I have nothing to say but repeat the words of the initial writer.the truth is that the verdicts to the criminal charges must be shared by both the TPLF leadership and the DERG officials.I believe that the criminal intent was in th eminds of the TPLF leaders who masterminded the dramatic inhuman act against Howzen people. Time will come and tell.

You are trying to tell as the inocence of DERG ?? realy it is shamefull......the slogan of Derg/Mengistu was "To kill the fish ,first wipe out the ocean"....No one forgets Derg's Red Terror .....not less than 50,000 were killed on the streets......In 1980 TPLF need no drama. TPLF durring 1980's was in a atrong army stand..well equiped ..that is why in short period of time(less than three years after the event of Hawzen) that took power by eliminating Derg. DERG officials are responsible..it was their Airforce who participated for all air raids that killed thousands in an open market in 1980 in Tigray -Hawzen,unless you say that TPLF had Airforce!!....what can you say about other strikes that killed hundreds of inocent people like,Marsa,Temben,Hamosit,....??????