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Joining the-applaud to the All USA EDA Sponsored
ELF-RC Seattle Second Festival.
Zemeheret Seare (July 05, 2005)
The Second EDA ELF-RC all USA and Canada festival was dubbed as a
success and beyond expectation by quite a few people. Indeed it was a
success. This is qualified from the interactions and real reaction from
those of Eritrean origin and Americans of non-Eritrean origin that
attended the festival. The objective of this article is to give insight
how the preparation was approached, to further add on the reported
contents and to express my gratitude to many people who helped making
the event successful.
Approach
The Eritrean Democratic Association (EDA) and the ELF-RC envisaged and
projected to promote the festival as such to reflect the expectation of
our people from the opposition camp.
Can the opposition Camp work together?
As an answer to the above question Seattle EDA and Seattle RC members
did not need to invent new wheels. All they needed is use the
long-standing unity foundation of ELF-RC and make the festival a
platform or instrument where the whole opposition can convey a united
voice and messages. The efforts put on this respect turned out to be
very positive and satisfactory as all the opposition groups participated
very well in the festival.
Is the opposition mature and responsible to represent the interests of
the Eritrean people better?
Yes, the Seattle (EDA) Eritrean Democratic Association and ELF-RC
members cooperated and were able to knock on the doors of US and other
foreign offices on door of local and national leaders securing
commitment of support from some and raising the awareness of many.
The regime was exposed of its ineptness from the economical and social
degradation legacy and its rely on political repression, and human right
violations to cover its ineptness its failure and administration
debacle.
The Second Seattle festival was staged effectively to promote Eritrean
people’s interest in the international arena, which is totally lacking
on the account of the regime’s isolation by the world community for its
evil, cruel of killing and torture against its own people.
The festival appealed and pleaded on behalf of the Eritrean people in
this critical moment for development, emergency food, HIV-Aids,
healthcare, education assistance needs in the absence of government and
leadership in the country.
EDA and RC used the festival to deliver the Eritrean people’s call and
voice for help in their fight for justice.
The festival communicated the fight that is being fought for the two
ELF-RC leadership members Teklebrhan Gebrtsadik (wedi Bashai) and
Weldemariam Bahlibi kidnapped from the Sudan and taken to the dictator’s
prisons and who’s where about is not known today. That a fight is being
fought by the Eritrean people for the 11 cabinet members the 14
journalists and the two USA Embassy workers, who’s where about is also
not known. That there is a fight to free the tens of thousands in prison
for no other than expression of their opinion and speaking their
conscience and dislike of injustice. There is a fight for constitutional
governing, for freedom and for liberty which dictators can not give.
The festival is used to advocate for Eritrean refugee. Especially the
plight of the Eritrean refugees in the Sudan after independence and the
plight of the new and young Eritrean refugees and the risky routes they
take, the loss of life in the deserts of Libya and in the Mediterranean
Sea while escaping the dictatorship land.
The conferees voiced and discussed the plight of our persecuted Eritrean
churches and their faithful members.
The Seattle gathering’s message was staged to call on our American
friends to support the Eritrean people on their fight for change and to
attain peace and freedom.
A call to help the Eritrean opposition umbrella organization Eritrean
Democratic Alliance (EDA) on its quest to bring tolerance, dialogue and
reconciliation among Eritrean people and groups and replace the
dictatorship by giving the power to the Eritrean people.
Transforming Festival
I can dare to declare the festival has transforming quality and effects
on the members of the Eritrean Democratic Association (EDA), on the
members of ELF-RC and on the members of the rest of the opposition
organizations who were present.
Resolution
The 150 Delegates from USA and Canadian Cities and the other opposition
organizations plus the Eritrean Seatlites along with many American
friends who were at the event left with a promise.
They vowed to take the plight and the fight of the Eritrean people to
their states and Cities with government and non-government organizations
and with individuals, which they were unable to do in the past.
EDA and ELF-RC members have vowed not to repeat the experience of the
unproductive years of internal squabble of the opposition.
ELF-RC Chairman
The ELF-RC Chairman Seyoum Ocbamicael’s (Harestai) presence was very
helpful in solidifying the conviction for united struggle.
Harestai has described (EDA) Eritrean Democratic Alliance as the best
means towards unity in this moment. He underscored that EDA is a
foundation for security, stability, trust building and ready to avert
confusion internal strife and disorder in an abrupt destruction and fall
of the dictatorship. He shared his hope and vision for the Eritrean
Democratic Alliance to become the center for national reconciliation and
national conference.
The chairman impressively and persuasively brought up the issue of the
Eritrean Democratic Alliance and its importance for the opposition in
the next day private seminar of ELF-RC members only.
He warned not withstanding of badmouthing and painting of different
colors of his organization’s steady stand on unity not to be discouraged
and give up working for united front.
He declared his unwavering support and appreciation for EDA and his hope
and vision for this organization to be the unity factor for Eritrea.
Seyoum Harestai sounded as a party leader in a molt-party system,
promoting the Eritrean Democratic Alliance as a system of a coalition
government and the role of his party to be bigger share in the united
system. He not only wished his organization (party) to be strong for the
EDA to be strong but he also wished for the other organizations
(parties) to be strong for EDA to be strong. He earnestly demanded his
organization members to work for trust building measures with all of
Eritrean people and especially with the members of the opposition.
He optimistically expressed his readiness and support to merge and unite
with all organizations that may have and adopt same programs. He
informed his organization’s openness and support for an all-inclusive
approach. And explicitly indicated the main tenets of common programs,
as separation of state and religion, defending the integrity and
sovereignty of the nation, and adopting a democratic governing system.
Thanks
In conclusion I would like to express my gratitude to all my compatriots
who participated in the festival. Thanks to those who came from other
cities it means a lot to the Eritrean people suffering under the
dictatorship. Especial thanks to those who are not members of ELF-RC who
traveled from other stated and cities and there were quite a few of
them. I was informed that Saleh Gady of Awate.com was planning to attend
but he did not, it would have been very nice to have the Awate.com
Editor with Tedros of and the rest of Nharnet.com editors and many other
professionals in the festival, I hope he is alright.
Thanks to all the American officials, community leaders and members who
came and learned of the plight of our people those who expressed their
support to their cause and those who promised to help.
Thanks to all of my American friends who helped in preparing the
festival and those who helped financially, and those who came and joined
hands with me and with my people.
Glory and Eternal life to our martyrs
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