(Aigaforum July 2007):-According to reliable source HR2003 will expire before it becomes law as was the case with its predecessor HR5680.
The bill touted as a proud achievement of the vocal Diaspora and its continuous lobbying effort was sponsored by Congressman Donald Payne.
Donald Payne has been given unprecedented access to the Ethiopian government and has witnessed first hand the challenges of democratization in Ethiopia, yet he was swayed by biased and vociferous Diaspora to support this bill.
The democratization process with or with out this bill will continue in Ethiopia. Now that the bill is dead all the energy spent on this from both sides should not go wasted. We should all rise up and face the challenges of democratization in Ethiopia. Both sides should concentrate on what is doable. The door is open in Ethiopia for positive engagement. Let us use it.
Many thanks go to those who have tirelessly worked to stop this bill. Thanks to the elders, thanks to the many friends of Ethiopia. Many thanks to the Jewish Community and the Ethiopian Embassy in Washington DC. Thanks to the many Ethiopians who fought against this bill be it through the Internet, pal talk and radio shows.