The "grand bargain" was made last week by the Revolutionary Democrats. Finally, with a speed that astonished gossip corridors in town, their government granted pardon to and released the 38 leaders and members of the CUD. Their motive or the incentive to do so continues to preoccupy those who frequent gossip corridors: from grand and customary conspiracy theories to the assumption that this administration is learning "magnanimity" in its conduct of public affairs. Take whichever suits you better.
 

There is little consensus at gossip corridors whether or not the administration of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi bowed to pressures from donors in releasing the opposition leaders. The view is, nonetheless, spilt.
 

So are the Revolutionary Democrats themselves split on their decision to release the opposition leaders. There appears to be a significant dissent within the party over the issue, beginning from the very top when the debate was conducted a couple of months ago, claims gossip. It took the central committee of the EPRDF almost two days to reach an agreement, after their chief priest managed to win over the majority of them, though reluctantly, on the second day. According to gossip, he met strong resistance from conservative leaders of the TPLF, ANDM and more strongly the OPDO.
 

If the chief priest thinks he has persuaded them enough to close the issue, it is not felt at the gossip corridors. He has members in the rank and file who would like to quench their thirst for vengeance, seeing not only the released politicians sign a letter of forgiveness, but also appear on the national TV doing exactly that, said gossip. It is considered by gossip corridor that it would have been too vindictive.
 

In the aftermath of the release of the opposition leaders, the elders hardly found a break, claims gossip. They had to continue to shuttle back and forth, addressing outstanding complaints from both sides. They went over to the Prime Minister in order to plead to him that the state media stop the series of propaganda broadcasts against the released politicians, disclosed gossip. Although many at gossip corridors were pleased to see opposition leaders come out of jail, thus generous in acknowledging the good thing the Prime Minister has done, they were equally discontented with the media campaign.
 

Neither were people at gossip corridors happy to hear the remarks made by Hailu Shawel (Engineer) to the international media a few hours after his release. It was considered to be unproductive and unhelpful to a possible reconciliation in the future.
 

The elders went over to Hailu's home early last week to implore him to be reserved in his statements, according to gossip. Some of them found his response baffling: According to gossip, Hailu told them that he has no recollection of saying the things that were reported by the media the previous week. He has not made any public statement since then, up until our press time on Friday night.
 

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister is keen to pay his homage to the elders, inviting them all over to dinner at his residence, according to gossip. It is chief elder Ephrem Isaac's (PhD) itinerary that has put the reported dinner on hold, claims gossip.