Dear T.Hailemariam

Your point is well taken, sir. It is true that Meles was standing for Eritrea from day one. It is was a mistake by TPLF leadership to put him at the helm of power. The dissidents (Guardians) could have done a baetter job by removing him from power long time a go. They didn't do that, and they are equally responsible for letting our Assab port to go. Although the damage is already done, some of them have openly regreeted for not securing our port Assab and some of them (like Seye) have even raised the idea of capturing Assab port by force during the war (Siye gave this statement on court 2 years a go).

With all their shortcomings the dissidents have at least taken strong anti-shabia stand and frustrated the Eritrian dream of exchanging "NAKFA" with the "BIRR" at equal terms. Meles would have said "OK" for every unfair demand by shabia if it was not for the the stern objection by the dissidents. The war was the result of this shattred dream of Shabia to plunder Ethiopia by a lopsided currency arrangement. The TPLF dissedents have also played an important role in deporting all Shabia operatives from Ethiopia. Meles would never have done that. Meles is always there to say "Yes" for any Shabian request. He has never said "No" to Erirtea in his entire life.

The point is that now we are back to square one, where Meles is asking Issayas to come to his side and develop Eritrea together. I think this a very dangerous secnario for our coutry. What would follow is any ones guess. Eritrea will have a free hand on Ethiopia's economy once again and they will continue their interepted Mafia trade. Their security forces will be once again in our country and they will start to hunt down any one who objects Eritrian plunder and any one who opposes Meles. This will bad for the democratic movement, the Free press and the oppostion in Ethiopia. As a leader of a police state Issayas will not tolertae any oppstion for his policies and will tell Meles to do the same. Meles as usual will not say "No" to Issaya's order and our country will be in abyss. So I say we are in a grave danger now and we should stay united. If the dissidents regreet their past mistake and want to contribute for the struggle now, that won't hurt. I agree with you that these people are now like a spent bullet and they are good for nothing. But every little thing helps now. Anything that strenghthens our unity in any form and emboldens our oppstion to the two Eritrian leaders (Meles and Issays) should be welcomed.

The time is for a national unity to fight Meles and Issayas reunion.

Hailu