TIGRAI Online

Sample letters to be sent to the three important personalities to oppose the bill HR 2003.

No ! to H.R. 2003

Dear Congresswoman Pelosi,

Given the recent positive developments in Ethiopia, I am writing to urge you to oppose H.R. 2003, the Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007.

As you may know, on July 20th, Ethiopia’s President Girma Wolde-Giorgis pardoned 38 political leaders who were imprisoned for their actions during the violence that followed the May 2005 elections. As part of these pardons, the leaders of the opposition acknowledged mistakes. These are important steps on Ethiopia’s path toward building a better country and stronger democracy. Most importantly, these actions demonstrate that progress toward democracy and reconciliation is being made when Ethiopia is able to address its own challenges without outside interference.

Congressman Payne’s bill, H.R. 2003, constitutes meddling in the internal affairs of Ethiopia and will have the unintended consequence of making democracy harder, not easier, to achieve. Economic and security sanctions against a strategic ally of the United States are without precedent. Actions such as these will drive a wedge between our two countries at a time when this alliance is critically important to the U.S. It will also not be effective toward its stated goals of democracy and human rights development in Ethiopia. To the contrary, this bill will set back these goals, at the very time when such significant progress is being made.

The United States should be working closely with Ethiopia on the critical security interests facing both nations from terrorism, particularly in the region of the Horn of Africa, and supporting the massive need for humanitarian and economic assistance it faces. This bill distracts the Congress from these truly important goals.

Thank you very much.

My Name: ___________________________________________ Signature: ______________

Address _____________________________________________

City: ______________________ State: _________________________ Zip Code: __________

No! to H.R. 2003

Dear Congressman Hoyer:

We are writing to ask you to oppose H.R. 2003, euphemistically titled the Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007. Efforts to impose sanctions on Ethiopia are counterproductive and will only widen the divisions Ethiopians are now seeking to bridge. This bill will significantly diminish the positive influences resulting from reconciliation now taking place in Ethiopia. It will also undermine the economic development and prosperity necessary for Ethiopia to flourish as a young democracy.

There is a spirit of national healing in Ethiopia, following the pardons extended there to 38 opposition leaders who had been convicted for their role in the violence that followed the May 2005 elections in Ethiopia. These pardons restore full political rights to all, setting Ethiopia on a firm path toward multi-party democracy. Across Ethiopia there is a sense of hope and optimism that most Ethiopians have never experienced.

Democracy is always a work in process, particularly for a country that has been ravaged in recent years by war and a Communist dictatorship. Our modern democracy is not perfect by any means, but the pardons, underscore the nation’s commitment to the rule of law, democratic values and human rights.

If not interfered with by outside pressures, these recent pardons, and the broader reconciliation process that they have commenced, will enable Ethiopia to refocus its energies on economic development, strengthening our democracy and human rights, and building broad-based, sustainable progress for its people.

Not only are the penal sanctions in H.R. 2003 grossly inappropriate for a strategic ally of the United States that is steadily moving toward democratic values, but also they will seriously hamper the ongoing process towards further reconciliation.

We therefore ask that the Congress not consider H.R. 2003, but that Congress works with Ethiopia toward our common goals of democracy building, peace and stability in the Horn of Africa and security from the very serious terrorism threats in the region.

Thank you very much.

My Name: ___________________________________________ Signature: _______________

Address _____________________________________________

City: ______________________ State: _________________________ Zip Code: __________

No ! to H.R. 2003

Dear Congressman Lantos

We are writing to ask you to oppose H.R. 2003, euphemistically titled the Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007. Efforts to impose sanctions on Ethiopia are counterproductive and will only widen the divisions Ethiopians are now seeking to bridge. This bill will significantly diminish the positive influences resulting from reconciliation now taking place in Ethiopia. It will also undermine the economic development and prosperity necessary for Ethiopia to flourish as a young democracy.

There is a spirit of national healing in Ethiopia, following the pardons extended there to 38 opposition leaders who had been convicted for their role in the violence that followed the May 2005 elections in Ethiopia. These pardons restore full political rights to all, setting Ethiopia on a firm path toward multi-party democracy. Across Ethiopia there is a sense of hope and optimism that most Ethiopians have never experienced.

Democracy is always a work in process, particularly for a country that has been ravaged in recent years by war and a Communist dictatorship. Our modern democracy is not perfect by any means, but the pardons, underscore the nation’s commitment to the rule of law, democratic values and human rights.

If not interfered with by outside pressures, these recent pardons, and the broader reconciliation process that they have commenced, will enable Ethiopia to refocus its energies on economic development, strengthening our democracy and human rights, and building broad-based, sustainable progress for its people.

Not only are the penal sanctions in H.R. 2003 grossly inappropriate for a strategic ally of the United States that is steadily moving toward democratic values, but also they will seriously hamper the ongoing process towards further reconciliation.

We therefore ask that the Congress not consider H.R. 2003, but that Congress work with Ethiopia toward our common goals of building democracy, peace and stability in the Horn of Africa and security from the very serious terrorism threats in the region.

Thank you very much.

My Name: ___________________________________________ Signature: ______________

Address _____________________________________________

City: ______________________ State: _________________________ Zip Code: __________