An unnamed group has urged Ethiopians not to attend the Sunday meeting in Washington DC where Kinijit Chairman Engineer Hailu Shawel will have his first public appearance. Calling for boycott or having a protest match are rights. But In this case, it is (a) unacceptable bullying, and (b) counter-productive.
The five Kinijit delegates have had meetings all over the United States peacefully. There were no marches, and the calls to boycotts were only made by fringe groups on Ethiopian media with very small readership. The chairman should be allowed to have meetings of his choice, and voice his opinions about the party and Ethiopia freely. Those with legitimate questions can attend the meetings and challenge his views. In the past few weeks, the differences in the Kinijit leadership, the issues that led to those differences, and the style and substance of the leaders have been laid bare partially. The more Hailu or the others speak, the more we know about them. It is then up to us to make the choice.
79 comments:
Why on God's green Earth would someone go there and protest against his/her own leader who sacrificed his own freedom for the sake of Ethiopia? These ungrateful, rude spoiled brats in the Kinijit Movement must be stopped at all costs before they inflict unrepairable damage to our cause.
EZ you are the man!
I was mad reading about the proposed boycot and protest news on ethiopianreview. Elias has done incredibly good jobs in the past however, he has also done incredible mistakes especially because of his fast and short sited judgements. If we are the ones who want to promote democracy, let's practice it right now. we should avoid the go-to-hell wishes for our opponents. apparently hailu shawel is not the person to be referred as opponent yet.
Thanks again EZ. I know you will get a lot of critics for your post. but keep standing on your feet. we want people like you, not like the ones who are driven by emotions.
greetings
eyon
EZ I hate to disagree but I dis agree as you pointed out
(a) unacceptable bullying,--
Protesting is not bullying
and (b) counter-productive.
Not counter productive because the engineer has to wake up from his day dream. We heard him in VOA, and Pal talks.
He thinks he can lead Ethiopia? NO WAY.
EZ-- U are the man. I used to support the five delegation but I am having a seconed thought. There seems to be an orchastrated attack on the chairman from some fringe groups. Both sides are to blame for the crisis. Supporting one or the other group only inflames the situation.
Well said, i won't have much to add and would rather say you are right. We should allow every one to put thier case and let the people judge.
Keep up the good job!!!!
EZ,
I agree with you. This is absurd to hear demonstration against Eng. Hailu. It is disappointing to see how our political difference is getting too low, so I say:
- we should go and hear this great leader
- we should express our respect for him
- We should thank him for his commitment
- We should thank him for the good fight he has fought
However, this doesn't mean approving people currently surround him and the position he is taking at a present time, so I say:
- We should express our concern clearly that the party's unity is on danger.
- We should remind him that Kinijit is a big umbrella, so it should handle different views prudently.
- We should clearly state that they should able to sit around the table and discuss whatever differences they have as opposed to (yekurfiya politics) communicating via wavelength such as Radio, Paltalk, Phone ..etc
May God bring the unity between Kinijit leaders
Dear EZ:
You are truly a voice of reason. I agree with you.
I heard Eng Hailu's interview on VOA. I was disappointed at his lack of sense of leadership. Consequently, my previous support for the chairman's leadership is now diminished. I have read many Ethiopians who have expressed the same.
On the other, it is obvious that the other five are going about winning the hearts and minds of many Ethiopians. The more I hear them, the more I like them.
In my humble opinion, as we strive to build a democratic culture, I encourage my fellow Ethiopians to be tolerant of our opponents and hear what they have to say.
Thus, I support the idea of letting Eng Hailu and his supporters do their thing.
It appears to me that the more the Engineer and his cohorts speak, the more they seem to loose ground.
God Bless Ethiopia
What is going on is a shame. When Somalia, Eritrean and the country's economic condition are rapidly deteriorating Kinijit should have been solidifying it unison and broaden its coalition with others. Instead we are witnessing something like “abyot lejochwan tibelalech". If for some unexpected reason a power vacuum is created, who will provide the country a leadership. With the lack of discipline we have recently witnessed, is Kinijit even capable of rising to that tasks. This has created doubts among many people. It has been repeatedly said that “Kinijit is yeseletene poletica new”, but if you listen to the cadres on each side you learn differently. Just go to the pall talk rooms. It is all madness.
Dear Zagol, This is your buddy Ethioinfo.... Good Point but a little too late don't you think? Fringe groups, huh? It is Elias Kifle - your partner in breaking up Kinijit. Remember "collective leadership". Let's see how this will play out. First a respected blogger will mention lack of collective leadership and imply dicatatorhip of Hailu Shawel. Elias picks up the fight with Hailu and goes out of his way to disparage him and anyone who he thinks is aligning with Taye or Yosef. He organizes a boycott and Zagol says I don't agree. It is undemocratic. Good Cop/Bad Cop routine. Oh Yeah, we are puppets that can be controlled by anyone who runs a website or a blog. Deliberative Indeed!
Some of us are singing (loud) the song:
Yileyal zendiro
yekinijit nuro
EZ - Of course Elias Kifle is right to call for a boycott of a man who is bent in destroying the future leaders of our country. It is time to stop Hailu Shawel's attempt to undermine if not sabotage the progressive and forward looking leadership of Berhanu, Birtukan, Hailu Araya, and many others. The visionary Dr Berhanu with Prof Mesfin founded the "Rainbow Coalition OR Keste Demena" which laid down the formation of Kinijit or CUD NOT Ato Hailu Shawel as some want us to believe.
Of course Ato Hailu was kicked out of the All Amara Party by "Kegnazmatch Nequa Tibeb" and others so he used the founding of CUD as a platform to bring his agenda from the "All Amara Party". He joined CUD despite what his apologists like us to believe he is not the founder.
Let us not go around the Bush but the fact is Ato Hailu resented the popularity and resourcefulness of dedicated young Ethiopian leaders (who happened to be non-Amara) liked by all.
The Ethiopian Agenda of CUD and AFD - Unity and Democracy - has been articulated by Dr Berhanu Nega's speech in Virginia.
On the other hand Ato Hailu's patronizing and contempt is revealed through his latest interview - divisiveness - which is his hallmark from all along his tenure that goes back to Wonji-Ethiopia, Shell Ethiopia, Minister of Dergue and last but not least in his role in the All Amara Party. Hailu Shawel infact is known all his life for his bullying tactics. He resents people who outshine him. He is simply "Lidetu" all over again. Thus Elias is absolutely correct in protesting and unmasking his hidden agenda.
