I should, first of all, express my appreciation of the courteous (beEthiopiawi/Ertrawi chewannet)manner of your response.

At the outset, though, I would like to ensure that we do not divert from the main issue at hand, namely, the passage of SB3457 initiated by Sen. Feingold and Sen. Leahy. I do hope that all Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia who believe in human rights and justice support the bill in all possible ways. This includes the use of the most potent weapon we have in our hands i.e. the vote by Ethiopian/Americans, which is more powerful than the $50,000.00 being paid by Woyane every month to DL Piper, their mercenary lobbyists. All Ethiopian/Americans should make it a point to see their respective Senators in every state calling on them to support the bill.

As regards "Observer's = Tazabi's" comments on Eritrea's unity with Ethiopia, I'm still of the view that given half a chance, Eritreans would not hesitate to vote for it. One Eritrean friend of mine told me that if there were a free referendum in Eritrea, the overwhelming vote would be in favour of unity with Ethiopia.

My reasons for the above optimism are the following realities in Eritrea:

1. Eritreans who thought that cessation would bring them democracy are in fact suffering under a more brutal and severe dictatorship under the Ethiopian, Isayas Afeworki;
2. Eritreans were promised that it would be the Singapore of Africa if only it became "independent" whereas the fact now is that only a few like Isayas and his cohorts are wallowing in abundance while the vast majority of Eritreans are suffering under a grinding poverty.
3. Eritreans had mistakenly thought that they would have peace once the cessation were achieved. However, there was a totaly needless war in which nearly 100,000 Eritreans and Ethiopians perished and, as if this were not enough, the two very poor countries are in a state of tension which might lead to another devastating war!
4. The ports (Massawa and Assab) which might have been of immense benefit to both Eritreans and Ethiopians are now absolutely useless.
5. Unless the two countries unite and allow the people to live in harmony within a democratic framework and a comprehensive development strategy, there can never be peace and progress in the Horn of Africa.
6. Woyane's mistaken action of facilitating the cessation has only resulted in establishing a leadership in Eritrea that has become a heavy thorn on Woyane's side the evidence for which is the presence of so many opposition elements in Eritrea as well as the converse in Ethiopia.
7. The tribalist Woyane and EPLF short-sighted leaders in Eritrea and Ethiopia are virtual enemies of the people in the region.
8. The referendum in Eritrea was totally illegal as the choice given to Eritreans was independence or slavery. People were not given plausible options e.g. federation, unity, independence, etc.

In any case, dear "observer", I'm delighted that you and I concur on the desirability for Eritreans and Ethiopians to aspire and work for peace, harmony, and mutual respect. After all, despite our respective brutal leaders, there is no doubt that we have more elements that unite us than those which divide us.

Hibret.

It is high time that USA stops funding African leaders who use its money to brutalize and abuse their own people. Such is the situation in Ethiopia where elections are rigged in a systemic manner, where there is a blatant corruption including the use of over 40 companies owned by TPLF, the unlawful imprisonment and murder of thousands of people for no reason other than a peaceful opposition to the practices of an abusive regime. The unfortunate and tragic consequence of the extremely poor governance in Ethiopia has reached such a low point that after 18 years of its misrule, there is now famine in Ethiopia where people including children are dying even as we speak. By all international standards such as the UNDP human development index, corruption, per capita income, etc. etc. Ethiopia is at the very bottom of countries throughout the world. It is time that we say: Enough to this failed regime!

Therefore, the action by Senator Feingold is to be appreciated and supported by all people who believe in democracy and justice. The only reservation I have in Senator Feingold's draft is the statement about the Ethio/Eritrean border issue. Considering that the whole process of the Eritrean cessation as well as the unnecessary disastrous war in 1998 is the consequence of the current regime's criminal action and as the border commission's recommendations were based on defunct treaties, to cede Ethiopian territory to anyone, is tantamount to a travesty of justice. In any case, given a chance, the people of Ethiopia and Eritrea would no doubt unite and live in peace and mutual respect. If there is any doubt about this supposition, let there be a referendum in Eritrea supervised by the international community and we would then see the actual result!

Let us support the bill and Senator Feingold! Power to USA and Ethiopia!

Hibret.

Henoke

As usuall, Ethiopia first and Agia editors are preparing to launch their assaults against the Honorable Senator for introducing the Bill. These losers are backed up by the oppressor regime of Ethiopia to do their best to ensure the bill ignored by the other Senators.

Ethiopians in the Diaspora must do something against these HODAM Ethiopia first and Agia editors for they are only up to their own benefits and advantages.