Tesfay Aradom February 07, 2007. A diplomatic blunder by a Senior State Department Official In a recent interview with the Financial Times, Dr. Jendayi Fraser, US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, spewed out a concoction of lies, threats and hypocrisy in another futile attempt to discredit and intimidate the Eritrean Government. One of the preposterous allegations she made in the interview was to characterize the GOE as a “source of instability” in the region. In effort to put her allegations in their proper context, let us look at the following situations: 1- Almost five years after the EEBC delimited the Eritrean-Ethiopian border, Ethiopia emboldened by the tacit approval of the US and other Western Governments is occupying sovereign Eritrean territory. And yet, the Under Secretary of African Affairs had the audacity to accuse Eritrea of fostering instability in the region. 2- With the approval of the US administration, which also launched its own successive air strikes, Ethiopia invaded sovereign Somali territory. Such an invasion is in violation of AU and UN Charters and has been criticized by several regional organizations and nations. Many experts view such an unprovoked aggression as a major contributing factor to instability in the Horn of Africa and anarchy in Somalia. Hence, only political naiveté would prevent one from concluding that the regime in Addis is in fact the main source of instability in the region. 3- Additionally, for the US and Western nations to portray the dictatorial regime in Addis as a stabilizing force in Somalia is an insult to the intelligence of the Somali people and the peoples of the Horn of Africa. Lest we forget, this a regime that has an obsession for rigging elections, has been accused by EU observers of seizing political power illegally during the 2005 elections, slaughtered hundreds of innocent demonstrators and committed genocide on the Anuaks in Southern Ethiopia. 4- The US, the Western nations and the dictatorial regime in Ethiopia loathe a stable Somalia and will leave no stone unturned to foment inter-ethnic conflicts. To protect its and Western political and economic interests, it seems as if anarchy has become the intended outcome of any US or US sanctioned interventions in the region. 5- As attested to by Mr. Francois Lonseny Fall, the UN envoy to Somalia and in his interviews with local and international news media, Mr. Issaias Afeworki, President of the State of Eritrea, has clearly stated that dialogue among the various groups is the only mechanism that will produce comprehensive and lasting resolution of the Somali conflict. 6- Recent developments in Somalia and the vehement opposition to any external “stabilizing “ force by the vast majority of the Somali people validate President Issaias’ analysis and recommendation. The recent accusations by Dr. Jendayi Frasier are so preposterous that they do not merit any direct reply. However, it should be pointed out that, as a sovereign nation, Eritrea has the right to formulate and pursue any policy regarding conflicts in the Horn of Africa. To that end, it made positive contributions toward the resolutions of the Southern and Eastern Sudan conflicts. 7- Therefore, a rhetorical question would be: why is it more palatable for Mr. Michael Ranneberger, US Ambassador to Kenya and envoy to Somalia to negotiate with Sheik Sharif Ahmed, a leader of the Union of Islamic Courts(UIC) than for the Eritrean Government to make recommendations publicly regarding the resolution of the Somali conflict. Dr. Frazer’s outrageous allegations amount to nothing but a reflection of the arrogant and patronizing attitude that the US harbors toward Africa, its leaders and diplomats. 8- President Isaiah has been the only reasonable voice with the ability and experience to provide us with an objective analysis of the political and economic situation in the Horn. Unlike the US and its puppet in the Horn of Africa, his analyses and recommendations are an articulation of the needs, desires and aspirations of the peoples in the region. They are motivated by a genuine interest on the part of the President and the Government of Eritrea, to promote political stability and thereby achieve social and economic growth. Hence, futile attempts by Dr. Fraser and others to discredit him and the Government of Eritrea are meant to keep the peoples of the Horn in the dark and unable to focus more on the sinister intentions of US and Western policies and the negative impact of such policies on their lives. 9- Eritreans at home and in the Diaspora should intensify their vigilance against forces that resent our determination to be economically self-reliant, our political stability and social harmony. We should also place our gradual progress toward achieving food security, eradicate diseases and illiteracy in its proper perspective. 10- In conclusion, following three disastrous military offensives, the dictatorial regime in Ethiopia was forced to sign a final and binding agreement in Algiers in 2000. The April 2002 border delimitation decision by the EEBC was a legal vindication for Eritrea. The minority regime in Ethiopia continues to be contemptuous of the rule of law and refuses to allow the demarcation of the border to take place. President Issaias in his interview with Al-jazeera correctly stated, that Eritrea does not have a reason to go to war with Ethiopia. However, behind Meles’ façade of confidence one can easily detect a sense of insecurity and consequently a propensity to provoke a confrontation with Eritrea to prolong his regime’s political and economic monopoly in Ethiopia. The minority regime in Ethiopia and its supporters should be aware that the Eritrean people are united and prepared for any eventuality.