Response to Editor�s Note (My Turn on the Ethiopian Election Debate in the Diaspora)

Getachew Mequanent

It is with some regret that I respond to Tecola Hagos� editorial note regarding my article, entitled "My Turn on the Ethiopian Election Debate in the Diaspora". I have to admit that my area of expertise is not politics, and rarely do I get involved in a political debate. But I felt that the current debate in the Diaspora has been highly polarized between groups supporting the opposition and EPRDF, and so I set about to fill this gap by writing an article. The article provided a middle ground perspective and its intent was clear and easy to understand. There were no "several errors of fact and misrepresentation" related to Professor Tecola�s previous work. I only referred to him once by stating that "Tecola Hagos also argues that Ethiopia�s loss of access to the Red Sea could be attributed to the policies of Emperor Menilik". Note that I wrote "could be attributed to..." and not "was attributed to... ". Compare this with the incident I wrote about Menilik II was offered by me as historical evidence how Ethiopian leaders have been selfish in their pursuit of power even to the determent of the national interest and not as a justification for the activities of Meles Zenawi in signing international agreements giving away Ethiopian territories and territorial waters". Clearly, then, Menilik had chosen not to challenge the presence of Italians in Eritrea (for strategic reasons or in pursuit of self interest) and this could have contribute to Ethiopia current lack of access to the Red Sea. I withdraw any reference to his previous work, but I stand firm by all of the views expressed in my article.

I did not question Getachew Haile�s patriotism. Normally intellectuals do the intellectual work. Professor Getachew has chosen to take a political side, and even then, his political views appear to be extreme (see his article in Amharic on AEUP web site, www.aeup.org). There is nothing wrong with saying that he should retire from politics.

The rest of the editorial note has nothing to do with my article. Professor Tecola just want to say a few other things in passing along with his usual anti-Meles rhetoric. Let me then thank him for hosting this discussion forum (www.tecolahagos.com) and also for his important work on many historical and contemporary issues. Until recently, I worked for a Canadian government department responsible for implementing Canada�s multiculturalism policy. This experience has made me aware of the benefits of Ethiopia�s ethnic, cultural, religious, geographic and linguistic diversity. I have also become increasingly interested in new ideas and thinking reflective of our time as well as responsive to the enormous political challenge that Ethiopia faces. That is why I suggested that we should continue to debate on the current federal system and I trust that Professor Tecola and others will agree with me.

Getachew Mequanent

Ottawa, Canada