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Dear Tigrai netters, I read G.E. Gorfu's pieces sometimes with interest but more often with utter confusion. I can say that his views come clear if one were to read between the lines. His latest entry on the Nile and the Afar is bafling to say the least. First, I want to tell him that there are Afars in Eritrea, and they, like many of their kins in Ethiopia, still feel that their views and interests are repressed. Second, Gorfu's assertion that there is no "free" press anywhere in the world not only tries to give unnecessary excuse to the Ethiopian governments' terrible track record on freedom of the press but mixes apples and oranges at a grandeur scale. Presidents Isayas (of Eritrea) had the courage to say that and it is unfortunate to see G.E. Gorfu on the same boat. Best, HB Nile Waters Secured for the Next 100 years! by G. E. Gorfu Sometimes we can learn far more from the messenger than from the message: "CAIRO, Egypt (May 5) - Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak signed an agreement April 17 that would guarantee Cairo full rights over the Blue Nile waters for the next 100 years, Cairo-based Afar Radio has disclosed." (1) If the above story had any validity, it would be a great victory and quite a significant achievement for Egypt. Cairo Radio would have been quick to disclose a great political milestone to its people in its Arabic services, as well as proclaim it to the whole world in various European language services? The international media: Reuters, BBC, AP… etc. would also have reported it. Why then has Egypt not done so, but instead chose to use a third- rate surrogate and unheard of Radio Afar, to do it? Precisely, because the story has no validity! This therefore, must be a fabrication of the Egyptian Ministry of Propaganda. But we have here a far more important issue this fabricated story. Who is the messenger? "Cairo-based Afar Radio". What? In today's Democratic Ethiopia, where many ethnic languages have time on the national radio and TV, where various newspapers and periodicals express their political views, why is Afar Radio broadcasting from Cairo? This is not to imply Ethiopia has a totally free press. We know of how even in the BBC reporters are sometimes forced to disclose their sources, and a man recently committed suicide on the Iraq issue. Thus, a full and totally 'free press' does not exist on this earth. Nevertheless, it is anyone's guess as to what Afar Radio could be doing in Egypt. It is there to disseminate divisive information, and leave Cairo's hands 'seemingly' clean. As a boy of about eight, I used to hear of people secretly tuning in, and listening to the nightly speeches in Tigrigna by Wolde-Ab Wolde-Mariam from Radio Cairo. That was two years after Emperor Haile Selassie dissolved Eritrean Federation (1954). A few years later, Saddam Hussein's Radio Baghdad and Syria's Radio Damascus, gave more voice and support to Eritrean liberation groups. We can see today the result of those speeches. By establishing Radio Afar in Cairo, Egypt is staying one step ahead in doing everything in its power to create destabilization and unrest in our country. It might also be worth asking which other ethnicity besides the Afar makes radio broadcasts from Cairo. People in glass house should not throw stones! Egypt is just as vulnerable to similar divisive attacks. And yet, never in living memory has Ethiopia wronged Egypt. But, we see how Egypt continues to take every opportunity of harming and damaging Ethiopia. When will this stop? Should Ethiopia perhaps, take similar retaliatory steps? I am sure there are many ways this can be done, should it be necessary. But it is my sincere hope and prayer this may not be necessary. Egypt should change its sinister policies and acts of aggression, and move to a peaceful coexistence with Ethiopia and all the other riparian nations. If shared peacefully, there is enough water for everybody, and plenty to spare! G. E. Gorfu May 2005 1) http://www.ethiomedia.com/newpress/meles_mubarak_agreement.html www.tigrai.net |