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Moderator
Joined: 30 Mar 2006
Posts: 40
Location: University of Chicago
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A CITIZEN’S LETTER TO PROFESSOR LEVIN
Dear Professor Levin,
Please allow me to start by thanking you for your concern and efforts to start dialog and peace building in Ethiopia. As expected, that is a difficult and controversial thing to attempt. As you mentioned that has even gone to the extent of having you called "the number one enemy of the Ethiopian people". If the Ethiopian people were as lucky as you being their number one enemy, there would not have been any need for me to write this letter.
Unfortunately, I believe we face some real problems that could lead us to progressively more dangerous confrontations that could eventually challenge our very existence as a nation. I firmly believe the lack of honest and open public debate on issues lies at the core of our inability to engage in finding creative solutions to our many problems. I am also frustrated by what I perceive to be dishonesty disguised as diplomacy in our public discourse by people who know better. Therefore, I feel duty bound as a citizen to contribute my share to the dialog I trust you have started in good faith.
Having followed your public comments from your PBS debate to 'Reflections on Ethiopia's Post Election Ordeals' that appeared on Fortune Vol. 7 No. 316 on May 21, 2006 [Getz #5 in this series] I can not help but notice that there is a definite change in your expressed views. A shift from a strong critic of the government to a Shimagle. From that to the usual Addis diplomats mutterings of a not-so-subtle support of government positions.
You are certainly entitled to hold and change your opinions, and as one lucky enough to be born in a free country, to express them with no fear of risk (unlike us). But I think in the spirit of the open dialog you are trying to encourage, it would be very useful if you share with us what made you change your mind. That may clear up the air and leave less room for conspiracy theories.
Having said that let me point out the most disappointing statement you made so far in my opinion. In the above-mentioned article, you said '’some of those who refused to take their seats in parliament are now in prison. Insofar as anything they did was actually in violation of Law, I believe it is important to respect the forms of a systematic, independent - and, we hope, speedy - judicial review of their deeds as a step toward advancing the role of an independent judiciary in this country...'
This may be taken as standard comment if it was coming from a newly arrived naive diplomat. But coming as it does from a person of your caliber and someone as familiar about the inner workings of this country, it is at best wishful thinking at worst intellectual dishonesty.
No matter what the outcome of the trial, the independence of the judiciary is suspect from the outset for at least two simple and obvious reasons:
1. The track record of political trials in this country especially, but not exclusively, in the last 15 years
2. The ad hoc appointment of officials of the court.
I don't think I need to elaborate further as I am sure you knew all these and more. For whatever purpose you have chosen to ignore reason. I would love to know why.
Respectfully,
Tibebu Bekele |
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