H.R 2003 & the $210,000 Question:
(Revisited)
Dr. G. Dagnew
(Dec 11, 2007)
The last article was written just based on statements made by Mr. Solomon Bekele to the New York Times reporters. Now that we have obtained the actual evidence of who paid the balance. I will discuss the money trial and, the collaboration of Kinijit with OLF, ONLF and Shabia. But first, a reminder on what was said on the previous article:
According to the December, 4 article of the New York Times, Lobbying disclosure records indicate that some $210,00 was paid to arrange a power sharing agreement between the Ethiopian opposition groups and the government of Ethiopia. Kinijit North America boss Mr. Solomon Bekele admitted he only paid $90,000 of the total. The question is who paid the balance of $120,000? The disclosure does not say Shabia and its affiliates for now. . . . According to a written account of the meeting provided by coalition party officials, the consortium of opposition parties that included both the coalition and more militant members like the Ogaden National Liberation Front, a separatist group. ……..Finally, while I have answered who paid the $ 120,000 of the $210,000 for myself, I am still puzzled by who is still paying to re-write the Ethiopian constitution via H.R. 2003. I furthermore, feel duped for thinking that H.R 2003 was all about alleged human rights and not a cute power sharing arrangement for ONLF and Kinjit. Any way, it is good to know that it only takes few Dollars and a Donald Payne to violate the sovereignty of a country with 70 million people.
We now know from US Justice Department Lobbing disclosures that all the above groups are involved in pushing H.R. 2003 in congress and have paid quite some money. It is now know that on January 2006 “the coalition affiliate (OLF, ONLF)” first contacted Bracewell & Giuliani to lobby, and then brought in the coalition (CUD) to pay its share $90,000. Since the US law requires source of money be disclosed, the OLF has also registered $141,921.07 with the Justice Department with intent and for the purpose of lobbying (see below). How ever, the total sum of 210,000 paid to Bracewell & Giuliani was registered under CUD’s name and the OLF did not list a separate lobby firm for its registered money
.
The game does not stop here. Not wanting to be seen and affiliated with its looser affiliates, The Government of Eritrea hired Ed Buckham, Chairman of the Alexander Strategy Group, who was Chief of staff to former House Majority Whip, Tom DeLay for a whopping $52,000 a month for six month. According to US DOJ disclosers, the contract specifies among other things help with U.S.-Eritrean relations, HR 4423 the Ethiopia Consolidation Act, as well as US media representatives. H.R. 4423 is the Shabia Amendment to HR 2003 and its mother H.R. 5680 proposed By Christ Smith. It failed in the House International committee because the Firm that lobbied for it most hated by the democrats because its association with former Congressman DeLay. It again failed in committee when Donald Payne took over as a chair.
Another K Street heavy hitter hired by Eritrea is Barbour Griffith & Rogers, LLC for $342,440.76. BG&R founded by former Republican Party chairman and current Alabama Governor is now headed by Robert D. Blackwill, Former Deputy Assistant to George W. Bush and Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Planning and it is also heavily populated by former chiefs of staff of Congressmen and Senators. The firm has registered at both DOJ and the State Department to assist Eritrea in developing, refining and expanding relationships between Eritrean officials and U.S. foreign policy-making apparatus in the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. Government. (See discloser below)
The DJ for this party was Girma Asmerom the former Eritrean Ambassador who coordinated every thing including the OLF and ONLF first contact with Giuliani firm. From this, readers can surmise how big and well financed the coalition task force on HR 2003 is. This does not even include Berhanu Nega’s media machines such as Ethiopian Review and Ethio Media who enjoy displaying dead bodies of Ethiopian solders killed by terrorists as their partners at Dehai.org. Ethiopians need to see and realize Shabia’s big strategy using ONLF and OLF to disrupt raouts to the Port of Djubti and Berbera to choke Ethiopia’s development and not to help Oromo’s and Ogadenis. We should also know that this is not about the border but Shabia’s failed dream of becoming a regional mover and shaker. I am always amused by Shabia’s regional adventure from Chad to Sudan, Somalia, back to Bademe and even Uganda.
