Google

Thursday, June 21, 2007

There was no change in the afternoon(regarding the signing or not of the proposal). With additional people coming into the deliberative process, there were too many ideas to chew. It will continue tomorrow.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the update. I hope those great Ethiopians will be free.

Anonymous said...

Just a pray before to go my Bed.
I call on the LORD in my distress,
and he answers me.

2 Save me, O LORD, from lying lips
and from deceitful tongues.

3 What will he do to you,
and what more besides, O deceitful tongue?

4 He will punish you with a warrior's sharp arrows,
with burning coals of the broom tree.

5 Woe to me that I dwell in Meshech,
that I live among the tents of Kedar!

6 Too long have I lived
among those who hate peace.

7 I am a man of peace;
but when I speak, they are for war.
ye dawit mezmur 119.

Anonymous said...

Gebru from Awassa:


What ever they decide we are with them. We know that Dr Berhanu, Eng. Hailu, Prof. Mesfin, Mrs Birtukan, and ALL others have ETHIOPIA in their blood unlike Meles and his gamgs who are blood thiristy thives. GOD BLESS ETHIOPIA and death to those who killed my brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers. YOU WILL NOT ESCAPE JUSTICE!

Anonymous said...

I am sure the ship of Weyane is sinking fast. There is no need to save it now. Our beloved leaders have had endured extereme hardship the last two years or more. They should never take any responsibility. It is Meles and his cronies who stole the election, killed our fellow citizens, and imprisoned our beloved leaders. Therefore he must take responsibility for his crimes. Now the international community is demanding unconditional release of all political prisoners.
Derb

Anonymous said...

I am 100% sure that our leaders will never compromise on the pro-democracy movment. I am very suspicious of the American's real motive (The whithouse). What they did today through Washington Post is a bad sign. At the time where pressure is mounting from every direction for the unconditional release of our leaders, they must never sign on something that jeoperdises thier future political career. They should take No responsibility partial or otherwise. The regime might be excused for the crimes it committed on the people for the sake of democracy. But taking the regime's crime is a non-starter. It will definatly compromise our struggle for democracy. And that is what the regime is attempting to do.

Anonymous said...

Derbew is right.

International community should know better.

BIRTUKAN KNOWS HOW THE TPLF CONSITITUION is set. She knows it VERY WELL. NO PROPOSAL, NO SIGNING WILL WORK. The tyrant is preparing them for his evil deeds...

BY SIGNING THE PROPOSAL, THE PRISONERS APPROVE THIS ILLEGAL GOVERNEMENT AS THEY ARE CRIMINAL AND NO MORE FOR THEM...

THE MEDIATORS/WESTERNS SHOULD KNOW BETTER. WHY MELES IS BEGGING THEM FOR THIS LONG THAT MEANS THERE IS NOTHING HE CAN PROVE TO THE WESTS AND THEY SHOULD FORCE HIM TO FREE THE PRISONERS..UCONDIONALLY... PERIOD.

NO PRE-CONDITION AT ALL...

Anonymous said...

Why didn't the westerners push the criminals to free the prisoners without any precondition?

What is holding them?

Why they are pushing the prisoners to sign for the crime of the illegal goverment?

IS THERE ANYTHING BEHIND IT?

Anonymous said...

Derbew:

You said it best man. They have already gone thru the tough times, the international community is watching and demanding their unconditional release. Even if they are to remain in jail they will be there for another two more months.

Meles ordered the killing of all the 200 innocent citizens for voting CUDP and wonded 800 of them, also imprisoned 50,000 people and killed ~7% of the 50,000 people in the concentration camp. Those who died are burried in a massgrave, farmers complained of their farm plots would pay the ultimate price.

Meles is responsible for all the destruction, he should take the responsibility, he alone. Our leaders are guilty of winning the election EU representative Ana Gomes said it herself. The election was stallen, the EU is Ethiopia's friend while the US is TPLF's quarter back.

PATRIOT

Anonymous said...

U.S. Congressman introduces an amendement restricting assistance to the Woyanne regime
Posted Jun 21st, 2007

Dear Colleague:

As Chair of the Congressional Ethiopian American Caucus, I urge you to vote YES to Representative J. Randy Forbes amendment to H.R. 2764 restricting certain economic assistance to Ethiopia until the Secretary certifies that the Government of Ethiopia is not wrongfully holding political prisoners.

The Amendment reads:

SEC. ll. None of the funds made available in this Act under the heading ”Economic Support Fund” for assistance for Ethiopia may be obligated or expended until the Secretary of State certifies to the Committees on Appropriations that Ethiopia has released all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Ethiopia. The President may waive the limitation under this section if the President determines and reports to the Committees on Appropriations that it is vital to the national security interests of the United States to do so.”

