October 10, 2006
The Honorable Dennis Haster
Speaker of the House
235 Cannon House Office Building
Washington DC 20515
Re: H.R. 5680 (Ethiopian Freedom, Democracy, and Human Rights Act of 2006)
Dear Mr. Speaker:
My name is Befekadu Terefe Retta. I’m an election coordinator for the Cook County, Illinois. I am writing you to express my strong opposition to H.R. 5680. This bill has passed the House International Relations Committee and it is now on your desk to be presented to the full House. I support you on the blockage of this bill H.R.5680.
If passed, H.R. 5680 would compromise 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, economic development and a road to good governance. The strategy further states, “An ever more lethal environment exists in Africa as local civil wars spread beyond boarders to create regional war zones. Forming coalitions of the willing and cooperative security arrangements are the key to confronting these emerging transitional threats.”
Mr. Speaker, the emergence of Islamic Fundamentalist Movement in Somalia, led by a known and wanted terrorist Sheikh Hussan Dahir Awys, head of the so called Union of Islamic Courts, is indeed troubling development to us all. This development in Somalia is supported by non other than Eritrea, Ethiopia’s Arch-rival and a known rouge state in the Horn of Africa. The above events underscore the critical importance of well-trained, well-equipped Ethiopian defense forces. Any such attempt to weaken Ethiopia’s ability to fight terrorism can only encourage terrorist insurgents to spread and organize themselves to attack freedom loving countries in the Horn of Africa, the Middle East and the United States.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, Ethiopia held its most open and free multi party elections in May 2005. I personally witnessed the elections as an election expert and technical assistance provider for capacity building. Unfortunately, the success of the elections was marred by violence instigated by the opposition and their distractive followers in the USA like Prof. Al Mariam. Fortunately, in the end the Parliament of Ethiopia opened with 98% of its elected members taking their seats, where the opposition members held no less than 33% of the total seats, up from 12 seats previously.
Mr. Speaker, this year a bi-partisan delegation of Ethiopian Parliamentarians visited several states in the U.S. engaging the Ethiopian Diaspora on an open dialogue. Those who believe in civil discourse and do not harbor an ill feeling towards the betterment of Ethiopia were able to exchange with the delegation constructive information and views. On the other hand, those who are disinclined to play the role of a good-citizen, however, chose to engage in harmful ways including by using and manipulating our democratic system and thus pushing for H.R. 5680.
For the last three years, the Ethiopian economy has been registering an average growth of 9.5%. Further, on its 6th congress last month the parliament passed a resolution pronouncing its determination to further improve good governance and maintain the economic growth. As we can see from various achievements, the country is headed on the right directions towards sustainable peace, economic growth and human right protection. Yes, still there is a lot to be done, and should be done so by working hand in hand with the United States and other democratic countries.
H.R. 5680 is the result of intensive lobbying by a few vocal opponents of the current government who seek and spread hate to advance their own political ambition at the expense of the welfare of the country. Those are the groups who objected the World Bank Debt relief, loan from IMF and charitable contributions of the Carter Foundation and President Clinton’s incentive grants for Ethiopia, to name a few.
Mr. Speaker, if H.R. 5680 is passed, it would not only have adverse effects on Ethiopia’s remarkable progress in economic development, good government and democracy, but also would undermine the United States’ longstanding relationship with Ethiopia. Ethiopian’s freedom, democracy and human rights will be compromised and only a few power-greedy politicians will benefit from it. In order to protect the national security interests of both the United States and Ethiopia in the efforts to promote peace, democracy, economic development and good governance, I urge you to block the passage of H.R. 5680.
Thank You,
Befekadu T. Retta
Cook County Election
Field Coordinator
cc:
President George Bush, The White House
Dr. Condoleeza Rice, Secretary of State
Mr. Donald Yamamoto, Ambassador Designate to Ethiopia
United States House of Representatives:
Hon. Nancy Pelosi Hon. Dana Rohrabacher
Hon. Henry Hyde Hon. Jim Moran
Hon. Christopher Smith Hon. Loretta Sanchez