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Union
of Tigreans in North America (UTNA)
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UTNA
P.O.BOX 73736
Washington,
DC 20056
UTNAINK@aol.com
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Tel.
(202) 265-8702
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10/18/2007
PRESS
RELEASE
The
Executive Board of U.T.N.A strongly condemns the recent passage of
the so-called HR. 2003 Bill by the House of Representatives and
calls upon the Senate not to endorse the misguided and uncalled
for ordinance.
We reiterate that the
so-called HR. 2003 is a gross violation of the sovereignty of our
nation, Ethiopia, as it fringes on the independent powers of the
Ethiopian government by trying to impose its will through
arm-twisting to please some sectarian groups and the extreme
opposition.
It is unequivocal stand
of the Board that the Bill impairs Ethiopia, which is
wholeheartedly engaged, as a sole and dependable ally of the US,
in its fight against international terrorism from exerting its
full might in this timely drive.
We would like to
underline that the Bill is a misplaced and an ill-intentioned one,
for it unfairly and unjustly targets Ethiopia, which is in a
process of an exercise in democracy by undertaking multi-party and
openly contested national elections three times consecutively in
1995, 2000, and 2005 respectively, with each election widening the
political space and running fair, free and open contestation.
The Board would like to
express its regrets that the House of Representatives has lost
balance and was made hostage, by anti-Ethiopia elements by trying
to sanction Ethiopia, which is striving to build Democratic
Institutions, realize a free press, an independent judiciary, a
transparent and accountable government and a liberal market
economy, which are the bulwark of Democracy and good governance.
The Board is aware that
Ethiopia is making positive strides towards strengthening
Democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights. The
recent release of the top leadership of the opposition party under
amnesty and the national clemency extended to other prisoners
nation-wide is a signboard for Ethiopia’s commitment towards
reconciliation, dialogue, consensus building and inclusiveness.
Concomitantly, the Board
has observed that the government true to its faith to ascertaining
a democratic order in Ethiopia; has amended the electoral
legislation providing for the establishment of a new Electoral
Board, among other things, through dialogue with, and input from,
the loyal opposition in Parliament. The introduction of a new bill
for parliamentary procedure that encourages fair participation by
the opposition and the tabling of a new media access and
utilization law to realize a responsible and free press, that
would give enough space for opposition participation in the
democratization process are but a few landmarks that need
encouragement from the Senate and indeed from the US legislature
in general; as they are a living testimony of Ethiopia’s
commitment to ensure that democracy will be instituted in Ethiopia
not as an option, or a luxury but a necessity and a determined
choice by the Ethiopian people.
The Executive Board of
U.T.N.A would like to seize upon this opportunity to appeal to the
Senate that Ethiopia, a nation in the process of the exercise of
democracy, a dependable and a strong US ally on the war against
international terrorism, dose not deserve a reprimand but an
unshakable support, appreciation and encouragement from the US,
which is indeed its close strategic partner.
U.T.N.A, as a membership
based Civic Association, is committed towards peace, democracy and
development in Ethiopia and the Executive Board, counts on a sober
and just appraisal of Ethiopia by the Senate to reject the
ill-advised HR. 2003 Bill and come-up with a stand that would
further bolster the already existing Ethio-US mutual friendship.
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