Your assessment of baHti meskerem and the independence struggle leaves
much to be desired. However receptive I attempted to be to your posting,
I cannot settle with your views and "facts" owing to their fundamentally
wrong and unacceptable premise: that of apportioning credit for the
armed struggle along religious lines. Granted that may be your desire;
but you will agree with me that an analysis of the Eritrean history
from a skewed religious angle, will inevitably invite an equally slanted
interpretation (the other biased corner may be tempted to dress Eritrean
armed struggle in Christian garments).
You will also agree with me, I presume, that your sources are all people
and groups that oppose the present government in Asmara.
How can we then have a balanced presentation of facts? How can we
corroborate what was told to you about what Issayas said? And how does this
matter or fit in the interpretation of the history of the armed struggle?
The interpretation of history is in the mind of the beholder. Complicated
as its was, the history of the armed struggle, has to be discussed and
presented from as much neutral ground as possible and with THE CLEAR
INTENT to learn about our history without THE TENDENCY to project its
divisive and disruptive aspects to the future.
In memory of baHti meskerem, you would have made my day, had you presented
facts without tainting them with a religious brush. Some of the real
facts you presented, have been overshadowed by the open and biased
religious twist you attempted to inject into our memories.
Eritrea is a product of Moslem, Christian and Animist blood. An analysis
that tries to elevate one from the other, even if it remotely holds
murky water, it's not desirable insofar as it's antithetical to the very
essence that's Eritrea.
You titled your posting as follows:
"September the birth of Eritrean armed struggle"
It was not the birth of the Moslem or Christian armed struggle. In 1997,
we're better off if this and coming generations remember history for its
unifying and liberating aspects, especially when it's desired to collectively
remember it through a public medium such as Dehai.
Today, whn I remember baHti meskerem, I would like to remember Ali Higo
and KaHsay, a Moslem and a Christian from my childhood, who gave up their
lives for Eritrea. They never worried whether the armed struggle was or
was not started by Moslems or Christians!
Respectfully,
amanuel melles
Toronto, Canada