SETTING THE RECORD RIGHT:

ALMAZ MEQUANENT AND FLUORIDE POISONING

Editor�s Note:  The letter addressed by Almaz Mequanent to Aseged Tefera (whose �article� appeared in The Reporter of December 19, 2007) is meant to correct several grossly misleading statements in that article and to inform the reader the true donor of the 500 wheelchairs and the organizer of the whole process. The �article� by Aseged Tefera is a good example of �yellow journalism� at its worst, enduring characteristics of most Ethiopian newspapers, online journals, blogs et cetera including The Reporter. My recent editorial on the unparalleled generosity and commitment of Almaz Mequanent was based on incontrovertible facts that Almaz Mequanent single handedly organized on her own the donation of 500 wheelchairs by The Free Wheelchair Mission of the United States to the victims of HVA agro-industrial greed in Awash Wonji and Metehara sugar plantations and processing industry Workers and residents due to Fluoride poisoning. I have brought to the attention of concerned Ethiopians and others, by posting Almaz �s moving article of December 9, 2003 in this Website, on the tragedy of Wonji and Methara Workers and residents due to Fluoride poisoning since 2003, a few years later after Amaz Mwquanent started single handedly her mission of conscience to rectify the tragedy that befall tens of thousands of Ethiopians. The article by Aseged Tefera of December 20, 2007 in The Reporter shamefully did not even mention this great lady or the donor The Free Wheelchair Mission in that misleading article. TH

____________________________

To: Mr. Aseged Tefera:

From: Almaz  Mequanent
I am appalled at your editorial about Wonji victims. I was informed by Wonji residents about your editorial because I usually don't read or trust what you write. Has it really come to the point where people are so absorbed in their own egos that they see nothing wrong with publicly writing biased and incomplete story by ignoring and discrediting the donor and the people who worked hard to make the donation happen. 

https://www.ethiopianreporter.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=18901

First, you wrongfully wrote that "former Wonji residents and donation seekers with collaboration of factory brought wheelchair to the victims," which is totally wrong. One person made it happen-one California based organization gave donation and with the cooperation of Wonji administrators and employees in facilitating the process brought the wheelchairs from Djibouti port. And the one person is Almaz Mequanint and the one organization is "The Free Wheelchair Mission." We all were there during the wheelchair distribution event. So, whom are you misleading? Probably to the people who are not familiar with the Wonji crisis story. What is wrong mentioning and praising the name of the donor "The Free Wheel Mission" who did noble work for our people? Only the Oromia journalists were available in Wonji and they had interviewed me on the event date. You were not there; that is why you didn't have tangible news to write. I guess saying thanks is not your own nature or culture but other Ethiopians are thankful.

Second, some Wonji victims have been paralyzed for over 30 years not 20 years.

Third, after The Daily Monitor broke the news & reported in 2004 about Wonji victims you went to Wonji to interview some victims. And they told you that HVA International (the Dutch company) is responsible for the multiple damage that occurred to them. But you ignored their claim and wrote only about them and fluoride. You are very much a coward and pathetic not to report about HVA International. What is wrong with you, we Ethiopians can not even complain about our injuries and pain? And if we complained it has to be censored?

Fourth, you wrote repeatedly the same phrase that you wrote three years ago because you are not well equipped with factual updated information. You can't misinform or fool us about Wonji; you better leave it to us.  What a shame! 

 A reporter should report as it is without being biased. Whom are you standing for your people or the Dutch company? And you have the nerve to repeatedly report about Wonji people. Just don't waste paper, and get a life!  

I think you really need someone to go over your article before being published. If you are going to cover a story, make sure you cover the entire story or do not print it. It is better to have an accurate story rather than an incomplete story. Not only does it affect your reputation, but it also disillusions the public especially we former and present Wonji residents that you are supposed to be serving. This is beside the ethics of the profession.

Bear in mind that the survival of democracy depends on citizens having access to sufficient accurate information to make informed decisions and enables you to explore the true motivations of the people about whom you wrote.

I am not a politician but a humanitarian, so, I don't link or confuse the difference between the two. You may have reasons to misinform your readers but people who morally respond or report to the needs of ordinary human beings if it is not true or you hide something-it will create a feeling of disgust and distrust. I think you are in the wrong field, but if you are interested in the Wonji story, so, why don't you go to Wonji and help the victims in assembling the wheelchairs or giving them personal care. They really need any care you can provide! You may not respond to my email but at least I made my point and cc this email to the people who know about Wonji story thoroughly than you do!

Sincerely,

Almaz Mequanint

December 25, 2007