The sad commentary on this is the bread line for our Eritrean brothers has starched from downtown Asmara to Libya and back to Northern Tigray. It is also sad to see our poor brothers of OLF and ONLF under Eritrean Generals fighting bare foot as have seen in videos and magazines. Unlike those fighter under Eritrean Generals OLF leaders in the US and Europe leave lavishly, Including the ONLFites who staged a congressional kissing and hugging ceremony with our own so called peaceful “ arada” rebels Berhanu Nega and Birtukn. ONLFites from Asmara to the Al-Ithad Islamia sleeper cells in Fiq and Diaspora must have been delighted to see Berhanu Nega affirming their dream.
It is hard to assume Berhanu Nega and company are not aware of these high profile enemies of Ethiopia. Because he told us he is Dr., he can read, and that we are “Fara”. But this explains the character of Berhanu. In his quest to power, he has managed to destroy his own Kinjit in a few months, and has become a willing participant and collaborator with any one, to get to power and by any means necessary. When all things crumbled for him he tells us, he is not going back because of some research. What research! A research on how to form an Exile Government with Berhanu Mewa as the Treasury Department Head? I am not trying to be funny here but just imagining an honest research by Berhanu.
Source: US Department of Justice.
Notes: As you will see on this discloser only the Eritrean Government has hired an actual Lobby firm
OLF has contributed the disclosed money to hire the Giuliani Firm under CUD name. All these contacts are from 2006, they or may not be renewed. Will have to wait for the next filings for that.
Special Note on EPRP’s disclosures: It has been an open secret for quite a while now. Since 2001, EPRP has filed and registered with the Justice Department under names including Hibret, and under Ato Fasika Bekele and a Mesfin Mekonin etc.. The disclosed money is reported as expense for lobbying by individuals. It will be the work of its members to ask what they lobbied about on such huge money.
Oromo Liberation Front, North America Office #4610
Post Office Box 73247
Washington, DC 20056-3247
Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) 28
Nature of Services: Political Activities
The registrant spoke to U.S. Government officials and congressional staffers regarding the progress of the recent Peace initiative between the Ethiopian Government and the OLF, human rights issues, and conflicts between Ethiopia and Eritrea and the continued political crisis in Somalia. The registrant also disseminated informational materials on behalf of the foreign principal.
$141,921.07 for the six month period ending January 31, 2006
Alexander Strategy Group #5557 (T)
3000 K Street, N.W.
Suite 101
Washington, DC 20007
State of Eritrea (t) 28
Nature of Services: Lobbying
The registrant contacted members of Congress, congressional staffers, media representatives, and U.S. Government officials regarding the Eritrea-Ethiopia boundary situation, religious freedom, Sudan and regional security matters,
U.S.-Eritrean relations, concerns about press freedom in Eritrea, and HR 4423 the Ethiopia Consolidation Act, as well as other issues of interest to the foreign principal.
$52,000.00 for the six month period ending April 30, 2006
Barbour Griffith & Rogers, LLC #5430
1275 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Tenth Floor
Washington, DC 20004
Embassy of the State of Eritrea (t) 28
Nature of Services: U.S. Policy Consultant
The registrant assisted the foreign principal in developing, refining and expanding relationships between Eritrean officials and U.S. foreign policy-making apparatus in the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. Government.
$342,440.76 for the six month period ending May 31, 2006
Printed as of: June 06, 2007 :ERITREA
Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Party #4789
Post Office Box 73337
Washington, DC 20056-3337
Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Party 28
Nature of Services: Lobbying/Public Relations
The registrant addressed members and supporters of the foreign principal concerning the political situation and the activities of the party.
$81,875.35 for the six month period ending April 30, 2006