The future of Ethiopia is with the likes of Berhanu, Birtukan, Eyoel, Hailu Araya and AFD. Regardless of his patronage, cut him loose for Ethiopia's sake -Ethiopia is worth saving!!!
Elias keep up the good work - Don't let the backhanded and double-faced EZ stand on your way!
Long Live AFD!!!
Thank you, this is very sensible and matured of you unlike the view expressed in the article on ER website.
EZ,
Welcome to commonsense & reality?
For us who knows Elias Kiflie of ER - this is not a surprising development. People seems to have a short memory - Elias was in the same rampage against Dr. Nega by siding with Leditu Ayalew in 2005.
For sure Elias will embarass and ridcule the hell out of the 5 star delegates in a very near future.
Protest or no protest - there is nothing anybody can do about Eng. Hailu Shawel and his principle. This man is a jewel of Ethiopia which you can only get once in a century.
What happened now in DC has happened to him in 2003 when the UEDF was created. Those who happened to ridcule him in 2003 - begged him to work with the AEUP shortly before the 2005 election.
So folks chill out. If you ask me I don't think the 5 star delegates and the Hailu group will be able to work together in the future. At least let us have a civilized divorce so that Ethopia may use it to her advantage in the future.
EZ - it has been you who has been praising ER for a job well done lately. Try to advise him to behave civil and you will find out who Elias Kiflie is.
BRAVO ELIAS KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! Don't let the hypocrites with hidden agenda destruct you from telling the truth - You call it as you see it - unlike those with a hidden agenda trying to distort the facts. Ato Hailu Shawel's egoiistical behaviour is well documented by all who worked with him in Wonji Sugar Factory and Shell-Ethiopia. Hailu Shawel wanted the meeting by himself to appear a leader when the best are not around him. If it doesn't serve his agenda of becoming a leader, he is ready to destroy CUD. I say cut the old man loose as he was and still is a liability to CUD. I think CUD is better off without him!
Well I have quite mixed feelings about the whole issue.
Like many of you I am dissapointed and disgusted by Ato Hailu. Considering that I don't object to an official protest. Mind you people where calling and even some protested against the delegation in Oakland.
I think it is quite time for him to step down and preserve the respect that he had gained.
yeah, EZ,
You are right!!!The more Hailu or the other speak, the more we know about them. We could understand them very well, but we could not undestand him very well. It is a pity, Abo!!
EZ,
Thank you for your mesage! It is resasonable. I have listened Hailu's interview on VOA. Whenever I thinking of Hialu, I bless the work of Weyane- stealing the vote (korojo). His talk is better, if you listeded the VOA or DW talk, than his talk in a platalk. That might be because he think that the paltlak are mine and the VOA or DW atre global and he try to be juntle. What a trash guy is he? All his talk is rubbish!!! It is time to listen and say goodbye forever like Kidetu Ayalew! Who is after all to seek that mauch respection at the airport? We are not his family servants. While his falily are partner of cheaters, he want to back them.
Let God bless Kinijit!
Tazabi
EZ - You are so double-faced that your attempt to smear ELIAS and ER is not gonna work. You are either a Woyane creation or a hypocrite!
EZ- who do you think you are? the king maker - Regardless of what your hidden agenda is CUD under a democratic leadership and AFD are the future!
Elias keep up the good work!!!
I have nothing against the tour or the efforts made to raise funds for a non-existing party. I don't even care about the unfolding drama and division between the Chairman Engineer Hailu Shawel and the Gang of Five lead by Dr. Berhanu Nega.
I think we can bring the bb and engineer groups to one table by boycotting both of them. So far I can’t say who is right or wrong interims of Kinigit’s benefit. Just a power struggle and ego for nothing but at the end of the day these problems will teach and shape our future struggle strategy
Eliyas Kifle is one kinijit supporter and he has the freedom to call for boycott. That should not be reflected on the leaders of Kinijit.
Ethio Zagol also has the right to call for people to attend and if they have concerns/questions, to address it to the chairman.
These two ideas have been the center of the debates for the last week for kinijit supporters around DC.
One thing that has to be clear, though, is this is ENG Hailu vs the rest NOT a split within Kinijit. He will have some supporters from his previous party AEUP(not all, ofcourse; maybe half and half) and some who are trying to destroy kinijit. From the leadership, only Ato Abayneh will go with ATo Hailu. The rest are together: Dr Berhanu, Bertukan, Muluneh, Eng Gizachew, Dr Hailu, Dr Yakob, Tamrat Tarekegn, Beruk, Dr Befekadu, Kifle Tigineh, etc. So Eng Hailu is the one who's going against the majority.
Elias Kifle is going way overboard. He is and has been a very disruptive person in the opposition media. He should be told to grow up and get a day job
Now, I understand why Dagmawi is calling for the denounciation of Elias.
Hi EZ:
This blog seems to be the only reasonable, sensible blog that I'm aware of that does a really good job.
I wanted to post various thoughts that I wanted to share on ER but the tragic thing is that the person who runs ER, the editor, would not allow me to share my views with fellow Ethiopians.
I can hardly imagine a journalist who has even a small, tiny amount of the ethics of his profession would act the way he does. In all these controversies and disappointing stories that we hear and read about CUDP leadership I can’t imagine anyone who is the least reasonable and the least sensible person than the editor of ER.
Many who read his might think that this writer has anything against the editor of the ER. I do not even know who he is except his name and that he's the editor of ER. Nothing personal. My deep disappointment is with his absolutely unacceptable and unethical way of conducting his work.
I tried to share some critical comments about the Diaspora vs. the current CUDP delegates in the US. I sent him emails several times if there is freedom to share critical views with the public on ER. You can't be critical of a group he worships and then you can't post anything on ER; that was the message I got from this so-called "hero", for so many Ethiopians.
Finally, I contacted one news paper in Ethiopia to share my views if they would not censor my views and if they're willing to share. Finally, though not all, some of what I wanted to share got published.
The point is: please fellow Ethiopians, let's pause and think for a moment what we're doing and saying, esp., about others. We do not have a culture that allows us to share constructive yet critical views with one another. Let's pause and think how we can challenge those who censor our views and air what they think is right and views only to their liking in the name of press freedom and truth.
