Open Letter To Senator Hillary Clinton

By Girma Abebe (Ph.D.)

January 2, 2006

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“International observers from European Union, American human rights agencies and many more onlookers supported the views of the protesters who concluded that the elections did not meet international standards.” (Caption and photo montage: Ethiomedia; Photo: Courtesy of Andrew Heavens)

The Honorable

Mrs. Hillary Clinton

Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Honorable Senator,

A most disastrous act and unforgettable episode occurred last June when the security forces of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia entered a house and ordered the father off his dining table. A decent member of one of the opposition parties was having a meal with his family when the cruel soldiers suddenly appeared at his residence and told him to head with them to the police station. His wife protested and understandably became hysterical. They shot her to death. In terror, her children jumped and attempted to cover the dead body of their dear mother. It was too late. The security forces took away the loyal husband and the good father. The mother of five children had her last breath moments earlier. This is simply one story that is repeated by Europeans, Americans and all observers in Addis Ababa. But there were many, many more similar mood of depressions.

Dr. Asrat Woldeyes, a renowned Ethiopian surgeon and dean of the medical faculty at Addis Ababa University, died in 1999 in the United States. “This was no act of God,” people said, “but an act of murder by the current Ethiopian Government.” As a prisoner, he was not allowed decent medical care in Ethiopia. Heart failure, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure and other problems were not treated. It was too late for American physicians to save Dr. Asrat. Some fourteen years ago, people had thought Asrat’s words idle; now they say they are true.

Hundreds of heavily armed security forces were in action particularly across urban areas in Ethiopia following the national election this year. The police action was against protesters who objected to what they considered to be elections that were irregular. International observers from European Union, American human rights agencies and many more onlookers supported the views of the protesters who concluded that the elections did not meet international standards.

Heavy shootings by security officers have cut down the lives of over 80 people, including women and children in June and November this year. Thousands of people are imprisoned in detention centers that are unfit for human beings. Many have disappeared altogether and their families are trying in vain to find their loved ones.

At this moment, prosecutors in Ethiopia have charged 131 high-ranking opposition members, well-known reporters and aid workers with serious crimes ranging from treason to “genocide.” Under Ethiopian law, some of the crimes carry the death sentence. Of those now in jail are: the newly elected Mayor of Addis Ababa, Berhanu Nega, holder of a doctorate degree in economics from the New School University, New

York City; Hailu Shawel, a British University graduate in engineering, a onetime cabinet minister with extensive experience in technical subjects, a high executive officer of Shell Oil Company, General Manager of the Ethiopian Airlines, Manager of the Sugar Factory at Awasa, Shoa and President of his Political Party; Professor Mesfin Woldemariam, a well known human rights advocate and University Professor; Professor Hailu Araya, a well-respected individual and Dean of faculty at Addis Ababa University; Dr. Yacob Hailemariam, Professor at Norfolk University in Virginia for twenty years; served as a legal- prosecutor in the United Nations Tribunal on war crimes in Rwanda and was a ranking officer of the United Nations that helped settle the border disputes between Nigeria and the Cameroon. They are in jail for treason that the government claims is punishable by death.

Ms.Birtukan Mideksa, a university law school graduate and a former judge surrendered to the police but only after five of her defenders lost their lives while resisting what they considered to be illegal government action. She is Vice-President of her political party. If released and her jailing conditions do not gravely affect her health, it is possible that Birtukan could compete to become President of the nation. The other 128 prisoners are equally well experienced in public administration, economics, law, journalism, medicine, farm and education.

The ideal term of office to become a President is two terms – four or five years each. Several countries including the United States of America have incorporated in their respective constitutions a provision to that effect. Mr. Meles Zenawi has remained in power for over fourteen years, and asked recently whether he intended to stand for election for a further five years, he confirmed that he would do so if it becomes the wish of the general public.

For over two decades, I served the United Nations particularly in the electoral field. This experience has enabled me to witness the tactful behavior and repressive measures successfully introduced by the Ethiopian Prime Minister in dealing with sophisticated electoral matters to remain on power. In May this year, for example, Mr. Zenawi ordered his administrator of elections and his media chief to announce that the government in power had won the elections when in fact the elections were underway in some areas while counting was going on in others.

“Injustice anywhere, threatens humanity everywhere,” said the great human rights leader, Martin Luther King in 1965. His contemporary, John F. Kennedy ably concluded in 1962, “Our problems are man-made, therefore they can be solved by man. A man can be as big as he wanted.” These, Madam Senator, are eminent words that have come from men of high caliber. Let us all pray to God to employ their prudent wisdom to achieve lasting peace and gain prosperity.

It would be deeply appreciated if you, as a Senator of the Great State of New York, could assist the Ethiopian – Americans of your State and Ethiopians as a whole in raising with the Honorable President George Bush and your colleagues in the Senate the urgent political and economic matters that face Ethiopia at your earliest convenience.

With best regards,

Yours sincerely,

Girma Abebe

Master of Public Administration, Baruch College, NYC

Doctor of Public Administration, NYU, New York City

Former Deputy Director and Secretary of the Trusteeship Council in the United Nations