MedeshiEthiopia criticizes Donald Payne bias once again with Press Release
September 27, 2008
By
Behailu Damte
At the end of this blog article, i have posted the Press Release from the Ethiopian government published this week about US Congressman Donald Representative Donald Payne.
(Photo: Donald Payne)
As usual, the Ethiopian government criticizes Donald Payne and as usual they make a good point. In my opinion, one of the biggest reasons why the Ethiopian government is so stubborn and continues its wrong policies against Ethiopian opposition parties is because we have stupid Congressmen like Donald Payne who unreasonably choose
sides between these two rival countries. Understandably, the Ethiopian government is pissed off for having tried much more reforms than the Eritrean one-party regime as Donald Payne continues supporting the Eritrean regime. Just as important, Ethiopian regime is pissed off because Donald Payne is supporting Eritrea while Ethiopia continues to struggle fighting the Eritrea-armed and Eritrea-financed rebels in Ogaden region and other regions. The Ethiopian regime continues complaining and saying, why doesn't Donald criticize the Eritrean regime with HR 2003, just like he criticized Ethiopian regime. Well, ironically, everything the Ethiopian regime is saying about Donald Payne is accurate.
Anyway, as an Ethiopian myself who is extremely tired of Meles Zenawi's 17 years rule in Ethiopia, I hold Congressman Donald Payne (& the like) mainly responsible for using selective human rights criticism against the Ethiopian government while keeping a blind eye on Eritrea's more oppressive government. Such selective and irresponsible policy of Donald payne and the like will be the main reason why Meles Zenawi's regime will always be stubborn and inflexible. (especially since US plays vital roles in these countries with aid, etc) At this time, what Donald Payne needs to do, if he wants to become credible, is use equal measuring sticks and equivalent criticism of undemocratic nations around the world. The reality is, Donald Payne has already showed his stupidity showing up in support of the ONLF terrorists the same week the ONLF killed over 70 Ethiopians last year and then Donald declared himself a defender of human rights a few weeks later by shoving HR 2003 bill against the Ethiopian regime. Trully, that was the stupidest Donald Payne moment. A moment when many Ethiopians who used to support bills like HR 2003 started to suddenly oppose it. What America needs is smart, fair and knowledgeable Congressmen to direct their foreign policies intelligently. So far Donald Payne has showed he is not one of them.
Meanwhile, it does not seem like a democratic and free election will happen in Ethiopia in the year 2010. The election board in Ethiopia is dominated by folks hand picked by Meles Zenawi. I have often opposed the endless unsuccessful HRs and other U.S. bills placed against the Meles regime. Sadly, many of us were expecting that Meles Zenawi will make our country proud by allowing free elections, independent judiciary and other independent institutions without having to be pressured by foreign leaders and unintelligent politicians like Donald Payne. Unfortunately, Meles continues to disappoint Ethiopians like me who placed some hope on him. His government is now bringing new restrictive and crazy laws against NGOs, press and other institutions in Ethiopia. Many Ethiopians who support peaceful opposition parties like OFDM, UDJ and other continue to be killed, imprisoned etc. Many people are losing hope on Meles. Unless this Meles regime improves soon, external pressure might be the main method to democratize Ethiopia. Unfortunately, selective pressure from the likes of stupid congressmen like Donald Payne will NOT do it. Such moves will only make the rulers in Ethiopia more stubborn since more oppressive regimes like Eritrea are ignored by the likes of Donald Payne. Another bill recently started by Senator Russ Feingold in Minnesota will not work either. Actually, Donald will have better luck than Feingold because Mr. Feingold was pressured by the big pro-ONLF refugee residents in Minnesota who have been lobbying him for many years. This Feingold bill will be even more unsuccessful. (not to mention the bill appearing politically motivated since it seems Feingold initiated it to gain votes from his constituency that has separatist Somali political refugees ) Nonetheless, selective criticism of human rights will not work. In general, my hope is that there will be some smart congressmen out there who would criticise BOTH Ethiopia and Eritrea. Otherwise, it is the responsibility of pro-democracy Ethiopians and Eritreans and others in the Diaspora to work together because, whether we like it or not, only a broad-based horn of African initiative to democratize the region as whole will achieve meaningful results. Nothing else will. Certainly, not selective and idiotic tactics like those of Donald Payne.