One more time: I've nothing personal against the editor of the ER but for even a second I can’t think that he's any sense of professional ethics about how to serve his audience and I'm just communicating this concern somewhere else, here, among other places so that those who've an access to the editor of the ER should challenge him and if possible to teach him the professional ethics and what it takes to be a vehicle of truth thru his work. Please EZ would take such a challenge and teach your fellow blogger a lesson or two in how to be a civilized, open, truthful, tolerant, objective, wise, understanding, sensitive and honest editor of an online news source for millions of fellow Ethiopians? By the way, you’d do a great service for press freedom for Ethiopians if you’d do the same to the editor of Ethiomedia as well. I did not want to say much about him for mentioning it is enough for I’ve suffered from censorship from both but the one with the ER was worse.
EZ, thank you for your great job!
Dear EZ Editor,
Many thanks for your careful thought in this matter. We shouldn't play the blame game but correct one another in good spirit.We are here for a very long struggle, I am a bit scared this long strugle is getting harder from the start. I fully support your view!!
God Bless,
Yonas
Manchester
Eng hailu is being used not just by Shaleqa group and EPRP, but also by EPRDF. I heard that many EPRP supporters will be attending the meeting on sunday, which is expected ofcourse, but now to play this game to their advantage and to make it look like Kinijit is weak and Hailu shawel's side is strong, many eprdf supporters will be attnding the meeting as well.
Eng Hailu, are you going to the extent of allowing eprdf to play their kinijit's damaging game to discredit kinijit? That's simply a shame.
I think we have heard enough from Hailu Shawel from all his radio interviews. A very big turnout will further justify his delusion and makes him think he has a very big following. Even though I am against the protest march, I am against a big turnout also, just to show Hailu Shawel & Co. where they are standing.
Meyesaw
The top best comment stated hereinabove...
"I have nothing against the tour or the efforts made to raise funds for a non-existing party. I don't even care about the unfolding drama and division between the Chairman Engineer Hailu Shawel and the Gang of Five lead by Dr. Berhanu Nega."
We all are indifferentas above stated, but if you pay an entrance fee one has to enjoy the unfolding drama of so called LEADERS. [GANOCH SITEFU MENCHETOCH GAN HONU]
So let HIM speak and let us enjoy the drama. After all we are Invitees supposedly paying entrance fee to watch the drama. So let it be. PERMIT Hailu also get his share from the entrance fee.After all the Diasphora, it is a common saying in Ethiopia, a Ferenji Lamm that ought to be freely milked. So go on Sunday and get milked.
EZ,
I agree with you. This is absurd to hear demonstration against Eng. Hailu. It is disappointing to see how our political difference is getting too low, so I say:
- we should go and hear this great leader
- we should express our respect for him
- We should thank him for his commitment
- We should thank him for the good fight he has fought
However, this doesn't mean approving people currently surround him and the position he is taking at a present time, so I say:
- We should express our concern clearly that the party's unity is on danger.
- We should remind him that Kinijit is a big umbrella, so it should handle different views prudently.
- We should clearly state that they should able to sit around the table and discuss whatever differences they have as opposed to (yekurfiya politics) communicating via wavelength such as Radio, Paltalk, Phone ..etc
May God bring the unity between Kinijit leaders
ET_hagere
To those who are scrambling to distract Eng. Hailu Shawel from addressing Ethiopians on Sunday:
WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF?
You think Ethiopians cannot JUDGE for themselves on who to listen to and who not listen?
I think these ganging up shows immaturity and lack of political wisdom.
God Help Us All!!
We don't need any support from OLF, ONLF, like BB-CUD! You can go to hell with your AFD!! Hailu will lead our struggle to his last breath! You can burn yourself! We will be in thousands on Oct.14! Unlike many of you, we didn't start to support the struggle in 2005!!!
You can to hell with your Birru Nega & Chekolech Mideksa!
I don't agree with you at all.
I have heard both parts of the VOA interview and meny other. I concluded this guy is dictator or he is mentally sick since he is loosing the reality. To save him, he must be execluded.
He is saying that the delegation is making (ZURET) a walk through US.
Now we know him well. he is planning a polotical sucide in washington.
Bleave me!!!
That is his last time
With all his past takings and credit, I now strongly believe the old will be a liability for CUD in near future.
I am not political animal but I only aware of the exsistence of real opposition after I heard the name Lidetu, Berhanu, Fikadu Degefie and Dr Yacob and others.
Do you remember the interview on hard talk? With due respect Eng Hailu wasn't even tried to sell Kinigit's stand. He followed the normal child like question and answer as the Journalist wanted it. He was basically talking about himself rather than his party.
Engineers and politics reminds me Arafat's of palastine. He left palastine in mess. I think one needs to be careful to differentiate respectability in other field and politics.
Divorce is the only solution!
Choose between an opposition lead by
1- Dr Birhanu + Dawud Ibsa + ONLF!
2- Ato Hailu Shawel!
If you believe that Ethiopian unity (sovereignty)is not negotiable and if You are against ethnic politics, your choice should defiantly be Ato Hailu!!
If you believe that Ethiopian unity is negotiable and ethnic federalism is the solution to Ethiopian problem, choose the trio!!
Peace!!!!
Let us not be mislead by others, let us go and listen with respect who is appointed by the people. If his party was not chosen, Nega, Mideksa wouldn't be here. He fought and suffered for the people, at least let us show love and respect for the elected leader.
Elias has been a destructive engine from day one...but whoever is better than this guy, use your commonsense and use your judgement please. Love to all Ethiopians.
ቃል አፍራሽ ነው ቢሉኝ ቅዱስ ኤልያስ
የጉለሌው መስሎኝ እንባየ ሲፈስ
ለካስ ሌላ ኑሯል እዚያ ባህር ማዶ
'ጣኦተ ኤልያስ ' የወሬ ማገዶ
ጣኦተ ኤልያስ ጭሱ እየበነነ
'አንዳርጋቸው ' ቢሉት ምነዋ በተነ
'መብዓ ' ብንጠይቅ ፍቅር ርቦን
ጥላቻና ውሸት አደለን
ፍሬ ከርስኪ 'ብርሀን ' አልባ
ባንድ ሙቀጫ ቢንጫጫ ተልባ
ቅንጅት 'ኃይሉ ' ነው ለህዝቡ
ካንገቱ የማይለየው ያንድነት ክታቡ
http://www.cyberethiopia.net/warka3/viewtopic.php?t=24509&sid=059822292fa943ecb0695b0c3e8954cc
The supporters of the "democrats, the disciples of the collective leadership" organize boycott and protest against the "dictator", who as a "dictator" didn't do anything against the meetings of the "democrats". What an irony???
