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[The following is Awate.com's unofficial translation of a document issued by Eritrean People's Liberation Front-Democratic Party (EPLF-DP) in Tigrigna. All errors in translation are the responsibility of Awate.com] Over the last year and half of its being, the EPLF-DP has worked diligently on its internal organizational activities. During this period, it identified and organized its members; drafted its transitional structure and, on this basis, strengthened and identified its organizational network; it laid grounds for its initial foreign activities and is now setting the final preparations to convene its founding congress.
The regime that has betrayed its promise and the aspirations of the people--[which is doing so] by using national defense as a cover up to put all the labor force of our country under its military establishment; by condemning the people to a pitch darkness; by creating a political, economic and social crisis; by trying hard to elongate its life in authority--has not faced a force that would challenge and confront it decisively and with dedication. Without a united Eritrean force--one that will work by placing national sovereignty and unity as its main principles; one that accepts secondary differences as given and natural issues; one that uses mutual tolerance and patience as tools of operation; one that would practically work towards a united national objective; one that would snatch the monopolized power from the PFDJ system whether it likes it or not and hand over the political power to its right owners, the Eritrean people—achieving this goal is unthinkable. The fact that power, which is monopolized by the PFDJ, belongs to the people is not debatable; moreover, the fact that there is a need to have a core [opposition force] that should organize and lead [the people] is also not debatable. Until now, the EPLF-DP has been, as mentioned above, preoccupied with internal matters to assure its existence. The Eritrean opposition block includes many political organizations: one is the EPLF-DP; another is the one created by those who formed an “umbrella organization”. The Democratic Party was not born to be a bystander in the field of Eritrean struggle. Nor does it aspire to trail on a path paved by others. From the outset, it has called for the creation of a common Eritrean political platform, one that is based on a firm foundaton. And in this regard, if there is an organization that due to internal issues cannot unite and work with other sisterly organizations, the others should not and must not wait for it until it sorts out its internal issues. Rather, it [the EPLF-DP] has explained its views that until it sorts out its internal issues, the organization should march on a common path and, later, catch up. At a time which necessitates a positive contribution from all organizations to address current national requirements, the EPLF-DP hereby declares its preparedness to start a roundtable discussion that would enable the creation of a common political platform. To avoid getting sidetracked by obstacles, we do not find it important to describe the objectives and plans of the roundtable that we hope will enable Eritrean political organizations to reach a common platform to work together. Issues related to country, people, and political, social and economic issues could become reasons for unity or disunity as they have the potential to be raised by every participant, party/organization. Thus, in this planned meeting of dialogue, we believe it is better to leave out the details—that’s why we have not mentioned principles and views in this declaration that aims to announce our preparedness for a common dialogue. In addition, who calls for a common dialogue? Where and when should it be held? What are the requirements for participation? …, etc, are issues that we assume need answers. Our starting point is that it is preferable to have answers to the questions mentioned and other questions so that we can have common understandings and preparedness. On the basis of our belief that every organization is interested and should work towards this common goal, we believe we should conduct bilateral communications to create a conducive environment and clear the path and, eventually, arrive at a mutual understanding that will enable us to set the grounds for the eventual roundtable dialogue. We want to handle the current sensitive relations with care. To help in the accomplishment of this call, on this occasion, the EPLF-DP promises to take the initiative and start preliminary bilateral meetings. Although, in principle, the open and private calls from different sides for a national conference, national dialogue, national reconciliation, etc, that carry the “nationalist” adjectives are acceptable, the EPLF-DP doesn’t accept as a fact that there should be an inviter and invitee, an organizer and an attendant on issues that are equally shared. The [EPLF-DP] believes that conferences that are organized in such manners would widen the existing gaps instead of bringing them closer. Although it has been stated that the participants of the planned roundtable dialogue that the DP is declaring its intent to participate in are political organizations, the role of other Eritrean social forces (mainly Eritrean social groups) has not been forgotten; nor is there an intent to belittle their roles. It [DP] anticipates their participation in a wider Eritrean dialogue platform, one of the goals of the “dialogue roundtable.” Without questioning the help and contribution from all friends and sympathizers in question, it is understood that [clarifying roles] is not something that should be handled with trepidation. Above all, the DP believes that since this is an Eritrean issue, and it primarily concerns Eritreans, we Eritreans should prepare for it and pay the necessary expenditure for its facilitation. Although there are friends who have offered helpful hands and have given their commitment to offer more help to free the Eritrean people from the dictatorial oppression, and while cognizant of our gratitude and respect for this gesture, the EPLF-DP reiterates that this role could not be more than secondary, nor a substitute for that of the Eritrean role. Victory to the masses! EPLF-DP | |
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