TPLF's Environmental Terror !!!

Tedla Asfaw



The Koka Lake I know has turned green thanks to the chemicals damped to the lake. Fertilizers, Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorus heavily used to produce commercial flowers and the untreated water from factories surrounding  Addis Ababa are the main causes. The less than thirty minutes  video on Al Jazeera, " People and Power and Green Lake " aired on Feb 21 is now posted on www.nazerth.com and it is a must see, what I call another terror by TPLF, environmental terror that feed the algae while killing our people.

Mothers lost many  children due to the carcinogen which is now contaminating Lake Koka and people are dying that was not the case the Koka I know more than twenty years ago. Al Jazeera billed  the program as a cost of the heavy growth of Addis Ababa and its surroundings and avoid to blame the government who owned most of the these polluting industries and flower farms.

Except one European owner of the flower farm around Lake Ziway far from the Green Lake of Koka no owner comes in public to be interviewed. The Ethiopian tyrant while he was addressing his Youth in Addis Ababa few weeks ago, there was one question of water related hazard for which he blames the hide industry and that was a one minute question and answer and so much for the concern of the government.

Ethiopia has no government that is accountable for the health and the safety of its citizens and that is the bottom line. Human lives are secondary and Al Jazeera if it zoomed its lenses they could have shown children, young and elderly with no home  begging in the surrounding government owned high rises.

The sad thing is foreign partners of this regime do also  miss the Green Lake. Haven't they seen or took pictures on their cell phone  on their weekend driving to Sodere ?  Polluted rivers in  Europe and USA are now back to life supporting  fish and  become a recreational area after years of toxic damping and poor Ethiopia is encouraged to destroy its water resources by pumping loans for a regime that is making fast money at the expense of poor Ethiopian farmers ? Why are we not learning from other countries or we have to first  grow by destroying our ecosystem and then start cleaning the mess ?

In a country where there is not any law that protects the public, it might be considered a luxury to look for environmental law. However, this is a criminal case where the harm is done to our people purposely and someone has to be accountable.

 

Fitawerari Geza Reda ordeal in the hands of TPLF

Tedla Asfaw


Fitawerare Geza Reda told us his ordeal almost four decades ago on Addis Dimts (Feb. 15 2009 ) www.addisdimts.com. He was tortured on fire accused of being a member of Ethiopian Democratic Union (EDU) a party formed in Tigray after the  the fall of Emperor Haile Selassie in 1974. There is an Ethiopian saying, let someone who witnessed the event speaks and let someone who buried a loved one talk about the dead person, "Mane Yawere Yenebere, Mane Yenager Ye Kebere" . This was a chilling interview and the elderly man's voice is still shaking in outrage after  forty years .

There are many sad stories similar to the one Fitawerari Geza  narrated on this one hour program but what this one makes it chilling is this elderly man can be  our father or grandfather  exiled never to be buried on his motherland. This story is also timely because the criminals who abused him are now preparing to celebrate their "victory" on Yekatit 11.

 Yekatit 11, to Fitawerari Geza and thousands he mentioned who are still locked up and their whereabouts are not known for four decades, is a nightmare.  The reason why TPLF not freed thousands it jailed when they were marching to Addis Ababa eighteen years ago is clear because these victims have many stories to tell. Leaders like Debteraw of EPRP and  thousands are in one of the prisons Fitawerari mentioned on his interview.

TPLF wants to hide this crime, to be forgotten and tell the Tigrayans to celebrate the formation of TPLF on Yekatit 11. Sure we will  remember this day for the long time because of such brutality which is the trademark of TPLF and those who are responsible for this crime should face trial. There is no expiration date for a crime, truth has to come out or "Hisabe Mawerarade".

The likes of Abebe Teklehaimonte/General of TPLF Fitawerari mentioned and others who have blood on their hands should be remembered for their brutality as modern day fascists in North Ethiopia, Tigray on Yekatit 11 for years to come. We have to encourage all who  are alive to come out in open and expose the crime committed to them, friends  or family members.

What TPLF did to this elderly man has been replicated in all corners of Ethiopia and three years ago the Addis Ababa residents got their fair share by  TPLF Agazis. The recent crime in Eastern Ethiopia, Ogaden  is well documented and the perpetrators will face justice one day. 

