Ever since I received an invitation to attend a two-day international conference on Ethio-Dutch Journalists International Conference-2006, to be held on 10 and 11 June 2006, at the Center for International Politics and Cultures – De Balie, in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, I have constantly thought of him. I would have liked so much to once again listen attentively as he explored the experiences of Post Cold War Africa so perceptively.
As it is I would like to share the letter regarding his impressive presentation in 1996, which I wrote to him immediately after the PADA international conference.
Dr. Eshetu Chole
Regional Economic Advisor
Eastern and Southern Africa
Regional Office (UNICEF)
P.O. Box 44145
Nairobi, Kenya
Fax: 254 2 622678/9
96/TM/466
Ref: 09/TMCO/394
Date: Leiden, 2 December 1996
Subject: Conference participation
Dear Dr. Eshetu,
I would like to thank you for your immense contribution to the effort to examine the current crisis and the future position of Africa, including its relations with the international community. With your help, the conference has also achieved its aim of providing an opportunity for speakers and other participants to share their experience, views and ideas and learn from each other. For me, your presence at the PADA international gathering was encouraging; it has had a substantial effect and influence among the PADA volunteers in general and myself in particular. I felt personally that a sense of togetherness grew among speakers and participants and became stronger over the three day period. I was touched by the closeness of the climate that emerged and lasted throughout the conference. We were calling each other simply Bona, Eshetu, Ibbo, Sue, Ann, Patrick or Ibrahim and so on, as if we had grown up in one family household. To be honest, I miss you, as well as everyone!
I must however, express my disappointment that it was not possible to talk to you more extensively. You see, I still have a very vivid and fresh feeling of nostalgia regarding people like you, who played a key role in the process of political and economic transformation of our country, and whom I know only by name. It is indeed very sad that many indispensable Ethiopian human assets are forced to work for foreign countries or international organizations rather than serving their country. I very, very much like to talk with such people and listen to them tirelessly. I did not expect you would leave for Amsterdam that Sunday evening. In fact, four to six people, including myself, had planned to be with you from Sunday evening on, and to go with you to the airport on Monday. But while I was in your room on Sunday, I became aware that it was the last moment of your presence at the conference centre.
Anyway, it is now over, and I hope you will forgive me for errors I may have made knowingly or unknowingly. I know it is also possible that even within this letter I may make unfortunate mistakes that could hurt you. One thing needs to be said very clearly: I am writing this letter to you because I often feel very sad when I see and think about people who remain unable to take their much-deserved place and be respected in their own society due to conditions and circumstances in that society, or for other reasons. The additional reason is that I respect you very much and I was eager to learn from you.
The words we exchanged while I was in your room as you prepared to leave for Amsterdam left me feeling unhappy. I am also still unhappy that your talk, which was an important and penetrating presentation, had to be delivered at the last minute of the conference. I am sorry, and hope to see you someday, if an opportunity should be created, and if time allows us!
All that aside, I am very glad you were able to attend, and thank you for everything!
