PRESS RELEASE
Kinijit-Dallas
The Kinijit delegation to North America led by the party’s vice president w/t Birtukan Mideksa arrived at DFW airport in Dallas on September 30, 2007. Ato Dejene Assaye, chairman of Kinijit-Dallas along with other six community representatives was there to meet them. As the delegates came off the secured area, they were welcome by a large crowd of singing and dancing Ethiopians from Dallas and its surrounding cities. Bouquets of flower and that uniquely Texan souvenir (cowboy-hats) were presented to them as a gift by the community.
The delegates’ first order of business was to attend a public meeting that was held at one of the largest halls of the Radisson Hotel which was filled to its capacity. The key note speech in the meeting focused on the significance of truly contested election for building democracy. Following the key note address, an extensive Q&A session where the delegates were subjected to very critical questions regarding the party internal well being and its positions and polices for the future of the country was conducted. By the end of these discussions, it was clear to everyone why Ethiopians in their millions voted for this party in the 2005 election. The meeting was also about expressing solidarity of the audience to the party of Kinijit and the people of Ethiopia. Towards that goal, the audience at the meeting raised over $42K for the party. Kinijit-Dallas has issued a public special report about the total amount of money collected from the fund raising (in cash, checks, credit card and pledge) and the expenses associated with event.
The next day, the delegates’ day was filled with critical private activities. Before coming to Dallas, the leaders have insisted on meeting Kinijit chapter members who have disagreements with Kinijit-Dallas. Per their request, they were able to meet privately with a representative of the group. Other members of this group were not able to attend due to personal reasons. The delegation also met with local civic organizations such as Dejen Le-Democracy for general consultation.
Finally, the leaders met with the local Kinijit chapter members. In this meeting, the delegates clearly re-stated the goal of their tour to US. They identified the re-organization of Kinijit chapters through out the world on the basis of broad, open and democratic participation of all willing Ethiopians as one of their main tasks. They shared some of the principles the party has laid for the re-organization. Kinijit-Dallas members gave ringing support for the principles stated and expressed their willingness to work with the leaders and other chapters to lay a foundation for strong and broad Kinijit chapters in North America.
Kinijit-Dallas would like to thank the following people and organization for making the delegation visit to Dallas very successful.
1. First and foremost, the delegate members themselves for being very cooperative despite the marathon-like schedule they had to endure.
2. The Dallas, Houston, Oklahoma City and Austin area Ethiopians for coming in mass to welcome and support the delegates.
3. Artist Abebe Belew of Addis Dimtse radio (Washington DC) for being the MC of the meeting and for driving the fund raising event. His contribution is simply priceless!!
4. Ato Abayneh Desta, Ato Betru G/Egizabher, Ato Kidane Alemayehu, Ato Melaku Tadesse, Ato Solomon Haile and Ato Teferawork Assefa for playing hosts and for helping organize the welcoming program.
5. Ato Zegeye Meshesha, Ato Yosef Yetimgeta and Ato Tibebe Mengistu for giving their services of recording the entire event in picture and video free of charge
6. To all those transportation business owners and drivers for making their stretch limousines and town cars available to give the delegates the VIP services they deserve without any charge.
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Dallas and Fort Worth Kinijit Relief & Development Organization
P.O.BOX 742974, Dallas, TX 75374 Tel: (972) 375 1334