Fitawerai Geza Reda and all others who fought TPLF did there part and paid for it. It is true that the Tigray people has been on war for the last forty years and many time fighting TPLF. The people are now subdued by gun like the rest of Ethiopia and the TPLF strategy of isolating Tigray for its future hiding place will be defeated by Tigray people. Tigray will never be a base again for fascists.

The divide and rule of TPLF will be defeated if we separate the proud people of Tigray like Fitawerari Geza from few fascist looters and rise up as one. 

Tekeze Dam on its first anniversary

Tedla Asfaw

I followed the interview Meles Zenawi  gave to an Ethiopian audience this past week. For the question of making Ethiopia an exporter of power while domestic power shortage including the capital Addis Ababa, the answer he gave and caught my ear was the completed Tekeze Dam a year ago which is still not operational.

The completed Tekeze Dam reservoir is too low to generate power accodring to Meles. If we build the dam based on hydrological study of the area  dry seasons will force a lower capacity. The other reason might also be a grander structure for political reason and if that is the case we will never have enough discharge to fill the dam to its capacity. The truth will be known on the coming year or years.

Unaccountable regime like Meles Zenawi do not take  responsibility for the cost of such huge projects. If this huge dam never to be operational because of lack of water the cost will be for poor Ethiopians since it was  built with foreign loan. If the catchment area of the dam is deforested as many believe it is not only we will have shortage of water but we will have unavoidable silt problem.

We have silt problems affecting dams in Ethiopia and the Awash Dam which was built more than fifty years ago is at the end of its life mainly because of silt problem but Tekeze is the first dam in Ethiopia  not to be operational for lower reservoir capacity on its first anniversary.

Is prejudice based on skin color unique to Ethiopia ?

Tedla Asfaw

I read a piece by Obang , Aiga Vs. Obang, eleven pages posted on many websites and I want to bring my own observation to help the discussion. Few years ago there was an archaeological/paleontological study in middle east which concluded that Jesus is a short dark skinned man. When survey was made  to see the reaction of people to this study  in Europe and South America,more than 90 percent of the people most of them  white/light skinned and some brown rejected the study and concluded that Jesus can not be black.

In neighboring Somalia many dark skinned Somalis were killed and chased as slaves because of their dark skin. We have many of them settled here in USA. In Iraq half million Iraqis are treated as second class citizens because of their dark skin and are expecting change because of the Black President Obama.

What Obang mentioned in his piece about Ethiopia is true but it should have been put in context. The Ogaden movement or OLF movement is not led by people of "dark skin" and their struggle is not to be free from the "light skinned" Ethiopians. I do not know any movement for that matter in Ethiopia who wants to be free from Ethiopia because of skin color.

During Siad Bare's Somalia the propaganda coming from Mogadishu was insulting "Kucherawe Mengistu/ Mengistu the slave" and his father "Menelik Barreywe/slave" and I have not heard such insult against King Haile Selasse. Many African leaders  and for that matter many Africans supported Mengstu for being dark and condemned those who opposed him for being racist or light skinned.

We know Mengistu killed all who challenged his power and I do not know anyone who was saved because of his skin color. If we draw a skin color map, light skinned,brown and dark the struggle in Ethiopia will be very complicated because there is no one major ethnic group in Ethiopia who do not compromise substantial percentage of dark skinned people like myself.

It is good to talk about skin color in open,however, I do not believe it will help us solve our political problem. Prejudice against skin color is a world wide phenomenon and it is not unique to Ethiopia.

Is prejudice based on skill color unique to Ethiopia ?

Tedla Asfaw

I read a piece by Obang , Aiga Vs. Obang, eleven pages posted on many websites and I want to bring my own observation to help the discussion. Few years ago there was an archaeological/paleontological study in middle east which concluded that Jesus is a short dark skinned man. When survey was made  to see the reaction of people to this study  in Europe and South America,more than 90 percent of the people most of them  white/light skinned and some brown rejected the study and concluded that Jesus can not be black.

In neighboring Somalia many dark skinned Somalis were killed and chased as slaves because of their dark skin. We have many of them settled here in USA. In Iraq half million Iraqis are treated as second class citizens because of their dark skin and are expecting change because of the Black President Obama.

What Obang mentioned in his piece about Ethiopia is true but it should have been put in context. The Ogaden movement or OLF movement is not led by people of "dark skin" and their struggle is not to be free from the "light skinned" Ethiopians. I do not know any movement for that matter in Ethiopia who wants to be free from Ethiopia because of skin color.

