Wolde Asamrew 04/22/10
Weeks ago we had witnessed a failed conference of the
extreme fringe Diaspora Ethiopians. Most of the important invited foreign
speakers failed to show up for many reasons. Even those foreigners who grudgingly
came to the conference were balanced in their speech and bridled in their
tones. They did not give the extremist organizers what they wanted.
The turnout was generally dismal and was a frustrating event
to the organizers. After a prolonged rancor among themselves they produced a hodgepodge
declaration. The sooner the declaration was printed on the extremist websites
it was rebuffed by well meaning participants of the conference, Ambassador
David Shinn being the notable one.
Close sources to the two cosponsoring organizations also say
they (Action Africa and Trans Africa Forum) were also embarrassed and furious
about the substance of the declaration. In the last few days they had put a lot
of pressure on the organizers to change the most pernicious part of the
declaration.
Looking at the website of the main organizer they may have
succeed in their pressure. The declaration
article is now not accessible. They may have .have succumbed to the
pressure but too fractious to agree on the revised version. Except for the
introductory part of the declaration, they have removed it from their
website. This is a typical characteristic of a decadent political force that
cannot agree on any matter of even minor importance.
This is a good omen. The beginning of an end of extremist
politics in the Diaspora. The extremist brand of politics is being rejected by
Ethiopians and foreigners alike. The recent public meeting held in Washington
DC by MEDREK leaders, where legal and peaceful way of struggle was widely
cheered and applauded is another indication of the coming of an era of
moderation and peace.