STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM
[The following interview was granted by Petros Desta, one of the leaders of the Ethiopian People's Movement Council, to Sirio Di Giuliomaria, Rome correspondent of World Outlook. |]
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Question: What is the program and aims of the Ethiopian People's Movement Council?
Abswer: Above all the aims of the Ethiopian People's Movement Council are to liquidate the vestiges of absolute monarchy and feudalism. The program of our party is an honest one. It is not only based on the needs of Ethiopians of all walks of life but is also socialist in content. We are fighting to establish the Republic of Ethiopia; to abolish once and for all the feudal system which has kept our people -in subhuman conditions; to effect a radical agrarian reforms; to establish a real people's power; and to solve the national minority questions. These are our fundamental aims.
Q: How does your movement fit into the African revolution in its functioning and actions?
A: Ethiopia is one of the oldest nations in Africa, Her untouched natural resources and location in one of the most important parts of Africa, make it possible for her to play an eminent role in the development of the African revolution. ‘Our movement was one of the first to openly call for the formation of International and African brigades to support the Congolese Revolution. Our party enjoys tremendous support and respect among the advanced African revolutionaries, The victory of the Ethiopian workers and peasants over the feudal regime will in turn deal a blow against the imperialist infiltration in Africa. The Ethiopian People's Movement Council has participated in several African conferences and has contributed a great deal to furthering the African revolution.
Q: What are the repercussions of the Sino-Soviet conflict among the African revolutionary movements?
A: It is very hard to say what are the repercussions of the Sino-Soviet conflict in the African revolution, There are many who openly support the Soviet side, while others support China. Some support one side purely for ideological reasons; others offer support for the interest they gain. In doing this they achieve nothing but adding fuel to the flames. As far as we are concerned, we do not support either side, at least for the time being. We support those who deserve the backing of all progressive forces.
Q: Are there signs of increasing maturity of the peasants in Ethiopia? Can you give us any facts on this process?
A: Yes, there are signs of increasing maturity among the Ethiopian peasants. They don't blame their dead father for having left them nothing. They are openly talking now about the need to take the land and to send the greedy landlords to their graves. One of the recent examples of the increasing maturity of the Ethiopian peasants was their participation in the demonstration organized by the students calling for agrarian reform at the end of last month in Addis Ababa itself. Above all the Ethiopian People's Movement Council is transforming their old way of thinking, overcoming their rubbish collection of memories, They are now the potential revolutionary force of the country. To those who have no confidence in the people's power, the Ethiopian peasants will give a fitting answer in the near future, The Ethiopian peasants, under the leadership of their party, the EPMC, will bring more changes to Ethiopia than one can imagine,
# What is the influence of the Eritrean str le on the present po itical struggle in Ethiopia?
A: The Eritrean Liberation Movement brought some growing awareness to the country. But the Ethiopian people are not yet well informed about their brothers! struggle. However, the armed struggle
waged by the Eritreans against the despotic regime of Ethiopia will have a big influence on the political situation in Ethiopia. We would like to remind you that Ethiopia is not a homogeneous nation. All national minorities will soon follow the example of Eritrea.
Unless some kind of agreement is reached to co-ordinate the struggle and to educate the people in the most scientific way why they should fight and whom they should fight, no movement will go far. It only serves the feudalists to stir up the chauvinistic feelings of one group against the other. The formation of a United Front on a basis of equality will further the struggle both in Ethiopia and Eritrea. Our party spared neither time nor energy in support of the just cause of the minorities,
The minorities must use their guns against the imperial oppressive forces, but not against the Ethiopian people who are themselves oppressed, In Ethiopia a primitive patriotism still exists; therefore, unless a United Front is formed to give the movement a real representative view, the separate struggle of our Eritrean brothers will be very hard, however determined they are and however hard they fight.
To us, the Eritreans are dearest and nearest. We don't want to govern them against their will. We have never had this intention and never will. We are not responsible for the regrettable situation of today. It is a crime committed by the Ethiopian feudo~capitalist regime, which is equally our main enemy. .
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