June 16, 2006 - A reliable publication, Dwyer’s Public Relations News, reported on June 8 that the Meles regime has hired one of the largest lobbying and pubic relations firms in Washington. The firm, DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary will receive $50,000 a month to provide legislative, regulatory and PR services to the Government of Ethiopia. Dwyer states that the Ethiopian government’s major U.S. concern is over the Ethiopia Consolidation Act of 2005 that was introduced by Rep. Chris Smith (R-HJ), and now has 20 co-sponsors. The firm will report directly to Samuel Assefa, Ethiopia’s U.S. ambassador.
In a way, this contract is a tremendous compliment to the many Ethiopians who have been working passionately to convince Congress to take some action in response to the human rights abuses of the Meles regime. It also shows how seriously Meles regime takes HR 4423 and the power of dedicated individuals. The Meles government is particularly concerned that Congress will launch a process that will lead to a proper investigation of the killing of innocent civilians in Ethiopia and that it will impose visa restrictions on travel by government officials who have been involved in human rights abuses.
Piper Rudnick has a reputation as a Democratic operation. Its partners include former Senator George Mitchell and former Representative Richard Gephardt. It is unlikely that any amount of expensive lobbying will obscure the fact that Meles has committed gross violations of human rights and has suppressed democracy and freedom of expression.
*******
Leaked government documents indicate that Meles regime has instructed Ethiopian embassies and officials to conduct a dirty tricks and harassment campaign against members of the Diaspora. Be on the alert. The tactics are likely to include false accusations against Ethiopians who are active in the fight for democracy and human rights.
Mesfin Mekonen
http://www.ethiolion.com/news/Washington%20Update%20061606.htm
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Simple analogy between South Africa of 1980 and Ethiopia of today
By Commonsense
During the 1980s the international community, after years of indecision, finally came to enforce a stringent regime of economic and diplomatic pressure that was beginning to bite. A sustained campaign of civil disobedience and political action waged by the United Democratic Front was beginning to be lethally effective. Attacks by Umkhonto we Sizwe, ANC’s armed wing, mainly symbolic, were getting unnervingly frequent. In short, international pressure, popular action and the insurgency fed on each other to make minority rule untenable and its downfall imminent.
Against this backdrop, the apartheid regime still retained control of a highly efficient and well-equipped army and security force. However, it was becoming obvious that this could not forestall the inevitable--- certain defeat. Time for Afrikaners to make a tough decision: go on fighting, risking utter destruction, or negotiate a peaceful and win-win way out---ditto.
A comedy by Robin Williams, the US Comedian, captured the essence of the dire situation faced by the Apartheid regime. He related an anecdote about an encounter between Lester Maddox, the segregationist former Georgia Governor and an Afrikaner leader.
Maddox: “How many whites are there in South Africa?”
Afrikaner Leader: “About 3.5 million.”
Maddox: “How many blacks?”
Afrikaner Leader: “20 to 30 million.”
Maddox: “Does Custer ring a bell to you?”
Maddox was allegedly referring to Armstrong Custer, a flamboyant US military man at the head of an anti-Indian expedition in 1876. Contemptuous of their military prowess and certain of his glorious victory, Custer ordered his heavily outnumbered Seventh Cavalry to battle. Moved by the brutality of the attack and what awaited them, thousands of Indian warriors (read civilians) forced Custer's unit back onto a ridge, surrounded them, and wiped them out--- all of them.
The victory by the Indians did not last long. That is not the gist of the story. No analogy is a perfect fit but the story of Custer’s blunder, a major fiasco in US military history, and the wise choice made by Afrikaners are relevant to the situation in Ethiopia. Today the TPLF minority regime has succeeded in alienating everybody --- not just in urban areas but also the countryside---even in its home base of Tigrai (7% of the population). In days past TPLF could count on the magic of divide and rule--- pitting one group against the other and then posing as the arbiter.
