Is Donald Payne US Congressman or Eritrea´s spokesperson?
Ethio Boy
February 28, 2008
It is to be recalled that the US House of Representatives or Congress passed the H.R. 2003 bill known otherwise the Ethiopian Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007 last October. The bill was crafted in a way to put pressure on the government of Ethiopia improve human rights situations using economic restrictions as a tool and is reportedly before the Senate.
It is needless to sate that no nation has the right to intervene directly or indirectly for any reason or whatsoever in the internal or external affairs of any other nation. To this end, various cross-sections of the society out rightly rejected the bill as it poses a threat on the sovereignty of the country as well as puts the interests of the general public at stake. Promulgating laws and attempting to enforce it in a sovereign nation is absurd and totally unacceptable. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi put it nicely in his last report to the House of People´s Representatives (HPR) that "If the US government promulgates laws for our country, then we do not need a parliament."
We all recall that the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice paid a visit to Ethiopia a few months before. The Secretary of State on the occasion told journalists that her government does not support the bill. The bill is the evil outcome of the congressman Donald Payne and his accomplices such as the rogue Eritrean regime as well as some members of CUD who left for the US following their pardon by the government. All are anti-peace forces who don´t´ wish good for the country and striving hard to see the bill endorsed against the interest of the US government. But nowadays things are getting clearer and clearer and the hidden interests of Payne are coming to light.
Recently the congressman paid a visit to Eritrea which took many by surprise. The visit is a visible manifestation that the man has designed the bill with a view to pleasing his intimate friend the infamous Sha'ebia leader. The Ministry of Information in its weekly statement issued recently stated that the visit of Congress man Donald Payne, who is also playing a leading role for the endorsement of the bill clearly shows its partisanship to terrorism and a clear indication of the person's anti-Ethiopia stance.
Payne´s visit at this particular time when his government is preparing to label Eritrea a state sponsor of terrorism for coordinating , arming, training and providing shelter to terrorists has clearly demonstrated the individual's close relationship with the terrorist Asmara regime.
The Voice of America (VOA) a couple of weeks ago held interview with Congressman Donald Payne. The interview once again proved that the man has forged a strong tie with the infamous Sha'ebia leader. The first question forwarded to Payne was about the aim of his visit to Eritrea. "It is public wisdom that the relations between Eritrea and the US has reportedly been strained. Apart from this, the US is preparing to designate Eritrea among terrorists´ list. Hence, what is the aim of your visit at this juncture?" (I have translated the Amharic directly).
The man was not fool to directly confront the question, he instead, digressed away from the core theme enumerating other similar instances. "My visit is in line with my status as Chairman of the African Affairs Sub-committee with the congress. Accordingly, I pay visits to several African countries every year. Several years have passed since I made such a visit to Eritrea and now I felt that it is necessary to go to that country."
The man further attempted to substantiate his argument that the US officials visited Khartoum while the country was under civil strife. He also added that US officials were in Nigeria in the aftermath of a disputable election.
Payne expressed that during his visit, he conferred with the Sha'ebia leader regarding the rift in the relations between the two nations, border conflict with Ethiopia, economic situation in Eritrea, among others.
He also said that he held discussions with religious leaders in the country and asked them whether the government puts its hands in religious matters or not. But, he said he has learnt that they are worshipping their respective religions as they have been practicing in the previous years. Surprisingly enough he also tried to compare Eritrea with Saudi Arabia as he did before. "The Saudi government does not permit the presence of churches in its soil; but we do not hear the country being criticized for that," he stated.
However, various international media have exposed the serious religious violations perpetrated in that country. AllAfrica.com reported quoting Catholic Information Service for Africa that Eritrea has one of the worst records of religious freedom violations in the world. The annual International Religious Freedom Report even issued by his government last September says religious freedom worsened in that country from time to time. The government restricted the freedom of religion for groups that it had not registered and infringed upon the independence of some registered groups (Orthodox, Catholicism, Lutheran and Islam).
The website further noted "the government also meddled with the Eritrean Orthodox Church by supplanting the Patriarch in favor of its own candidate. It failed to register four religious groups that had applied in 2002, and it restricted religious meetings and arrested individuals during religious ceremonies, gatherings and prayer meetings."