EZ aka Adenagrachew Tsige,
It is your buddy, Elias Kifle, who is calling for boycott and protest. He didn't call the boycott and the protest without a nod and a wink-wink from the splinter group. The G-5 group is the most destructive, dictatorial and anti-Ethiopia group to come out of kinijit.
I do not went to hear this guy live.
I heard alot in Radio (VOA, ...) and Paltalk.
He was laying
Hearing a lie is not painful for the one who is hearing but this one is so painful that you have to pay 30$.
Please tell the folks that they have to pay for this dictator
Hey Brhanu & Brtukan,
What are you going to do with your pit bulls??!!
On the occasion of your failed coup d’etat in D.C you preach us about the very same thing – not bullying political opponents. If you and your watch dogs chose to play this game the repercussion will be adverse for all.
Please restrain your dogs with leash.
Well, well EZ,
Your buddy is out of his mined. He was telling us for quit some time that he has an intelligence unit. Now he is organizing a mob against Hailu Shawel. What he need in the near future is a private army, Agazi militia, like legese zenwi. I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts killing people very soon. Is it the much talked deliberative democracy which is our salvation or another political swage like revolutionary democracy that is driving him amok?
Brehane mewa and Andargachew Tsege accomplished their misson, first by devidig cud support groops in america,canada and europe. now they are doing their final mission by devidig the ledership to destroy Kinijet in ethiopia.
Meless and co. will throw a welcomig and mission accomplished party for his ajents when they come back and by then we will all be awke from our sleep.
THe Hailu Shawel numb heads need to understand that the protest is
not to silence Hailu Shawel, if he has anything to say at all, but to
confront him about his support for
the embbezlers of our money which
we gladly donated to help Kinijit.
Unless he gave the orders to steal the money he should make his gang
accountable for the stolen money.
Wake UP EZ. Dont be afraid of protest. Shawel will not have a security force to kill like Zenawi. Zenawi killed 193 at least officialy known. Lets test what he will say to protstors? If he has the ear to hear. If I am not mistaken he was heard saying some numbers must die to kick of Woyane bla bla.
please, all of you, have patience in the name of democracy.
EZ THE GREAT!
For the first time I have to part way with you.
Hailu Shawel right now is on a rampage:on cud policies and resolutons,on a delegation group that should be led by him.
His interviews are becoming more defiant,toned with anger and outrageous lies in between.
The meeting in DC is organized by the perrenial anti-
kinijit,Mirtchaw and his friends from KIC(a group dissolved by CUD).
KIC is a defunct group resurrected by HS.
I am not gonna attend this charade where the tenets of CUD are being rampled on by the like of Taye and my chairman who should know better.
NOTE TO ATO HAILU
Please stop this nonsense of going to paltalks and radio interviews.
Your stature in Ethiopian Politics is getting smaller each time you are in front of the mike.
EZ, Every thing is black and white. We have heard many words from Eng. Hailu’s mouth through different Medias. Unless and otherwise we are skeptical on ourselves, there is no need to hear more words from Eng. Hailu to say black is black or white is white. If we are not able to say that, it is not Eng. Hailu’s problem, but it is our problem. One more thing, if someone breaks the law, he has to come first under the law to make his point. It is impossible to make a point without the existence of law. Ato Hailu is now acting outside Kinijit. He broke the Kinijit’s decision, which dissolved the international leadership and joined the highly corrupted shaleqa groups. Shamelessly, he indorsed this illegal group by his own against the interest of organization, which is purely dictatorship. Now he is acting as an individual, but not as a leader. We can hear him if and only if he is abiding by the law and acting as a leader, otherwise we are not a wild animal dragged to anywhere. There is a road to go. As a human being, we have to know which road is safe for us to go.
Furthermore, when we talk about democracy we are not referring only rights, but also responsibilities. As long as one has to the right to speak his opinion, he has also the responsibility to be abiding by the law. If Eng. Hailu wants to tell us his opinion, first, he has to sit down with other delegates. Therefore, our action towards Ato Hailu’s meeting depends on the law and the consequences of the meeting.
What Woyane, EPRP, and Eng. Hailu are trying to do is to split kinijit. They want to make this news public inside or outside home. Therefore, both demonstrating and participating in the meeting help them to success their dirt act. The best remedy is boycotting. There is no two Kinijit.
Boycotting is the best solution!!!!!
Thanks,
B&B,
Please,please restrain the dogs.
annon@10:10Pm
"We can hear him if and only if he is abiding by the law and acting as a leader,"
When you write "we", who does it represent? TPLF, OLF & ONLF supporters?
UGLY AND SHAMEFUL POWER STRUGGLE!
HAILU SHAWEL = LIDETU AYALEW
EZ
I have heard that Birhanu and Birtukan share the same room during the Tour! Any sexual relation between Them??? What will be the name of their Baby...??
I propose Gemechu Birhanu!
With all due respect Dr. Slick Nega, as much as you are preaching to us about democracy and “mechachal” which you have difficult time practicing both yourself, please tell your cadres not to disrupt from what the Eng. Hailu want to tell us. After all his group never did anything when you arrived at the airport as well as any of your tour.
As I have always notice your group never seem to cease insulting our intelligence and making a mockery out of themselves! So Dr. Slick Nega stop your mobs from the potential disgrace! And stay away form Andargachw and Berhanu Mewa.
The man behind Anti Ethnic Federalism!
I see Andargachew and Berhanu Mewa’s finger print all over this threat. They will be pulled out of the closets by their own mobs if they do not come out on their own. They tell us it is the “youth group” that we setup. This is typical of them! Engineer Shawl may not have a well funded strategist to fight these evils but he’s got truth on his side and that should let him win his case.
God Bless Ethiopia!
We know from history that when people have to lie they make a lot of noise. They are also afraid to listen and see the view of others. What is going on here is clear. One group is trying to usurp power covertly and the other group is defending against it. It is in the best interest of the usurpers to make the most noise in order to cloud the issue. They have been working to this end for almost two years now and as a result they have many who can make the most noise.