During Siad Bare's Somalia the propaganda coming from Mogadishu was insulting "Kucherawe Mengistu/ Mengistu the slave" and his father "Menelik Barreywe/slave" and I have not heard such insult against King Haile Selasse. Many African leaders  and for that matter many Africans supported Mengstu for being dark and condemned those who opposed him for being racist or light skinned.

We know Mengistu killed all who challenged his power and I do not know anyone who was saved because of his skin color. If we draw a skin color map, light skinned,brown and dark the struggle in Ethiopia will be very complicated because there is no one major ethnic group in Ethiopia who do not compromise substantial percentage of dark skinned people like myself.

It is good to talk about skin color in open,however, I do not believe it will help us solve our political problem. Prejudice against skin color is a world wide phenomenon and it is not unique to Ethiopia.

Thank You

Wondem Tesfaye, I just finished your new book, "Ye Gazetaw Mastewashe"  in my New York Apartment. The news about this book was posted on www.ethiofourm few weeks ago and many of us started debating before we even read the book. To find the book I contacted the distributor and I was informed that this week it has been on sale in North America.

Before I received the news of the sale, however, a friend send me the pdf on email which I started reading yesterday for six hours and today four hours and completed the book(416)pages.  I am not happy reading it on Internet seems too that part were taken out according to Ethiopian Review . I will get the book to keep it for myself and would like to read it again and you deserve also financial reward.

My comment on the EMF website few weeks ago was still valid. Let us read the book before we accuse the author of anything. I wrote to the gentleman who wrote a review on your work why he failed to mention the very "controversial book" on some circles  including myself without reading it, "Ye Burka Zimita".

My statement I made on "Ye Burka Zimita" yesterday on comment on www.abugida.com as a "hate book" is totally wrong after I read some of the scripts on your  new book and I would like to apologize. As I said I would be happy to read "Ye Burka Zimta" and will appreciate if you send me the signed copy of both books and I am ready to pay for it.

I want to commend you for doing your part, tell the story as it is. I know now who Tesfaye Gebrab is after reading one of your books and you have bright future brother, keep on writing.

                                                                                                                                  Yours,

                                                                                                                                     Tedla Asfaw

                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                        

Open letter to Economist Conference Organizers

Dear Economist Conference Office in New York City,

My telephone call to you few minutes ago was not welcomed and I have to send you this email to address my grievance. The Economist, a well respected paper is organizing a conference in Addis Ababa in March 24, 2009 as you well confirmed on my brief talk with you and the unelected and barbaric regime of Meles Zenawi is going to use this opportunity to get credibility in the eyes of the world.

In a country where there are no independent newspapers and  journalists jailed or exiled what is the objective of organizing a conference for ? The only aim of this conference is  to give a platform for Meles Zenawi and his racist buddies  to show their English language skill for possible job opportunity if they survive the coming upheaval in Ethiopia.

Ethiopians know they are living in a giant prison and whatever conference organized in Addis Ababa will not change that fact. If the people have their way they would rather demand the end of tyranny and get support with  papers like you to write their story accurately.

In this difficult world economic downturn poor nations like Ethiopia what they need the least, however, is party in their name and I say shame to the Economist who will be dining  with butchers of Addis Ababa. I also call Ethiopians in the Diaspora to protest in front of the Economist offices worldwide and urge them to cancel the conference in Addis Ababa.

                                                                                                                                Thanks,

                                                                                                                              Tedla Asfaw

                                                                                                                              New York City

Fwd: VOA Amharic, missing by design ?

Dear VOA Amharic producers,

I followed your Monday broadcast on Internet and I was surprised that VOA Amharic did not cover the protest in front of the State Department on the morning of Feb. 9, 2009. Was it because the protest demanding new policy towards Ethiopia from the new Obama administration was not worthy enough to get your attention ? I hope not, and you were alerted by local radios you frequently monitored that there will be rally and the argument that you might not be aware of it is not also true.

Citizens right to know and your obligation to inform the public especially in a country like Ethiopia where the only news is from government controlled propaganda media  is very crucial and I hope you will inform our people without any bias.

I have also called your listeners line which I enjoyed very much to share my concern to you and millions of Ethiopian listeners back home and worldwide.

