Conference turned out to be a Fiasco for the few Extremist Diaspora organizers!

Washington DC 04/09/10 (Aigaforum):- The much hyped conference duped as “horn of Africa… conference”  but was in reality a conference for Extremist Ethiopian Diaspora elements started today with a dismal attendance and a significant number of invitees opting not to show up. Organizers had hoped their event would draw over 500 people but according to some eyewitnesses there were close to one hundred people. Not everyone stayed for the remainder of the day.  There were a number of people leaving as fast as they came making it evident that the intention and content of the conference was far removed from the state of affairs in Ethiopia.

Among the speakers that showed up were Ambassador David Shinn and Terrence Lyons who both gave a speech.  Ambassador David Shinn, in his presentation, emphasized how the Horn of Africa needs to be at peace.  He stated that all parties involved must stop harboring opposition forces that want to undo neighboring governments. This was not the type of speech Dr. Berhanu had hoped for!   He was probably expecting an endorsement from the Ambassador regarding Ginbot 7.   For the Ambassador to make such a significant remark given Ginbot 7’s involvement with Eritrea’s one man government was quite a blow for Dr. Birhanu, who has openly aligned himself with Shabia.  Dr. Berhanu’s open declaration that he will do anything and everything to topple the elected government of Ethiopia must have come as a surprise to all.

Terrence Lyons, on the other hand, kept his speech focused on general African issues and stayed away from Ethiopian issues.

 The extremists had anticipated a mirage of condemnation against the developmental process which is spear headed by the ruling party EPRDF, a party that has uncompromisingly made development the major agenda.  These few non-visionary leaders of the extreme Diaspora tried to pull both speakers to beat the drum of disillusionment about Ethiopia.  However, both resisted to be drawn in since the reality in Ethiopia depicts a far different picture than the extremists want to paint. The only time Ambassador Shinn mentioned Ethiopia was to remind Dr Berhanu that Ethiopia is doing great in the economic field citing World Bank figures. Dr Berhanu implored and insisted to give his usual mumbo jumbo shallow generalizations and demagogue.   Ambassador Shinn stood his ground firmly literally saying “I trust World Bank data” which seems to suggest that Dr. Birhanu needs a reality check!   

If today’s session is any indication the event organizers would have better served themselves had they done the conference in Amharic. Except for the few speakers the audience was full of Extremist Ethiopians and using the Ethiopian language(s) would have been better.

Organizers were heard pleading to attendees to buy the luncheons they would be serving for the coming two days and to cover their expense for the rental of the Hall. The turnout of today must have disheartened the organizers leaving them with fear that they will not collect enough money to cover the cost.

Meanwhile VOA Amharic interviewed one of the organizers who was lamenting about the absence of State Dept officials and other key invited guests. Although VOA Amharic had broadcast and tried to paint the event as a simple gathering of non-political actors, the majority of the Ethiopian Diaspora, absent guests and dignitaries from government institutions must have realized the hypocritical gathering of disgruntled individuals.