A YES vote would send a unified message to Ethiopia on promoting higher human rights standards of our allies. This amendment will restrict $3 million of the Economic Support Fund (ESF) for Ethiopia. The amendment carefully excludes $478 million that Ethiopia is expected to receive in humanitarian accounts such as Development Assistance, Child Survival, HIV/AIDS, as well as various Security Assistance funding given U.S.-Ethiopian activities in the war on terror. The amendment also includes a waiver for a compelling national security interest.

This amendment is in response to last week’s Ethiopian Federal High Court conviction of 38 members of a political opposition party, including elected parliamentarians and human rights advocates, for “outrages against the Constitution,” and mounting an armed insurrection against the Government of Ethiopia. Other political prisoners, such as elected Parliamentarian Kifle Tigneh, had their trials postponed until the late date of October 2007, leaving them imprisoned for a total of 2 years. Among those convicted last week are internationally renowned Mesfin Wolemariam, a senior Fulbright Scholar and founder of the Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRC), and Dr. Yacob Hailemariam, a former professor at Norfolk State University for 20 years and the l ead attorney for a U.N. tribunal on war crimes in Rwanda. They face sentencing on July 8, 2007 and could face the death penalty.

I am deeply concerned about the plight of these individuals. We must send a clear message to Ethiopia - that the full participation of political opposition is absolutely necessary in a democratic society. By continuing their imprisonment, the Ethiopian Government suppresses the most fundamental element of democracy.

I will vote YES on Mr. Forbes Amendment with full understanding of the historical context in which the democratic process must progress in Ethiopia. I will continue to be an advocate of humanitarian assistance to Ethiopia, and for promoting policies that promote trade and economic development there - but I cannot comply with such a clear offense to the democratic process.

If you have any questions, please contact Ryan Kaldahl in Mr. Forbes Office at 5-6365 or Ryan.Kaldahl@mail.house.gov. To join the Congressional Ethiopian American Caucus, and to learn more about other ways of getting involved in this issue, please contact Selam Mulugeta at 202-225-2631 or at Selam.Mulugeta@mail.house.gov. See the below links to learn more about the history of this issue.

Sincerely,
/s

Michael M. Honda
Member of Congress
Chair of the Congressional Ethiopian American Caucus

Anonymous said...

many tahnks dear EZ.
i wonder if this agrrement doesn't include the baisc cause of our lea dres .the basic is not get of prison rather it's the democratization of ethiopia ,that is indepednt militray force,mass media,judicary--------.it's very obvious that all those thuings will not be achived over night or a short peoriod of time,but at least they should be included on the agreement.
no doubt melese has releazied he can't simply by himself no matter how much he k8lls and improsined.
the only thing what is needed from the parties to pressure him to accept national reconcliton-the roaad to democracy.
finally i want to say no one has b the moral autrothy to accuess our leadrs of surrndeing our bela-----.
after all this has nothing to do with that and we haven'dt done anything to force melese .
once i again i wann thank you EZ FOR YR AMAZING job.ahd we have enough people like YOU?OH GOD //////

Anonymous said...

EZ God Bless You for the information.
If there is any way you can get word to our leaders they should know that they should continue the fight like MANDELA!!!!We are all praying for them

1. The ET Orthodox Tewahado CHurch has called on Ethiopians not to go to the Millenium celberation until the unconditional release of the prisoners but rather pray for them

2. Many in the US Congress are aware and pusing on the Bush admin. The State of Oregon legilature just isued a letter to Bush asking him to not give anymore aid to Meles and to push him to free the prisoners

3. The European Members of Parliament also asked the EU Commission and Council to "pursue a coherent post-electoral policy in Ethiopia" and "consider the application of targeted sanctions against senior government officials..."

- EU Press Release, June 21, 2007

4.Congressman J. Randy Forbes has introduced an amendement to a pending bill in Congress restricting economic assistance to Ethiopia until the Secretary certifies that the dictatorial regime is not wrongfully holding political prisoners


We are helping ourselves so God is going to Help Ethiopia and her people.

Thanks
YENENEH

Anonymous said...

Thanks EZ !!

The regime propognda outlets will never stop telling us the jailed leaders will be free when accepting guilt and ask for forgivness. Melles will accept thier demand and will capitalize on it- According to the regime:

1. Melles should be praised for flexability on pardoning them for the crimes they committed.

2. The regime didn't do anything wrong (except regretting for the loss of life)

3. The regime would put them out of politics or back to jail if they do anything that threatens its power by reffering to the papers they signed.

4. The regime will tarnish thier integrity by a huge propoganda that the leaders succumbed to pressure.

5. The regime will be reliefed from the mounting political quagmire it is immersed.

If they sign to the papers, it looks win-win for the regime.

Anonymous said...

As much as we love our leaders, we hope they will never succumb to the pressure to accept guilt to be free. The Unconditional release of our leaders has been our motto. We should never let the melles government spinn victory out of defeat. If not today, they will be free tommorow. UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF OUR LEADERS.

Anonymous said...