Below is the copy of the press release from the Ethiopian regime in Addis Ababa.
http://www.mfa.gov.et/Press_Section/Week_Horn_Africa_September_26_2008.htm
Supporting Senator Obama shouldn't mean vilification of Ethiopia
"Last week, US Congressman, Representative Donald Payne (Democrat, New Jersey) addressed a gathering of Ethiopians in Washington, D.C. The apparent purpose was to urge the community to support the Democratic presidential candidate, Senator Barack Obama, in his bid to become the next President of the United States. We do not, of course, have any intent to be involved in the domestic politics of another state, even of a close friend. However, when a US Congressman uses a domestic political campaign event to vilify Ethiopia, it does raise some questions why he goes to such lengths to try to tarnish Ethiopia’s image and damage the good relations between Ethiopia and the United States.
In his address to the meeting, Representative Payne claimed he was particularly concerned by political and human rights conditions in Ethiopia. He cited a litany of unsubstantiated allegations of violations. Ethiopia, of course, does not claim to have a perfect record in its efforts to build a strong democratic society, but it is, nevertheless, a country that has regular free multi-party elections, a thriving free press, a constitution and mechanisms to address human rights issues including a Human Rights Commission and an Ombudsman's Office. Is there room for improvement? Certainly. That is why both government and people continue efforts to strengthen the judicial and political institutions necessary to achieve and sustain improved performances in all areas of democratization including the protection of human rights.
If Representative Payne is really genuine in his frequently stated concern for human rights and democracy, it is surprising that he has made so little of Eritrea, a country he visited early this year. Eritrea, after all, has no constitution, refuses to hold elections, only allows one political party, the ruling Peoples Front for Democracy and Justice, does not allow any independent media, has been designated as a country of particular concern for severe violations of religious freedom for the last four years,and has been roundly criticized by Reporters Without Borders and by all Eritrean Human Rights organizations, all of which are obliged to operate from exile. Mr. Payne is also no doubt aware of the eleven ministers and senior officials, and a number of journalists, rounded up by the Eritrean government on September 18, 2001. Held incommunicado, without charge or trial, for seven years, nothing has been heard of them. Thousands more are detained indefinitely, again without charge or trial, many for attempting to escape national conscription which for tens of thousands has lasted for more more than a decade. Representative Payne's reluctance to comment on Eritrea's appalling record on human rights while continuing to vilify Ethiopia, suggests he is driven less by any concern for human rights than by his own personal anti-Ethiopian agenda.
Representative Payne also told his audience that under an Obama administration, “we will not turn a blind eye to abuses just because some governments pretend to be allies in the war on terror.” This is obviously an allusion to Ethiopia which the United States certainly considers a friend. We have no knowledge whether Mr. Payne is accurate in his view of Senator Obama's possible policies. However, his effort to raise support for Senator Obama among members of the more extreme Ethiopian opposition elements in the Diaspora, by promising hostility to the present government of Ethiopia, is scarcely a friendly act. It is also perhaps unfair to the Presidential candidate himself who appears far too statesmanlike to associate himself with such disgraceful activity. We would recall that Representative Payne was the main architect of HR 2003, a much criticized bill which he claimed would support human rights and democracy in Ethiopia. The bill failed to materialize in part because it was seen as ill-conceived and hardly conducive to good US/Ethiopian relations, nor, we might add, to US/African relations either. In his speech last week, Representative Payne made clear his regret for the failure, claiming that the Government of Ethiopia had spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to kill it. The Government did not: it had no need to.
