Even those who are not the greatest fans of the Prime Minister have come to accept that there are indeed some changes in him. That Meles has become less confrontational and somehow cooled-off is what is being talked about at the gossip corridors. The reasons behind it are also a subject of speculations.

Although a lunch that was meant to be hosted at his residence in order to thank the elders - mediators to some - turned out to be just an occasion of a tea ceremony held two weeks ago, the impression Meles has left among some of the 22 elders is phenomenonal, gossip observed. They found him to be more conciliatory than he had appeared prior to the release of opposition leaders, and prepared to listen to the ambitions of the vocal among the elders, according to gossip.
 

Some of the elders are very keen to see the opening of dialogue and compromise to broaden its scope to something fundamental; the initiative should not stop seeing the opposition leaders released a few weeks ago. Indeed, the issue of close to 1,400 people believed to still be behind bars in connection to the May 2005 electoral violence claimed priority in their discussion with the Prime Minister two weeks ago, claims gossip.
 

Nevertheless, there should be more to it than an end to a political uncertainty created over the past two years, according to gossip. Preferably, there should be a commission formed in order to resolve all issues of political squabbles beginning in the 1970s, where the source of current political stalemates among various factions has all begun. The spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness should be extended to all other prisoners, including former officials of the Derg regime, many of them sentenced to life in prison, said gossip.
 

According to gossip, the impression among the elders who have attended the tea party was positive; they found the Prime Minister to be welcoming to the idea, provided that these requests are made following the proper procedure. Does this include others from the leftist group whether it was from the EPRP or Meason? Gossip claims that the Prime Minister was accommodative of the idea so long as those convicted are asking for pardon and there are no criminal matters involved.
 

He was also tough and uncompromising on some issues, said gossip. Meles is of the opinion that the ball is not in his court when it comes to groups and their leaders such as the OLF and the ONLF for they have raised arms and are not willing to denounce violence. He told the elders that there is nothing he could do about these groups that have declared war on his government, according to gossip. He suggested to the elders to rather put their energies in persuading leaders of these groups to abandon their militancy before anything meaningful is expected from his government, claims gossip.
 

It appears that a life of 18 months has shaped a group of elders - there are some who are too young to be called that - not to vanish after securing the release of opposition leaders; some aim far enough in order to see a role where they could help Ethiopians come to terms with their past. Is the current opening promising? Gossip has observed some contemplate it is.