From: Biniam Haile \(SWE\) (eritrea.lave@comhem.se)
Date: Sat Jul 05 2008 - 21:30:42 EDT
A Policy being criticized: The US in the Horn of Africa
July 5th, 2008
By Scott A Morgan
In Recent Weeks there has been some focus on events in the Horn of
Africa. A Border Clash between Djibouti and Eritrea appears to have
stablized and intervention by France and the United States is not
expected at this time. However this is not the only area where the US
should be concerned about.
Also during this time period there has been ample criticism of the US
Relations with Ethiopia. Ethiopian Forces are currently in neighboring
Somalia propping up a weak Western Backed Regime. There are two main
issues that the Zenawi regime has to deal with. First there are
persistent reports of Famine in the Country and there is an insurgency
currently active in the Ogaden.
In a recent report Human Rights Watch was very critical of the close
relations between the Ethiopians and the US and British Governments. The
Group feels that the support of London and Washington gives the Zenawi
Regime Carte Blanche to deal with its adversaries within the country and
in its neighbors.
There has been an effort within the US Congress to have both
Transparency and Accountability in dealing with the Ethiopian
Government. The Ethiopian Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007
passed the US House of Representatives. It is currently dormant in the
US Senate. The Legislation was first introduced in response to the
Highly Controversial Elections in 2005 and their violent aftermath.
Key elements of this legislation include a suspension of US Military
Assistance and other sanctions until the Zenawi Government follows
specific steps outlined by the US Government. Exemptions will be allowed
for Peacekeeping and Counter-Terrorism Operations. Any Government
Official that is found to have used Lethal Force against peaceful
demonstrators would be prevented from entering the United States.
The Ethiopian Regime has spent over a million Dollars in attempting to
defeat this legislation. It has recruited prior members of Congress such
as former House Majority Leader Dick Armey of Texas to defeat this Bill.
One tactic that is being used is that this Bill will be detrimental to
the National Security Interests of the United States.
The announcement of the timing of the Bill being stalled in the Senate
coming on the heels of the criticism of turning a blind eye towards
Ethiopian Human Rights Violations will have conspiracy theorists going
crazy with glee. After all, there was a concerted effort by members of
the Ethiopian Diaspora in the USA to support this Bill. This could be
the time when American Human Rights Defenders to contact their Senators
to bring this Bill to a vote.
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The Authors publishes Confused Eagle on the Internet
(morganrights.tripod.com) and comments on US Policy towards Africa.
http://www.ethiopianreview.com/content/2880
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