According to International Christian Concern (ICC) report, Eritrean officials imprisoned 35 men, women and children belonging to the underground Faith Missions Church on Christmas Eve 2007. The source also indicated that the prisoners were placed in Weea Military Training Center. Weea is one of the most notorious prisons in the country where the temperature can reach 120º F. Many prisoners die from the heat and the torture inflicted on them. Hence, why is the congressman lying in light of the naked truth in which the whole world has full knowledge of the matter?
The congressman was also asked about political prisoners languishing in various prisons in Eritrea. But, he once again attempted to tell us the presence of political prisoners everywhere. "There are prisoners in Ethiopia… elsewhere. The prisoners are put behind bars for no reasons. But the US is concerned about the matter and we have told the president to look into the matter afresh," he said.
Asked whether he made any attempts to travel to a few of the prisons and talk to prisoners, he said he failed to do so as he ran out of time. In contrary, however, he told his audience that he visited the agricultural progress, health facilities, etc in that country. Which one is a pressing matter for a man of his ´status´? The truth is, however, far different from his distorted description. Awate.com website recently reported that "…the new year has not brought any good news for the countless political and religious prisoners in Eritrea. Rather it is the beginning of yet another year of more anguish, torture and death. In his New Year message to the nation, President Isayas again ignored international calls to put some human face on his administration by releasing or bringing to trial the thousands of prisoners of conscience rotting in jails throughout the country."
"…many have now been detained for 5 to 15 years for peacefully airing their political or religious views. Among the victims are Patriarch Abune Antonios, Head of the Eritrean Orthodox Church, many other church and mosque leaders and believers; government ministers, parliamentarians, journalists, and others suspected of sympathizing with exiled opposition groups," the website added.
Besides, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) recently disclosed that Eritrea is the leading jailer of journalists in Africa with as many as 14 reporters and editors held incommunicado in secret locations. Hence, this is a blatant lie or attempt made to cover up the sorry sites of that country.
The man as he did before also tried to answer a question he was not asked. He was not asked about prisoners in Ethiopia. But, he said that one can find political prisoners in Eritrea; but there are also political prisoners in Ethiopia, too. The man should realize that anything unlawful in one country is unlawful anywhere. If there exist political prisoners put behind bars for indefinite period of time without trial; it is unlawful anywhere whether it is in Africa or Asia.
The man at any cost could not compare the conditions of prisoners in Eritrea with those here in the country; there is a hell of difference. One could cite the case of CUD leaders who even attempted to subvert the constitutions order forcefully were tried in independent courts and later granted pardon by the government.
Commenting on the Border Commission´s ruling, Payne said that he was sad as the government of Ethiopia failed to respect the Commission´s ruling. No one blames him; he knows nothing about the war of aggression Eritrea waged on Ethiopia whose children sacrificed their deer lives for its independence. The government has made it clear that it has accepted the commission´s ruling on principal basis. This is because if it is attempted to directly put into effect what is put on the paper, it would divide a single kebele… even a single house into two. Hence, the government of Ethiopia forwarded a five-point peace proposal so as to settle the matter in a round table discussion which is a modern and civilized way of solving arguments.
Mr. Congressman which government is really jeopardizing the peace process? Who is time and again breached the agreements signed on various occasions, made repeated incursions in to the temporary Security Zone (TSZ)? Who is constantly blocking the operations of the troops United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE)? Forget the countless blunders the regime perpetrated in the past but let me cite one recent phenomenon. Associated Press reported on February 15, 2008 quoting the U.N. Chief as saying that "…the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) has begun pulling out troops from Eritrea and relocating them across the Ethiopian border because of restrictions on diesel fuel imposed by the Eritrean government."
Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon's Office stated that the "temporary relocation" had begun with some of the U.N.'s advance units moving across the border by road earlier this week. The next day, February 15, 2008 BBC reported that Eritrea restricted the movement of hundreds of peacekeepers from crossing from Eritrea into Ethiopia. So which side is really hampering the restoration of peace and security in the area?
Payne has refrained from saying much about Eritrea´s relations with the government of the US and nations in the region. He noted that in all the three occasions he met with the Sha'ebia leader he told him to do something to improve the stained relations. Why did he keep silent from commenting on the Eritrea´s evil attempts to wreck havoc in the region specially pulling oppositions from all countries in the region as a magnet. The whole world knows that Eritrea have become a hub for all the leaders of the routed UIC, ONLF, OLF, among others.
