WASHINGTON

Ethiomedia | April 8, 2010

The conference has attracted the participation of prominent Ethiopian scholars as well as the friends of Ethiopia that would like to contribute to peace, sustainable development, democracy and justice in the region. Despite such noble objectives, the dictatorial regime of Mr. Zenawi is working around the clock to pressure sponsors of the conference and some of the guest speakers to withdraw their participation.

“The organizers of the Horn of Africa Conference have learned from the sponsors of this conference, Trans Africa Forum and Africa Action, that official representatives and supporters of Meles Zenawi regime had made attempted to dissuade them from sponsoring the conference,” a press release of the organizers stated.

The hosts of the conferencce learned that the regime was spreading false reports that speakers were distancing themselves from the three-day event in Arlington, VA.

“We believe our meeting with our sponsors has played a critical role in ensuring the continued confidence of the sponsoring organizations in the value and integrity of the conference,” the organizers said in their statement.

The organizers have in the meantime reiterated their call for the larger Ethiopian American community to express their gratitude to the sponsoring organizations, and alert them not to be distracted by desperate activities of supporters of the dictatorial regime in Ethiopia.

Ethiopians may call or send an email/ fax to Africa Action and Trans Africa NOW, asking them to continue their support to the conference whose basic intent is to advance human rights, rule of law, good governance and sustainable development in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa, according to a statement released by the organizers.

It is important that they hear from YOU Today . Please contact

Nicole Lee, Esq
TransAfrica Forum, President
Telephone: (202) 223-1960
Fax : (202) 223-1966
[email protected],

Gerald LeMelle, J.D.
Africa Action, Executive Director

Telephone: (202) 546-7961
Fax: (202) 546-1545
Email: [email protected] [email protected]

Keep the email short! Tell them, in your words, that

1. You, as a member of the Ethiopian community in the United States or beyond, want them to continue sponsoring and showing their support to this conference;
2. This is a conference with the goal of bringing the African, Horn of Africa, and Ethiopian Diaspora together to discuss options to address the governance, human rights, and development challenges facing the Horn;
3. The main objective of the conference is to offer a means for the African people to find constructive solutions to complex problems facing the continent;
4. The conference does not espouse any single political viewpoint, or the viewpoint of any political party or organization, but instead seeks to bring people with diverse viewpoints together to engage in civil discourse.

Please email Africa Action and Trans Africa TODAY, it is important that they hear from YOU as soon as possible!