ethiobserver

On January 3, 2006, we wrote you a letter and requested your office to contact the Ethiopian Government and the opposition on our behalf, so that the accused opposition party members could get a transparent, speedy and fair trial. Accordingly, the trial ended in July 2007 with a conviction of the accused. However, on July 20, 2007, the Ethiopian Government pardoned the convicted opposition party members and they were released mainly because of the great effort of elders, and due to the fact that the convicted opposition party members requested for a pardon in accordance with the Ethiopian tradition. We were very much pleased with the release of the opposition party members. Then, on October 2^nd, 2007, the U.S. House of Representatives voted and passed HR 2003 without any debate! As a result, we are completely amazed and puzzled. This being the case, we the undersigned Ethiopians and Ethiopian-Americans residing in Arizona, respectfully request you to vote against HR 2003, the Ethiopian Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007 for the following reasons:

1. As Americans concerned about our national security and particularly the expansion of terrorism in the Horn of Africa, we believe HR 2003 does not in any way serve the best interest of the United States. Moreover, Ethiopia has been the only country in the region that has in policy and practice, consistently and steadfastly stood with the United States as it has been proven in Somalia.

2. As Ethiopians and Ethiopian-Americans, we believe HR 2003 will not advance the cause of democracy in Ethiopia since it interferes with the sovereignty and internal affairs of Ethiopia. In that regard, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi stood firm against international pressure for about two years refusing to release the opposition party members and allowed the due process to take its own course. Then after the trial was over and the prisoners were pardoned on July 20, 2007, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said “the pardon proved that the Ethiopian Government isn’t willing and is unable to be run like a banana republic from Capitol Hill.” That statement is also a true reflection of the sentiment of the Ethiopian people. Ethiopia is the only country in Africa, and one of the few in the world that has never been colonized. Ethiopians have stood side by side with their government when the sovereignty of Ethiopia is questioned as has been witnessed in 1896 and 1941 in which Ethiopia defeated the Italian colonial power, and in 1977 Ethiopia defeated Somalia and 1998-2000 the Eritrean aggression was also defeated.

3. With regards to the details of HR 2003, Section 5(b)(2) states “nonessential U.S. assistance” as defined by section 5 (b)(2)(B) including development assistance is denied to Ethiopia if Ethiopia refuses to accept technical assistance. In other words, if for instance Ethiopia refuses to accept technical assistance because of the issue of sovereignty, Ethiopia will be denied development assistance among other forms of assistance. Similarly, according to section 6(a)(1)(A) security assistance shall not be provided until certification. This will in turn force the Ethiopian Government to reallocate resources from development projects to national defense since national security is more important than economic development. This will indirectly reduce the national budget for economic development. Thus, as the budget for economic development diminishes directly as a result of section 5(b)(2) and indirectly because of section 6(a)(1)(A) of HR 2003, the problems of poverty will be exacerbated. This in turn will hurt the Ethiopian people not the Ethiopian Government. That is precisely why even some opposition groups who do not support the current government, are totally against HR 2003.

4. Above all, HR 2003 is not going to lead to a change in government. Even Mengistu’s regime which was probably the most hated regime did not fall because of economic sanctions by the west. Instead, Mengistu fell because of the armed forces of EPRDF. Thus, the supporters of HR 2003 are naive at best and do not understand the objective realities of Ethiopia. Thus, the only feasible alternative is a peaceful dialogue and negotiation between the opposition and the Ethiopian Government. In fact the United States being a strong ally of the current government, it can play an important role in mediation.

5. Moreover, the Ethiopian Government has made a significant progress in democracy as clearly indicated in section 3 of HR 2003 itself including the progress made since the fall of Mengistu and the way the 2005 election campaign was carried out, and the election was free and fair as confirmed by international observers. Moreover, the Ethiopian Government has released almost all opposition party members which is one of the issues raised in HR 2003. However, the main dispute was whether the vote was counted accurately or not. In that regard, the 2000 election in the U.S. had similar problems. Thus, if those problems occur in the U.S. after 231 years of democracy, why should Ethiopia be expected to be free of those problems only after a few years of developing democracy. We have to understand that democracy is a process that takes many generations to mature, and Ethiopia should be allowed to go through that process and the U.S as an ally can help through mediation and negotiation without resorting to a threat to Ethiopian sovereignty.

6. In addition, the opposition party members have condemned the Ethiopian Government’s decision to fight against terrorists like ICU and ONLF despite the fact these organizations are supported by Al-Qaeda and are great threats to Ethiopia and the United States. Moreover, the opposition party has also created an alliance with the enemies of the Ethiopian people i.e. ONLF, Eritrea and OLF among other groups. Therefore, we believe that the opposition will lose the support of the Ethiopian people as EPRP lost its popular support in 1977 when it supported the Somali invasion against Ethiopia in which most Ethiopians rallied behind Mengistu to defeat the Somali aggression despite the fact that Mengistu was probably the most famous dictator. Above all, the opposition party leaders are fighting with each other and the party is in disarray and it is highly questionable if the opposition can play a significant role in advancing democracy in Ethiopia.

Therefore, we appeal to you to carefully review and dissect this ill- conceived bill and its far-reaching ramifications. HR 2003 is a very unfortunate legislation that has evolved at this delicate time in the Horn of Africa. In short, HR 2003 is against the best interest of the United States and the Ethiopian people. Thus, we strongly appeal to you to say “No!” to HR 2003.

Sincerely,

Araya Wolde-Giorgis, Ph.D.

Yared B. Mekonnen, LLB, AIC, CLDP

Bereket Gebre-Egziabher, Pharm. D.

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