As a group of concerned Ethio-Americans and friends of Ethiopia, we would like to share with you our deep concern over the recent tense political environment in Ethiopia. As you are aware, the people of Ethiopia for the first time in their history participated in a nation wide election, where opposition parties were granted access to election and public media. To their credit, the current ruling party, who came to power after 17 years of fighting one of the most brutal regimes in history, allowed the opposition parties to compete in a fair and open electoral process. Unfortunately, the opposition parties decided to discredit anything that was not in their favor. As has been witnessed by international observers, like Carter Center, African Union (AU) and the international and local media, the May 15^th Ethiopian election was peaceful despite the opposition parties’ claims of killings, sabotage, and the distribution of pre-marked ballots.

According to NEBE (National Electoral Board of Ethiopia), the incumbent party, the Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Force (EPRDF) had the majority of seats to form the next government. EPRDF won a total of 327 seats for the federal parliament, while Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) and United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF) gained 109 and 52 seats respectively. In defiance of all facts, some of the opposition leaders who have an axe to grind are refusing to accept the election results that were declared by the NEBE. Instead, they are threatening to stage illegal demonstrations to bring a government down by force and by abusing the opportunity created to build a democratic system. The opposition has exploited the democratic election through dissemination of inflammatory ethnic tension as a means to destabilize the democratic transformation.

Dear Senator,

The consequence, if the opposition in Ethiopia should be allowed to succeed is unimaginable. The Rwanda disaster would be dwarfed in horror by comparison, hence, our concern. Ethiopia is made up of three dominant tribes that have serious grievances against one another and had been held together very tactfully. The opposition has now aimed a vehement subversive campaign against this delicate balance. The balance may not be perfect yet, but has managed to avoid the fearful consequences. Any major unrest will result in civil war in a country of 70 million and the country will surely disintegrate. We urge you therefore to look into this matter with all the attention it deserves.

What is ironic is that former military junta members who had perpetrated some of the most heinous crimes against their own people have reorganized as opposition parties and have gained ways to repeat their atrocities. Members of these parties have found the USA as haven by fleeing Ethiopia and seeking refuge when the military junta was defeated. They now have the financial power to destabilize a critical geopolitical ally of the USA. The US should examine this development carefully in order to bring lasting solution to the area. In the interim, a stern warning to these forces, who have fully benefited protection by the USA cannot wage subversive acts to the extent of disintegration of a country by directly interfering in its affairs, would be of tremendous help. And this is within the law of the USA. We demand for nothing more than what the US law stipulates.

We the undersigned, respectfully request that you take action as a senator to recognize the May 2005 Ethiopian democratic election that was endorsed by the Carter Center, AU and Donor countries. To preserve Democracy in Ethiopia, we ask you that you be open to the concerns of the large number of Ethio-Americans. We ask that our voices be heard and our concerns given proper consideration. This is crucial time for the future of democracy in Ethiopia and we hope you will give this the attention it deserves.

We thank you very much for your time, and look forward to hearing from you.

Respectfully,

Concerned Ethio-Americans for true democracy human rights, and social justice.

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October 2, 2005 Dear Senator: We, the undersigned Ethio-Americans and friends of Ethiopia, concerned with supporting the human rights, democracy and freedoms of the people of Ethiopia, respectfully submit to you and your colleagues in the Senate to take all the necessary action to support the will of the Ethiopian People. As you aware, the people of Ethiopia emerged after 17 years of painful suffering and brutal dictatorship where massive violations of human rights, genocide, and blunt disregard to the international humanitarian law were committed. In May of 2005, an open and fair democratic, inclusive, and unbiased election was conducted for the first time in the history of the country. The Jimmy Carter Center and other neutral donor countries endorsed the process and the outcome. Unfortunately, despite their seeming inability to legitimately win the majority vote of the people, the opposition party members who call themselves Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) and Ethiopian United Democratic Forces (EUDF) are now on crusades to prejudice the results that has been verified by the National Election Board of Ethiopia. They question the voice of the people, mislead the world citizens, and sadly they actively promote ethnic nationalism. We believe this flagrant and unwarranted campaign perpetuated by the opposition party is the worst kind of political pandering to free democracy and will bring pain, agony, and destabilize the region. Hence, we are calling on all Senators and peace and democracy loving Americans not to allow Ethiopia to fall victim to the power of hungry and ambiguous ambitions. The direction and growing democratization movement in Ethiopia is encouraging and undoubtedly in the interest of the People of Ethiopia and the United Sates of America, a county that has the passion for and a commitment to political, social and economic justice. We send you our best regards and assure you of our respect, Concerned Ethio-Americans for true democracy human rights, and social justice.

Point of Interest

Response to Maekele

(Tigriniga)
Tsegai Berhe President of Tigray State Interview with VOA'(Tigriniga)

___________________
AU Official: Ethiopian Vote Free & Fair, Opposition Complaints Exaggerated. VOA

Joe De Capua

August 12, 2005
_________________

ክሕደት ወልፊ አይኮነን!! (Tigringa)

(Betrayal is not addiction)

Ethiopia's electoral investigation well conducted: EU. Given the constraints in Ethiopia, the electoral board has done remarkable job in trying to bring the process to a satisfactory end, said Clarke.

ETHIOPIA: Prime Minister meets opposition leaders

ADDIS ABABA, 29 Jul 2005 (IRIN) - Ethiopia's political leaders have held their first ever face-to-face talks aimed at ending the deepening crisis over disputed legislative polls, an official said on Friday.

How we failed to lift Ethiopia's curse Sunday June 12, 2005

Who saved Birhan Woldu's life? July 7, 2005

PART ONE
A Sobering Lesson: The Menilik Factor and the New Defeatism "Alebabsew Biarsu Barem Yimelesu."

PART TWO
Emperors Tewodros II, Yohannes IV, Menilik II, and Myth of Colonialism

PART THREE
King Sahle Selassie, Emperor Menilik II, and the Betrayal of Ethiopia.

PART FOUR

Treaty of Peace With Italy (1947), Evaluation, and Conclusion

In Response To Modernization A Poisoned Chalice For Ethiopians.

Zewge Fanta