[DEHAI] Hard copy of Our Struggle

TS81@AOL.COM
Sun, 28 Sep 1997 08:37:21 -0400 (EDT)

Selam Berhan and Dehai,

You really got me this time - the busiest time of the year for me. I really
don't have the time and energy to discuss this issue any more. But I really
advise you to learn a lot more before you become a historian of our struggle.

Your latest post made me realize that you were not ELF tegadalay, and that
you are totally ignorant of some of the events in our history. By trying to
give the "Hard copy of Our Struggle", you just jumped from the frying pan
into the fire.

Wahyo, my friend, was not within the ELA (Eritrean Liberation Army). Wahyo
was a civilian clandestine organization designed to disintigrate the
structure of ELF mass organization in Kebesa (the Higlands -mainly Christian
population) and to destroy the reputation of ELA (ELF army) by painting it as
Ama Haradit ( for those who donnow Ama comes from Arabic name of former ELF
leadership , prior to 1971, Kiada'l Ama or General Command. And Haradit
means one who murders with a knife). This message carried heavy religious
undertone - a deliberate tactic to arouse negative sentiments withn
Christians Highlanders against Jebha ( ELF ). Wahyo run backdoor activities,
secretly brainstorming youngesters, and women who were forbidden by their
husbands to participate in political and organizational meetings conducted by
ELF cadres. Meanwhile, ELF tegadalai was urging his leaders to conduct
negotiatins for unity with EPLF.

Wahyo was one of the biggest mistakes by Shabia. It completely turned off
the ELF fighters against itself, especially the new comers who sympatized
Esayas and his cause for being the victim of the corrupt ELF leadership of
Kiada'l Ama.

When some ELF fighters went to visit thier familis and relatives in Kebesa
(highlands), they were encountered with hostility. They were told they were
murderers of their own brothers the Christians- shock after shock and after
shock. The purpose was to demoralize and humiliate the ELF fighters, and
therefore make them be repelled by the masses, and especially by the
Christian highlanders. There were even songs like, "Tegadalai Ama tebatai
mantile tanki intereaye nyeman zelele" and expressions such as "Amas
Tharedmber aitfereden" The result was ELA fighters became more loyal to
their organization. Political leaders such as, Hrui Tedla Bairu, Isayas
Afewerki, and Abdellah Idris, all underestimated the integrity of this army.

And then, you tripped by your following statements; "However, to my surprise,
you all "believe" any Moslem questioning/opposing the government is either
Jihad, Abdella Idris, Turabi's or Arab supporter. For god's sake, we are
born free and live and enjoy the freedom and democracy as anyone else. I
think this stereo type thinking of Moslem Eritreans must end (Latest Fesaha's
comment on Ismael)." What do you mean you all believe? Don't you think you
are making a blind accusation by your naive and irresposible generalizations?
You just want to play a victim. And as far as I am concerned, you are not
deffending Ismail. Can't you see you are being a hypocrite? Ismail doesn't
need your deffence. He does not play a victim. He is a man of integrity.
Even those who hate his guts have a lot of respect for him.

However I agree with you 100% on your following statements. "Labelling
someone based on statement, it is rejected. I can agree or disagree with
anyone, not as a political group but as an independent Eritrean national. I
hate to be labelled as a supporter of one or the other. Dehai must be a
vehicle for an open discussion and not labelling. ...If we are prepared to
co-exist, we need to respect one another, otherwise, the future will be
different for our kids. Check Dehai archive with all previous accusations
(Either Jihad, Abdella Idris, Turabi and/or Arab for any Moslim
opposing/disagreeing with the government, including the latest slogan
"Eritrea is a Christian nation"). How about if a Christian Eritrean opposing
the government? I am sure he/she can not be Jihad or Abdella Idris, Turabi
or even Arab? what would you call him/her????"

I personally didn't label you as belonging to any particular group, and if
you did I wouldn't care. I love my freedom very very very much, and
therefore I respect others freedoms.

Peace and Freedom!!

Debesai Solomon.

In a message dated 97-09-26 10:36:41 EDT, you write:

<<
Merhaba Paulos, Debesai, Said, Yekaalo and Dehai

Waw no more question???

I understand the anger and misinterpretation of my September the birth of
Eritrean Struggle with "Paulos, Debesai and Said". Paulos I didn't get your
message (probably you didn't hit the send message hard, it didn't reseach
Australia). But I read it from Debesai's message. Anyhow, I have evidence to
proof my accusation of "the Trojan horse" of EPLF in to ELFranks. I am not
stating Abdella Idris's statement but the whole Jebha's declaration for that
matter. I am free from any political pressure and I am neutral and I like to
remain neutral.

Paulos, Debesai and Said, I am sure you are all Jebhawian and you will
remember some of my evidence.

