The Chairperson of Unity for Democracy and Justice (UDJ), Wzt. Birtukan Mideksa, and the four vice-chairmen of the party met with American Ambassador to Ethiopia Donald Yamamoto on Tuesday, July 8.
According to Ethiopian Review sources, the secret meeting had focused on UDJ’s preparations for the 2010 elections and the kind of assurances that the party can receive from the U.S. and other donor nations.
Independent local journalists and analysts are speculating that Yamamoto is trying to use UDJ against the other opposition parties by promising relaxation of some of the restrictions imposed on the party. It is not known what the UDJ officials promised in return.
Meanwhile, some members of the UDJ executive committee have started to complain about the speech Prof. Mesfin Woldemariam gave last Sunday in Washington DC condemning organizations that chose to raise arms against the fascist regime of Meles Zenawi. The executives are heard saying that the professor’s position does not represent the party.
20 thoughts on “UDJ officials meet with Ambassador Yamamoto”
Poor Lidetu was discredited by the opposition for nothing while most of “know it all” falls under his lap.
Is it funny or sad?
If Woyanne is not Ethiopia’s enemy, then Ethiopia has no enemy.
Is the professor suggesting that if a person is born from an Ethiopia father and mother cant be an Ethiop[ian enemy?
Thank you very much for the news.
However I am sceptical about the last paragraph. Which exceutive member is complaining about prof Mesfin’s speech. Honestly I don’t see anything wrong on what he says. Please let’s not condemn people everytime we don’t agree with them. In that case we will be devided into 80,000,000 pieces. I thought putting out the six zeros will have a meaning than just saying million.
I always believed that Professor Mesfin is a megalomaniac, a man of no integrity, pompous and chauvinist – has no record of working with others and nothing in his past qualifies him to be a team player or a democratic party official. I wish and pray that UDJ cut him loose before he creates more havoc among the UDJ ranks and the people of Ethiopia.
Elias keep up the good work – When the truth comes out, you will be vindicated.
I am hoping the UDJ is going to do a lot before the next fake election of 2010. The UDJ have to have make assure that some or many of the kinijit 8 points should be satisfied before they run to the next election. Actually, I don’t want to comment or recommend them further on this issue since I strongly believe that the leaders of UDJ have known a lot what needs to be done for the Ethiopian people before they take any step towards the next election. Actually, it is a little better for most of us to stop criticizing the UDJ for every little step that they have done so far based on assumed speculations. While it is not very good to enforce the leaders to expose their internal strategies before the upcoming weyane fake election. let them do the best what they beleive then we will have plenty of time to comment on them. Well, most of us know the capability and commitment of the leaders, so lets give them a reasonable amount of time, instead lets show them our support, while we also have to do our individual homework practically by cutting back our talk using many occasions. There are a lot to do around our area to fight weyane if we really want to step up and ready our selves to be a part of the struggle. Otherwise…it is always….LETKEMACHE SEMAY KIRBU….unless we try to contribute our part, lets stop accusing those who are fighting weyane practically by challenging in every means……lets not expect UDJ or Ginbot 7 leaders would bring all things we want while we keep talking……
Do you have the names of these UDJ officials who condemn the speech by Prof. Mesfin? Good, if we know. Anyway, like most of rational Ethiopians, I believe our struggle is to create an environment in which everyone enjoys, among other things, freedom of expression and association. Prof. Mesfin and his UDJ compatriots have the right to express their views freely and form an association to advance the values. They believe that the current crisis in Ethiopia should be resolved in a peaceful manner and, to advance this view, have created the UDJ. We need to recognize their rights to free expression and association. Otherwise, why are we opposed to Woyanne and co.? Is that not because Woyanne oppress these forms of freedom? Is that not Woyanne who bites and ambushes those who are opposed to it, rather than recognize others rights to differ even dissent? If one does not agree that armed struggle is not a viable form of struggle, one can express his difference in civility and may join forces with those who share his view.
UDJ officials every move and speech should not be subject to extra scrutiny wild speculations just because they do not support armed struggle. Otherwise, what about other political parties that do not support armed struggle? Are we to thrash them and scrutinize their every move and make wild speculations just because of they differ on the form of political struggle to pursue? Let us, instead, have serious talk about the viability of the political agenda they advance, their stance on policy issues, the means they propose to adopt, their strategy, etc.
