Ethiopia

On January 9, 2005, a spirited public meeting was held in Chicago by over a hundred twenty concerned Ethiopians opposing the recent treasonous effort by Meles Zenawi. The five-point goals presented by Meles Zenawi to the Ethiopian House of Representatives did express clearly his intention to accept in principle the illegal and corrupt decision of the Arbitration Commission ceding historic territories of Ethiopia and land locking and strangling seventy million Ethiopians. Professors Haile Larebo and Tecola Hagos were the invited speakers. Each speaker spoke for over an hour on the problem of the 13 April 2002 decision of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Arbitration Commission. Professor Haile concentrated on historical document notes, treaties and the political relationship of Ethiopia and Italy during the colonial period and the significance and background of the 1900 Convention, 1902 note, and the 1908 Convention in light of the Decision of the Boundary Commission. The professor concluded his remarks by stressing the treaties and notes as a negotiating ploy that are null and void with Italy's aggression.

Professor Tecola focused on the legal issues and principles of international law and practices relevant to the determination of the conflict as well as the 13 April 2002 decision of the Boundary Arbitration Commission. He highlighted the many principles of international law relevant to quash the Commission�s corrupted decision and the illegality of ceding Ethiopian territory and forcing Ethiopian citizens to adopt new citizenship or to be relocated by force under such a ruling. Professor Tecola noted in great length the political carrier and philosophy of the the appointed commissioners Prof. W. Michael Reisman, Judge Stephen M Schwebel, Ethiopian appointed  Prince Bola, Sir Arthur Watts, and the party appointed commissioner Professor Sir Elihu Lauterpacht. The participants noted the importance of unity among Civic and political organizations to overthrow the PM and the party on the general election in May. They vowed to ignite the sprit of unity and understanding among Ethiopians in Diaspora. The PM chooses notes that support his hostile position toward Ethiopia and Ethiopians. Given the history of his unqualified support of Eritrea with hostility towards Ethiopia, misrepresenting facts and engaging in faulty reasoning by refusing to restore land and sea to the Ethiopian sovereign people, were his main accomplishments of his political carrier.

During the hour and half long discussion after the presentation of the guest speakers, several Ethiopians in attendance expressed their support of the meeting and expressed their appreciation of both invited speakers. A number of Ethiopians stressed the fact that the meeting had ignited their patriotic duty (zeal) to cooperate and form a committee to further the spirit of cooperation and patriotism in defense of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ethiopia. A committee was elected by acclamation and was charged to issue the points resolved by the people in attendance. The Meeting was concluded with special thanks to the guest speakers and the individuals who organized the meeting. The resolution adopted in the meeting will be posted soon.

Staff Reporter from Chicago