The following are my evidence for the EPLA infiltration to ELA:

1 Our famous Eritrean singer Berekhet Mengestab in (!978/9) with his song
"Wahio neyo bela Wahio hushukshuk Eyu Amela": This is infact before "Woge
Adhet and even before Abdella Idris" We all know what this mean in those
days ? If I call it "Trojan horse or Wahio" it is the same. I don't think
Abdella Idris was even aware of it. The infiltration of EPLF started in 1978
- 79 within ELF rank. It was so clear that these songs were sending message
to all ELF members to defend and be aware on the issue of EPLF movement.

There was also other evidence revealed on Tzehaitu's song "Gual selfi
Nazienet Genbar Kab Tzegebet kenderema ena wela ente sahabet" and also Mr
Nugusie Haile Mensai (Jabha's announcer on Kefli Bahli) time and time again
he was calling upon members of ELF to be aware of the intrigues and
mischievous character of EPLF and not to give any chance for infiltration.

2. Lately the famous EPLF's military commander Mr Sulienman Hindi, who is
residing in London. He is now writing his life experience with EPLF and the
Eritrean revolution in general. He demonstrated that how EPLF was
infiltrating with all the rival organisations, not only ELF. (Sulienman
Hindi life experience as a military commander has being published three
times in the Voice of Eritrea news paper, in Arabic).

Sulieman Hindi in one of his statment said " Within EPLF there were two
groups called "Tahisha and Sendeg". This two groups linked with the EPLF
leadership. They were appointed to infiltrated within the rank of ELF (for
more details Voice of Eritrea issue #5,6 and 7).

If you people recall the story of "Anbibka Ahlef letter" is one of the
classical example.

3. Many of the ELF senior cadres after independence in 1991, confirmed that
they were EPLF agents. This is nothing to do with the ELA and cadres.
However, they were selected individuals within the ELF rank. For Example:
within the security, transport, economy and mass organisation.

Unfortunately the internal conflict of ELF overshadowed the measure
confrontation with EPLF. Both Mel'aka and Abdella were leaders of ELF. They
have their own contradictions and both were against EPLF. The accusation of
EPLA infiltration was an official ELF leadership statement. But not Abdella
Idris's. Please don't mix the stand of ELF against EPLF, with the internal
conflict between ELF leadership. No need to discuss or to uncover the
details related to personality problems and leadership of the ELF. The only
responsible body for this mess is the ELF leadership and not the ELA, the
cadres or even the ordinary ELF members.

Melake is our hero and he will remain hero. Melake was murdered with
unhuman and not revolutionary. We should not use him as an emotional
weapon. There are also other heros such as Dr Fitzum Gebreselasie, Welde
Dawit Temesgen, Idris Hangella, Said Saleh, Haile Garza, Mohamed Hamid
(Timsah) etc their case to be investigated. We are not a sectarian or tribal
group, we are just defending the right ofour history. I am happy to openly
discuss and I hate provacation.

Sorry Debesai, I am not meant to distort the history of Jebha. You have the
right to comment and agree or disagree with statment.

Yekaalo wrote:

>My question:- Do you agree with Abdelah Idris that the ELA was
> co-opted by EPLA?

No I don't agree with Abdella Idris's analysis of the ELA/EPLA but, I have
my own analysis (see the above statement). I don't think the downfall of
"Gebha Abay" was so sudden.

Labelling someone based on statement, it is rejected. I can agree or
disagree with anyone, not as a political group but as an independent
Eritrean national. I hate to be labelled as a supporter of one or the other.
Dehai must be a vehicle for an open discussion and not labelling.

However, to my surprise, you all "believe" any Moslem questioning/opposing
the government is either Jihad, Abdella Idris, Turabi's or Arab supporter.
For god's sake, we are born free and live and enjoy the freedom and
democracy as anyone else. I think this stereo type thinking of Moslem
Eritreans must end (Latest Fesaha's comment on Ismael). If we are prepared
to co-exist, we need to respect one another, otherwise, the future will be
different for our kids. Check Dehai archive with all previous accusations
(Either Jihad, Abdella Idris, Turabi and/or Arab for any Moslim
opposing/disagreeing with the government, including the latest slogan
"Eritrea is a Christian nation"). How about if a Christian Eritrean opposing
the government? I am sure he/she can not be Jihad or Abdella Idris, Turabi
or even Arab? what would you call him/her????

Yekaalo wrote:
>Berhan, you old fox, stop programming yourself in and come out
>and play.
>
I don't do what you have in mind!!!. By the way, I have a full-time paid job
and I have very little time for Dehai. Infact dehai is at the bottom of my
list. I don't need to program myself for Dehai, I enjoy sharing my sincere
knowledge /information/ experience with my country men/women. Read what is
on the screen and don't try to read what you want read!!

Yekaalo wrote:
>Stop feeding us your version of 'Tmre temekro'. Let's
>talk about R&R (rehabilitation and reconstruction).
>
Aye Yekaalo Haway, rehabilitation and reconstruction is very easy if we all
are on equal footing and united. First think first.


Berhan
Melbourne, Australia
Ber-han



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