HR 2003

I guess it is time to stand up and be counted for Ethiopia. It is shameful to see that there are so-called Ethiopians calling for the destruction of Ethiopia and the struggle it has started to fight its worst enemies - poverty and hunger. It is sad that US citizens of Ethiopian origin are calling on their Government to starve the Ethiopian people and stifle the progress being achieved by its gallant daughters and sons. For those of us who have been silent for whatever reason, it is time that we stand up and be counted for Ethiopia and the Ethiopian people. This is not about supporting one party or the other, this is about our people, the poor people of Ethiopia who have made it possible for us to get the Diplomas and degrees which, sadly made some of us forget the reality of our people. This reminds me of an old saying of our wise fathers and forefathers who did not have a PhD to boast about. it goes: Mastewal Yaltechemerebet Timhirt, Ahiya lai and techane metshaf yikoteral. That is to say"Education not complemented by common sense (comprehension, awareness of the factual situation, etc.) counts as books loaded on a donkey (I hope that I got the translation approximately right.

For the Ethiopian Government, it is time to make it very clear that our relationship with other States be they super powers or not, is based on mutual respect. Should so called friendly States are willing to harbour enemies of the country and its people whose intent is to harm the basic interests of Ethiopia and Ethiopians in the name of free speech or a democracy which does not exist in any part of the World, we should make it clear that the so called friendship does not hold water. Governments whether they be their law makers or others interfere in the affairs of our country in the interest of gaining few hundred votes and on information which based on lies and unfounded accusations, it is time to reconsider our relationship and the sacrifices we make in the interest of maintaining that friendship. When we fight terrorism both in our interest and that of theirs in our region, we would expect them to at least curb the terrorism which is being openly advocated and exported from their territories against our people and country. It is one thing to allow confused people to shout slogans in the name of free speech but completely another when law makers provide support to the sloganists for whatever reason.

Haile Belai

Sep 28, 2007