Weyane didn't change its position. The mediation effort has been going on since our leaders were jailed in Novemebr 2005. There is no point signing a paper accepting guilt. It will hurt the Ethiopian people greatly.

Anonymous said...

These people have sacrificed a great deal for the people. Because people from diaspora were one who were against not entering parliment. Now people say dont sign the paper. You guys are sipping the starbucks coffee and watching a movie. Enough scarification. Their life is at stake and is not worth loosing for un-united diaspora especially who are not under pressure. You can see the so called support groups for CUD international are divided. Enough is enough. Let the leaders go out and try to do something usful than rotting in rat infested jail.

Anonymous said...

Dear all,
I think the elected leaders will make the more reasonable decision taking all circumstances into account. And I think all of us who elected them will follow and encourage them.
Peace and prosperity for Ethiopia!

Anonymous said...

The above anon. The question is how come our leaders lead our struggle if Melles tarnishes thier image by pressuring them to sign a paper that calls for admitting guilt? If they admit guilt, it means that they are part and parcel of the crime committed by the government which is proved by the inquary commission. That is the million dollar question.

Anonymous said...

To EZ,

It is a critical time to have accurate information, and by you following this very important follow up on the mediation and where it is taking place, is very appreciated. This could be the last of the mediation effort with in the window of time, before July 9th sentencing day.
----------------
Re: Prof. Mesfin Woldemariam’s “MASTAWESHA KE-KALITI”. The Amharic version of his account of the trial specially after April is posted on some pro democracy web sites. To my understanding, it states an account of what the current “Ethiopian” judiciary is like at least on Hailu Shawel and case file. If found appropriate, the English translation need to be available. If some of the 38 people don’t sign to agree to the phrase, “committed a mistake”, it would not be surprising.
In my modest opinion,
1. Prof. Mesfin Woldemariam faces only the first charge and he carries the least burden, if he were to go through trial. According to Prof. Mesfin, it was as if they were not even given any basic rights of due process and the correctional facility of Kality also had some intervention illegally through the courts process. At the same time, it is a political trial which seems to be aborted suddenly. Is some thing wrong some where?.

2. Having noted #1, one of the eight principles of Kinijit is an Independent Judiciary, Prof. Mesfin’s message implies that the judiciary is not independent and even the PROCESS OF DEFENDING THEIR CASE TO DEFEND OR NOT TO DEFEND DID NOT GET ITS DUE PROCESS. In my opinion, HIS MESSAGE is the second most important item next to the “GUILTY VERDICT”.

3. If any one knows the TPLF structure, Ethiopian legal system, specially having worked as prosecutor and judge with in its own judiciary, although young and not in a lengthy experience as some judges could be, W/z Birtukan Demeksa’s resistance not to sign is understandable.

4. Chairman Hailu Shawel faces 4 charges, and as his is the most difficult burden of verdict to carry, he could have been expected to be willing to sign the agreement, but he has resisted so far.

Each prisoner of conscience has a right; and might make the appropriate decision as he or she finds the case to be. ( These are cream of the cream elite who might know what to do). What has made the case an absolute principle so far and played its role the most, had been WHEN THE GROUP STAYED TOGETHER AS ONE as a turning fate/destiny of history, and in solidarity, for the purpose and good of the party, the country, for what Amnesty International, Human Right watch has documented, what EU and US congress have pointed out and what Ethiopians have believed. The convicted prisoners of conscience can be useful in Kaliti or out side of Kaliti, but its measure can also be on how they all get out of Kality. Some people mention martyrdom. I doubt this has to do with blind martyrdom. It is just given to that, by its very existence is extremely challenged. It is not easy being in their place, but it is an extremely critical time and hope that the mediators have done their prayers and said “ Ke-Demu Nitsehu Negen”, and try to envision a motive free mediation that could carry some weight in the future.

From a member of the general public

Anonymous said...

I do not care what is the content of the agreement will be. We all failed these heroes. I do not see the light at the end of the tunnel if they stayed in the prison any longer. We already killed the struggle. Therefore, I really want them to get out of the prison at any cost. They can sign any document without hesitation. If we failed again to see the true meaning of the agreement, then shame on us.

Anonymous said...

the above anon is right. We have failed our leaders big time.They have to be out of the prison soon and reunite with their faimly and also intensify the struggle.
I wounder what the shaleqa yossef group and shaleqa Admasse are thinking now. The leaders will be out soon and the lies of this shaleqas will be reviled.
I pray to God for the safe release of our leaders!!

Anonymous said...

I hope our leaders in Kality know very well how to deal with the mediation effort and what are the legal consquences following it. They have to decide on this case. They know beter than us what is good for their political careers and the future of Ethiopia. We knew it that still KIL could not solve its internal problems for almost one year. The Ethiopian people need our leaders in Kality to be free and back to lead the peaceful struggle and eventually to reconcilation, peace and development.