Before delving into the task at hand, permit us to deny - in emphatic terms - the lies that are being spread by agents of the dictatorship and fellow travellers of the 'Nehnan Ilamanan' band-wagon. There are preliminary indications that sabotage and disinformation teams have been set up in Italy, Holland London, and New York; the geographical spread of these teams is likely to increase as the convocation of the national conference approaches. Until firmer evidence is available, let us ask why there is a focused attack against the ENA and its Secretary General at this time? The office of the Secretary General is in no way connected to the allegations printed in the Awate. The Alliance regards the Ethiopian people as fraternal; the Secretary General regrets the attempt of the scum of Eritrean politics to sully the good name of the Ethiopian government. The cheap attempts of the agents of Issayas to drive a wedge between our neighbours and the Eritrean opposition shall fail - for that we need to be on our toes! As for the lies that were spread from Milano, the organizers of the meeting are issuing a separate statement.

The period between the first and third meetings of the secretariat is a digest of high expectations, disappointments, and achievements.

High Expectations:  

• The fact that the First Regular Meeting (FRM) was held during the post-war period, ushered a new political opportunity for the opposition forces. This new situation opened the possibility for the Alliance to secure a presence in our region - close to Eritrean affairs.  
• At the FRM three new political organizations joined the Alliance, thereby, strengthening it.
• The dimension of reconciliation, that occupies a central position in Eritrean politics, was bridged by the decision of the Alliance to upgrade the National Charter and its organizational structure. The three important themes of the Charter; namely, the rights of nationalities, religious equality, and the principle of decentralization in relation to the unitary state, were woven into an inclusive democratic frame.
• At the structural level, the rotating leadership of the ENA was fixed, and defined in terms of a time framework; likewise, the periods between conferences were lengthened to a period of two years; and finally, a legislative and executive structure were in-built into the organization of the Alliance - thus giving birth to a full-time professional, and elected leadership, with standing executive offices.
• The rules of future membership were laid down.
• The principles of unification were established, especially in the important fields of the army, and information.  

The above-described aspects of the FRM injected a strong dose of expectations among Eritreans. The high expectations were further enhanced by the solidarity expressed by our region for the Alliance.  

2. Disappointments  

• Internally, the changes that took place during the final stages of the conference were related to the walkout of the RC. This negative action precipitated a wave of frustration among Eritreans of all walks of life; equally, this subversive act not only deprived the ENA of a sisterly organization, but burdened it with a heavy negative luggage as well. It is difficult to quantify all the negative consequences of this act of sabotage fully. We shall nevertheless, enumerate a few: the walkout of the RC, and the campaign of vilification that accompanied it, demoralized the Eritrean people, and took our neighbours by surprise. Further, the walkout and its negative impact on the mass media distorted the expected international recognition. Finally, the walkout gave a breath of life to the waning political system of the dictator, and strengthened the dying hopes of the chauvinist forces in Eritrea.  
• Another factor that affected the expected dynamism of the Alliance after the Fifth Conference was the scarcity of funds.   

3. What has been achieved?  

Despite the above-mentioned setbacks, a great deal was achieved: 

• The new relationship of the Alliance with the governments of the Three Neighbours raised the legitimacy level of the ENA in the international arena.
• The new legitimacy gave the leadership of the Alliance the opportunity to take full advantage of the mass media facilities provided by the host countries. In Ethiopia, television, the radio, and the press played a positive role in enhancing the profile of the Alliance. Interviews with the Sudanese television and radio Omdurman had, likewise, a great impact upon Eritrean politics, and the international audience.  
• In the first stage, the alliance demonstrated its resilience by absorbing the concentrated campaign of the RC, and won the struggle for truth against the campaign of lies directed against it. In the second stage, a struggle ensued between the bases of the RC and its leadership on the issue of retaining membership in the Alliance. Another positive development worth mentioning is the fact that the organizations of the Alliance have come closer to each other. Finally, the Eritrean public, the majority of the civil societies and political organizations, rejected the anti-Alliance politics of the splinter leadership of the RC.  

4. What needs to be achieved?  

The new leadership started its work without a cent in its name.  Before the new structure of the Alliance was established at the FRM, the sister organizations were able to conduct their affairs on their resources, the question arose how the new structure would be able to discharge its duties without substantial financial support. This pressing issue has not been resolved yet.  

At the second meeting of the Executive Secretariat, the principle of a united opposition army was resolved but has not been implemented for lack of resources. Similarly, the unification of the department of political education and information was resolved at our second meeting but - this project that is linked to the acquisition of an opposition radio station - has not yet been implemented.  

The dialogue committee established for the purpose of organizing a national conference made the necessary efforts; clearly, the heavy responsibility of preparing the national conference requires other organizational forms. 

The committees that represented our three neighbours were stationed in Addis Ababa - a diplomatic centre of great importance; nevertheless, it took the Alliance longer than necessary to transform its organizational centres in Addis and Khartoum into effective headquarters.  

We identified the above-listed weaknesses and faced them headlong. Experience shows that waiting for external funds affects an organization in a negative way. The strategy of uniting our military resources and mobilising our radio-based information capabilities is dependent on substantial funding. It was not only the waiting that was wrong; it was the waiting at the expense of other areas of our work that was also wrong. We neglected to transform our offices into administratively efficient and financially tight organs; equally, we neglected the Eritrean websites. It is after clearing the atmosphere in a forthright session of mutual criticism that we formed our delegation for the Kessel Festival. 

5. The work of the delegation  

• The ENA delegation attended the historical 18th Eritrean Youth Festival held in Kessel; at this conference the initiative of the Alliance to host the national conference was endorsed. The ENA delegation branched out in several directions: brothers Osman Abu Baker, and Hassan Assad, and the Secretary General covered several European countries- with tangible results.
• In Sweden the Secretary General had the privilege of meeting the parliamentary political secretary of the Social Democratic Party, and the international secretary of the same party. In these meetings the latest developments regarding the struggle against the dictatorship were taken up; and the support needed to make the national conference was emphasized.
• In Italy, the Secretary General and Dr. Alganesh held important meetings in Rome, Milano, and Torino. In Rome, the delegation of the ENA had the privilege of having a formal meeting with the International Political Secretary, and the deputy leaders of the International Department of the Democrats of the Left. Our delegation also met with the head of the International Department of 'Confederazione Generale Del Lavoro'. In Milano our delegation had also the privilege of meeting the president of the cooperative movement of Lomabardia.
• In Milano our delegation met with the Regional Council of Lombardia. The meeting was chaired by the Vice President of the Council and attended by five members of 'Gruppo Democratici Di Sinistra'.
• In Torino our delegation had the privilege of exchanging views with some of foremost representatives of this home of the Fiat.  

In all these meetings the present situation in Eritrea was depicted; the goals of the Alliance were explained; and support for the projected national conference was solicited. All the leaders of Italian politics and industry, with whom our delegation met, committed themselves to attend the national conference, and do their best to contribute financially towards the success of the conference.

26-09-03
The Office of the Secretary General,
The Eritrean National Alliance