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Press Release

July 16, 2006

By Ethiopian Somali Democratic Council

Urging Representatives not to Vote for Bill H.R. 5680

We, Ethiopian Somali Democratic Council, urge all peace-loving people in America particularly the Ethiopian American in Diaspora to express strong opposition to H.R. 5680: Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy, and Human Rights Advancement Act of 2006. This bill has passed the House International Relations Committee and will be brought to the full house before Congress’ summer recess.

H.R.5680 has nothing to do with the description that is given, namely Ethiopian Freedom, Democracy and Human Rights. It is a bill that is primarily aim at misleading the people at large. Simply put, the bill is masterminded, concocted and formulated by a few elites and criminals who lost the power during previous regimes of Ethiopia. These elites do not understand and believe in the language of communication and dialogue that Ethiopia is currently embarked on it. They do not bolster the richness diversity of Ethiopia. Having lived in prosperous life and peace in the capital of Western world, these elites are pushing the agenda of violence and sorting out economic, political and social problems through the gun in Ethiopia

The campaigners behind the bill are also the ringleaders such as Negede Gobeze who were the authors of killing machine and mayhem that had visited on Ethiopian people during Red Terror. They are trying not to be brought to justice if they succeed to change the current regime in Ethiopia. In addition, they have all kind of money and resource to hire lobbyist group to change the direction of Ethiopian emerging democracy. Ironically, the tiny country, Eritrea, is also behind the lobbyist among the misguided groups aim at destabilizing Ethiopia through the bill.

For the first time in Ethiopian history, Ethiopia held its most openly competitive elections in May 2005. Unfortunately, the success of these elections was marred by the opposition’s call for violence, resulting in the deaths of 36 civilians and 7 policemen. In other words, Ethiopia lost immeasurable properties and lives of innocent and poor Ethiopian while these elites’ immediate family and children were and are still studying, living and enjoying life in the capital of France, England, Canada and USA. The average Ethiopian is struggling to have one meal a day whereas the elites invest 50 thousands dollars a month in the lobbying campaign to pass the bill.

Despite some opposition members calling for a boycott of the Parliament, the Parliament opened with 98% of its elected members taking their seats. The Ethiopian economy is experiencing unprecedented growth at an average of 7% over the last three years due to government policies that have created a favorable economic climate for investment.

For example, in Somali region of Ethiopia, a university is planned to be opened soon and twenty three high schools are functioning; nevertheless, in the old regimes, it has only one eight grade school for 3.5 millions people. That was a crime against humanity. The bill aimed is to restore these injustice and oppression on Ethiopian population.

Moreover, Ethiopia is currently racing against time by introducing Five Years Development Goals, which focused on fundamental issues such as AIDS, education, health, and cutting poverty in half by 2010. In audacious prose, alive with anecdotes ranging from maddening to hilarious to heartbreaking, Prime Minister Zenawi and his cabinet show why and how US Congress is falling desperately short of these goals when they support the bill to reverse the direction of Ethiopian democracy.

Instead, they could support the emerging democracy in Ethiopia, consolidate globalization and bring peace, stability and prosperity to Horn of Africa and in general in Africa. The twenty millions dollars of American tax-payers cited in the bill would be better to be used to strengthen institutions building and sustainable development in Ethiopia.

HR5680 compromises the national security interests of both the United States and Ethiopia. The National Security Strategy of the United States (2002) clearly states that Ethiopia is an anchor for regional engagement in the Horn of Africa and a critical U.S. partner in counter-terrorism. The strategy further states, “An ever more lethal environment exists in Africa as local civil wars spread beyond borders to create regional war zones. Forming coalitions of the willing and cooperative security arrangements are key to confronting these emerging transitional threats.”

In short, this proposed bill (HR5680) is the result of intensive lobbying on the part of a few vocal opponents of the current government who seek to advance their own political ambition at the expense of the Ethiopian people. If this bill passes, Ethiopia’s freedom, democracy and human rights will be compromised to support the interests of a few politicians enjoying the benefits of life here in the United States.

We, ESDC, urge Ethiopian in Diaspora to contact members of the International Relations Committee whose address and those of others is available here. In other words, in order to protect the national security interests of both the United States, while at the same time supporting Ethiopia in its efforts to promote democracy and economic development, we urge the legislators to vote no on HR5680 and contact your representatives.

There are now 20 co-sponsors

Rep Towns, Edolphus [NY-10] – 3/7/2006
Rep Wolf, Frank R. [VA-10] – 3/7/2006
Rep Royce, Edward R. [CA-40] – 3/7/2006
Rep Rohrabacher, Dana [CA-46] – 3/7/2006
Rep Tancredo, Thomas G. [CO-6] – 3/7/2006
Rep Sabo, Martin Olav [MN-5] – 3/7/2006
Rep Moran, James P. [VA-8] – 3/7/2006
Rep Boyd, Allen [FL-2] – 3/7/2006
Rep Rangel, Charles B. [NY-15] – 3/14/2006
Rep Barrow, John [GA-12] – 3/14/2006
Rep McKinney, Cynthia A. [GA-4] – 3/14/2006
Rep Sanchez, Loretta [CA-47] – 3/30/2006
Rep Lofgren, Zoe [CA-16] – 3/30/2006
Rep Watson, Diane E. [CA-33] – 4/4/2006
Rep Clay, Wm. Lacy [MO-1] – 5/3/2006
Rep Moore, Dennis [KS-3] – 5/3/2006
Rep Kennedy, Mark R. [MN-6] – 5/3/2006
Rep Scott, Robert C. [VA-3] – 5/3/2006
Rep Green, Al [TX-9] – 5/23/2006
Rep Chabot, Steve [OH-1] – 5/23/2006