By Dr Fikre Tolossa

My fellow Ethiopians, I have a great news to share with all those who champion the cause of our motherland. After about ten days of intense negotiations between Engineer Hailu Shawel, Chairman of Kinijit, and the Kinjit delegates mediated by concerned Ethiopians including myself, the two parties met together for the first time ever since their arrival in the United States, on Thursday, October 4, 2007, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to discuss their differences in the future. Though it took a while for Wt. Birtukan Midekssa, the Vice Chariman of Kinijit, Dr. Hailu Araya and Ato Brook Kebede to reach Ato Hailu Shawel who was under medical treatment, they managed to meet him at last.

Regardless of the fact that the meeting was brief, both parties had a quality time. Ato Hailu reportedly received his comrades in struggle and hardship with warmth and affection. In mutual response, the delegates presented him with flowers enquiring about his health with a profound concern. The brief, but decisive moment which broke the ice, determined the bright future of Kinjit, and as such, that of Ethiopia- They all agreed to meet in the near future to continue their dialogue in order to resolve their differences in a better atmosphere in the best interest of the Ethiopian people. To this end, they exchanged phone numbers so that they would be able to talk freely and directly any time and anywhere, without any restrictions whatsoever, as well as without go-between.

As far as we are concerned, this is a tremendous achievement and a wonderful news. This meeting will lead to a further dialogue and mutual understanding which will pave the way to harmony and strong unity once again.

In this connection, I call upon all Diaspora Ethiopians and interest groups to refrain from interfering in the affairs of Kinjit leaders so as not to hinder the process of negotiation which the leaders have initiated for the well-being of the millions of Ethiopians who voted for them and who see Kinjit as a beacon of freedom.

In conclusion, I would like to state that the other mediators and myself have been deeply saddened by the Kinijit International Council’s posting on Kinijit web site on October 5, 2007, under the title, “Is This A Political Stunt?”. I appeal to Kinjit International Council to stop from posting in the future such divisive and distorted reports which would harm the aspirations of the Ethiopian people.

Last, I will try my best to follow up with the true picture of the development and the progress of the negotiations between the two parties, and update you as the events unfold themselves.

EDITOR’S NOTE
Kinijit International Council has been disbanded by the Kinijit leaders, but its chairman, Dr Taye Woldesemayat, insists that the group continues to exist. It is this group, backed financially by Shaleqa Yoseph, and organizationally by EPRP, that is trying to block all the effort to bring Ato Hailu and the Kinijit delegation together. Without the involvement of this group, the disagreement would have been resolved by now.