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IN MEMORY OF DR. JOHN HATHAWAY SPENCER Like many great friends of Ethiopia, Dr. Spencer never forgot those who stood against peaceful Ethiopia and who, he believed, had shown extreme cruelty. He thought that the League of Nations severely betrayed Ethiopia's legitimate rights and causes. Some of Ethiopia's own sons and daughters too, he believed, failed to render eminent services to their beloved country. Dr. Spencer has acknowledged at many occasions that some of Ethiopia's recent leaders led Ethiopia backward rather than forward. About Dr. Spencer

Ethiopia-Africa's Great Hope, By Reporter Olivia Rousset
Only a few months ago Ethiopia was being touted as the great hope of Africa. Not only was it one of a handful of African nations earmarked for G8 debt relief, it was being applauded for its apparent willingness to embrace democracy. That said Ethiopia's first multi-party ballot was anything but free and fair. In fact, it turned out to be what many cynics have come to expect from African elections - vote-rigging, intimidation and even murder - name your electoral poison. And the aftermath of the election has been no better. By SBS Dateline. Video Report | Audio Report | Text Report

Urgent AEUP Press Release, 08/27 The rule of law does not allow charging AEUP/CUD based on accused individuals from the street. Press Release

EU Election Observation Mission Preliminary Statement on the Election Appeals' Process, The Re-Run of Elections and the Somali Region Election. August 25 EU Mission Statement

Latest Public Opinion Rules Out Sitting in Defunct Parliament Text

Ato Kemal had promised EPRDF to rely on him the election investigation and more news By CUD parliamentary Ato Bedru Adam

Meles's Certificate Written with the Innocents Blood Ink
Prof. Getatchew article prepared for the San Diego AEUP support group fund raising event of the CUD, August 20th, on Emblita Volume II, Issue 5
Amharic Article | Embilta Vol. II, Issue 5

If we ignore democratic votes & tyranny, we ignore .. Letter

Mr. Prime Minister, You are Mixing Apples and Grenades - 8/23
There were no gangs of security forces who drive behind the leaders of the Republican Party throughout the day. Mr. Bush was not put under house arrest like Hailu Shawul and the rest of the CUD leaders. My point is there is a BLIND LAW that works for both the opposition and the incumbent impartially irrespective of who is in power. That is what is called “the law” - one which cuts both ways. In your case you can go out and order your army to kill protesting students without even giving them a warning to disperse. You even choose the time and place of when to make investigations as to whether that was justified or not. In countries where the law is supreme and principles come first, you can’t have that luxury. You can’t kill someone’s child, go home, have fun and play with your children and sleep in peace. Aside from the law and as a father yourself, I always wonder how this stacks up in your head. Must Read Editorial

Press Release SOCEPP - All Political Prisioners must be Released
Abera Yemane Ab, jailed illegally for twelve years, has now been released after a court sentenced him to a ten years prison term. SOCEPP is delighted by the news of Abera's release though his long detention (and not merely the two years plus he had to serve vis a vis the sentence) was and is totally illegal and a vindictive political act on the part of the ruling EPRDF. Abera has been told he cannot sue the regime and will be without any civic rights for three years. SOCEPP

A Desperate Lie by a Dying and Frustrated Regime. - 8/22
Notice: The Xinhuanet web site has recently pulled out the posted news most likely after noticing strong response in support of AEUP denouncing the lie. Hence the link below that shows the text version of the news is set blank recently. The title of the news heading was:
Suspect of Ethiopia's oil depot explosion attempt confirmed as ... Xinhua, China - Aug 22, 2005
ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- Ethiopian police confirmed Monday that one of the two suspects arrested late Saturday while ... Click for the news posted earlier
COMMENTRY - The EPRDF regime has began again its dead beat/tired propaganda to label the All Ethiopian Unity Party as a violent party by indirectly associating the two individuals that were arrested late Saturday (08/20) as members of the opposition All Ethiopian Unity Party (AEUP). The suspects were arrested under the accusation of attempting to explode a bomb at the main depot of Mobil oil in the capital. It is remembered that the desperate regime of Meles had announced “a State of Emergency” and gunned down over hundred civilians and students of which 42 are confirmed dead with 60 seriously wounded and 17 still missing. It is also fresh in Ethiopians mind the fictitious labeling by the Meles regime of the CUD as a violent organization and its comparision with "The Interahamwe of Rwanda". This negative and untrue effort was ridiculed by Addis residents flat out where they backed up their rejection into reality by casting 23 verses 0 voting favoring CUD thus knocking out all EPRDF high ranking officials that competed. Exactly simlar type of casting by Meles and its election looser information Minister, Berket Simon, has resurfaced again due the regime frustration by the Ethiopian people firm stand to protect their vote the regime and its election board have burglarized. The tagging of the AEUP, "the backbone party of the coalition, the CUD,” as violent is an obvious preemptive strategy for its next desperate move. The most ridiculous part of the accusation is where the suspected bomber run away putting in his pocket his AEUP membership payment receipt. If this is the case, the EPRDF must give its highest award to the suspect since it has enabled EPRDF to obtain the evidence without working much to eliminate its most prominent political rival thus giving green light and justification for the EPRDF security forces to label, arrest or attack the leaders of its highest political rival. The frantic lie of the associates of the regime and propaganda minister Berket was also witnessed on another accusation made at an international level. Several Medias and web sites like Walta associated with the Meles regime had recently posted reckless lie condemning some of the European Union Ethiopian election mission members for taking bribe from the CUD. Click to check out the blank xinhuanet.com news site

