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
