From the Experiences of the ELA (Part II)

(12/9/2004)

September 1^st Puts Public Trust to the Test

(1/9/2004)

RC Speaker Urges Libya’s Colonel Gadafy

(30/8/2004)

Stockholm’s 43rd Anniversary Celebrations Reports
of 1st September- the Birth of Eritrean Armed Liberation Struggle
By Organizing Committee (5/10/2004)

Political and cultural activity reports :

On 25th , September at 18.00 O’clock local time, the organizers made ready all the preparations necessary for the inauguration. The Hall was decorated by slogans commomerating the objectives of Bahti Meskerem- the beginning of the armed liberation struggle led by Martyr Hamid Awate at mount Adal. The Two Eritrean Flags were hanging at the podium in front of the stadium as symbols of Eritrean national unity indicating dialogue between the Eritrean diversity. In the middle stood a portrait of Martyr Hamid Awate.

On the side of the two flags, the guiding- slogan of the 43rd anniversary was posted reading,

"Let the Objectives of 1st September succeed! " in Tigrinya and Arabic.

The various work groups have taken their assignment. The three man coordinating committee started giving directions to the various work groups.

Celebrants started arriving at the hall by flocks. The Eritrean diversity with its various cultures, religion and languages were present. Eritrean political organizations grass roots, representatives and civil society organizations participated in all their capacities.

When all have taken their seats in the hall, the program leader announced that the festivities has started. Mr. Alazar Hagos opened the celebration. He welcomed Bahti Meskerem celebrants, stressing the importance of this day in the Eritrean Liberation struggle and its remaining objectives that are not still achieved. A follow- up program of the whole evening and night in tigrinja arabic was announced by Mr. Idrisay and Mr. Said.

Political panel

The first schedule of the program was panel discussion between the political organizations in the Opposition Camp. The panel was allotted 2 hours. The theme of the panel was,

"Preparing the Opposition forces towards effective and united Opposition".

The panel was attended by below mentioned political organizations/movements /parties representatives at local level.

1. ENA-Eritrean National Alliance -  Abdelkerim Mustafa
2. ELF-RC Eritrean Liberation Front - Ghebrezghi Hagos
3. EDP- Eritrean Democratic Party - Tesfai Berhane
4. EFDM-Eritrean Federal Democratic Movement  - Arhe Hamednaca
5. MDC-Movement for Demo Changes - Berhane Tesfazghi
6. EPM- Eritrean People’s Movement - Abdallah Mohammed Ali

The structure of the panel was triangular: Audience ------------ Media------------ Penelists
The panel was moderated by Mr. Gimbot Abraha, member of the Association for Eritrean Asylum Seekers in Sweden.

At 19.20 local time , the moderator started the panel by briefing the theme and objectives of the panel both in Arabic and Tigrinya. The panelists presented themselves to the audience. The media that participated were TV Adal and TV Zete- from Tv Adal Mr. Hamid Abdallah, and from TV Zete Mr. Mehari Abraham and Mr. Solomon Ghebrai were the reporters. Mr. Solomon introduced the Media and its role in this panel.

The first question by TV Zete reporter –Mr. Mehari to the panelists was,

" How democratic is your organization and its governance? ".

This question was answered by each panelist according the core principles, and programmes of each orgnaization/ party / movement and alliance.Most of the panelists claim that they struggle for democracy.

The second question to the panelists was raised by TV Adal reporter , Mr. Hamid Abdallah,

"Why do the political organizations in the opposition camp yet not get the people’s supprt, or in other words, why is the opposition camp still lacking popular support?

Panelists tried to answer this question but failed to give the key problem why their organizations are still remaining centered around personalities, rather than programmes and try to gain the support of the people. The Opposition Political organizations still have difficulties in developing a constructive role in the political processs of democratization.

After these two questions, next was the turn of the audience, the main questions raised were based on the issues of National Conference and the method of unity. Some questions were directed to a particular organization. All panelists agreed in principle that national conference is necessary. ELF-RC, EFDM and EDP agree in principle but not agree with the others in its application, before national conference, a confidence –building dialogue between the political organizations should be conducted, national conference has no invitee or invitor it should be organizaed by the common agreement of all at last when the climate of mutual understanding is created. The other panelists from MDC, EPM responded that the national conference should be done now. The panelist from the Alliance differ from the others. He accepts the call of national dialogue by EDP , ELFRC and others and stresses also the importance of national conference.

The concluding question raised by TV Zete’s reporter –Mr. Mehari Abraham was,

Is there any infiltration by the ruling party in Eritrea contributing to the fragmentation of the Opposition Camp?

The panelists from ELFRC, EFDM and EDP replied absolutely" no infiltration and no suspicion" of other political organizations, but warned that the ruling party will always attempt to fragment the opposition camp , they further stressed that what they fear is not the ruling party in Eritrea but the external infiltration that always fragment the Eritrean unity.

The other panelists from EPM and MDC replied that there is inflitration from the ruling party in Eritrea, fragmenting the opposition camp, but failed to mention which organization is infiltrated. The panelist from ENA responded that from the ENA there is no suspicion of any political organization in the opposition camp; he further explained that one should not prejudge or suspect because one or the alliance has an office in Addis Abeba. "About the EDP’s call for dialogue with the ruling party is their opinion therefore should be respected," stressed , Mr. Abdelkerim.

When the time for panel was out the moderator thanked the panelist for their active participation in front of the public and media. The media personell also thanked and recommended the panelists to have tolerance and see the role of media as the mirror of the people.

At 21.20 o’clock a dinner was ready and it was time to dine.

Cultural, music and dance entertainments :

The cultural –music and dance entertainment performance was qualitative and sentimental. The first group to perform was a new band from the Association of Eritrean Asylum seekers in Sweden- singers were Miss Helen Michael, Mr. Bereket Million and Mr. Abdu Omer Saleh. This group is the hope and future of Eritrean cultural promoters. The others were, Mr. Girmai, Mr. Tecle Abraham of the former Zeray Deres music troupe and Mr. Yosief Meles.

At intervals , the music operator has also used jockey discs in different langugas of Eritrea. The whole night was full of dancers and entertainers until at dawn at 03. 00 o’clock in the morning of Sunday the 26th of September 2004.

By Co-ordinating Committee