Skip to content

U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe statement on Ethiopia resolution

Woyanne $50,000 per month for DLP Piper at work

____________________________

Senator Jim Inhofe statement on Ethiopia resolution

Watch video here

October 17, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) today made the following statement criticizing legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives last week titled “The Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007” (H.R. 2003):

“Though this legislation states that its purpose is to ‘encourage and facilitate the consolidation of peace and security’ in Ethiopia, in reality it focuses only on shortcomings while blatantly ignoring the unprecedented progress the country has made,” Senator Inhofe said. “Ethiopia takes great pride in being the oldest independent country in Africa. They continue to be a close friend of the United States and a strong ally in the War on Terror in the Horn of Africa.

“The language contained in H.R. 2003 enflames tensions already present in the Horn of Africa, threatening regional stability and long term U.S. national security. The growing instability in Somalia and the Ogaden region, combined with the unresolved border dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea in the north, has created major challenges for Ethiopia. While I agree that the violence and intimidation that took place in the country after the 2005 election was an unnecessary use of excessive force, the Government of Ethiopia has taken significant steps to regain a democratic process that is fair and respectful of human rights.

“I care deeply about Africa and visit the continent frequently. It is an area of strategic importance globally and to our country. During my recent trip to Africa in April, I witnessed first-hand Ethiopia’s democratic progress and commitment in fighting terrorism.

“Although I appreciate the increased attention being given to Africa and particularly Ethiopia, I believe the bill takes the wrong approach by placing demands on a friend and ally that has made obvious advancements in democracy and human rights. Ethiopia continues to be the central bulwark in the fight to deter the growth and disrupt the influence of Islamic extremists in the region. Our country’s strong support of Ethiopia during this significant time is imperative – it builds stability and encourages democracy and human rights.”

Source
Video

15 thoughts on “U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe statement on Ethiopia resolution

  1. We have enough Ethiopians in Oklahoma to give an earful to Inhofe. Please let him hear it. He has an adopted Ethiopian grand-daughter and now he knows what is best for us. Can we go to his office on Capitol Hill together??

  2. Thank you Elias –
    Here is where we need to work. Woyanne hired “hodaders” are happy that we are talking Shaleka and Hailu. so leave that for our leaders and focus on HR 2003. Make call and send e-mails.

    stay focused on HR 2003

  3. guys let us focus on HR2003.

    Hopefully the HR2003 team will let us know what we should do in the very near future. We are ready to play our part.

    focus people, focus!

  4. by the way ETP blog could not have said it any better.

    Note from ETP – Sen. James Inhofe of Oklahoma believes that the Government of Ethiopia is respectful of human rights. He also believes that global warming is a myth and Iraq is a “huge success story”.

  5. Elias,

    What is this Yaman Galam GURU alluding to? What is he talking about ‘slavery in Oklahoma’?. We have to be cultivated in what we are saying and show our maturity in our comments and debate. It sounds the same as that blubber teacher who once told his students that there is similarity between Hitler and George Bush. It is just as misguided as that and we should not speak from our elevated emotions. You have talked about reconciliation and that avenue should be exhausted to the fullest. Flapping uncultured mouth does not help the accord. You should take this comment down. It is very embarrassing to you.

    If you let my comment get posted here, that shows you really have come along way to maturity. Thanks.
    Tamene

  6. This is what he once said about China and it relationship with Ethiopia (Africa)

    “I have been traveling to Africa for many years. I just got back from a trip through Tanzania, Ethiopia and Uganda. Chinese influence is everywhere. I see conference centers and sports stadiums being constructed, donated by the Chinese. China has been expanding its influence throughout Africa with projects like this. One saying I heard was, “The U.S. tells you what you need, but China gives you what you want.” Has China suddenly become compassionate and generous? I think the fact these countries have large oil and mineral deposits paints the real picture.”

    The bottom line he is a Senator form Oklahoma who is only interested in US short-term interest.

  7. The Senator said “I witnessed first-hand Ethiopia’s democratic progress and commitment in fighting terrorism….” I think what the bill would do is help every Ethiopian witness first-hand a democratic progress. Blocking the bill will have the opposite effect.