In response to a question from one of the audience about criticizing UDJ but not individuals like Lidetu a few days ago, Elias, responded he do not see any compelling reason to criticizing Lidetu because the later has already joined forces with Woyanne. For some, it sends the message that if you join Woyanne, you are immune from any form of criticism from ER. Dear Elias, why is ER criticizing UDJ and its officials while it does not find the reasons to criticize the tools of Woyanee (such as Lidetu) and Woyanne itself? Is the purpose of criticism against UDJ aimed at destroying one of the few genuine opposition parties? Elias, could you please give me an answer.
The Bush/cheny regiem stuck in between a rock and a hard place as they try to ease the tention using Birtukan in Ethiopia and The Prof, here in US. The Cocky TPLF understands US needs TPLF more than TPLF(mini BUSH) needs BUSH. Mini Bush is the only force holding it for US in the horn. The deaf ear to the massacre of students in 2005 election is a clear testimony for that and the that fact MINI BUSH agreed to invade Somalia is returning the favor with blood of Ethiopians. We all know that but Their No# 1 foe, intimidation/negotiotion with Eritrea has no success so far. What does it mean for us. How long does we count on the stand of Eritrea in not cooperating with BIG and MINI BUSH. Eritreans, not for Ethiopians sake, knows healthy TPLF will come to bite them time after time. They want them gone. They want to create peaceful relationship with new Ethiopian Gov. Force has been used against them, for two years, but US dollar is a strong motivator. It disarmed North Koria nuclear Program and for For Eritrea just a little will do it. If they got assured that Eritreans will be safe from both BUSHES, i don’t see the reason Shaebia want to starve their people. It is irony that we are reducling shaebia’s resistance when we supposed to be cheering and supporting them. This blind hate of of ours will make us miss miss a chance to save our country. We can sit around and wish if Prof Mesfi has a point. He doesnt and if we follow him there will be no Ethiopia. This man is so dangerous should be labeled as a traitor if he doest stop sabotaging us and for the fact that he can make followers based on his acclaim , not substance, should be treated as treason. We need to understand we have doing Bush’s job for the last 8 years and we failed miserably and he want us to do it again.
I strongly believe prof mesfin’s love for TPLF has to do the issue of Eritrea, “the enemy of my enemy is my friend.” I want prof to explain to me and to all Ethiopians so we can decide for ourselves.
1, The involvement of Eritrea Gov in Ethiopian politics/conflict and in the Horn in general and the influence Eritrea might have in the future of Ethiopia.
This question will answer the inside motivation of Prof and Birtukan for why they want to use us for their pipe dream, USA and TPLF’s interest.
Regards
Donalds ain’t saint or for that matter American Depolmacy in Ethiopia has never delvierd any good thing for any party except for EPRDF. Besides Ameriaca has lost its leverage with the Guy in arat kilo, when they went along with him to war on false permesis. if anything the guy has the leverage on US. They are as hostage as the whole Ethiopia is. So do not expect anything good to come out of this meeting. The key for UDJ freedom for any kind poltical activitiy is in the hand of one man who said openly that he learnt from his past mistke to never play with fire – oppostion party, hence no more 2005.
It is a shame that members of so called independent party in a sovereign country have to plead to an ambassador of a foreign country for their political lives. This shows me who is in charge in Ethiopia, it is certainly not the so called peaceful opposition parties or even Woyanne, it is the US state department who is running this charade of a political show in Ethiopia.
If this is not a good evidence as to why the so called peaceful means will not work then what is? In my view professor Mesfin Woldemariam was sent to the US to preach the Yamamoto gospel to the gullible Ethiopians who worship this opportunist who managed to survive under three repressive regimes in Ethiopia. Either the UDJ leadership is already bought and paid for the US state department or they are the most naive politicians in the history of the world not to be able to figure out the hideous game being played by neo-colonialists in their country. This is one more good reason to trust Elias rather than the so called peaceful opposition groups who don’t have principles.
If it’s true, it will be great. Though, the American people are with the Ethiopian people as it was confirmed recently by anonymous vote of US congress for the HR 2003, the US administration remains the major supporter of the current regime in Ethiopia.
Dispossessing the regime this support is one of the main strategies of the peaceful struggle. So the wise and courageous UDJ leaders are on correct path.
