Former senior CUD leaders, who were released from prison after 20 months, had a celebration with the invitation of the CUDP Chairman and Member of Parliament, Temesgen Zewdie, and his colleagues at the luncheon programme on Thursday, August 2, 2007, at Ras Amba Hotel.“We are ready to handover the party to the former leaders,” Temesgen said on the occasion, adding that he and his colleagues have tried their best and made great effort in Parliament to release the prisoners. He says that he is considered as a traitor because of his presence in Parliament, but now he is happy that he is free from any accusations. Birtukan Mideksa representing the former leaders, thanked and appreciated party members in Parliament for organising the luncheon and expressed her feelings that the struggle will continue in a coordinated and strong way. However, Hailu Shawel (Engineer), chairman of CUD, Berhanu Nega (PhD) and Mesfin W. Mariam (Professor), executive member of the Coalition were not seen at the luncheon.The other claimant of CUDP leadership, Ayele Chamiso, was not at the programme, even though Ayele said last week that he would like to discuss handing over his leadership. This also is another problem to be solved.