This is what you get when you let some people like Me Elias run the show:-'alawaki sami...'
from Nora Boustany
@washpost.com
to Elias Kifle
date Oct 10, 2007 1:05 PM
subject Re: article on HR 2003
...If there will be such a fuss everytime we write about Ethiopia, we can easily focus on other problems in the world. Please move on and let me focus on my work. Thank you for your interest. Nora
In stead of staging demonstration I think it is better attend the meeting but reject the entrance fee because we don’t know where the money goes. Tel the chairman we want to hear what you will going to say but we don’t want our hard earned money to give to gangsters.
anon 9:52,
You will not be allowed to come in. After all why bother to come because all you do is trouble making. Get a life! Leave Hailu Shawel alone!
You have your own Dr. Nega a TPLF darling who retuned to Ethiopia in 1991 to replace our dedicated Proffessors who were illegally dismissed by Zenawi. Now on the front raw to steal an organization from HS. You have Mediksa who has no a clue on what she is doing - she can't even perform well on a congressional hearing with a friendly congress men and audience. You have a Tsigie who has written one of the most hateful book about the Amharas as a present to the TPLF - well he was rewarded the deputy mayoral position of Addis. Now all of a sudden he is a revolutionary democrat on the verge of stealing a party. All these fools were begging Eng. Hailu Shawel in 2005 to be a partner, they sneak in for the big show and all of a sudden they thought their time have come to over throw the Patriarch. And from all the people they choose to ally themselves with Elias Kiflie of ER.
Hailu is the man of truth and a man of the century.
Hell No! Leave our hero Hailu Shawel alone!
I am one of many non-members but supporters of CUD who are extremely disappointed by such childish and irresponsible acts on both side. In my opinion this shows the naiveté of all parties involved and their utter disregard to their constituent.
Have they forgotten or they not have a clue that the road a head is difficult and need more than the tunnel vision they seem to display? Do we have to remind them that their release from prison is the starting point of the struggle not the destination?
Some of the actions taken by Ethiopian Americans are also as sickening as the political intrigue that is unfolding in major metro areas. Few of my friends and I have quarantined ourselves from such toxic environment that is helping TPLF. What is more saddening is that the metro politicians seem to forget that these delegates are elected by Ethiopians in Ethiopia. CUD officials have their bosses, in their own constituency, to answer to. What we can/should do here in the US is help them come together to iron out their differences or resolve the issue in a democratic way. We all seem to like the “idea of democracy” but let us start practicing it. Aren’t we all demanding change? Change should start from us before attempting to change others.
I hope CUD leaders and its supporters cease all negative and unproductive activities and come together to help Ethiopian people who have high hopes and expectations from all of us. I hope CUD leaders will do the right thing before it is too late. I hop there will not be a time where CUD will be a thing of the past.
Ethiopia Review telling us to boycotts the meeting which Enginer Hailu led. i think we should atend the meeting and find out the truth. it look like the group who is suported by Ethiopia Review(ER) is tryin to cover something. and the more ER write against enginer hailu i want to attend to the meeting
the truth will come out soon
EZ
Elais is the one make this whole messes. I totally believe he is working with woyane. He even censor whenever you make a comment or giving your idea on the matters. If it doesn't go with his idea, he will then delete your comment. He is a very bad guy to Ethiopians. I really think he has some kind of ego and aims. He has some animosity just like Neguesse. Shame, shame, shame on him. Of course there are always difference leave alone in Ethiopia, there is difference in America between Republican and Democrat that we call democracy but when it comes to their country they are one. I believe Elais is forcing everyone to have a boycott. First of all we are not kids, which is someone to tell us what to do. Second, lets listen what the man has to say and remember the citizen of Ethiopia choose him to be the leader not Elias.
My fellow brothers and sisters I thought we are fighting Meles, not Eng. Hailu. We are really giving Meles a breath. The agenda right now is Hailu Showel. If you remember way back Meles said, “we have no leader”. I think we proofed him by fighting each other, by calling names and make Meles a winner. Shame on all of us. Why we Ethiopians are not blessed? We start something never, never finished. Please everyone get-up and smell coffee. Are we thinking about our country, our families, our poor Gebere, etc… Before we defeat Meles, it seems like everyone fighting for power. What a shame? GOD HELP US PLEASE FOR THE SAKE OF THOSE BROTHERS AND SISTERES WHO GAVE THEIR LIFE FOR DEMOCRACY.
HAILU SHAWEL IS THE LEADER OF THE COUNTRY. He is much like Al Gore, who has robbed of his premiership. We are gonna make sure that he is back on the saddle of the helm of power. Americans are playing divide and hold game on Ethiopia, their aim is using some senior CUDp Members and hijak the party legs from becoming one serious threat to Meles and his Minority Military Junta. Their game is to give Meles the time to finish this five years to bring the election to 2010. If all CUDP members agree then they will ask TPLF to call an election within six month, but CIA is torpedoing this possibility. They are doing everything possible for CUDP to have a serious problem and take time to resolve their issue while CIA uses meles and his TPLF Minority Miliatry Junta to oppress Somalia. We know the game,
We are Neke Ende Asefu Debalke
Have a rest!!
The meeting is canceled!
EZ,
Dr. Taye said the following:
1. he is in CUD leadership and there is nothing that will change that.
2. KIC is created by Ato Hailu.
And from ato Hailu's recent comments, among others,
1. He declared all media outlets, which fought for his release day in day out as biased
2. He insulted his colliegues. For example, he said "ENTAT ENTAT YILALU". The people he is refering are such eldery people like Dr. Hailu Araaya.
So, do any one of those of you who supported Ato Hailu don't see and/or believe that:
a) Ato Hailu is a autocrat with imperial entitlement sense
b) Ato Hailu, if he has his own "AGAZI", would at leat put his friends in Kality and shut all those medias that he thinks are baised toward him.
If you don't see any of these, please stop and think.
For my part, Ato Hailu has outranked dictators and is acting like an imperial. Even his son(s) are acting as if he is the crown prince.
From Dallas,
Dr. Taye said the following:
1. he is in CUD leadership and there is nothing that will change that.
2. KIC is created by Ato Hailu.
Dr. Taye should find some other life. There is no way that he can be considered that he is fighting for democracy when he is saying that an organization is created by a disoriented individual and he is the a leader because he and one man says so. Why are we fight Melse then? Dr. Taye such a petetic person.