Despite skepticism by some quarters, mostly unfounded, the formation of the Alliance for Freedom and Democracy puts this tactic to a real test. Granted, TPLF still controls the military and security forces. But seriously, how long before its generals realized that in the not distant future they may be facing the fate of Custer? For sure, the generals may dismiss this possibility, at least for now, but the rank and file is certain to weigh its options. Wise enough AFD is not asking for TPLF’s destruction. According to its public pronouncements it would settle for the fulfillment of a modest demand: TPLF’s commitment to dialogue and good-faith negotiation.
But if TPLF, not known for its far-sightedness, rejects this magnanimous gesture and continues with repression, “Does Custer ring a bell?” This is only Commonsense.
During the 1980s the international community, after years of indecision, finally came to enforce a stringent regime of economic and diplomatic pressure that was beginning to bite. A sustained campaign of civil disobedience and political action waged by the United Democratic Front was beginning to be lethally effective. Attacks by Umkhonto we Sizwe, ANC’s armed wing, mainly symbolic, were getting unnervingly frequent. In short, international pressure, popular action and the insurgency fed on each other to make minority rule untenable and its downfall imminent.
Against this backdrop, the apartheid regime still retained control of a highly efficient and well-equipped army and security force. However, it was becoming obvious that this could not forestall the inevitable--- certain defeat. Time for Afrikaners to make a tough decision: go on fighting, risking utter destruction, or negotiate a peaceful and win-win way out---ditto.
A comedy by Robin Williams, the US Comedian, captured the essence of the dire situation faced by the Apartheid regime. He related an anecdote about an encounter between Lester Maddox, the segregationist former Georgia Governor and an Afrikaner leader.
Maddox: “How many whites are there in South Africa?”
Afrikaner Leader: “About 3.5 million.”
Maddox: “How many blacks?”
Afrikaner Leader: “20 to 30 million.”
Maddox: “Does Custer ring a bell to you?”
Maddox was allegedly referring to Armstrong Custer, a flamboyant US military man at the head of an anti-Indian expedition in 1876. Contemptuous of their military prowess and certain of his glorious victory, Custer ordered his heavily outnumbered Seventh Cavalry to battle. Moved by the brutality of the attack and what awaited them, thousands of Indian warriors (read civilians) forced Custer's unit back onto a ridge, surrounded them, and wiped them out--- all of them.
The victory by the Indians did not last long. That is not the gist of the story. No analogy is a perfect fit but the story of Custer’s blunder, a major fiasco in US military history, and the wise choice made by Afrikaners are relevant to the situation in Ethiopia. Today the TPLF minority regime has succeeded in alienating everybody --- not just in urban areas but also the countryside---even in its home base of Tigrai (7% of the population). In days past TPLF could count on the magic of divide and rule--- pitting one group against the other and then posing as the arbiter.
Despite skepticism by some quarters, mostly unfounded, the formation of the Alliance for Freedom and Democracy puts this tactic to a real test. Granted, TPLF still controls the military and security forces. But seriously, how long before its generals realized that in the not distant future they may be facing the fate of Custer? For sure, the generals may dismiss this possibility, at least for now, but the rank and file is certain to weigh its options. Wise enough AFD is not asking for TPLF’s destruction. According to its public pronouncements it would settle for the fulfillment of a modest demand: TPLF’s commitment to dialogue and good-faith negotiation.
But if TPLF, not known for its far-sightedness, rejects this magnanimous gesture and continues with repression, “Does Custer ring a bell?” This is only Commonsense.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
A DESPERATE MINORITY REGIME CONTINUING WITH ITS MALICIOUS ACTS
ADDA BILISUMMAA OROMOO
OROMO LIBERATION FRONT
Date: June 8, 2006 No.: : 035/ABO/2006
Ever since it came to power the EPRDF/TPLF did not have the support of the people in Ethiopia. Its cling to power rested on its control of the security forces and its readiness to use it mercilessly and the use of “divide and rule” tactic of sowing discord and conflict between organizations and people who lived together harmoniously for generations. Since the leading opposition organizations and liberation fronts met in Utrecht, Holland and founded the Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (AFD), the regime has become
even more desperate and unsure of what to do. Out of desperation it has resorted to spreading fabricated and blasphemous lies to create mistrust among the organizations that formed the Alliance and their constituencies.
