At yesterday's session of his rubber-stamp parliament, there was an interesting war of words exchanged between him and two members of parliament (MPs) on the Algiers Agreement. The two MPs who represent UEDF member parties, using similar language, criticized the government for entering into the unjust Algiers Agreement, reminded him that the UEDF is engaged in a world-wide campaign to assert Ethiopia's national interest and asked him if his government would join in this effort.

In his usual cunning way, he ridiculed the MPs stating that he has seen "the war-mongering slogans" that their demonstrators in America have been chanting and that his government's position is diametrically opposed from that of the opposition. For the first time, he openly stated that he will seek direct, face-to-face negotiations between his government and Isayas's.

A high-level U.S. delegation will be visiting Meles and Isayas shortly and we all know where the U.S. stands on this issue. They may work out something that would be face-saving for Meles (such as ceding Badme or a portion of it to Ethiopia or something of that nature).

The bill in the U.S. Congress has been cleared by the House sub-committee and is expected to be heard by the full committee on international affairs shortly.

The essence of all such pressures is to force a deal that would legitimize every thing else in the Algiers Agreement. We can not and should not idly watch these anti-Ethiopia maneuvers unfolding! Ethiopians wherever they are should continue the pressure on Meles and the international community in every way possible.