Prof Al- We Need the Truth - Inhofe Did Not Block HR2003

This is regarding the latest article of Professor Alemayehu Gebremariam. In his article entitled “HR2003 Inhofed but alive and well”, he wrote that the Bill will not likely pass the Senate this year. He referred the bill as “inhofed” as if Senator Inhofe of Oklahoma has blocked the bill.

This is a big distortion of facts , something we are tired of from the regime we are opposing in Ethiopia. HR2003 is not blocked by any senator in the United Senates. You do not block something that does not exist. In order for a bill to be voted on or blocked or filibustered it has to be first introduced by a Senator in the United State Senate. Usually a foreign relation bill on Africa is first introduced in a subcommittee for African affairs. (unless the chairman of the commute or the majority leader brought it for a vote on a fast track basis).

Though HR2003 passed the House of Representative, a similar version has not been introduced in the Senate by senators in the subcommittee for African affairs. It was democrats in the Senate that have not been willing to introduce the Bill.

The article of Prof Alemayehu is deceptive, inaccurate and unfortunate. At least we have to be honest to our readers and our people. At least we should not confuse our people.

I am not fun of Senator Inhofe. The Senator is one of the arrogant senators in the US Senate. I remember when he was not willing to condemn the shameful actions of few Americans soldiers in Abu Graib. I  also reject his threat of a filibuster of an Ethiopian Accountability Act should it come for a vote in the US Senate.

However, he has not filibustered it yet and is not responsible for the “death” of the bill this year. As a matter of fact, had the bill been introduced and ha Senator Inhofe filibustered it, surely there would have been more than 60 votes to kill the filibuster for the Senator is one of the few senators who is not liked by his colleagues.

One may ask why Democrats like Senator Feingold was not able to introduce a similar bill  in the Senator. (Senator Feingold is the “Donald Payne “ of the Senate).  
Senator Feingold is a senator that has a strong truck record when it comes to human rights. With a dozen of his colleagues he once condemned the human right abuses in Ogaden and called for the released of prisoners. He warned Ato Meles Zenawi that Ethiopia would not invade Somalia for winning the peace would not be easy as winning he war. He knows that the democratic progress in Ethiopia is going down in a slippery road. I do not believe the Senator has not introduced a HR2003 similar senate bill because he does not care for human right in Ethiopia. I believe he does.

However, the Senator may be convinced that engaging Ato Meles may be the pragmatist way to go forward.  Instead of encouraging the Diaspora to faxing irrelevant letters to senators asking them to support an non-existent bill (mind you HR2003 is not a senate bill. As far as senators are concerned there are no Ethiopian bill in the Senate), Prof Alemayehu Groups could have produced results had they made big efforts to convince Senator Feingold et colleagues to why HR2003 is beneficial to the cause of freedom, the war against terrorism and the mutual interest of both the US and Ethiopia. Instead of spending unnecessary campaigns against one senator (Inhofe), they could have acted intelligently and with pragmatism.

I think Prof Alemeyahu et friends have been lasting the media regarding HR2003 for almost two years. They have been giving interviews to various media outlets. With their savvy public relation gimmicks, they have gotten the undeserved respect and prestige. They have become the unelected self appointed Diaspora leaders when it comes to congressional relations.

Well, as “leaders” it is time to hold them accountable. I think the fact the bill is “dead” shows that they have failed.  Their confrontational approach is failing. Their unilateral directives are failing. I think they should take full responsibility for their leadership failure. THEY SHOULD NOT USE SENATOR INHOFE AS A SCAPEGOAT.

Let face the truth, with the leadership of Prof Alemayehu Gebremariam and his other two friends that constitute the whole of HR 2003 coalition the Diaspora congressional and diplomatic efforts were defeated down by the EPRDF. That is the truth.

Let not our “hatred” or opposition of the regime make us bend the truth for the truth shall always come out and we shall ultimately be embarrassed of it.

Some of you may dismiss what I am writing here. I challenge you do your research and report the truth. As to Prof Alemayehu Gebremariam, I would remind him that he is not the only one who knows about the legislative process. Such distorted article from his part may give him temporary popularity from among Ethiopians who may not closely follow the process; however he will loose his credibility among professionals who knows what’s going on.