Ethiopian Nationalism and Patriotism in full display in New York City! By Tedla Asfaw

The organizers of today’s gathering were New York Tri-State Ethiopians to “wake up” the hibernated Ethiopian Nationalism, “Ye Hager Fiker”. The guests, Dr. Aklog Birara and Tamagne Beyene indeed were an excellent choice for the organizers because we got what we wanted. It was Nationalism and Patriotism from the start to finish. More than four hours went by with less than 15 minutes break in the middle another 30 minutes for question and answer. This gathering started with one minute prayer for martyred Yenesew Gebre,(11-11-11).Some in the crowd wore his T Shirt and put Yenesew Gebre Badge on their jackets.

Dr. Aklog Birara dissected the economy of Ethiopia under TPLF/EPRDF with facts and figures. Yes he said there is “development” in Ethiopia if there was not any development we all know including TPLF loyalists will ask where did the 35 billion dollar foreign aids go ? Infrastructure, construction of apartments and houses are there for all to see. Dr. Aklog argued the “glitz” which caught the eyes of foreign and Ethiopian tourists is superficial and did say very little about the  joblessness and the hunger of millions of Ethiopians.

Dr. Aklog Birara from his experience in development he brought the examples of countries like South Korea and China what they have done in the last two decades. TPLF/EPRDF controlled the capital and land, those who are not pro TPLF will never be allowed to participate in any development. In fact foreigners are much in better position to invest in Ethiopia because the Ethiopian regime is anti Ethiopian and pro foreigners. This is exactly opposite to China, India and South Korea. Their  governments encourage their own people to participate in development while taking good use of Foreign Direct Investment(FDI) in their countries. Land and Water remains their own not to be sold for foreigners.

The Ethiopian regime is using FDI to collect Rent and the masses are not participating in any development. Whatever “Development” in Ethiopia is enriching foreign investors and the regime dominated conglomerate, EFFORT. Ethiopian educated people are fleeing the country and the regime is encouraging it because it is benefiting from foreign remittance. Dr Aklog Birara also said that the biggest export of Ethiopia under TPLF are humans. Meles Zenawi is making money without producing anything substantial. From a Chinese friend who visited Ethiopia year ago he was informed that most of the items in Merkato are made in China. Ethiopians are not producing at all.

When it comes to Ethiopian farming which is more than 80 percent of our people livelihood  he summarized from his recent book, “The Great Land Give Away’”,  ”Yemerete Netekakana Keremete”  for his audience of more than one hundred in a dramatic fashion. The audience had a chance to watch the “Planet Earth Documentary” on land grab before the start of the meeting. Karuturi, Saudi Star and other 36 countries are  sharing more than 3 million ha right now, this number will go to 6 million in the coming years unless the Ethiopian people rise up like the Madagascar people in 2008.The biggest land lords, Karuturi, 300,000 ha followed by Saudi Star 200,000 ha. for now.

Dr. Aklog Birara for those of us who heard him in radios or ESAT we know  how good he is when he explains issues to his audience. Seeing him in lecture hall is totally different. He is passionate and patriotic when he talks about Land and Water. I have no doubt he has recruited many foot soldiers for this cause from NYC today. His books were selling and lines to get his autograph was the proof for that. He also challenged all of us to be active in the Land Grab issue because we have to change it right now for the benefit our people before much damaged is done to our people and the environment. He further says that TPLF will not live to see its 99 year lease expire  because TPLF’s  life span is in months or year not in decades.

Dr. Aklog Birara’s passionate and patriotic lecture for more than 45 minutes was followed by videos of Tamagne back home and  here in America. The song “Tamagne Beyene, Hagerene Eyale” blasted and we all were moved and watched the young Tamagne from teenager to salt and pepper haired adult in the last two decades. Who is not loving Tamagne Beyene ? None !!!!!

Tamagne Beyene brought his “Akeledama” type attack at Columbia University. On his way form hotel we had showed him the place we stood together in 2010 to denounce the coming of Meles Zenawi at Columbia. This time the attack was from the lecture hall not from the street. Tamagne did not feel good the whole night from some virus and we were worried. He hydrated himself very well and was ready for action. Those who were not aware of his situation did not see any change at all. This is the same Tamagne speaking controlling the lecture hall displaying his supporting videos on the screen.

I myself saw most of the videos for the first time. If there was a test on the names of the TPLF big shots  in all sectors  of the Ethiopian society I would have flunked. It was who is who in TPLF. Indeed they are 99.6 percent in the lives of 90 million disfranchised people of Ethiopia. Indeed there is “development” for them because they are controlling all sectors.

Tamagne Beyene like Michael Jordan scored big, sick or not sick. If he can stay on stage for more than 45 minutes not feeling good what would it be if he comes out with good night sleep ? That was what I asked myself. The answer is passion,sincere love and loyalty for Ethiopia what drives Tamagne Beyene. Most of us were dreaming the Tamagne Ethiopia staying with him for  4 hours in that hall. Tamagne Beyene challenged Meles Zenawi to compare his Ethiopia with Japan in the last 20 years not with Tewodros Imperial Ethiopia. Meles admired Imperial Japan for learning from the West while accusing Tewodros spending his time fighting to keep his power. He forgot Imperial Japan were warriors too for their national interest.

Tamagne Beyene compared Japan of the last twenty years under five prime minsters while Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia is still the only prime minster in  the town.If lesson has  to be learnt Tamagne Beyene argued it should be  the Japan of today not the Imperial Japan Meles admired to insult Emperor Tewodros. Meles Zenawi’s  hate for Ethiopian history has no parallel. I wonder if the Chinese educated him why they returned back to their Confucius root after denouncing it under Communist China. China is going back to its root while Meles is busy uprooting Ethiopian history day and night. What a shame !!!

It was only the time limit that stopped Tamagne. When he finished his speech he was received with huge applause and recognition of his two decade carrying the torch of Ethiopiawinet. The question and answer time focused on the role of ESAT and who is cashing from the Ethiopian gold mine.

Tamagne Beyene encouraged all to support ESAT because he said it is an alternative media. Small donation like $10 a month with hundred of thousands  of Ethiopians ESAT can reach to the masses back home. The jamming of ESAT by China should not be surprise he said because China is benefiting from the development by the few for the very few. Dr. Aklog answered that the the gold of Ethiopia is EFFORT and Al Amoudi. We can say then Meles Zenawi awarded the Gold of Al Amoudi for Al Amoudi for the Ethiopian Millennium. What a joke !!! They are all “Werkoche” ,The Golden Club !!!!

Talking about what TPLF  did and did not do after 20 years was not good enough for one gentleman commenting. He said we have to do what we have to do. If today is an example, I can say without doubt, New York area Ethiopians have come in large number to welcome the two patriots, Dr. Aklog Birara and Tamagne Beyne to support their crusade for Ethiopia. We wake up from our hibernation. We thank Dr. Aklog Birara and Tamagne Beyene for being with us at Columbia University this afternoon. We are all happy seeing many friends we have never seen for a long time. Let us be the Voice of 90 million Ethiopians who fed and educate us. As Tamagne Beyene said and Dr. Aklog Birara confirmed if we join hands like we did today Meles Zenawi and his regime days are numbered.                                                                                    .