It is a shame that we have to stoop this low. We had so much excitement and hope when the leaders were released from prison. I had such a high regard for all them as a group. Now, I am equally disappointed and full of doubt as to my naïve expectation from Kinijit as a whole. I hear beautiful sounding words like “Mechachal” “ Kinijit fiqir new” and a whole lot of mantra about Democracy. What a sham. I see subterfuge and a whole lot of “ho- hota”. Our energy is so misguided that we are trying so hard to illegitimatize each other. It reminds me of the 70’s. What happened to so called brain power of Kinijit? One group is paraded like they are ultimate savior of Ethiopians while the other is vilified and dishonored. It is all sickening when we think of it in the context of Ethiopia’s predicament. Is this the best we can do to save our country from potential future, full scale civil war? The country is in a desperate situation and rapidly heading into the abyss. Kinijit is “playing the fiddle while Ethiopia is burning”.
What are sad to see are the foot soldiers led by one juvenile, Elias Kifle. If there was some seriousness by the G-5 in preserving Kinijit they should have said something to stop or change the climate of “Atfito-Metfat”. It looks like they have given the green light for this kind of scandalous propaganda purveyed by Ethiopian review and the pall talk rooms. Instead of free thinking we are getting intimidation; instead of free flow of information we are getting propaganda. This is more like the modus operandi of Woyanne.
How can anybody talk about national reconciliation with Woyanne, OLF, and ONLF… when one is not willing to accommodate their compatriot in struggle? This is a recipe to hand over Ethiopia to the tribalism vultures. Besides it is a question of balance of force. If there is no strong Kinijit the political field will be dominated by ethnic organizations.
I for one sure do not have confidence in the splinter groups. Their badge of record for heroism is having gone to prison only. Where is the wisdom? Talk is one thing where is the result? If there is disagreement it cannot be solved by trying to nullify the other or pushing then to take desperate actions and at the same time strengthening Kinijit. Who are they fooling? Woyanne and the rest of the tribalist and paid cadres will not. It must be the rest of us.
1. We have heard a lot about Kil vs. Kic. One side accuses the other of embezzlement. But we do not hear about the auditing result for both groups.
2. We also hear that both groups are disbanded but yet both groups are in operation. Kiil website still claims to be the official Kinijit website. What is going on here?
3. We also hear vociferous denunciation of Dr. Taye but not exactly for what. It is okay to work with AFD (OLF) and Woyanne but not with EPRP.
My question is: are these the people that we thought could save Ethiopia. God help us!
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING AND HELP ME, FELLOW ETHIOPIANS:
The following is what I sent to ER on the 29th of September, which never got posted because of strict yet silent censorship exercised by the so-called hero, the editor of the one-sided online news paper, ER:
I'M WONDERING AND I NEED YOUR HELP!
I’m among those who’re keenly following the events and stories about the CUDP delegation’s tour in the US. A few days ago I’ve expressed some thoughts about something that bothered me and now here’s another one that no one seems to be raising as a question but to which I do not have any clear answer:
I tried to gather as much information about what the CUDP delegation in the US has been up to but then what I keep reading and hearing is about a very, very unusual and even bizarre ( if you forgive me my bluntness) kind of welcoming ceremonies that attended the arrival of the CUDP delegation in various places in the US. I could not help asking myself, with an honest desire to figure out, what has led the Diaspora CUDP supporters to say and do all the things, even the good things, to the CUD delegates in the ways that we’ve been witnessing these days? I do not have a clear answer to this simple yet perhaps confused question. Why all the emotional outpouring and at times hard to describe ceremonies? What are we celebrating non-stop? I really want to know what is going on. I must have missed something so important perhaps by failing to be so emotionally and otherwise involved in this particular tour of the CUDP delegates. At this point: Make no mistakes about me; no grudges, no problem about anyone in the CUDP. Nothing personal. Yes, no need to guess as to who I’m: I can tell you that I’m among those critical supporters of what the CUDP stands for: the general ideas and ideals held by the CUDP, not the political party per se. I’m NOT a member of any political group for your information. Hope this helps.
Now, I do realize that it’s a natural desire for some to celebrate a hero’s life and accomplishments when there is some clear and incontrovertible achievement that the heroes/heroines have achieved. I’m in no way underestimating what has been done and accomplished, SO FAR, by the CUDP delegates in their valiant struggle for freedom and democracy for the Ethiopian people. They paid very heavy prices for the sake of millions of fellow Ethiopians and I strongly believe that they’ll continue to do so for the foreseeable future. I’m for the ideas and the ideals that they hold as long as they mean to uphold the values and visions that they mean to uphold, if and when such values and visions are realistic and relevant solutions to the fundamental problems in Ethiopia.
My worries perhaps are bettered directed at the fellow Diaspora Ethiopians: yes, my question again is this: why all the hullabaloo or commotions and too much emotions while these heroes and heroines have just barely begun their commitment and journey to usher in life of freedom and democracy in Ethiopian, a country where human beings have rarely, if ever, been considered more than instruments to achieve whatever goals set by whoever is in power?
Again, my question for fellow Diaspora Ethiopians is this: what, in particular, do the CUDP delegates among us stand for that makes you all to celebrate them non-stop? Generally, if you answer by saying “because they are for democracy, human rights, and freedom” that, I tell you, is too vague for me to make sense of in the context of the complex society that Ethiopia is and the complex situation we’re trying to address. If you tell me that they were in jail and now they’re free, yes, I know that as well as anyone but then I also want to know if millions of nameless and faceless Ethiopians are in any better situation, NOW, in some sense, than being in a jail called “Ethiopia!” and what to do about them? If you want to tell me that you’re celebrating their release from jail, I want also to celebrate with the whole world the release of “Ethiopia” from the jail called “Ethiopia” when that happens! Has anyone won freedom for millions of Ethiopians yet? Are we truly free to celebrate the freedom of millions of nameless and faceless Ethiopians? Aren’t our celebrations and sensational ceremonies too premature, fellow Ethiopians? Who’s willing to pause for a moment to tell me what you’re celebrating and why in the clearest and concrete terms?