It is to be recalled that when the government of Ethiopia sent troops to Somalia to reverse the war of aggression declared by jihadists, all the neighboring nations in the region supported its stance but the leadership in Asmara. Even later leaders of Sha'ebia now and then barked that, " Ethiopian troops should pull out from Somalia…" This is not something strange as it has been proved by the UN Monitoring Group that the country has been playing destructive role by supporting, arming and financing extremists of Somalia. What makes one to doubt his ears, however, is to hear a statement regarding Ethiopia´s withdrawal from Somalia from a US senior official. He said during his discussion with the Sha'ebia leader that "…the Ethiopian forces should withdraw. This is the sole option that would lay the groundwork for a Somali solution." An American congressman in his right mind doesn´t say so!
Does the man have any knowledge of extremists who are harboring al-Qaeda and haunted by his government? Does he know that there are suspects among the alshabab militia who are responsible for the US Embassy bombings in Nairobi and Dare Salaam? Does he even read his country´s policy in the region especially regarding the fight against terrorism? Did he forget the 9/11 terrorist attack?
Furthermore, Ethiopia sent its troops to Somalia to reverse the Jihad war repeatedly declared by extremists as well as protect the legitimate transitional government which has the recognition of UN, AU as well as the international community. It has no agenda in Somalia and no interest to pass a single night there once replaced by AU troops as it needs to leave that country in a responsible manner.
The congressman was even heard saying that the routed Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) have brought about relative peace in Somalia. The whole world know that the attempts of the UIC extremists to install Taliban like regime in the region banning football, movies, carrying out public executions, among others. Hence, how could he say so?
All in all, the words uttered by the man are one and the same with those of the Sha'ebia leader heard on various media. If the man was really an advocate of human rights, he should have accomplished other worth mentioning activities. He would rather visited countless political prisoners languishing in various jails, orthodox church Patriarch under house arrest, youth jailed for evading forced military conscriptions, among others.
Besides, if he is really an advocate of human rights, instead of talking about matters not much concern for him, he should have talked about the establishment of multi-party system, democracy, elections, constitution, freedom of speech, freedom of worship, press freedom among other things in Eritrea. He should refrain from delving on issues being scrupulously handled by relevant bodies such as the case of Ethio-Eritrea conflict, Somalia, etc.
It is needless to sate that no nation has the right to intervene directly or indirectly for any reason or whatsoever in the internal or external affairs of any other nation. To this end, various cross-sections of the society out rightly rejected the bill as it poses a threat on the sovereignty of the country as well as puts the interests of the general public at stake. Promulgating laws and attempting to enforce it in a sovereign nation is absurd and totally unacceptable. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi put it nicely in his last report to the House of People´s Representatives (HPR) that "If the US government promulgates laws for our country, then we do not need a parliament."
We all recall that the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice paid a visit to Ethiopia a few months before. The Secretary of State on the occasion told journalists that her government does not support the bill. The bill is the evil outcome of the congressman Donald Payne and his accomplices such as the rogue Eritrean regime as well as some members of CUD who left for the US following their pardon by the government. All are anti-peace forces who don´t´ wish good for the country and striving hard to see the bill endorsed against the interest of the US government. But nowadays things are getting clearer and clearer and the hidden interests of Payne are coming to light.
Recently the congressman paid a visit to Eritrea which took many by surprise. The visit is a visible manifestation that the man has designed the bill with a view to pleasing his intimate friend the infamous Sha'ebia leader. The Ministry of Information in its weekly statement issued recently stated that the visit of Congress man Donald Payne, who is also playing a leading role for the endorsement of the bill clearly shows its partisanship to terrorism and a clear indication of the person's anti-Ethiopia stance.
Payne´s visit at this particular time when his government is preparing to label Eritrea a state sponsor of terrorism for coordinating , arming, training and providing shelter to terrorists has clearly demonstrated the individual's close relationship with the terrorist Asmara regime.
The Voice of America (VOA) a couple of weeks ago held interview with Congressman Donald Payne. The interview once again proved that the man has forged a strong tie with the infamous Sha'ebia leader. The first question forwarded to Payne was about the aim of his visit to Eritrea. "It is public wisdom that the relations between Eritrea and the US has reportedly been strained. Apart from this, the US is preparing to designate Eritrea among terrorists´ list. Hence, what is the aim of your visit at this juncture?" (I have translated the Amharic directly).