The EPRDF regime banked on the false hope that organizations like the CUDP and OLF would not come together and work for a common objective. So long as these organizations remained at loggerheads, it felt it would not face a serious and imminent threat to its monopoly on power. The formation of the AFD, whose constituencies form the overwhelming majority of the people in Ethiopia, has dashed this hope and
brought the EPRDF into a tailspin. The formation of the Alliance itself has brought shockwaves and fear into the very heart of the EPRDF.
The fact that member organizations of the Alliance are united in their determination to deal with the root causes of the denial of freedom, justice and peace to the people in Ethiopia and won the overwhelming support of those inside and around the world has wrought havoc within the ranks of the EPRDF, including its security forces. On the other hand it has already raised the expectation of the population for a day when the repression and misery will end once and for all. The EPRDF is fully aware that the Founding
Agreement between the members of the Alliance would shorten its hegemony. That is why it begun to fan inter-communal violence in many parts of the country spread false propaganda to divert the attention of the people, and to undermine and sabotage the noble efforts of the Alliance. In the countryside it is engaged in pitting communities against each other. In the schools it is pitting students against each other using a policy of divide and rule.
Worried by the level of criticism it is facing from the international community due to the work of the Diaspora, who are relentlessly raising their voice on behalf of all those who are denied this right in Ethiopia, the TPLF has created a new “Diaspora Affairs” department to derail this commendable work of the brave men and women. This could not hinder the formation of AFD.
In the past the EPRDF have been making different video fabrications to tarnish the good image of the OLF. In 1992 it massacred peaceful demonstrators in Baddanno and Water and blamed it on OLF. It committed horrendous crimes in Jimma area around Sigmo and Gattira as well as many places in Bale and other regions and then tried to defame and incriminate the OLF. However, these shameless acts only served to underscore the cruel nature of the TPLF and its determination to commit any crime to maintain its grip on power. Many former leaders and members of the EPRDF who knew these crimes have come out and exposed TPLF’s treachery.
The EPRDF propaganda targets creation of mistrust within the Alliance and prevents them from working
together and overcome common challenges through united action. To put this sinister plan into practice, agents of the TPLF have recently posted a document purportedly from the OLF. This document is a pure fabrication of the TPLF. The source of this dastardly and shameful act will be exposed in due time. In addition, its agents are distributing a new fabricated map entitled “Ethiopia in the Year 2009” that shows an enlarged size of Oromia incorporating major regions of the Southern and other regions. This is aliciously
done to sow suspicion between peoples. To those who have been exposed to the mischief of the TPLF, this is not new.
The OLF, while condemning this act in the strongest terms, wants to remind and forewarn everyone that the TPLF will go to any length in fabricating anything to discredit the Alliance and its member organizations. The OLF therefore calls on those inside the country and those forced to flee their homes in search of freedom and security not to fall victim to the machinations of the TPLF. We call on you to rally behind the noble
objectives of the Alliance and work to realize our common dream to see freedom and democracy in practice.
We call on all not to be deceived by the Machinations of a desperate minority clique that wants to cling to power by any means and at all costs. We are embarked on a just road, our objectives are clear and our victory is assured.
Freedom and Democracy for all!!
Victory to the Oromo People!!
