[dehai-news] (ER) ETHIOPIA-ERITREA: Historic meeting in Washington DC


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From: Biniam Haile \(SWE\) (eritrea.lave@comhem.se)
Date: Mon Aug 10 2009 - 23:34:06 EDT


Historic meeting in Washington DC
 
August 10th, 2009
 
WASHINGTON DC - The Ethiopian People's Patriotic Front (EPPF) held its
first official meeting in Washington DC on Sunday, August 9, 2009. The
meeting was organizing by the Washington EPPF Chapter. (Photos and video
will be posted shortly)
 
Head of EPPF's press office, Ato Demis Belete, opened the meeting with a
one-minute silent prayer for martyrs of the struggle and welcoming
remarks. Representatives of the Washington Chapter also welcomed the
guests and participants.
 
Ato Melke Mengiste, secretary general of the EPPF International
Committee, then took the stage. He spoke about the founding mission of
EPPF, how it was created 10 years ago, and made a call to the
participants to volunteer their time and resources for the struggle to
liberate Ethiopia from the Woyanne tribal junta.
 
Following Ato Melke's speech, Wzr. Sophia Tesfamariam and Dr Berhe
Habtegiorgis from the Eritrean community made brief remarks in a show of
solidarity with Ethiopians who are fighting against the anti-Ethiopia
Woyanne junta. Dr Berhe's speech, which was based on his first-hand
experience as a one-time resident of Addis Ababa and a member of the
Ethiopian armed forces under HaileSeliassie's government, had captivated
the audience.
 
The next speaker was Ethiopian Review's editor-in-chief Elias Kifle who
briefly talked about Ethiopia-Eritrea relationships and Eritrean
government's role in preventing the Woyanne tribal junta from
dismembering Ethiopia and implementing its Greater Tigray Republic
manifesto.
 
Several prominent Ethiopians such as Cmd. Tassew Desta, former head of
Ethiopian Navy, Dr Daniel Kindie, Professor of History at Herderson
State University in Arkansas, Ato Fekade Shewakena, an Ethiopian
political analyst, Lij Seifu Zawdie of Medhin Party, Ato Abebe Belew of
Addis Dimts Radio, Abakia, a writer and videographer, Ato Billilign
Woldesenbet, human rights advocate, and Wzr. Meseret Agonafer,
chairperson of Ethiopian Review's Board of Trustees, graced the meeting
with their presence.
 
Dr Daniel Kindie briefly talked about the need for some kind of
federation between Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, and Djibiouti.
 
The keynote speaker of the meeting was Ato Sileshi Tilahun, EPPF's head
of organizational affairs for the International Committee. He spoke
about how EPPF was created, its mission, organizational structure and
current activities.
 
Ato Sileshi is playing a key role in reorganizing the EPPF structure
around the world. He is responsible for the creation of EPPF chapters,
the recent launching of its radio program that is being broadcast to
Ethiopia, a new web site, eppfonline.org, and the opening of a large
headquarters in Asmara that is currently housing EPPF Radio's studio.
Sileshi's remarkable achievement in a span of short time in transforming
EPPF's political and external operations has caused him to be a primary
target of various groups.
 
The last segment of the August 9 public meeting was a Question and
Answer session in which a lively discussion took place.
 
The meeting was concluded in a strong note by Ato Melkie Mengiste who
repeated his call to all the participants to join him in going to the
field and support EPPF.
 
The EPPF August 9 meeting in Washington DC has for the first time in
decades brought together Ethiopians and Eritreans under one roof as
allies. It is a fast growing alliance that is capable of building a
foundation for peace and prosperity in the Horn of Africa region.
 
Similar events are being held around the world that involve interactions
between Ethiopians and Eritreans. On Sunday, a delegation of Ethiopians
led by Ato Melkie Mengiste and Ato Sileshi Tilahun attended the Eritrea
Festival at the Washington Convention Center. Next week, Ethiopian
Review editor will take part in a panel discussion that is organized by
Community of Eritreans in the Bay Area (Click here for more info).
http://www.gerset.com/Panel_2009.html
 
http://www.ethiopianreview.com/content/10521

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