“The decision was manifestly unjust and illegal. Accordingly, the Government of Ethiopia felt compelled to express at the time its opposition to the commissions' illegal and unjust decision. It is the conviction of the Government that it is proper and necessary to oppose decisions, which are unjust and illegal. However, it is also of the view that this decision would not be the first or the last unfair and illegal decision. The possibility is wide open for encountering, in the future, similar unjust, unfair and illegal decisions. The Government is, therefore, cognizant that in the interest of considerations of greater value, situations might sometimes demand that, while continuing to express one's opposition to illegal decisions that one proceeds to implement them and that also doing so would be proper and imperative.”

Let's look at some background and the resulting prevailing situation:

• After being “miraculously” saved from certain and ignominious demise, Issayas/Shaebia have been plotting and searching for some way to try and restore the myth of “invincibility” or failing that, at least salve the mortally wounded collective pride of their supporters through some action of 'revenge'.

• The above fact was crystal clear to Meles and, given his rather untenable position with regard to his approach to and handling of the whole Eritrean debacle (especially after the rift in the TPLF leadership), a huge cause of concern. Note that he is said to have stopped a war widely perceived to be going in Ethiopia's favour, incomprehensibly took Ethiopia to the negotiating table, sacked and even imprisoned the people who are said to have planned for and ably led the war. He would be in a very precarious situation indeed if Issayas had his way (and that is an understatement)--the day that Issayas' tanks cross the border would be the end of Meles.

• The Border Commission's decision is published and, though knowing full well the highly negative contents, Meles and Seyoum (minister of foreign affairs) nevertheless go out and tell people to celebrate. This is a typical action of Meles and his group—they try to postpone the inevitable, believing I suppose, that what matters is living one more day. Remember that all this time, Meles was waging a war of survival within his own organization.

• Eventually, the deceitful position of Meles and his group is laid bare when the Border Commission published a detailed clarification, even outlining the absolutely horrendous role of the Ethiopian government in that disaster.

• Even so, Meles and company work overtime to try and make people accept the verdict of the Border Commission--in the process finding time to, of all things, insult our gallant forefathers. Badme, a subservient pseudo-“intellectual” declares, is a dusty “village of some 200 individuals” and that whether it “goes” (bt'hed) or not is of no consequence. However, the people of Ethiopia unequivocally make clear that they think otherwise. Impossible task, danger looming: Time to flip-flop!

• The unexpected verdict of the Border Commission was a boon to Issayas but also something that put him in a somewhat unwanted position given his fierce desire for revenge.

• Issayas does get some political mileage from his newly found position of the “moral high ground” (courtesy of Meles' characterization of the Border Commission's verdict as “illegal and unjust” and the body itself as in “terminal crisis”) but typically fails to exploit it to a meaningful extent. But, he does steadfastly refuse to accept Meles' amazing proposal for bilateral negotiations and stands resolute against the resulting pressure of the international community. Meanwhile, he is slowly building up his military machine—demobilization is “postponed”, fighter aircraft purchased, destroyed tanks replaced...and the propaganda war intensified. Recently, reports indicate, the din of war grew deafening with Issayas declaring that his patience has reached its limit, and that he no longer can tolerate to continue “look at his land from afar”.

• The wily survivalist, Meles, reads the writing on the wall, so to speak, icy fear for his skin sets in: Time for another flip-flop!

• A “Five Point” plan is hastily drafted and with the attendant fanfare presented to the “Council of Ministers” and successively to the “Parliament” (as if these bodies had any say in the matter whatsoever, we might add). They say the show was even televised live. Meles' propaganda machine is swiftly set in motion, Meles “briefs” diplomats in Addis and tries to explain what is meant by “in principle” and by “give and take”. The same predicament is faced by Bereket (minister of information) in interviews he (unwisely) granted to international news organizations. Incidentally, Bereket demonstrates his “intelligence” or rather lack thereof trying to give meaning to a meaningless exercise. Government media are even ordered to stop using the term “Shaebia” and replace it by the “Eritrean government”.

• All this is just a show, however, a façade to cover the real agenda. It seems highly likely that Meles had rather suddenly come to the conclusion that Issayas had committed himself to go to war and more or less completed preparations. There was no time to be lost, Meles' thoughts must have gone, some swift counteraction needs to be taken before all is lost. Enter this highly jaundiced plan drafted in the same lines as the now infamous “Bonapartism” treatise, solely to ensure the well-being of Meles!