I wonder if Bertukan and company has been promissed something from the empty skirt, Condolezza Rice? What can the UDJ expect from Yamamoto, the boy messaenger of Jendayi Frazer; and the enthusiastic sponsor of the Crime Minister Meles’ regime?
Abettu let’s try their chance by ” Amalage”
Does it work politics that way if they believe that they are opposition party why ” Amalage” needed through the ambassador? why don’t use the constitutional right as they themself said one time we will work based on our constitution. Is ” Amalage” in our constitution?
As far as I know Birtukan is studied law if that is the case it should be clear for her even before going for the meeting that ” Amalage” shouldn’t be the way to work as opposition.
Wake up opposition leaders please know what you doing please!!
Toronto
Always kissing the white man’s and outsider’s ass to get own freedom and dignity. This was not in our father’s and forefather’s blood and spirit.
Time is proving right the editor of Ethiopian review who has raised critical questions about and surrounding the would be loyal opposition party, UDJP.
The fact that the UDJP will be another loyal opposition is predetermined and already known. The basic work was done at Kaliti prison and Yamamoto oredered the release of the former leaders of Kinijit after he has become sure of formimg another political group
escorting his viceroy, Meles Zenawi. The unwarranted apology and flirtation of Birtukan Mideksa with the members and supporters of the TPLF in the united States was part of the move towards loyalty.
Folks do not get surprized over the fate and mission of UDJP. I hope the blind supporters of UDJP will open their eyes and minds and realize the reality.
Elias, again white lie. UDJ is still against the armed struggle and there no reason to complain about the professors speech. I believe armed struggle is not a solution!
Talking and preparing for 2010 election by itself is not bad. It can be an option or a possible preparation. But here are some points that bother me: Is UDJ again relying on the US? Won’t UDJ again say “we were genuine and open hearted but EPRDF cheated us or rigged the vote.” One must not point only at the others evils but also must look into its weakness. If one makes the same mistake now and then, he/she has no the capacity for the task. My father used to say: The snake has bitten the fool twice: First when he sees and the second time when he shows.
When will the naive Ethiopian Opposition and the naive diaspora will learn the political negotiations of the modern world? I got three thing to say, SAD, SAD and SAD!
When will the so called opposition learn that they must negotiate from strength (the people) and not what Woyane wants them to think along with US (accomodation to Woyane’s games, which are sooo easy to screw with the opposition!)
Mr. Elias (as you’ve majored in Politics in Collage) and the Oppossition with all their degrees combined must have at least 50 by now just in the executive!! How about putting some of that to use!! LEARN TO NEGOTIATE! LEARN TO WRITE UP A BETTER PROPOSAL (e.i., Better policy on being a better gov’t than Woyane on terrorism in HOA, being a leader in HOA for democracy, etc.)…LEARN TO SPEAK PROPER ENGLISH OR DESIGNATE SOMEONE THAT DOES FOR THE WEST THEN THESE OLD OLD OLD POLITICIANS and PLEASE!!!…RECRUIT SOME YOUNG PEOPLE!!!!!
“IF WE DON’T LEARN ANYTHING FROM THE PREVIOUS MANY MANY COALITION OF OPPOSSITION PARTIES MISTAKES, YOU WILL FOR SURE REPEAT THEM!”….THUS, WOYANE ONCE AGAIN WINS AND DESTROYES ETHIOPIA FOR GOOD! AS THEY ARE ALREADY!!
Just a humble thoughts for the opposition and Mr. Elias as well….respectfully!
How about having a new vision first for Ethiopia, HOA (Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan, Djibuti (Afars), etc.) and how they’ll prosper under the NEW leadership…sounds to me, the new party SIMPLY HAS NONE OF THESE…sorry, just what I see!
Still, good luck….you’ll need it!! Trust me!!
elias, stopyour speculation. How could yammamoto uses UDJP leaders to restrict other opposition parties? who are other oppositions in ethiopia?
What has prof mesfin said is his own responsibility. UDJP as THE FOLLOWER OF CUDP , the party should respect the rights of ethiopians
When I heard the US Bad boy in Addis is involved, it just feels like history reapiting it’s self. How sad, they should be talking to the ppl not that US rat.
The situation is very sad, death and distraction of Ethiopia that is the aim of USA.
God help Ethiopia