The remarkable rebuttal by Seyoum Mesfin regarding Jeffery Gettleman’s exposé is absolutely laughable… I would call it the-opposite-of-reality rebuttal.

I hope other people recognize this for exactly what it is… an apologist of the regime who is willing to say anything on the world stage no matter how deceptive, fallacious, or convoluted to give the appearance of a fair and just government of the people that has, in his own words: gradually moved through various stages of democracy in the last 16 years, culminating in the first real competitive multi-party elections in 2005. Despite some controversial elements, including the deeply regretted riots and deaths in June and November 2005, these were largely successful. We now have a functional, indeed, lively, opposition in parliament, and a parliamentary body to which the administration is now answerable.

This reconstructed fabrication of a well documented history is such a bold-faced lie that it totally undermines Mr. Mesfin’s credibility and brings into question the validity of anything and everything he asserts in his letter.

If the government is so supportive and benevolent to the people of the Ogaden, for example, then please except my request, now, to visit the region freely and unobstructed to document all of these services the government is supplying so that I may indeed attest to Seyoum Mesfin’s claims. If militaristic genocidal rape is truly a wild claim that the “Ethiopian army takes very seriously… and investigates any and all accusations that are made against its troops,” then please allow me to verify that, as well.

I’m not a journalist “seeking my name in bold” as a by-line. I am just one of the world citizens that Seyoum Mesfin is trying to convince. I’d be happy to verify any of his claims by my own presence. AND, if denied this opportunity “for my own personal safety,” then I know all too well by this tired old excuse, that the government is indeed trying to hide the facts.

It appears that Seyoum Mesfin and the administration he represents is either delusional or desperate.

—
Keif Schleifer
Executive Director
The Empowerment Initiative
Human Rights, Social Justice, Non-Violence Advocacy
[email protected]

Seyoum Mesfin’s article on Ethiomedia!

Dear Editor,

As usual, I was surprised by your patience and fairness after reading Mr .Seyoum Mesfin’s comment “on Jeffrey Gettleman and The New York Times” posted on your website.

Mr. Seyoum’s letter to Ethiomedia is an outrageous and a bizarre. As we know the editor of Ethiomedia, Abraha Belai, one of the true sons of Ethiopia, was accused of ‘genocide and treason’ by the TPLF gangs (who later dropped the charges when they had no reason to do that in the first place). Ethiomedia’s service for the people earned it a good name and hence the the reason for Zenawi and Mesfin to block Ethiomedia from being accessed by the people they ‘stand for’.

So, what does it mean when Mr. Mesfin writes a letter to Ethiomedia to give a comment on Jeffrey’s report, a known journalist of The New York Times? Technically, Gettleman is not Ethiomedia editor; similarly, Ethiomedia is not a place to hear Jeffrey’s case.

Hence, Mr. Mesfin’s letter confirms that Ethiomedia is a trusted website and a sole source of information visited by millions including the top leaders of TPLF. Yes, that is true and quite clear. But, what is not clear to me is that if Mesfin relies and feels more comfortable on Ethiomedia than his own, why has he refused ‘his own people’ to access it?

By default, when tyrants are out of mind and in trouble, they always prefer getting help from the true heroes to their own. Even though Mr. Mesfin tarnishes Ethiomedia’s good name on public, still he prefers it as his number one choice.

I wonder if Zenawi charges Mesfin in ‘Genocide and Treason’ in collaborating with the editor of Ethiomedia for misleading the society.

Dear editor, again I appreciate your patience for entertaining guys who are trying to hang you. Keep it up brother!

“Mr. Minister, stop terrorizing civilians!”

Dear editor,

Don’t you think the following report should be sent to the foreign minister, Seyoum Mesfin, just to let them know that we follow developments from multiple sources:

1. On 10 June 2007, the Prime Minister held a press conference regarding the security situation in the Somali region. One of the key issues discussed by the Prime Minister was to engage a military operation in the region to weaken the strong holds of ONLF. The Prime Minister however, mentioned that, he would not ignore the possibility of a dialogue with the engagement of local leaders. In this respect, there were series of meetings going on between government officials and local leaders in areas of Degahabour, Korahay, Fik and Warder zones where ONLF was believed to had a strong presence. It seemed that, even if a dialogue was eminent, there would still be a military intervention. The military operation was expected to last for three months. Although this operation might not completely wipe out ONLF, the government believed it would reduce the risks of damage caused by ONLF. No information on when the operation will start, but there were serious preparations. If the operation commences, this would affect humanitarian support for people in the Somali region and may even affect humanitarian workers.
2. It was reported that, four days ago, some villages of Warder Zone (Ado and Korale) were burnt by Ethiopian Defense Forces (EDF). Apparently, there were meetings between local leaders and EDF in the area and during the meeting, EDF informed the local leaders that, where ever they met ONLF, all the villages in that particular area would be burnt and this was what happened in the two villages.
3. It was also reported that, in the last couple of days, EDF military forcefully took camels from pastoralists in Degahabour and kept them in the military camps. This act was a sign of punishment to the communities in Degahabour, since EDF believed that, these communities were supporting ONLF. The camels were, however, released after a couple of days. This act had been going on for a while.
4. Unconfirmed information indicated that, in the last two weeks the government instituted a ban on commercial truck movements especially in Warder, Fik and Degahabour Zones. This is to prevent any weapons transportation to ONLF areas. EDF stopped commercial vehicles from moving around the area. The government ban was not official and had not been announced and this situation created an increase in prices of commodities, including food commodities in many bigger towns of the Somali region, including Gode.
5. It was reported that, in the last couple of days, communities in some villages of Warder Zone were asked by EDF to move away from their villages to other locations. This seemed to be some kind of preparation for the military operation, which is expected soon.
   – (Source: United Nations Department off Safety and Security – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Weekly Security Report – June 11 – 17, 2007)

Now, who is really the terrorist? Ethiomedia should tell the minister to stop terrorizing civilians and releasing mendacious statements.

