Eritrea extends its condolences to Ethiopia
August 28, 2012 - In an unexpected move, Eritrea extends its condolence to
longtime rival Ethiopia after Meles Zenawi's death, local reporters have
said.
After days of silence, Eritrea's Deputy Ambassador to the AU, Benyam Berhe,
visited the Ethiopian National Palace yesterday, where the former prime
minister's coffin has been on display for mourners.
While at the National Palace, the young Eritrean diplomat signed the book of
condolences on behalf of Eritrea, much to the surprise of many observers and
security personal.
Regional analysts have noted this likely not a political move, but a symbol
of neighborly goodwill and cultured hospitality being shown by Eritrea.
After the bloody border war between 1998-2000, Meles was described as being
'obsessed with Eritrea.' He adopted a 'no war, no peace' strategy and
supported various al-Qaeda-linked Islamic insurgents, including the infamous
Eritrean Islamic Jihad Movement, to destabilize the Red Sea State.
When the international courts said Badme belonged to Eritrea in 2002, he
refused to adhere to their ruling and continued to occupy their sovereignty
in defiance.
On the political front, Meles worked with junior U.S. diplomats to place two
rounds of sanctions against Eritrea in an attempt to weaken its military,
economy and isolate the country from the international community.
Despite seemingly an unwavering political, financial and military backing
from Washington D.C., Meles was said to have lived a paranoid and depressed
life, who was consumed with hate and fear for arch-foe Eritrea and his
political rivals.
<
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-18ded0KZev0/UDz9U6Gnk9I/AAAAAAAACmo/rAl6BhfSC3A/s
1600/Benyam+Berhe+-+Eritrea+extends+condolences+to+Ethiopia.jpg>
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-18ded0KZev0/UDz9U6Gnk9I/AAAAAAAACmo/rAl6BhfSC3A/s4
00/Benyam+Berhe+-+Eritrea+extends+condolences+to+Ethiopia.jpg
Eritrea's Deputy Ambassador to the AU, Benyam Berhe, signing the condolences
book for Meles Zenawi on August 27, 2012
<
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7z2S3ow1SbY/UD4oWarWRWI/AAAAAAAACoI/nO3WHpkGt-Q/s
1600/Benyam+Berhe+shakes+hand+with+Azeb+Mesfin-+Eritrea+extends+condolences+
to+Ethiopia.jpg>
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7z2S3ow1SbY/UD4oWarWRWI/AAAAAAAACoI/nO3WHpkGt-Q/s4
00/Benyam+Berhe+shakes+hand+with+Azeb+Mesfin-+Eritrea+extends+condolences+to
+Ethiopia.jpg
Eritrean diplomat Benyam Berhe shaking hands with Azeb Mesfin, the wife
of the late prime minister
------------[ Sent via the dehai-wn mailing list by dehai.org]--------------
Received on Thu Aug 30 2012 - 10:46:17 EDT
