Positive Influence, Global Thinking in Ethiopia

Dear Editors,

I am writing this to thank Donald Levine (Prof) for his commentary headlined, “Selective Acceptance of Foreign Influence” (Volume 10, Number 507, January 17, 2010).

Yes, we Ethiopians need to learn to be grateful for the positive contribution of friendly countries and individuals. We have to be proud of being influenced for the better. More importantly, though, we need to distinguish between the influence of individual actors and that of the trend in global thinking toward greater freedom, democracy and clean government.

We also need to learn not to hide behind defensive arguments of sovereignty that make a mockery of the struggle for independence by previous generations.

Alem Abraha
Addis Abeba

Admirable Airlines, Unfounded Editorial

Dear Editors,

I find your editorial headlined, “Ethiopian Anxiety over Ethiopian Crisis,” (Volume 10, Number 509, January 31, 2010) to be untimely and void of facts in its criticism of Ethiopian authorities and Ethiopian Airlines management.

Contrary to your argument, Ethiopian authorities were not part of any blame game, unlike the Lebanese ministers for Transport and Defence who went out of their way to hint pilot error, opening the door for global media to run with such stories. Instead, the Ethiopian crisis management and investigation team left for Lebanon within hours, later followed by a high-level delegation led by Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin. All unfounded rumours ceased to come out of Lebanon thereafter.

Your editorial needs to recognise and commend this act by Ethiopian authorities.

Your editorial also claims that “. . . the airline should not push one of its most valuable assets - its crewmembers - to their limits, especially if complaints are coming from the crewmembers themselves.”

Are you claiming pilot fatigue was a cause for the accident?

Without any facts, the ET409 tragedy should not be used as opportunity to air the usual salary disputes between the pilots’ union and management. For the record, pilots are the visible stars, but members of the Ethiopian Airlines management have been the unsung heroes who have steered the company through six decades of growth, changing governments, and global oil crises. While major world airlines are reporting record losses and filing bankruptcies in today’s economy, Ethiopian Airlines is expanding and posting record profits.

Rather than cast doubt, your editorial needs to recognise and commend the hard work and professionalism of the management of Ethiopian Airlines.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims and families of Flight ET409. They will always be loved and remembered.

Tewodros B. (PhD)
Los Angeles, United States

Xenophobia Betrays Pan-African Anti-apartheid Support

Dear Editors,

When I heard that African refugees living in South Africa were attacked by angry South Africans, it made me wonder how things like this could happen in a country that, just a few years back, was under the repressive white regime. And many Africans were there supporting their brothers and sisters in their fight against apartheid. I guess all I can say is how soon they forget.

It was not long ago that the likes of Walter Sisulu, Oliver Tambo and Nelson Mandela - just to name a few - were frequent visitors to countries like Ethiopia, where they got support and training in their fight against a system that held them prisoners in their own land. For Ethiopia and other African nations to come to the aid of South African blacks was not only the right thing to do. It was the duty of every African to stand with our brothers and sisters in South Africa.

Even though some of the giants from the early years, such as Walter Sisulu and Oliver Tambo, might not be with us anymore, we still have Nelson Mandela and the rest of the leadership of the African National Congress (ANC) that have good knowledge and recollection of the contribution that Ethiopia made in the fight against apartheid.

It puzzles me to see that these men have either kept silent or have said little to offset this xenophobic behaviour directed against Ethiopians and other African refugees. The unexpected silence from the ANC hierarchy on this recent event leads me to a famous quote taken from one of Emperor Haile Selassie I’s speeches.

Said Haile Selassie I, “Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice, when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph.”

At times such as these when economies around the world suffer, including South Africa, which has been a part of this worldwide recession, it may not be surprising to see locals who have lost their jobs look for scapegoats to vent their frustration and anger.

Since this incident took place in the same Siyathemba Township that had seen similar clashes back in July 2009, I would think that there would be enough government forces to protect these helpless refugees from being attacked again for no apparent reason other than simple hatred toward foreigners.

As an African with strong personal ties to the Pan-African Movement of the 1960s, I would like to see some sort of a strong response from the South African Government on this matter.

The ANC has become a beacon of hope for many Africans and enjoys the backing of millions around the continent, including me.

Over the summer, President Jacob Zuma and members of his government did deplore the July incident, where many African refugees became victims of xenophobic acts. However, no one was ever brought to justice for such a horrendous and cowardly act. It would be such a great feat for the leaders of the ANC to come out and denounce this recent episode against defenseless refugees that were just trying to make it through the day.

No one knows about the hardship of being a refugee better than members of the ANC. It would be the noble thing to do if they were to come out and condemn such acts.

South Africa needs to lead by example and show the world that hatred has no place in South Africa anymore. I would like to recall one of Nelson Mandela’s speeches in which he said, “Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another.”
 

Mulugeta Ketema
Washington D.C.

I Can’t Believe I’m Writing This

Dear Editors,
 

I once heard about an incident that had driven Oprah Winfrey mad when she came to visit Addis Abeba. The alleged story had it that she was infuriated by customs officers at the airport, who apparently did not recognize who she was, for they ignored her while giving priority to other arrivals who happened to be whites; little did they know that they were her security personnel.

Read More

Bole Customs Frustrates Customers

Dear Editors,

I arrived at Bole International Airport on an international flight early on the morning of September 4, 2009. I had to seek Customs clearance for an exercise equipment which I had brought with me.

The clerk on duty in the ‘assessment’ booth did not seem to know how to locate the described items on the computer. This process took a long time. Altogether the process took almost 90 minutes due to the inefficiency of the Customs officers there.