The man was not fool to directly confront the question, he instead, digressed away from the core theme enumerating other similar instances. "My visit is in line with my status as Chairman of the African Affairs Sub-committee with the congress. Accordingly, I pay visits to several African countries every year. Several years have passed since I made such a visit to Eritrea and now I felt that it is necessary to go to that country."
The man further attempted to substantiate his argument that the US officials visited Khartoum while the country was under civil strife. He also added that US officials were in Nigeria in the aftermath of a disputable election.
Payne expressed that during his visit, he conferred with the Sha'ebia leader regarding the rift in the relations between the two nations, border conflict with Ethiopia, economic situation in Eritrea, among others.
He also said that he held discussions with religious leaders in the country and asked them whether the government puts its hands in religious matters or not. But, he said he has learnt that they are worshipping their respective religions as they have been practicing in the previous years. Surprisingly enough he also tried to compare Eritrea with Saudi Arabia as he did before. "The Saudi government does not permit the presence of churches in its soil; but we do not hear the country being criticized for that," he stated.
However, various international media have exposed the serious religious violations perpetrated in that country. AllAfrica.com reported quoting Catholic Information Service for Africa that Eritrea has one of the worst records of religious freedom violations in the world. The annual International Religious Freedom Report even issued by his government last September says religious freedom worsened in that country from time to time. The government restricted the freedom of religion for groups that it had not registered and infringed upon the independence of some registered groups (Orthodox, Catholicism, Lutheran and Islam).
The website further noted "the government also meddled with the Eritrean Orthodox Church by supplanting the Patriarch in favor of its own candidate. It failed to register four religious groups that had applied in 2002, and it restricted religious meetings and arrested individuals during religious ceremonies, gatherings and prayer meetings."
According to International Christian Concern (ICC) report, Eritrean officials imprisoned 35 men, women and children belonging to the underground Faith Missions Church on Christmas Eve 2007. The source also indicated that the prisoners were placed in Weea Military Training Center. Weea is one of the most notorious prisons in the country where the temperature can reach 120º F. Many prisoners die from the heat and the torture inflicted on them. Hence, why is the congressman lying in light of the naked truth in which the whole world has full knowledge of the matter?
The congressman was also asked about political prisoners languishing in various prisons in Eritrea. But, he once again attempted to tell us the presence of political prisoners everywhere. "There are prisoners in Ethiopia… elsewhere. The prisoners are put behind bars for no reasons. But the US is concerned about the matter and we have told the president to look into the matter afresh," he said.
Asked whether he made any attempts to travel to a few of the prisons and talk to prisoners, he said he failed to do so as he ran out of time. In contrary, however, he told his audience that he visited the agricultural progress, health facilities, etc in that country. Which one is a pressing matter for a man of his ´status´? The truth is, however, far different from his distorted description. Awate.com website recently reported that "…the new year has not brought any good news for the countless political and religious prisoners in Eritrea. Rather it is the beginning of yet another year of more anguish, torture and death. In his New Year message to the nation, President Isayas again ignored international calls to put some human face on his administration by releasing or bringing to trial the thousands of prisoners of conscience rotting in jails throughout the country."
"…many have now been detained for 5 to 15 years for peacefully airing their political or religious views. Among the victims are Patriarch Abune Antonios, Head of the Eritrean Orthodox Church, many other church and mosque leaders and believers; government ministers, parliamentarians, journalists, and others suspected of sympathizing with exiled opposition groups," the website added.
Besides, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) recently disclosed that Eritrea is the leading jailer of journalists in Africa with as many as 14 reporters and editors held incommunicado in secret locations. Hence, this is a blatant lie or attempt made to cover up the sorry sites of that country.
The man as he did before also tried to answer a question he was not asked. He was not asked about prisoners in Ethiopia. But, he said that one can find political prisoners in Eritrea; but there are also political prisoners in Ethiopia, too. The man should realize that anything unlawful in one country is unlawful anywhere. If there exist political prisoners put behind bars for indefinite period of time without trial; it is unlawful anywhere whether it is in Africa or Asia.
