Bill Clinton captures the moment of the millennium on January 1, 2000 to start the 3^rd Millennium with optimism and hope for America and its relations with the rest of humanity. He hoped and believed that he lifted the spirit of the American people and brought them together, and not the opposite. Whether what he claimed happened or not his own hope and wish has been to spread inspiration and not depression, healing and not division, to mend society and not break it.

 In Ethiopia the millennium should be a time to bring the nation, the people and the country together by lifting their spirit and creating good-feel, and bringing wisdom, celebration, joy, excellence and quality in the communication amongst the people to increase and consolidate their solidarity and lessen their divisions and quarrels. The millennium is for lifting up and not to bring down the Ethiopian spirit. It is a time to strengthen deeply the unity of the people; it is a time to heal the wounds and sores that have been festering in the country creating the static society and the brutal state. This millennium should be a time to make a canon and vow to lift and bring together citizen and state in order that they together create a more beautiful civilisation and world for all Ethiopians irrespective of colour, belief, language, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age and sex the citizens share both  as individuals or communities. 
 

NES COMMENTARY. No.6
Network of Ethiopian Scholars (NES)
July 14, 2007

We thank all Ethiopian Americans, Ethiopians and Friends of Ethiopia for their extraordinary work in getting co-sponsors for H.R. 2003.

We are especially thankful to Congressman Donald Payne and his staff for the marvelous job they did in getting members to co-sponsor H.R. 2003.

We owe Congressman Payne a great debt of gratitude for introducing and sustaining this bill; and without his personal support and attention, his unflagging commitment to freedom, democracy, human rights and accountability in Ethiopia, our efforts would NOT have generated the excitement and anticipation that has now surrounded H.R. 2003 in the U.S. Congress.     

Ethiopian Americans, please contact your representative now and request that she/he co-sponsor the bill.

See the list of co-sponsors

The treason trial of two  coordinators of the Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) in Ethiopia, Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demissie, is at a critical moment. Trial observers believe they will receive a verdict by the end of July.  If found guilty, these two courageous civil society activists may face life imprisonment, or even death sentences. 

Daniel and Netsanet are highly respected for their tireless advocacy on human rights, poverty reduction and social justice in Ethiopia. They were detained in November 2005, along with over 100 opposition politicians and journalists, following the highly criticised May 2005 national elections in Ethiopia. Only 10 people, including Daniel and Netsanet now await their verdicts.

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