  8. While we are fighting each other, terrorist TPLF is working hard to derail HR2003. Let us forget about Hailu Shawel and his cronies and pay attention to the bigger picture. Hailu Shawel let us down. He betrayed his cause to cover up for his corrupt cronies. He already failed a crucial test and thanks to the problems created by him and his cronies we now know better the instinct of Hailu Shawel. It gave us a window of opportunity to look into his mindset. I consider the current situation created in CUDP as a blessing in disguise. It is a good opportunity for CUDP to emerge stronger and more united. If we look at the history of Hailu Shawel he is not a team player, a trait required of a leader to get things done as a party. He is just a dictator who is always ready to quit or divide a party if he does not get his way. He is more of a divider than a uniter. He wouldn’t settle for any thing less than the highest position in a party no matter what. Take the case of AAPO and UEDF. He did not want to work as the Vice Chairman of AAPO when Prof. Asrat was the Chairman and he quit the party. He re-joined AAPO after Prof. Asrat passed away only after securing the assurance of getting the Chairmanship position. He also quit UEDF immediatelt after it was formed because he was not elected as the Chairman. All these show that he is committed to power and not an iota to the struggle of the Ethiopian people for freedom and democracy. This would not get him and his cronies anywhere and they ended up befriending EPRP to continue the bickering and counter-bickering that has bedevidled EPRP for over 30 years. CUDP does not want to be in the position of EPRP and still be useless after 30 years with no result to show for. The right place for Hailu Shawel is the Ethiopian Crown Council (ECC) and not CUDP because his instinct is for kingship and not for chairmanship of a popular democratic party like what CUDP is and is aspiring and striving to be. Let them join ECC. So let us forget about him and turn our attention to the bigger picture. Let us work hard to get HR2003 passed in the U.S. Senate. The U.S. Senate has 100 Senators and let us work hard to convince the remaining 99 and even work harder to win over this sole Senator who has been bluffed by terrorist TPLF.
    Berta

  9. the usa’s senators must know that their interst can be secured only under free and democratice ethiopia. USA can fight and win terrorism with the cooperation of an entire ethiopia’s ppl ,but not creating an evile alliance with dictatorial regime like melese ,who has been killing his own ppl in the day light. so it is up USA’s interst to support the democratical process in ethiopia by passing HR2003.

  10. The last time I heard there are 100 Senators in the U.S. Senate. Our effort will continue to work for the passage of HR2003. We know that the path to freedom and democracy is not easy but it is not impossible either. There are a lot of ups and downs. We have to fight each step of our way until we make sure that the Ethiopian people are freed from TPLF tyranny and enjoy true freedom and democracy. We know that HR2003 helps our struggle and we will do our level best to get it passed and enacted. However, we know also that it is in no way the deciding factor. That said, it is a foregone conclusion that HR2003 bill will pass the U.S. Senate and be signed by the President to become law. But we want it to pass with full support of the Senate (100% vote in favor) like in the House on Oct. 2, 2007. Senator Inhofe’s lone vote of opposition falls within the margin of error (1%) of our target and we can live with that. But we will continue to work hard to convince Senator Inhofe to reconsider his opinion about the TPLF thugs.
    Yichalal

  11. I watched the video of Senator Inhofe with a picture of him with a beautiful Ethiopian girl on the background. I wish that the senator knows that we have the picture of ShiBire Desalegn and thousands others at the back of our minds when we beg for the passage of HR2003. Which only asks for accountability and the respect of Human rights.

  12. I think the senator is right in saying that the Zenawi government is committed to fight against terrorism. This makes hin the top friend of America. However, America is also highly committed to democracy. To the senator’s amazement, Meles Zenawi is one of the most tyrant leader in the world. Is America a friend of tyrants? I don’t think so!! One can be a committed leader against terrorism and at the same time a tyrant leader. I urge the senator to see the distinction between the two.
    Menelik Asfaw

  13. Tamene,

    If Meles Zenawi is democratic, by way of Inhofe’s reasoning, consider this. Listen to his talk and come back, I was saying the same logic that he applied to kill Hr2003 can be applied to legalize slavery in Oklahoma.

  14. We became so busy trying to figure out what’s wrong with Kinijit leaders. All our media outlets were preoccupied with HS. In the meantime Meles and co. are working around the clock to kill HR2003. I think we should wake up and do all we can to help our people. HR2003 or not Ethiopians are tired of living under a tyrant. Who knows if we are here to be of use to our motherland at a time like this.

Leave a Reply