Then my suggestion to all of us, though which might be foreign to some is this: when we’re CLEAR about the detailed programs and visions and missions that the CUDP stands for and means to offer as unmistakably better solutions to Ethiopia’s fundamental problems, then let’s pause and start to discuss/ debate whether such visions/missions are truly realistic and relevant to the Ethiopian society. Let’s pause and start dwelling on the ideals and values and principles that the CUDP stands for and how such ideals would be executed, if ever? Hearing again and again democracy, human rights and freedom are the answers is not going to help people like me who really care to sit down and think about and figure out what we’re talking about in order to make sense of the very vague answers that will only serve as some religious mantras. I need to know more than slogans and mantras in order to be in the clear to continue to support what CUDP stands for in crystal clear terms.
Being Ethiopians that we are, I know how easy it is to dismiss what I’m trying to bring up to the attention of the readers of this note. I do also know how easy it’s for most of these Ethiopians in Diaspora, who’re celebrating whatever these days, to say the total opposites of what they’re saying today to even these same heroes/heroines without even thinking much and worrying nothing about what they would say. We as a people are too quick to crown our heroes as we’re also too quick to bury them while our heroes are alive for lamely and insufficiently thought out reasons. Just wait for a little while to prove me wrong. Just a little while is enough! I do not want to name names now in order to make my point which seems to be too obvious.
Why are we all over celebrating the first mile, or even a quarter of it, in this arduous journey into the life of freedom and democracy in Ethiopia as if we’re at the end of it having achieved all our dreams? I’m trying to make sense of what’s going on among my fellow Ethiopians. We’re just barely beginning a long and difficult journey as a society yet we’re celebrating the bare beginning as if we’re done and have accomplished everything. I cannot make sense of such confusing realities!
Is there anyone out there who’s willing to help me make sense of all the hullabaloo, commotions among and by the Diaspora Ethiopians just at the beginning of our journey into a very complex and arduous process of bringing about fundamental changes in Ethiopia?
I’m wondering…
EZ,
The only different between human and animal is as a human we think and make a decision based on our capability. If your ability doesn't permit you to listen, understand and make a decision from what Eng. Hailu is doing. I will leave that to you. However, from my assessment not only from what he is talking on different media but by observing the way he was doing from day 1 since he was released from prison I said thank God he didn't took power. People in free world will preach and practice what they will do. The real Eng Hailu is this whether we want to accept the realty or not that is up to you. The decision will be determine on our ability. Please EZ Don't try to butter up. The good news is Ethiopian people now they are a head of their leaders. They know what is best for them. If TPLF/EPRDF allows another round free election Eng Hailu will not have a chance. I will assure you the action reflect real personality.
Thanks
It is very painful to see this level of cannibalization amonng my people. Ethiopians are not the worst people in the world. But poverty brings the worst out of people. That is what is being played out among my people today. It is very sad, very very sad ...
What ever negative thing
said about Hailu Showel is invited by him to him self. KIC is dissolved by kinijit and he has signed the letter sent to this bodies and, also he gave interview on VOA stating that both groups are dissolved. why now he said KIC can not be dissolved blah blah blah. I can tell you that he does not have a leader ship quality that our country needs.
The idiot at 2:43. Did you really give money or were you told to say that. Why don't you ask Berhane Mewa what happened to the money he was being paid quite a heffty sum and all he delivered is chaos.
You are parroting crap that you do not know, where is the proof that we have been promised for a a year,
zillech nada. How lond do you allow some one to fool you. We had heard from the phony auditor that the Shalequa was about to be arrested what happened.
By the way how much did you contribute $20.00 here and there. what amazes me is how stupid some of you folks are it started at 750K and moved to 1.2m and you all bought it. Big Fools, who taught you how to count...
CUD is dead! Stop attacking each other! Move on!
Choose between Ato Hailu & Nega Mideksa group and move on! I say to both group "Megedun cherqe yarigilachihu"!!
\\\"...I wanted to post various thoughts that I wanted to share on ER but the tragic thing is that the person who runs ER, the editor, would not allow me to share my views with fellow Ethiopians.
I can hardly imagine a journalist who has even a small, tiny amount of the ethics of his profession would act the way he does. In all these controversies and disappointing stories that we hear and read about CUDP leadership I can’t imagine anyone who is the least reasonable and the least sensible person than the editor of ER.
Many who read his might think that this writer has anything against the editor of the ER. I do not even know who he is except his name and that he\\\'s the editor of ER. Nothing personal. My deep disappointment is with his absolutely unacceptable and unethical way of conducting his work...\\\"
I can only share your frustration. Ato Elias, whom I do not know either, seems to be an adamant individual. As you said it, he would not post also my opinions, whenever they are against his line of thought, but post immediately those, which he seemingly like. I just tested him a couple of minutes ago. Besides, I found his smear campaign unfair and unhealthy, to say the least.
annon 5:24 & 2:53
Please send your article or comment which I believe is good to the following websites so that it can be accessed by the bigger audience:
www.abugidainfo.com
www.ethiolion.com
www.mahder.com
www.andenet.com
WE ARE THE TEST FIELD OF DEMOCRACY
Zewge Fanta / October 13, 2007
I would like to write a few lines on this subject borrowing some notions from my own article "Ethiopia: The Test Fields of Democracy" that will be on its way soon for publication. The Test Fields of Democracy are the Regime in power, the Ethiopian people, the Ethiopians in the Diaspora, the outside World - Nations, International Agencies and Intercontinental Corporations that have varied interests in the land and people of Ethiopia. Each of these forces has vested interests in what is going on in Ethiopia and everywhere and where ever the affairs of Ethiopian people are played. Each of them has been playing important roles be it to maintain the status quo, to bring about democracy, and or to delay the emergence of new democratic rule and system in Ethiopia.
Today, the United States Ambassador to Ethiopia, his Excellency Ambassador Donald Yamamoto is in his hometown Seattle. In about three hours he is scheduled to speak to local prominent people about economic development opportunities and potentials in Ethiopia. After I finish this short article I will be heading to the meeting to hear what development is attractive to the outsiders in Ethiopia where the policy of Kilil has hindered the enthusiasm of the local people to be part of the national development and the citizens have become increasingly disenchanted by the regime in power.