                                                                                                                                           Thanks,

                                                                                                                                           Tedla Asfaw

                                                                                                                                            New York City

Arena Tigray in Mekelle

Tedla Asfaw

The first test of Gebru Asrate's Arena Party was on Mekelle and you can go to www.ecadforum.com and listen to what Girmaye Gebru of VOA compiled. Meles' youth tried to break the gathering after smearing those opposing Meles' TPLF as "Amhara lovers". The hate ideology of Meles is not leaving any one including those who sacrificed a  lot for the power of TPLF and are now discarded as "enemies". Ato Gebru and his friends pretty learn what to come on the so called fake election and it is time for all to call for the formation of a transitional government  to replace TPLF and save our country. The "revolutionary democracy" of TPLF is neither revolutionary nor democracy, it is in  black and  white  holing  power for infinity by pitting one ethnic or religious group against the  other. If Gebru Asrat is vilified for speaking in public few years ago in Addis as "enemy" collaborator, Amhara lover, and Judge Birtukan Medeksa  jailed for life  for not saying "Sorry" to the king or Teddy Afro  jailed for not singing for the current king to rule us for life, how is it going be possible to struggle peacefully in Ethiopia ?

Fwd: Rally for policy change towards Ethiopia

Tedla Asfaw

The new Obama administration acting Secretary of African Affairs, Philip Carter , is currently travelling to Ethiopia. Mrs. Clinton, the Secretary of State will officially be to  State Department next Monday and we would like to welcome her.  On Monday February 9  Ethiopians will come together to denounce the last eighteen years of failed USA policy and call for the resignation of Meles Zenawi and his racist party TPLF immediately.

The protest in front of  the State department in D.C. at 10 am is our first in the new Obama administration and all Ethiopians are welcome. The mobilization of Ethiopians in the diaspora is the only option available to help our people realize the May 2005 hope that was squashed by the Meles killing squads.

Moreover, our people are currently living under military decree and can not come out and show their disgust to the ruling mafia for its  financiers, Europe and America. We would like the new Obama administration  help our people exercise their God given rights of free speech and assembly to be respected and not to listen  to our tormentors in power for the last eighteen years..

If we do not see tangible policy of change immediately we will expose this administration like we did in the past by organizing continuous protests until change comes and we are ready for that. Some who discourage us not to participate in anti- TPLF rally by bringing flimsy excuses about who organized the protest and nothing will come out from protest, I will remind them that such excuses are not accepted especially this time  when the grass movement of Americans  succeeded in putting African American for the first time while many including myself were thinking otherwise.

Yes we can influence Obama's policy towards  mother  Ethiopia and what we need is mobilization taking example from  Obama himself, yes our people have shown their readiness like Americans.  We would like to remind also President  Obama that if he had to run for office in Ethiopia by now he would have been  in jail or killed. We hope he will be with the Ethiopian people not with the unelected killers..

Rally for policy change towards Ethiopia

Tedla Asfaw

The new Obama administration acting Secretary of African Affairs, Mark Philips , is currently travelling to Ethiopia. Mrs. Clinton, the Secretary of State will officially be to  State Department next Monday and we would like to welcome her.  On Monday February 9  Ethiopians will come together to denounce the last eighteen years of failed USA policy and call for the resignation of Meles Zenawi and his racist party TPLF immediately.

The protest in front of  the State department in D.C. at 10 am is our first in the new Obama administration and all Ethiopians are welcome. The mobilization of Ethiopians in the diaspora is the only option available to help our people realize the May 2005 hope that was squashed by the Meles killing squads.

Moreover, our people are currently living under military decree and can not come out and show their disgust to the ruling mafia for its  financiers, Europe and America. We would like the new Obama administration  help our people exercise their God given rights of free speech and assembly to be respected and not to listen  to our tormentors in power for the last eighteen years..

If we do not see tangible policy of change immediately we will expose this administration like we did in the past by organizing continuous protests until change comes and we are ready for that. Some who discourage us not to participate in anti- TPLF rally by bringing flimsy excuses about who organized the protest and nothing will come out from protest, I will remind them that such excuses are not accepted especially this time  when the grass movement of Americans  succeeded in putting African American for the first time while many including myself were thinking otherwise.

Yes we can influence Obama's policy towards  mother  Ethiopia and what we need is mobilization taking example from  Obama himself, yes our people have shown their readiness like Americans.  We would like to remind also President  Obama that if he had to run in office in Ethiopia by now he would have been  in jail or killed. We hope he will be with the Ethiopian people not with the unelected killers..