From Fear To Freedom

We want to commend Abebe Gellaw for his exhaustive two-part interview with ex-TPLF member Ato Mekonen Zelelew. The interview is very informative and the second part, especially, provided a much-needed corrective to disinformation Meles’s government has been waging over the past two decades. Considering his body language and the manner of his recollections Ato Mekonen appears to be a trustworthy witness.

On the other hand, why individuals like Seye Abraha choose to not take part in disclosing atrocities by the ruling minority could only be explained by the fact that making statements of this nature would result in incriminating themselves. In short, there has not been a single important event that Seye did not take part in or a single time he meaningfully disavowed his allegiance to his comrades currently in power. The first thing ESAT could and should do is to interview Seye and to this end gather simple and direct questions from select members of the Ethiopian community and friends of Ethiopia. Seye may turn down the proposition but again it is up to planners to arrange mechanisms for him to comply. Either way, viewers would be able to learn where his true allegiances lie.

It is unfortunate that every association [from Sports to Church to citizen privileges and opportunities] is tainted by the same incendiary tactics of fear. This only goes to show how effective Meles has been in inducing fear and paralysis; most of us habitually look over our shoulders before making even a casual statement in the presence of a small group. In fact, the webpage is a prime illustration of this debilitating fear as very few dare to attach their legal names to their comments – and this is happening in this United States of America!!

And yet, it is one thing to appreciate a piece of information and another to put it to good use. So how can we turn the tide against fear and deception? One sure way is, of course, by opening up and talking and making it safe for others to join in and share their side of the story and to desist from making blanket statements about others. Another way to overcome fear is for those living in North America to learn about the legal system and citizenship/legal resident rights. Spying on others and/or attempting to attack someone physically or send threats and engage in character assassination through the Internet is a serious offense and should be immediately reported as such.

Here is what we suggest. Arrange a joint interview with Dr. Aregawi, Ato Mekonen Zelelew, Tesfaye Atsbaha, Gebremedhin Araya, and any credible witnesses these recommend. The plan would require paying for transportation and sundry expenses to get them to a safe venue where a team comprising of investigative journalists, lawyers, historians, human rights representatives, etc, whose sole purpose is to ask questions and to document cases of possible genocide [including identifying mass graves], disappearances, money-laundering, and a recent attempt to revise history. This should be labeled URGENT because our freedom is at stake!

More here.