Birhan from North Europe

Excerpts from a letter sent to Jeffery Gettleman

Dear JEFFREY GETTLEMAN,

Greetings!

I read your report and video with amazement for the exceptional courage it took you in telling the truth as it is: “In Ethiopia fears and cries of Army Brutality.”
As you have observed it is not an isolated incidence but rather a daily criminal act of the regime all over the country.

It is my first time to read a true, vivid revelation of the horrendous human rights abuses from a Western journalist who, I feel miraculously escaped the government’s self censure imposed on journalists as a whole on their reporting.
Your exposure of the heinous crimes being committed by the one man State of Meles Zenawi is a selfless commitment to promoting freedom, democracy and the right to live.

Living in Ethiopia as you have noted for many Ethiopians is an every day road to perdition.

It won’t be long before they [Meles and his cronies] start giving you a hard time for telling the truth nor would you get assistance from the US ambassador Yammamoto who is benign treated like a child by Meles Zenawi. We all know what happened to your guy’s for five days recently in Ogaden.
They know no domestic or international laws nor do they abide by them.

Don’t be disarmed by the oratorical skills, subterfuges and shenanigans of Meles.

I can tell you Ethiopia will remember you for the courage you had in telling the truth.

And Ethiopia will definitely be free from the jaws of a blood thirsty, rotting despot, whatever he relies on America to commit his crimes against humanity.
You are the maverick US journalist I have been waiting to see in telling the truth as it is. But believe me; the regime will accuse you of anything under the sun. And convincing Americans working with Meles is also going to be a though job. In Ethiopia truth is bitter.

Be watchful and keep yourself safe!

Best regards of the day,

Aklilu Demissie

On Addis Dimts and beyond

Dear Abraha,

I heard your discussion on Addis Dimts Radio the other day and I must tell you how very proud I am about your stance on issues very dear to Ethiopians these days.
You truly are one heck of a patriot and a genuine human being. I applaud you with all my heart and please keep up the good work.

On a somewhat different note: why did you think it is necessary to post Seyoum Mesfin’s propaganda piece on Ethiomedia? I am sure you have a good reason; but don’t you think it is a blessing to TPLF to get a huge publicity stunt because you let them use Ethiomedia?

They know for sure you have a huge readership and they are KNOWINGLY using you to air out their grievances at NYT. In my judgment, no matter how rubbish their rebuttal is, they have kind of succeeded even if they convince one lost soul by their action…I could be biased, but I just didn’t like to see his face on your website – especially on the front cover. You could at least put it at the bottom. Forgive me but I am sick and tired of seeing these blood-suckers everywhere. Trust me, you can’t teach these morons fairness – journalistic or otherwise!

Anyway, thanks again for everything and may GOD bless you and your staff!

Ke Selamta Gar,
S.F.

“Desperate for an opposition website!”

Dear Editor,

I could not believe when Seyoum Mesfin’s letter popped up on Ethiomedia. Well, I think it is both a sign of your site’s
stature and their utter desperation to use an opposition source to
make sure people actually read what they had to say
and take it seriously. The alternative was the usual
cadre pages that no one reads except for those who
need to keep up with the propaganda line at the next
gimgema.

It reminds me of another NYT article during the war
with Eritrea in 2000 or so – the govt spokeswoman
complained that the NYT reporters had been wined and
dined and treated well by her personally but still
dared to criticize the govt. For a govt that is one of
the worst offenders of human rights and the press in
the world what most countries assume is regular
investigative reporting is espionage.

Again keep up the good fight as usual!

Cheers,
Michael

“Terror should be condemned

Dear Editor,

Seyoum Mesfin
posting his article on Ethiomedia caught me by surprise, but this is a testimony to the success of Ethiomedia’s popularity.

However, one thing I don’t agree is the editor describing the New York Times reporter as having done a superb job. What he did was put a little known group in the limelight and embolden them to continue their terror and destruction on the Ethiopian public.

We should fight terror and political murder be it by TPLF or from so called liberation fronts. Moreover, we should always keep in mind the strategic national security of the country.We should not lose sight of the fact that ONLF is acting as a mercenary to Ethiopia’s traditional enemies.

Melaku Ayalew

“I wish they learn fairness

Dear Editor,

Eventhough Mr Seyoum Mesfin’s views don’t give any senses to most Ethiopian
readers yet, I applaud your journalistic approach to publish his views.
I wish they do learn from you and publish genuine different views in
their paper too.

Respect and regards to you and co-workers.

B.Desta