Read More

Unshakeable Habit of PM's under Unoriginal Assault

Dear Editors,
 

I am writing after reading Lulit Amdemariam's column headlined, "Professor, PM" [Fortune, Volume 10, Number 503, December 20, 2009].
 

I respect and encourage the right of every Ethiopian to freedom of expression and thought. And it is heartening to see her and other members of the private press speaking out under often difficult circumstances. However, when it comes to the mainstream media, I believe there needs to be a minimum level of professionalism and ethics demanded - out of respect for the public and the subject involved.
 

Read More

Indians are Not Stranger to Ethiopia

Dear Editors,
 

We would like to draw your kind attention towards the news story published in your newspaper headlined, “Stranger Comes to Town” [Volume 10 Number 486, August 23, 2009], and further a letter from a reader headlined, “India, International Standards Differ” [Volume 10, Number 487, August 30, 2009].

The Embassy of India would like to express its disagreement regarding both the printed items, as they have incorporated wrong facts, baseless allegations, and a biased story. 

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Is Fortune's Case Really Historic?

Dear Editors,
 

Your news story headlined, "Fortune Wins Landmark Case against Ayat" [Volume 10, No. 476, June 14, 2009] gives extensive coverage to the court battle your publisher has fought against Ayat Share Company.

Read More

Pankhurst Family Distances Itself from Memorial Institute

Dear Editors,

My attention has been drawn to an advertisement by the Sylvia Pankhurst Education and Training Institute entitled Sylvia Pankhurst Memorial Institute, on page 11 of your issue of June 7, 2009 [Volume 10 Number 475].
 

Though I have given my approval to naming a school after my mother, I have not been asked, and have not agreed to the use of my mother's name for the said Sylvia Pankhurst Education and Training Institute. Neither I, nor members of my family, hold any position or have any affiliation with the Institute share company.

Thank you

Richard Pankhurst (Professor)

A Case for Telecom Privatization

Dear Editors,
 

I read the news headlined, “Amharic Office Word Application Software Almost Complete” [Volume 10, Number 473, May 24, 2009]. It was great to know that the age old language of Ethiopia is entering the information age. My appreciation to the three organizations: Microsoft Inc., the Ethiopian Information Communications Technology Development Agency (EICTDA) and the Addis Abeba University (AAU).
 

However, all this effort is of no use as long as a single monopoly operator owns the generation and transmission of information and networks without the involvement of the private sector. As a result of such a policy, Ethiopia, with telecommunications services for over a century, is now known as a prime example of least developed countries (LDCs) in the information communications technology sector.
 

The private sector is excluded from owning a network, and small and medium enterprises, which could provide local language based content services, are absent from the scene. Perhaps Microsoft Inc. and the other influential organizations should clearly take a stand against the disabling policy on telecom and ICT monopoly in Ethiopia.

Only then can we talk and expect innovative and sustainable development through ICT.   

Asteway  Abebe
Nairobia

Is AU's Priority Cash or Development?

Dear Editors,

When I was covering the 4th African Health Ministers Conference for my government earlier this month, I was delighted to meet African officials in large numbers for the first time. I felt blessed for being assigned to Addis Abeba, as my first African posting. In naivety, I used to think Africa was as homogenous as are most European countries. I was fortunate to learn that the diversity is immense, and incredible.

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Ethiopian Journalists Must Support Each Other

Dear Editor
 

I read the commentary by Lulit Amdemariam headlined, “Ethiopian Journalism” [Volume10, Number 473, May 24, 2009]. It was a timely and fascinating piece.

Most media houses usually ignore such indispensable issues. Journalists in our country are seen complaining about their profession only when they are imprisoned, charges are pressed or when a new media law is imposed on them.

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Textile Labour Union Needs Reality Check

Dear Editor
 

I was amazed to read a story headlined, "Local Textile Labour Case May Go International" [Volume 10, Number 470, May 3, 2009]. This story says a local employer and union's case may go international because the case was not getting resolved here in Ethiopia.
 

I cannot believe the union chose this particular time to take it that far. Its leaders are thinking about getting in touch with the employer's clients through the International Conference of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) in order to urge them not to buy the product from the local factory.
 

What are they thinking? Where have they come from? Do they live in the same world we live in? Do they follow the news on what is going on around the world, that countries are doing all they could to make it through this turbulent times? Have they heard stories of employees losing their jobs, in millions, and companies getting bankrupt? Do they know that employers and employees are working together to avoid bankruptcy of their companies so employees have job security (even on a concession basis) during these trying times?
 

Besides, when they say they will contact the exporter's clients and ask them not to buy the product, have they not heard about the foreign exchange crunch this country is facing?
 

Maybe they were not aware that the products exported by individual companies do bring back the hard currency we all (as a country) depend on. I suggest they should get a reality check; they should also be thankful that their members do have jobs during these tough times while millions are desperately looking for one.
 

Their timing is so bad that instead of taking their case to international level, they should rather focus on increasing productivity. Our work attitude should change too. Working together with management, we should find a way we could be more a productive workforce.
 

Our industrial production output is too low, even when compared to other Third World countries.

We should keep in mind that our industries, all imported machineries purchased with foreign exchange, are established after consuming huge investment capital. If the exported products were not competitive enough, those industries could get bankrupt and close their doors with loss of jobs as avoidable consequences. It is in all our interest to see the success of these companies.

We should also be careful not to send the wrong signal to prospective investors, both domestic and foreign.

Ayenew Awole