Empty Vessels Make the Most Noise Despite the best efforts of the Ethio-media website, the opposition demonstrations in London are looking increasingly desperate. A recent
report on a demo outside the Ethiopian embassy in London claimed that security
was “much tougher than at any previous demonstrations.” In fact it was much lighter as the demonstrations have been getting smaller. (And the protestors had told the police the wrong date). It was claimed that two “armed” vehicles guarded the two entrance gates but this was hardly necessary with only 27 people at the height of demonstration, and only 13 for most of the time. (British police are not allowed to carry arms). “The Woyyane Embassy closed its windows and doors and stayed in cleverly. No single soul came in or out,” said the writer. Rubbish, it was business as usual. People were coming and going, visiting the visa section and so forth. At 5pm staff began to leave to go home as normal.
The writer feels sorry for the Iranian Embassy which is situated next to the Ethiopian one “so long as the dictatorial regime that calls itself Woyyane remains in power, they will be subjected to such nuisance from time to time”, he says. It seems to escaped his notice that the Iranian embassy frequently has far larger demonstrations outside its doors. The writer seems concerned that embassy staff were at risk but 27 people, however noisy, in no way constitute a threat. As the British say “Empty vessels make the most noise” but they do no real harm. The writer seems to have an exaggerated notion of the demonstrators’ power. “The struggle continues!!!” he writes. But it will take more than a few demos to attain power in Ethiopia.If the CUD want to earn the respect of the Ethiopian community both at home and abroad they should stop deluding themselves with “people power” (27 people!), come up with some inspirational and effective policies and put them to the vote next time around (in 2010). In Ethiopia, not in the
UK!
Menelik Tesfaye
May 10, 2006