ETHIOPIAN-AMERICANS and FRIENDS of ETHIOPIA in OKLAHOMA
For H.R. 2003
Announcement
Week-two of Peaceful Protest at Senator Inhofe’s OKLAHOMA CITY Office on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007
1900 NW Expressway Suite 1210, Oklahoma City, OK 73118. TIME: 11:00 AM
Contact Person: Mr. Muluneh Zeleke (Spokesperson), Phone: 405-314-4560
Purpose:
1. On-going campaign to create awareness among constituents of Senator Inhofe about H.R. 2003, the “Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007”
2. As constituents, to continue to petition Senator James Inhofe, to give his full support to the Democracy and Human Rights Bill: HR 2003.
Open letter from Oklahoma State University Professor Ted Vestal (author of “Ethiopia, A Post-Cold War Africa State”) to Sen. James Inhofe, November 13, 2007:
I was sorry to learn of your opposition to H.R.2003, the “Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007.” I know you have a strong personal tie to Ethiopia and that you have been charmed by the personable Prime Minister Meles Zenawi (as have I). I believe, however, that H.R.2003 is sound legislation in holding the feet of the ruling TPLF to the fire to live up to its rhetoric about what you refer to as a positive democratization process… I hope you will reconsider your position on H.R.2003 and join your colleagues in the House of Representatives in striving to promote democracy and human rights in Ethiopia. By not standing in the way of Senate concurrence in this significant foreign policy initiative, you will be serving your constituents well. Please let me know if I can provide you with any additional information about the current situation in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa.