By Aie Zi Guo

Dear the Honorable Members of Congress, Oregon and Massachusetts Legislative [Here in after called Friends of Ethiopia]

Allow me to thank you for your concern about the plight of jailed opposition members who are gagged by a very repressive regime in Ethiopia and with whom I have no acquaintance. Nevertheless, I have something in common with those in jail. Firstly, we all originated from a developing country. Secondly, we seem to share the same values of democracy. Thirdly, we are all humans of the 21st century with shared values of peace, rule of law, and respect for human rights. Lastly the suffering, repression and incarceration of the prisoners of conscience have been an albatross of pain to peace loving people around the world.

Dear Friends of Ethiopia,

Many immigrants from developing countries including Ethiopians took informed decisions to become American Citizens. Thanks to those decisions they have become prime beneficiaries to US core values i.e. the rule of law, respect for human rights and democracy. For example, in your land of the free thousands debate on American body politics and global issues freely. Millions have the liberty of carrying voting cards to ballot boxes to cast their votes without pressure and coercion. Without exaggeration many found their freedom of space complete in the ballot boxes located across the 50 states of the land of the free.

Mesmerized by these values, Ethiopian-Americans made unprecedented effort to clone US democratic values to their land of origin. At times frustration reigns over them when US foreign policies are guided by mere geopolitical interest and not by the core values that hold the “stars and stripes” flying high over the statue of liberty.

Amidst their frustrations, however, Ethiopians got energized and encouraged by the initiative and leadership you marshal on HR 2003. This marshal plan of yours invigorates hopes and rekindles Ethiopians’ dream for democracy and good governance. You ought to be applauded for standing behind truth and moreover behind the core values on which US America was founded and prospered. You need to be praised and applauded for your untiring commitment to defend the core values beyond your horizon.

Dear Friends of Ethiopia,

You ought to be applauded for you have long known that when Ethiopians say no to tyranny, US has to demonstrate its resolve for justice. You have known that the May 15, 2005 election in Ethiopia is a living testimony of Ethiopians’ desire for freedom and democratic pluralism. You have known that a foreign policy that is inconsistent to America’s core values and state leaders who unleash terror on their people won’t defeat terrorism. If you are not praised, then who else….

Dear Friends of Ethiopia,

For nearly two decades Zenwai toss enough champagne with the international community. He has sat shoulder to shoulder in international conferences with leaders of the G-8 freely. For so long the despot has been left unchecked when he did a miscarriage of justice to his country and people. He kept the Ethiopian people under servitude with unparalleled dictatorship of immense proportions far too long. The rivers of blood of his innocent victims, the agonies of prisoners of conscience in Kaliti and elsewhere in the country speak volumes about his wrongdoings. Thanks to you all, Bill HR 2003 is going to do the checking. Zenawi knows fully well that this bill is a reality check on his behavior. Even his lobby firms who amassed huge windfall gains from Ethiopia’s coffers have reached a stage where they can no longer defend him. His cacophony of mischief and lies has frustrated even his closest friends like Toni Blair and himself.

Dear Friends of Ethiopia,

Zenawi is frustrated to the extent that he holds democratically elected officials and thousands of innocent civilians’ hostages. As his frustrations exasperate, he now crossed the Atlantic to hold you the honorable congress members of the democratic society hostage. There should be no surprise to his action, because when spoiled children are left unchecked it is natural that they transcend the power of influence. Bill HR 2003 has sacred Zenawi and shakes the wits of his administration’s wrongdoing.

Dear Friends of Ethiopia,

Your resolute stand in defending democracy and exposing the heinous crimes of Zenawi’s regime is extraordinary. Through HR 2003 you have come to the call of the civilized society of the 21st century that is the universality of democracy, rule of law and human rights. You transposed Bush’s verbatim of the Union address, “All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know: the United States will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors. When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with you,” to action. I thank you for standing guard for the prisoners of conscience and the people of Ethiopia at large. Burmese dissident & politician, Aung San Suu Kyi once said “ Human beings the world over need freedom and security that they may be able to realize their full potential.” It is my fervent wish that HR 2003 will pass all the hurdles of bureaucracy to bring freedom and security to Ethiopia so that Ethiopians would be able be able to realize their full potential.

Thank you.

God Bless America and Ethiopia
Aie Zi Guo
Email: [email protected]
June 30, 2007