Part -2 . USA`s choice of alliance and its outcome

Roy turns her attention from the violence of development policies to the violence of the war on terrorism. After the soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979,CIA and Pakistan’s ISA(Inter service Intelligence) start working hard and funded Afghan resistance to fight against the communist regime in Russia. The strategy used by the U.S in combating the communist regime in USSR were some how successful. However, it creates favourable condition for the radicals to be powerful and a challenge for America itself at this time. In Afghanistan the mujahedeen order farmers to plant opium as a” revolutionary tax” and laboratories were set up to produce heroine. As a result of this the Pakistan-Afghanistan border land becomes the biggest source of heroine in American street. Those things help the radicals to become strong financially and militarily, and eventually Taliban got power in Afghanistan which is hard line fundamentalist who is sheltering Biladin, the man responsible for the loss of hundreds of innocent people’s life. On the contrary the American spending is increased to tackle drug related problems imported from Afghanistan. The barbaric 9/11 attack not only take out lives of thousands of innocent people but also it affects the U.S economy.

Roy condemned the 9/11 attacks, however she has strongly criticised the U.S war on Afghanistan in reaction to the September 11 terrorist attacks .She disputes U.S. claims of being a peaceful and freedom-loving nation and she said “ The U.S government itself has funded, armed and sheltered plenty of rebels and insurgents around the world” . It is well known fact that many rebels all over the world are supported by the world super powers. For sustainable political and economical strategic interest it is important to give human right priority. Pakistan - America's ally sponsors insurgents who cross the border into India and even they massacred nearly 200 people in India recently.I believe terrorists has to be hunted down and brought to court. During this operation it is important to make sure that innocent peoples are not the victim.

To conclude, Power Politics failed to recognize the incremental benefits globalization has on developing countries. Globalization will work for the poor if there are the right institutions of governance, respect of human rights and participatory democracy. It is not worth supporting a government or group that we think is good to achieve our political and economical goal, because it is impossible to have sustainable peace and democracy for all. In general, manipulating human feelings for their own strategic purposes may yield instant results. In order to bring sustainable economic development, build good relationships among people of different nations and democracy for all, it is important to be their ally, not simply a political group, and working towards understanding social issues and give human right priority.

*****************THE END OF THE BOOK REVIEW******************

Section 2 . Similarities with Ethiopia

1. THE SIMILARITY OF DAM CONSTRUCTION IN INDEA IN THE PAST AND ETHIOPIA AT PRESENT

The similarity of the construction of dams in Indea in the past and in Ethiopia at present. First of all, I want to point out my position on the current dam construction and environmental issues. I believe there is always a cost when we do something else. There is always an opportunity cost in all walk of life. So I completely support the work done by Ethiopian government regarding the dam construction. But my question focuses on the finance issue. Ethiopian government try to tell the public that part of the project’s cost is covered by Ethiopian government and the rest from financial lenders. It is good and appreciable if we are able to finance our project using our own resource but still I can not see transparency abut the total cost of each project, the openness of the project contract for capable companies, supervision and informing how much loan they received and from which organisation, agreement and other related issues.

2. USA & TALIBAN VS USA & TPLF

Finally, I can see the similarity of TPLF with that of Taliban. Taliban was a USA alliance on the war against USSR but Taliban divorced from USA and become an extremist. In this case we can see how TPLF is shifting its strategic alliance from the West to China which I believe is the same pattern like Taliban. But it has to be clear that TPLF only wants to stay in power and terrorising its own people and accumulate wealth to themselves, it can not be a challenge to USA as Taliban’s do for so many reasons. It only creates the plate form for another civil war in the horn of Africa because USA or the west in general do not want China to get a foot hold in that very sensitive geographical location. The unfair election result and gross human right abuse contributes to force people choose arm struggle which may aggravate the security of Ethiopia and Horn of Africa in general. Ethiopian people at this time are in dilemma to choose between arm struggle and peaceful struggle.

Unless woyane change its new strategic alliance to china, westerns won’t stop from finding another alternate to secure their national interest. I suspect the recent Horn African meeting and African youth Association discussion with Obama are two of the strategy on the table so far. Especially, the Horn Of African was in Agenda for longer time and even some sources show that Dr Berehanu was a member while he was doing his PHD in New York. There may be too many things going on behind the curtain. My worry is who they(the west ) will choose in our country? Can the multi-ethnic party be in the menu? Or the ethno-centric ? Are we strong enough to be on the menu? If the ball goes to another extreme, it will be more disasters.

I think as EDP we have so many chances to be on the menu . Firstly, EDP believes in reconciliation which is very important area to stabilise Ethiopia in particular and the Horn Of Africa in general. Secondly, Obama or Western leaders seem frustrated with the old African leaders(since they are dictator who are not ready for change and also most of them are corrupt) . The above two points can give us a competitive advantage if we work hard to be a strong party. We are expected to finance the party(EDP), teach the manifesto and recruit new supporters and members. TPLF STARTS WITH 5 PEOPLES(If I am correct).

Quaraw;

It is superb analysis. I have an obsevation in your analysis. One is that you gave a title of  the second contenet as comparison between India's experience and current Ethiopian Dam construction issues. But you didnt provide the Indian experience and its similarity with Ethiopia. What happened in India? and what is the similarity with Ethiopian experience?

Tewodros Salsawi at August 27, 2010 at 9:16 AM

Quaraw;

 

It is superb analysis. I have an obsevation in your analysis. One is that you gave a title of  the second contenet as comparison between India's experience and current Ethiopian Dam construction issues. But you didnt provide the Indian experience and its similarity with Ethiopia. What happened in India? and what is the similarity with Ethiopian experience?

 

Thank you  Tewodros Salsawi.

I will explain the similarities and India’s experience in the following paragraphs.

What India’s plan at that time was to construct dams in every part of the country. There was no feasibility study and the authorities were corrupted. India was financing it from the loan they got from international lenders. The quality and durability of the dams were below standard because of the miss management of resources and corruption of authorities and investors. In addition to these there was no cost benefit analysis and study of the impacts of constructing too many dams in one district. The return from those dams was insignificance as compared to the interest rate India is paying at the moment.

As we all know, Ethiopia is investing in dam construction and other infrastructures. I support these projects as an Ethiopian. My concern as I have stated it before is the management of the resource we have and we get from lenders and other aids. I am not sure if there are clear procedures when the government signs an agreement with international investors and lenders. There is lack of transparency. Corruptions are growing in both international companies who are working in the country and the authorities.

My worry here is we are not using the limited resource we get from different sources wisely. I also believe the government should inform to the public where they get the loan and the agreements because it is the Ethiopian people who will be forced to pay back the loans and other costs.

The other issue is the quality of the materials the investors are using and the standard of the infrastructures and so on should be monitored. To do this the system should be free from corruption to some extent. I know it is impossible to avoid corruption even in developed countries.

As you have already mentioned, government should build the capacity of indigenous private companies which may create permanent job opportunity. This may help to bring sustainable development.