The continuing election saga - 8/22
Congressman Smith urges EPRDF to “ease upon” opposition. Opposition to join parliament. Ana Gomes to release mission report next week. Court to rule over CUD, NEB row today. CUD to elect mayor today. Full Text

Birr continues depreciating after a controversial election and Poverty in Addis - 8/19
The 2005 Ethiopian election aftermath has had negative impacts on the economic development of the country. For instance, businesses have been declining after the election. This is reflected in the current status of the exchange rate between banks and parallel markets. The purchasing power of the birr is declining, and that of the dollar is going up rapidly.
Poverty in Addis Ababa manifests itself in many different ways ranging from stark destitution observable along major roads and every corner of the city to somewhat hidden deprivations that are not easily discernible to casual and frontline observers. Reporter

Letter to U.S. HR Africa Subcommittee Chairman Chris Smith - 8/19
“I urge the Prime Minister to rein in his security forces and allow the people of Ethiopia to exercise the rights fundamental to democracy. The right to protest is a universal concept protected worldwide and has to be respected in Ethiopia as well.”
Prime Minister Zenawi and his lieutenants have conveniently demonized organizations representing the two largest ethnic groups representing some 70 percent of the population. They have labeled Oromo organizations terrorists, while they call organizations that draw their support from the Amhara and other groups as chauvinists, racists and royalists. This self-serving policy of divide and rule of course makes it expedient for a small minority to impose its will on the overwhelming majority. Ethiopian-Americans for Democracy

Ethiopian opposition sues to stop re-votes of disputed polls - 8/19
Ethiopia's main opposition group filed suit Thursday to halt weekend re-votes of disputed May polls until election authorities turn over material they used to determine where the re-runs should be held. AFP

EHRCO Says Gov't Needs to Pay Compensation for the 42 Shot - 8/18
Now, the Council confirmed in its revised report that the number of people who were killed by the police at the time has reached 42 and other 60 are severely injured," EHRCO said. According to the report, the government should pay compensation for the 42 people's families who lost their children and parents. Full Text

NJ congressman criticizes delays in probing Ethiopia's violence-8/17
U.S Representative Chris Smith, a Republican, said he is concerned that officials have not begun the inquiry more than two months after what he described as the "slaughter." "As each day goes by, we become more skeptical that an honest investigation can be undertaken and part of that reason is you also tend to lose evidence and memories fade,"
Assc. Press | IRIN Interview

CUD Chair Ato Hailu Shawel with ER on Tensae Radio, 08/14
Ato Hailu stressed that nothing will stop the struggle of the Ethiopian people for right in demanding the respect of their vote. He confirmed that the STRUGGLE WILL CONTINUE continue lead by others even if the government arrests the current leadership. This interview answered several questions by the Diaspora on the recent CUD/UEDF proposal, the diplomatic community as well as various issues related to the election and CUD thus providing a clear direction towards the struggle. Part I | Part II

Interview of Ato Desta Kasiew, CUD candidate that defeated Berket Simon at Bunga/Lalibela, by ER and Tensae - 8/15
It is remebered that the heroic people of Bugna Woreda (Lalibela) in Wollo, Ethiopia, rejected EPRDF propaganda minister Bereket Simon and elected CUD candidate Ato Destaw Kasse. Listen to the interview by ER and Tensae Radio. Interview

CUD President Engineer Hailu Shawel and weekly news on CUD/Kinijit Radio, 08/14 Interview of Ato Hailu Shawel covered the various meetings the CUD held to gather the public opinion as well as the recent CUD and AEUP conference. It is remebered that AEUP meeting that included over 400 representatives throughout Ethiopia has passed several resolutions. Ato Hailu also answered various issues including the recent proposal of the CUD and UEDF and CUD's position regarding sitting in the EPRDF so called rubber stamp parliament. He also deliverd his message to Ethiopians. Listen Interview after News on the 7:00 Min

The West wants one of its favourite beneficiaries to stay virtuous, 08/11 Sorry isn't enough - The prime minister, Meles Zenawi, declared himself shocked and ordered an independent investigation; just how independent remains to be seen. Mr Zenawi's polished reputation abroad, for instance as a member of Tony Blair's Commission for Africa, will be badly damaged if he is found to have given the orders that led to the killing or to have had the ballot rigged. The government wants continued state ownership of land, and federalism along ethnic and linguistic lines. The opposition wants some land privatised and thinks ethnic federalism undermines the state. Economist Print

At Loggerheads: Legality and justice in the election standoff in Ethiopia Open letter to Ambassadors' Donor Group (ADG) - By the Network of Ethiopian Scholars (NES) Letter

Excerpt from CUD/UEDF Press Release, 08/12/2005 Prepared by Professor Getatchew Haile regarding the CUD/UEDF joint Press Release of 08/11/2005. The joint meeting was attended by several national and international journalists. Amharic

Some Frank Counsel to the EPRDF Leaders, 08/08 Ambassador Imeru Zelleke Letters of advice to EPRDF leaders in August, 2005 and prior to the May election in Feb, 2005 Letter

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