Has the US congress turned itself into a "devils lab"?

By Mekonen Wondimu

The US congress has recently passed a bill which goes by the name of "HR 2003". This blatant violation of Ethiopia's sovereign right to enact its own laws is another testimony, to the fact that some quarters are not to leave us in peace even at the dawn of our new millennium. As we celebrate the new Millennium Ethiopia has promised itself, and indeed to the whole world that it is closing the old chapter and is opening a new one. We are now changing the dire economic situation of our beloved country with a renewed commitment. Ethiopia is pursuing a development model that can bring an accelerated growth that benefits the whole people at all levels. We are witness to our government's farsighted economic policy which has brought about rapid economic growth, so far, with a huge success. Both in the rural and urban areas, Ethiopians under the leadership of the transformational state are fighting poverty with unparalleled zeal and commitment.

Ethiopia is also committed to change the historical injustice that prevailed in this country for centuries, in the last millennium. As this is clearly stipulated in the preamble of our Constitution, the people of Ethiopia have already embarked upon a comprehensive democratization process which has started to deliver the desired results. Governing the country according to the provisions of the Constitution, which was approved by the constituent assembly, elected by the people (the supreme masters of the land) in 1994, is one proof of this new political setting. Ethiopia is no longer a state run by outdated Emperors or bloody Military dictators. It belongs to its people who with blood and sweat paid through generations have maintained its survival. Ethiopians now have designed a great constitution that recognizes full rights of the individual and groups. These constitutional rights are not limited to individual liberties but also encapsulate the rights of the various ethnic groups, women and religions, in other words the rights of all peoples of this proud country. Ethiopia has now started to be run according to its constitution and the healing wind of democracy has been blowing in this land since 1991.

Stating some of our democratic gains might help the esteemed promoters oh HR 2003, in the US Congress, to understand some features of the new and current Ethiopia. Our democratic Constitution which is the cornerstone of our democratization drive is now being implemented. In the last sixteen and half years we have held three elections and we are preparing for another round of local elections come next February. Separation of power between the three branches of government exists with the necessary constitutional mandate of each branch to check the others. Ethiopia enjoys respect for the human and democratic rights of its citizens and the rule of law prevails. It is also important to remind our esteemed Congressmen that Ethiopia's judicial system passed the test of time when it courageously resisted the orders that hailed from some EU parliamentarians, as recently as 2007.

As the facts on the ground attest, Ethiopia has implemented legal provisions that guarantee ethnic equality for almost two decades, now. The time of the unitary state is gone for good and regions that run their own affairs have become the sovereign powers of the land. Linguistic, cultural, religious and gender equality is guaranteed by law. Devolution of power from the centre to the peripheries has taken place at an accelerated pace. I might also add that Ethiopia is building many democratic institutions. It also has one of the most vibrant parliaments in the continent. Political parties are functioning and free press is a fact of life in Ethiopia, today. The Human rights Commission and that of the Ombudsman have also been established. This, I hope indicates to the honourable Congressmen that Ethiopia wants to change not because some master wants it to or has ordered the country to do so, but because Ethiopians desire it. This has come to be only as a result of the Ethiopian people's interest in democratic society. This is the New Ethiopia, where a new self correcting democratic system is in the process of being built. It is well known that a democratic society is work in progress. Let alone in Ethiopia where it is in the nascent stage even in the US of America where you pride yourselves with a history of over 200 years of democracy, the system is not something frozen in time or perfect. It continuously requires refinement and obviously even more so in Ethiopia.

Compare these facts with what is happening in today's Eritrea, which emerged as a new independent country at the same time Ethiopia rid itself of the military regime and embarked on a comprehensive transformation. In Eritrea no one finds elements of democracy let alone a whole set of comprehensive reform and institutions of democracy. In Eritrea there is no election, no parliament, no independent judiciary, no rule of law, no checks and balances, what so ever. Today's Eritrea does not have a single private press. Arbitrary detention and blatant disregard for human rights is the rule not an exception. Political prisoners are dying without seeing the light of day let alone an independent judiciary. If interest in democracy were the prime motive of the HR bill we would have seen the same if not even more stringent bill regarding Eritrea. Despite these glaring facts about Eritrea the one man regime is not held accountable for its abhorrent abuses. It is strange that the Honourable Congressmen have not attempted to draft a single bill that aims to ensure democracy in Eritrea.

Then why this double standard exerted by the US congress? Obviously, it is unsettling to see the US Congress trying to impose a seemingly democratic bill on an already democratizing country, while it completely ignores the abuses of the government in Eritrea. I am not here advocating that the Congress should do the same to Eritrea.  As an African I do not wish Eritrea to be ill treated by these colonial minded people who are treating Ethiopia in a contemptuous and condescending manner. I am interested to show that raising the issue of democracy is only a self serving agenda for those who need an axe to grind against Ethiopia. From the bottom of my heart I truly believe no country deserves this. No one, for that matter, must be ill treated.