In the article I mentioned, I have pointed out the roles of the Ethiopians in the Diaspora in the democratization processes of the Ethiopian society. But, I see now the roles of the Diaspora quite distorted and misguided by saboteurs in every operation of the Diaspora, and I see the roles of the Diaspora as it is now undesirable. I see the need for the Diaspora to work hard to divorce themselves from the interests and sentiments of "Gossa" and regionalism that is beginning to bedevile their original noble missions and good intentions. I see individuals driven and badly inflicted by "Gossa" and regional ideology and sentiments. Some individuals who have been considered and assumed learned and educated are trying very hard to conceal their inclination to 'Gossa' sentiments while making the basis of their political arguments and for reasons why they support one Kinijit group leaders and reject others. Never mind the fact that they forgot that they did not create the Kinijit leaders and cannot dethrone any one of them from the power and authority vested upon them by the Ethiopian people. The best that some of these elements in the Diaspora can do is give money to one group they like, deny their pennies to the others they do not. That does not control the leaders and the Ethiopian people.
Now, very sadly we are hearing about protesting the First Ethiopian President that the Ethiopian people have for the first time in the history of Ethiopia elected as their leader by taking away the power to do so from the dictatorial regime of Meles. Chairman Hailu Shawl should have replaced Meles, but, Meles for the reasons we very well know is still in power. Kinijit should have been running the city and the country. God knows who failed the Ethiopian people in this very real transition from one system to another.
In regard to the protest, I have heard that the army of TPLF here in Seattle that changed the dynamics of the Ethiopian politics of the last decade and half may be travelling to D.C. to join the local saboteurs. They may attempt to disrupt the International Event that the appearance of the Leader will make.
No one leader shall be hurt as much as our delegates designated to tour the U.S cities by this action. I believe the conspiracy is against the delegates who are the most able and capable leaders that Ethiopia has produced, and on whom the Ethiopian people depend for future leadership. The plot to systematically poinson and blind the unsuspecting ordinary people by fueling the Gossa sentiments are massive and well financed. Those who are supporting the conspiracy being inflicted by Gossa sentiments are unwittingly destroying their own hometown or if you will, ‘Gossa’ leaders. These individuals and people are destroying their own aspirations and hopes by destroying the images of the leaders they vehemently support. The covert and overt operation of TPLF to inflict people with Gossa sentiments is so much powerful that no ordinary person can understand and see it to protect him/her self let alone defend the leaders.
The only force that would crush the conspiracy that is hugely financed by TPLF is the unity of the leaders. Let us pray very hard this time that All the six leaders will gather at that International Event and join hands while standing in front of their people. That action by leaders will crush the enemy of Ethiopia. That action will start the engine to roll the First Ethiopian Democratic Institution established by Kinijit forward.
EZ, I agree with you, not because we have not heard his opinion which we did via the many interviews he has given, but because he and his group have their right to discuss and may be come up with their own political party that suits their vision. From his interviews, I did not hear anything that makes me believe that they should work together. I think we should not insist, otherwise we may be postponing the inevitable and it might come back to haunt us at much worse time of the struggle. This is a new start and lining up the leadership that does not have any suspicion between themselves is probably much more important than just have undivided 'kinijit' leadership that does not trust each other.
From Chairman Hailu Shawel interviews and his supporters views, it is implicitly and explicitly expressed that the other delegation, at least some members of it, are planning to work with the enemies of Ethiopia such as Meles and Ledetu. They believe they have a proof and that is the delayed US visa for Chairman Hailu, the attendance of a US State Dept meeting with opposition leaders, etc. As long as this suspicion is not removed, they cannot work together. So, I consider this as an irreconcilable policy related issue. The way Chairman and supporters are spreading suspecious comments about the other delegates, more damage is being done to their relationship that is making their unity harder by the day. So, if they should start looking into the possibility of them starting their separate ways, this is probably the best time - a new start.
I HAVE A QUESTION FOR EZ.
We hear about a 60 member executive body of Kinijit(laelay meker bet) that the Hailu camp says should have met to decide all issues. So, who are the members of this laelay meker bet? Was this the one organized before Ledetu and Co.left? How many of these are still active Kinijit leaders? How do they know if some of these may have been recruited by Meles and Co. to report on the leadership activity given the pressure? So, how could Chairman Hailu trust these over the ones who paid the price with him?
Sorry for the lengthy comment.
THANKS GOD THAT CUD DECIDED NOT TO JOIN THE PARLIAMENT AND AS A RESULT EPDRF REFUSED TO HAND OVER ADDIS! WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO US HAD THEY TOOK OVER THE DAY TO DAY ADMINISTRATION OF THE CITY? ENJOY THE TRIPARTITE SQUABBLE OF CUD-ALTER CUD (ONLY GOD KNOWS HOW MANY ALTER CUDS WOULD HAVE MUSHROOMED!)-EPRDF WHILE THE CITIES INFRASTRUCTURE SQUEAKED? THANK YOU GOD FOR CONVINCING AND TEACH ME LIVE WITH EPRDF!
EZ,
We are a very potetic people who don't trust each other. You have asked for Ato Hailu Shawel to speak freely, but didn't we hear enough from him? Do you have access to the radio stations in DC controled by reminants of the old feudals and people who still believe that Ethiopia belongs to one ethnic group? If you do, please listen to his contradictory and at times incomprehesible "ashmur" very typical of the people he represents (you know what I mean!). Progressive Ethiopians who are free of "zeregninet" will never understand what Ato Hailu is doing and he should be confronted to tell the truth.
You are also making it look like Elias Kifle is the one organizing the boycott and protest against Ato Hailu. Elias informed us minute by minute what is going on while the likes of Dagmawi were silent and why in the world should we denounce someone who is working very hard to let the truth come out? Also, this Dagmawi guy is interested only in war (recall that he became a household name during the Ethio-Eritrean war) and his complete silence about the Kinjit leaders visit to Europe and the US says something about his hidden political agenda. My point is, leave alone Elias Kifle and let him inform us what this old "ashatregnotch' are doing. I used to think that we may be able to unite and live together in peace, but given what this morons have done recently, I don't think we will ever have peace, democracy and prosperity in Ethiopia. The only beneficiaries of this spectacular failure are TPLFites and they are probably expressing their thanks to Hailu Shawel and Co.
Very Saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad!!!!!!!!!!!!
ANALYST
THESE THE SO CALLED EPRP, CUD, SIMPLY THEY WANT TO GET POWER! THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT ETHIOPIANS AT ALL. SO MANY EPRP & CUD MEMBERS THAT HAVE MANY WEALTH HAVING SCHOOLS THEY PAY LESS MONEY LIKE <=100 USD FOR TEACHERS. THINK ABOUT IT IF THEY GET POWER THEY DO THE SAME WAY! I WILL NOT VOTE FOR THEM AT ALL!
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