The man at any cost could not compare the conditions of prisoners in Eritrea with those here in the country; there is a hell of difference. One could cite the case of CUD leaders who even attempted to subvert the constitutions order forcefully were tried in independent courts and later granted pardon by the government.
Commenting on the Border Commission´s ruling, Payne said that he was sad as the government of Ethiopia failed to respect the Commission´s ruling. No one blames him; he knows nothing about the war of aggression Eritrea waged on Ethiopia whose children sacrificed their deer lives for its independence. The government has made it clear that it has accepted the commission´s ruling on principal basis. This is because if it is attempted to directly put into effect what is put on the paper, it would divide a single kebele… even a single house into two. Hence, the government of Ethiopia forwarded a five-point peace proposal so as to settle the matter in a round table discussion which is a modern and civilized way of solving arguments.
Mr. Congressman which government is really jeopardizing the peace process? Who is time and again breached the agreements signed on various occasions, made repeated incursions in to the temporary Security Zone (TSZ)? Who is constantly blocking the operations of the troops United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE)? Forget the countless blunders the regime perpetrated in the past but let me cite one recent phenomenon. Associated Press reported on February 15, 2008 quoting the U.N. Chief as saying that "…the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) has begun pulling out troops from Eritrea and relocating them across the Ethiopian border because of restrictions on diesel fuel imposed by the Eritrean government."
Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon's Office stated that the "temporary relocation" had begun with some of the U.N.'s advance units moving across the border by road earlier this week. The next day, February 15, 2008 BBC reported that Eritrea restricted the movement of hundreds of peacekeepers from crossing from Eritrea into Ethiopia. So which side is really hampering the restoration of peace and security in the area?
Payne has refrained from saying much about Eritrea´s relations with the government of the US and nations in the region. He noted that in all the three occasions he met with the Sha'ebia leader he told him to do something to improve the stained relations. Why did he keep silent from commenting on the Eritrea´s evil attempts to wreck havoc in the region specially pulling oppositions from all countries in the region as a magnet. The whole world knows that Eritrea have become a hub for all the leaders of the routed UIC, ONLF, OLF, among others.
It is to be recalled that when the government of Ethiopia sent troops to Somalia to reverse the war of aggression declared by jihadists, all the neighboring nations in the region supported its stance but the leadership in Asmara. Even later leaders of Sha'ebia now and then barked that, " Ethiopian troops should pull out from Somalia…" This is not something strange as it has been proved by the UN Monitoring Group that the country has been playing destructive role by supporting, arming and financing extremists of Somalia. What makes one to doubt his ears, however, is to hear a statement regarding Ethiopia´s withdrawal from Somalia from a US senior official. He said during his discussion with the Sha'ebia leader that "…the Ethiopian forces should withdraw. This is the sole option that would lay the groundwork for a Somali solution." An American congressman in his right mind doesn´t say so!
Does the man have any knowledge of extremists who are harboring al-Qaeda and haunted by his government? Does he know that there are suspects among the alshabab militia who are responsible for the US Embassy bombings in Nairobi and Dare Salaam? Does he even read his country´s policy in the region especially regarding the fight against terrorism? Did he forget the 9/11 terrorist attack?
Furthermore, Ethiopia sent its troops to Somalia to reverse the Jihad war repeatedly declared by extremists as well as protect the legitimate transitional government which has the recognition of UN, AU as well as the international community. It has no agenda in Somalia and no interest to pass a single night there once replaced by AU troops as it needs to leave that country in a responsible manner.
The congressman was even heard saying that the routed Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) have brought about relative peace in Somalia. The whole world know that the attempts of the UIC extremists to install Taliban like regime in the region banning football, movies, carrying out public executions, among others. Hence, how could he say so?
All in all, the words uttered by the man are one and the same with those of the Sha'ebia leader heard on various media. If the man was really an advocate of human rights, he should have accomplished other worth mentioning activities. He would rather visited countless political prisoners languishing in various jails, orthodox church Patriarch under house arrest, youth jailed for evading forced military conscriptions, among others.
Besides, if he is really an advocate of human rights, instead of talking about matters not much concern for him, he should have talked about the establishment of multi-party system, democracy, elections, constitution, freedom of speech, freedom of worship, press freedom among other things in Eritrea. He should refrain from delving on issues being scrupulously handled by relevant bodies such as the case of Ethio-Eritrea conflict, Somalia, etc.
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