Oromo Liberation Front
June 8, 2006
Oromo Liberation Front P.O. Box 6973, Tel. 2911-150548, Email: abamilki@gemel.com.er, Eritrea, Asmara
OROMO LIBERATION FRONT
Date: June 8, 2006 No.: : 035/ABO/2006
Ever since it came to power the EPRDF/TPLF did not have the support of the people in Ethiopia. Its cling to power rested on its control of the security forces and its readiness to use it mercilessly and the use of “divide and rule” tactic of sowing discord and conflict between organizations and people who lived together harmoniously for generations. Since the leading opposition organizations and liberation fronts met in Utrecht, Holland and founded the Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (AFD), the regime has become
even more desperate and unsure of what to do. Out of desperation it has resorted to spreading fabricated and blasphemous lies to create mistrust among the organizations that formed the Alliance and their constituencies.
The EPRDF regime banked on the false hope that organizations like the CUDP and OLF would not come together and work for a common objective. So long as these organizations remained at loggerheads, it felt it would not face a serious and imminent threat to its monopoly on power. The formation of the AFD, whose constituencies form the overwhelming majority of the people in Ethiopia, has dashed this hope and
brought the EPRDF into a tailspin. The formation of the Alliance itself has brought shockwaves and fear into the very heart of the EPRDF.
The fact that member organizations of the Alliance are united in their determination to deal with the root causes of the denial of freedom, justice and peace to the people in Ethiopia and won the overwhelming support of those inside and around the world has wrought havoc within the ranks of the EPRDF, including its security forces. On the other hand it has already raised the expectation of the population for a day when the repression and misery will end once and for all. The EPRDF is fully aware that the Founding
Agreement between the members of the Alliance would shorten its hegemony. That is why it begun to fan inter-communal violence in many parts of the country spread false propaganda to divert the attention of the people, and to undermine and sabotage the noble efforts of the Alliance. In the countryside it is engaged in pitting communities against each other. In the schools it is pitting students against each other using a policy of divide and rule.
Worried by the level of criticism it is facing from the international community due to the work of the Diaspora, who are relentlessly raising their voice on behalf of all those who are denied this right in Ethiopia, the TPLF has created a new “Diaspora Affairs” department to derail this commendable work of the brave men and women. This could not hinder the formation of AFD.
In the past the EPRDF have been making different video fabrications to tarnish the good image of the OLF. In 1992 it massacred peaceful demonstrators in Baddanno and Water and blamed it on OLF. It committed horrendous crimes in Jimma area around Sigmo and Gattira as well as many places in Bale and other regions and then tried to defame and incriminate the OLF. However, these shameless acts only served to underscore the cruel nature of the TPLF and its determination to commit any crime to maintain its grip on power. Many former leaders and members of the EPRDF who knew these crimes have come out and exposed TPLF’s treachery.
The EPRDF propaganda targets creation of mistrust within the Alliance and prevents them from working
together and overcome common challenges through united action. To put this sinister plan into practice, agents of the TPLF have recently posted a document purportedly from the OLF. This document is a pure fabrication of the TPLF. The source of this dastardly and shameful act will be exposed in due time. In addition, its agents are distributing a new fabricated map entitled “Ethiopia in the Year 2009” that shows an enlarged size of Oromia incorporating major regions of the Southern and other regions. This is aliciously
done to sow suspicion between peoples. To those who have been exposed to the mischief of the TPLF, this is not new.
The OLF, while condemning this act in the strongest terms, wants to remind and forewarn everyone that the TPLF will go to any length in fabricating anything to discredit the Alliance and its member organizations. The OLF therefore calls on those inside the country and those forced to flee their homes in search of freedom and security not to fall victim to the machinations of the TPLF. We call on you to rally behind the noble
objectives of the Alliance and work to realize our common dream to see freedom and democracy in practice.
We call on all not to be deceived by the Machinations of a desperate minority clique that wants to cling to power by any means and at all costs. We are embarked on a just road, our objectives are clear and our victory is assured.
Freedom and Democracy for all!!
Victory to the Oromo People!!
Oromo Liberation Front
June 8, 2006
Oromo Liberation Front P.O. Box 6973, Tel. 2911-150548, Email: abamilki@gemel.com.er, Eritrea, Asmara
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