Behailu Damte
At the end of this blog article, i have posted the Press Release from the Ethiopian government published this week about US Congressman Donald Representative Donald Payne.
(Photo: Donald Payne)
As usual, the Ethiopian government criticizes Donald Payne and as usual they make a good point. In my opinion, one of the biggest reasons why the Ethiopian government is so stubborn and continues its wrong policies against Ethiopian opposition parties is because we have stupid Congressmen like Donald Payne who unreasonably choose
sides between these two rival countries. Understandably, the Ethiopian government is pissed off for having tried much more reforms than the Eritrean one-party regime as Donald Payne continues supporting the Eritrean regime. Just as important, Ethiopian regime is pissed off because Donald Payne is supporting Eritrea while Ethiopia continues to struggle fighting the Eritrea-armed and Eritrea-financed rebels in Ogaden region and other regions. The Ethiopian regime continues complaining and saying, why doesn't Donald criticize the Eritrean regime with HR 2003, just like he criticized Ethiopian regime. Well, ironically, everything the Ethiopian regime is saying about Donald Payne is accurate.
Anyway, as an Ethiopian myself who is extremely tired of Meles Zenawi's 17 years rule in Ethiopia, I hold Congressman Donald Payne (& the like) mainly responsible for using selective human rights criticism against the Ethiopian government while keeping a blind eye on Eritrea's more oppressive government. Such selective and irresponsible policy of Donald payne and the like will be the main reason why Meles Zenawi's regime will always be stubborn and inflexible. (especially since US plays vital roles in these countries with aid, etc) At this time, what Donald Payne needs to do, if he wants to become credible, is use equal measuring sticks and equivalent criticism of undemocratic nations around the world. The reality is, Donald Payne has already showed his stupidity showing up in support of the ONLF terrorists the same week the ONLF killed over 70 Ethiopians last year and then Donald declared himself a defender of human rights a few weeks later by shoving HR 2003 bill against the Ethiopian regime. Trully, that was the stupidest Donald Payne moment. A moment when many Ethiopians who used to support bills like HR 2003 started to suddenly oppose it. What America needs is smart, fair and knowledgeable Congressmen to direct their foreign policies intelligently. So far Donald Payne has showed he is not one of them.
Meanwhile, it does not seem like a democratic and free election will happen in Ethiopia in the year 2010. The election board in Ethiopia is dominated by folks hand picked by Meles Zenawi. I have often opposed the endless unsuccessful HRs and other U.S. bills placed against the Meles regime. Sadly, many of us were expecting that Meles Zenawi will make our country proud by allowing free elections, independent judiciary and other independent institutions without having to be pressured by foreign leaders and unintelligent politicians like Donald Payne. Unfortunately, Meles continues to disappoint Ethiopians like me who placed some hope on him. His government is now bringing new restrictive and crazy laws against NGOs, press and other institutions in Ethiopia. Many Ethiopians who support peaceful opposition parties like OFDM, UDJ and other continue to be killed, imprisoned etc. Many people are losing hope on Meles. Unless this Meles regime improves soon, external pressure might be the main method to democratize Ethiopia. Unfortunately, selective pressure from the likes of stupid congressmen like Donald Payne will NOT do it. Such moves will only make the rulers in Ethiopia more stubborn since more oppressive regimes like Eritrea are ignored by the likes of Donald Payne. Another bill recently started by Senator Russ Feingold in Minnesota will not work either. Actually, Donald will have better luck than Feingold because Mr. Feingold was pressured by the big pro-ONLF refugee residents in Minnesota who have been lobbying him for many years. This Feingold bill will be even more unsuccessful. (not to mention the bill appearing politically motivated since it seems Feingold initiated it to gain votes from his constituency that has separatist Somali political refugees ) Nonetheless, selective criticism of human rights will not work. In general, my hope is that there will be some smart congressmen out there who would criticise BOTH Ethiopia and Eritrea. Otherwise, it is the responsibility of pro-democracy Ethiopians and Eritreans and others in the Diaspora to work together because, whether we like it or not, only a broad-based horn of African initiative to democratize the region as whole will achieve meaningful results. Nothing else will. Certainly, not selective and idiotic tactics like those of Donald Payne.