Ethiopia is changing and it seems timely to remind our dear Congressmen that it does not need a baby sitter in its democratization endeavour. Dear Congressmen! We want democracy not because it helps us to improve our profile in your eyes, but because we, as a people, deserve it, therefore we will do whatever it takes to make it happen here in our proud country, which is incidentally known for standing for its rights no matter what the price. 

It is embarrassing that you want to give us orders on how to manage our affairs in the way you believe is good for us, in terms of democracy. You go as far as threatening to cut assistance and deny visas to our officials. Do you think Ethiopia and its officials will pledge for clemency at your feet, as your messenger boys in the CUD have done recently. No! Absolutely Not!

Nonetheless the long list that you have put on the rubbish HR bill indicates that you are memory challenged. Hence, you need another quick reminder from Ethiopia. As you might well remember some EU parliamentarians have tried this trick before but with no success. In fact they were able to push such punitive measure which were enacted or endorsed by their respective governments, who cut the assistance in order to bring Ethiopia to its knees. They have done this in the most "Shameful manner" as PM Meles Zenawi recently said in the Ethiopian parliament. Despite this policy of threat and blackmail, as well as real cut in assistance, Ethiopia managed to register an impressive economic growth. Dear Honourable Congressmen! I wish to remind you that no force on this earth will arrest the development of our country. Please do not try to frighten Ethiopia whose history proves that fear is alien to it.

Donald Payne in his draft bill has suggested that the US government deny Ethiopian officials visas and that Congress must endorse his proposal. All I want to say to this is please do it, and do it fast! Do you think Ethiopian officials are dying to go to the US? You may assume that Ethiopian officials would want to go to your country, if and only if the world was the US alone. No! The world is not made up of only the US. The world is vast, with so many opportunities and new horizons opening in every direction and continuously too. Because of your threat to deny Ethiopian officials entry visas to the US, neither Ethiopia nor its officials will feel choked in this vast world, especially at a time when countries like India and China are rising up. Once again let me touch on a fundamentally abhorrent issue, which is related to the attempt by these Congressmen, who in my opinion do not seem to learn from history. They have passed a bill that they hope will be applied on a sovereign country against its will. Well let's wait and see.

The respected congressmen who need to refer to lessons in history 101 are threatening Ethiopia, of all countries! I would like to remind them that Ethiopia, a country which is known for jealously protecting its freedom, and has never been subjugated by foreign forces that used poison gas, mass slaughter and occupation as a means to force it down. From Egypt to Britain, from Italy to the Dervishes, many were those who tried direct assault on Ethiopia but none of them have succeeded in subjugating it. If history is the judge, I think the new colonialists such as Ana Gomez from Europe and those others from the US will not succeed, either.

Our respected Congressmen need to know that Ethiopia is not saying anything against the US, not because it is a land of absolute justice or is always playing a constructive role in the world. On the contrary we know that both at home and abroad there is much to be desired in the way the US is managing itself and is trying to manage world affairs. Ethiopia keeps silent not only because issuing a bill for or against the US is not its mandate but also because it has its own priorities. We know that the US has both its hands full with many problems that it has created and needs to address.  Ethiopia has also so many problems, of its own, which it has to take care of. That is why it is concentrating all its energy to its internal affair. I hope this will help the Congressmen to learn some lessons about being focused on ones' own top priorities. Based on the belief that both countries need each other, while at the same time respecting the independence of each, our government's preference not to take the fight into the open is admirable. This does not mean we, the citizens of this great nation should be inhibited by diplomatic niceties. If need be, we shall take the fight to any level with out giving up the fight against poverty.

 Our beloved Amhara people have a saying "S‰ ÃÈC mnkùs¤ öÆ*N qÄ TsÍlC" This is more or less the same with the English saying that goes "An idle mind is the devil's lab." By indulging in others internal affairs, it seems to me that the US congress is changing itself more and more into a devil's laboratory. With all due respect to this esteemed US institution, I humbly suggest that it looks inwards, and take stock of what it needs to do, afresh. As far as Ethiopia is concerned this seems the appropriate time to tell the colonial minded Congressmen of the US, that no verbal or material threat has ever managed to make this country kneel and will ever do so in the future. Of course, fighting poverty and backwardness, controlling the spread of epidemics, spreading education, ensuring peace and stability and fulfilling the long standing dreams are daunting tasks that leave no spare time to engage in squabbles. However, this does not mean that, if push comes to shove Ethiopia will not change its priorities. But for now, rest assured, esteemed Congressmen that Ethiopia will dwell on its own priorities. 

Oct 16, 2007