EDP Delegation Toured USA
ER Staff, Jul-Oct 2001
A high-level delegation of Ethiopian Democratic Party (EDP) traveled to several cities in the USA on a working visit in July and August this year. The delegation returned to Ethiopia in early September after a successful trip to ten cities across the United States.
The high-level delegation was composed of the delegation’s leader and Vice-Chairman of EDP, Dr Hailu Araya; the Chairman of EDP’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Ato Isaac Kifle; the Chairman of Addis Abeba Region Committee, Ato Kifle Abate; and a member of the Executive Committee, Dr Bezabeh Demissie.
One of the first cities the delegation visited was New York. A town hall meeting in New York was organized on July 22 by Tegbar League’s New York Chapter.
Tegbar League representative in New York, Ato Abate Kassa, welcomed the delegates. The EDP delegates talked about the party’s political program and discussed the current political situation in Ethiopia. The speeches were followed by a lively question and answer session.
The EDP leaders headed to Houston on July 27, and Dallas on July 28, where they were welcomed by Dr Mesfin Genanaw, president of the Houston Ethiopian Community Association, and Yeharerworq Gashaw, the Dallas Tegbar League representative.
The town hall meeting in Chicago involving the EDP leaders was held on August 11. The meeting was organized by Tegbar League and was chaired by Ato Tesfaye Mengistu, a prominent member of the Chicago Ethiopian community.
Before concluding its tour, the delegation visited and held public meetings in Los Angeles, New York, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, Oakland, Minneapolis, Seattle and Boston.
In all the cities the delegation visited, it was able to generate a great deal of interest and attract support. Support groups have been formed in all the cities the delegation has visited.
Before heading back to Ethiopia, the EDP delegation attended as guests of honor Tegbar League’s dinner program on Sunday, September 2, 2001, which was held at the conclusion of its annual General Assembly session.