Birtukan, Berhanu, Gizachew, Hailu and Brook, Welcome to America. The land of the free and home of the brave. Get some rest, visit with family and friends. Yes, rub shoulders with US congress people and celebrities. Enjoy the holiday food with loved ones. Treasure those incredible moments at the Dulles Airport, so mesmerizing described by Prof Al Mariam.
But don't be swept up by the euphoria and forget your mission.
Hanker down and begin the peoples' business. Begin by making a Millennium Resolution: To pardon, to tolerate, to treat your fellow human beings, with love, honesty, faithfulness and respect. Always respect the right of others to disagree with you.
You have achieved the status of stardom and that was unequivocally witnessed on your arrival at Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C. You have become famous. You will raise a lot of many during your various appearances to address the Ethiopian community in the Diaspora. Convert that fame and fortune into political capital back home in Ethiopia.
Despite his well articulated homage to you, Professor Al Mariam would like to tell you and the American public that "democracy is a crime in Ethiopia. If you win elections fair and square, you go to jail." Prove him wrong! You are the product of a democratic process taking hold in Ethiopia. There is no going back. Kality is history. Don't let detractors and hate mongers like Prof Al mess up your victory, our victory. We want to tell the American public about our budding democracy. We want to assure them of our ability to resolve our differences without foreign interference.
We have begun a new Millennium. In no uncertain terms, the leaders in Ethiopia have told us that they will protect and nurture the democratic process that has began on their watch. Let us give them credit for their achievements and build on it.
During your stay in North America and especially in Washington, D.C., you will be expected to resolve the simmering problem between KIL and KIC. You will be asked about your stand on AFD. No issue is more important to your supporters and detractors than this. The mediators you sent out here to resolve the problem between KIC and KIL have interrogated over 250 people to get to the bottom of it. They ended up at the bottom and have never surfaced, muddying the water further. Please do not waste too much time and energy on this issue. You have enough information to be decisive. Be decisive and let the chips fall where they may!
Your freedom from prison is partly the work of the "Shimagiles" lead by Prof Ephrem. But, I am sure you will agree with me that thousands of your Diaspora supporters played a role in one form or other to that effect. Prof Ephrem lives only a stones' throw away from the capital. Let us supplement his group with additional member from the Diaspora and continue the dialogue.
Those of us who have lived long enough in this part of the world are well versed in the American way. Let us treat you to our hospitality, let us make your stay comfortable. Move out from the fancy downtown hotels and move in with us. Let go of those stretch limos and let us take turns giving you rides. Our subways are also decent. Be like us, live like us and listen to us!
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