When I evaluate PM Meles bold and strategic decisions and savvy leadership, it reminded me a visionary and bold Canadian PM Pearson in 1950s and 60s. At that time the English Candians' affection with the Great Bretain was very high. When the PM Pearson proposed to the House of Commons to change the Canadian Flag by another one which can reflect the diversity and integrity of Canada, many English Canadian opposed so bitterly. However, he persisted and a new national Flag was introduced. Again the PM took many other radical measures. They were unpopular at that time. But they helped the country to achieve its present status. Now after 40 years, he has been selected by the people of Canada to be one of the 10 greatest Canadians.

Ethiopia is realy lucky to have such a leader with full of wisdom, realism and prudence. I am sure, many future generation Ethiopians will benefit from his extraordinary work at this time. What he is doing with his colleagues now will undoubtedly have a long implication for the country. Indeed, lucky country to have so smart figure like Meles as its head. 

Well, what I can advice for those simply throwing words emotionally is the following:

If you want to see sustainable development of your country, support him and his leadership. Please we should not mix our individual misfortune or fortune with the vital and ground breaking national development agendas. We are now in the 21st centurey. Our world is becomeing terribly smaller and smaller. Old ideas don't work. In fact, they are counter productive. Their negative impact can affect us indivudually and collectively.

If Ethiopia and Eritrea live in peace, their endouments will be enough for the Ethipiopian and Eritrean people. After all they are brotherly people. Yes whether we like it or not they are. We need to come back to our sense and stop looking through a small hole. Feudalistic mentality doesn't help at this Internet time. You can see how the Europeans are unting, how diverse populations are living in harmony in many countries. We must develop a culture of tolerance and brothership. That is a strong signal of sivility and establishment of strong and dynamic society. Let us nurture it and direct our efforts and energy towards building peace, development and solidarity. This is the right direction. Otherwise, we cannot pull ourselves out of the quagmire of poverty, backwardness. We have to remember that what we do today will determine the destiy of our childeren as the next generation. If we continue like this, our regret will be terrible in the near future unless we say the greedy words " if I die let the should not grow". It is a true measurement for us to what extent we love our country. Other wise we are insulting our farsightedness. 

Let us widen our horizon and be realistic. Learning is a continuous process.

Cheers

Yohannes