Below is the copy of the press release from the Ethiopian regime in Addis Ababa.
http://www.mfa.gov.et/Press_Section/Week_Horn_Africa_September_26_2008.htm
Supporting Senator Obama shouldn't mean vilification of Ethiopia
"Last week, US Congressman, Representative Donald Payne (Democrat, New Jersey) addressed a gathering of Ethiopians in Washington, D.C. The apparent purpose was to urge the community to support the Democratic presidential candidate, Senator Barack Obama, in his bid to become the next President of the United States. We do not, of course, have any intent to be involved in the domestic politics of another state, even of a close friend. However, when a US Congressman uses a domestic political campaign event to vilify Ethiopia, it does raise some questions why he goes to such lengths to try to tarnish Ethiopia’s image and damage the good relations between Ethiopia and the United States.
In his address to the meeting, Representative Payne claimed he was particularly concerned by political and human rights conditions in Ethiopia. He cited a litany of unsubstantiated allegations of violations. Ethiopia, of course, does not claim to have a perfect record in its efforts to build a strong democratic society, but it is, nevertheless, a country that has regular free multi-party elections, a thriving free press, a constitution and mechanisms to address human rights issues including a Human Rights Commission and an Ombudsman's Office. Is there room for improvement? Certainly. That is why both government and people continue efforts to strengthen the judicial and political institutions necessary to achieve and sustain improved performances in all areas of democratization including the protection of human rights.
If Representative Payne is really genuine in his frequently stated concern for human rights and democracy, it is surprising that he has made so little of Eritrea, a country he visited early this year. Eritrea, after all, has no constitution, refuses to hold elections, only allows one political party, the ruling Peoples Front for Democracy and Justice, does not allow any independent media, has been designated as a country of particular concern for severe violations of religious freedom for the last four years,and has been roundly criticized by Reporters Without Borders and by all Eritrean Human Rights organizations, all of which are obliged to operate from exile. Mr. Payne is also no doubt aware of the eleven ministers and senior officials, and a number of journalists, rounded up by the Eritrean government on September 18, 2001. Held incommunicado, without charge or trial, for seven years, nothing has been heard of them. Thousands more are detained indefinitely, again without charge or trial, many for attempting to escape national conscription which for tens of thousands has lasted for more more than a decade. Representative Payne's reluctance to comment on Eritrea's appalling record on human rights while continuing to vilify Ethiopia, suggests he is driven less by any concern for human rights than by his own personal anti-Ethiopian agenda.
Representative Payne also told his audience that under an Obama administration, “we will not turn a blind eye to abuses just because some governments pretend to be allies in the war on terror.” This is obviously an allusion to Ethiopia which the United States certainly considers a friend. We have no knowledge whether Mr. Payne is accurate in his view of Senator Obama's possible policies. However, his effort to raise support for Senator Obama among members of the more extreme Ethiopian opposition elements in the Diaspora, by promising hostility to the present government of Ethiopia, is scarcely a friendly act. It is also perhaps unfair to the Presidential candidate himself who appears far too statesmanlike to associate himself with such disgraceful activity. We would recall that Representative Payne was the main architect of HR 2003, a much criticized bill which he claimed would support human rights and democracy in Ethiopia. The bill failed to materialize in part because it was seen as ill-conceived and hardly conducive to good US/Ethiopian relations, nor, we might add, to US/African relations either. In his speech last week, Representative Payne made clear his regret for the failure, claiming that the Government of Ethiopia had spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to kill it. The Government did not: it had no need to.
