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AEPAC
Press Release
Building on its successful work since launching in 2021, this week a team of the American Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee (AEPAC) conducted 24 meetings in two days with senior elected officials on the Hill, their staff and members of the administration.
AEPAC focused on the need to support the peace and reconciliation efforts in Ethiopia, the urgent need to alleviate poverty and revitalize the Ethiopian economy, and for the US to recognize that the Tigray Liberation Front (TPLF), and Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) as the responsible terrorist groups hampering peace in the Horn of Africa.
Key asks included pulling anti-Ethiopian Bills HR6600 and S3199, which will further damage Ethiopian livelihoods and do nothing to support peace; returning Ethiopia to AGOA in recognition of the Ethiopian efforts toward peace and the vital need for investment and entrepreneurship, ensuring all Ethiopians have the opportunity to build a prosperous nation, while condemning the war crimes, including rape as a weapon of war, the use of child soldiers by the TPLF and ethnic-based massacre by OLF. AEPAC also called on the United States to use its voice to help bring about lasting peace and ensure insurgents lay down their arms.
AEPAC Chairman, Mesfin Tegenu, said:
“The America-Ethiopian community deeply love both their home in America and their homeland of Ethiopia. We founded AEPAC to strengthen the relationship between the two countries – one which has already lasted over a century. Sadly, in recent months it has felt to many in the US and in Ethiopia that our long-term ally, the United States, had turned its back on us. From suspending Ethiopia from AGOA and seemingly offering tacit support for the TPLF insurgency against the Ethiopian people to ignoring the humanitarian crisis in Amhara and Afar.”
“This week, I joined a delegation of AEPAC members and supporters to try and communicate the proper message to the US government. Ethiopia and the USA have stood shoulder to shoulder for so long, and in Ethiopia’s hour of greatest need, we want to see that alliance revitalized. We also spent considerable time discussing ethnocentric politics in Ethiopia and its negative ramifications for the African continent. Almost all the conversations we had were constructive and encouraging.”
ENDS
About AEPAC
The American-Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee is dedicated to promoting a positive, synergetic relationship between the United States and Ethiopia. AEPAC’s core mission is to strengthen and enhance the century-old relationship between the United States and Ethiopia. AEPAC strives to build a strong partnership based on the common interests and mutual benefits of the two countries.
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Subject: “American Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee Hits Washington D.C. with a call for peace and prosperity in Ethiopia” by borkena.com, July 22, 2022
Quote: “About AEPAC: The American-Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee is dedicated to promoting a positive, synergetic relationship between the United States and Ethiopia. AEPAC’s core mission is to strengthen and enhance the century-old relationship between the United States and Ethiopia. AEPAC strives to build a strong partnership based on the common interests and mutual benefits of the two countries”. Unquote
Dear American Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee (AEPAC)
My humble question is this: HOW ABOUT A QUESTION ON THE UNITY OF ETHIOPIA????
In my humble opinion, that is the fundamental, crucial, beneficial item to ONE of the few eldest INDEPENDENT countries around the Globe. Yes, a BLACK AFRICAN COUNTRY is the oldest INDEPENDENT , SOLID ENTITY AROUND THE GLOBE — ETHIOPIA. It is a golden precious gem of a country — saving it at any cost. Emperors, Kings and ancient Ethiopians and admirable regular Ethiopians sacrificed their LIVES to keep ETHIOPIA ONE and STRONG. It is unique world politics. NO Ethiopin has the right to DESTROY it.
We are now witnessing a different ETHIOPIA. Indeed, IT IS CLASSICAL TRAGEDY &; knowing what is wrong and yet kept doing it. What was the words of the responder???? &t; “I CAN’T HELP IT” hence the everlasting word ; THE TRAGEDY.
Who ever thought that admirable country Ethiopia would end-up being an element for the gutter????? Harsh word, but not far off from what we are witnessing SADNESS in 2022.
You don’t have to say BLACK AFRICAN because ETHIOPIANS ARE ETHIOPIAN AND ETHIOPIA IS ITS OWN COUNTRY!!! WHICH HAS ALWAYS BEEN INDEPENDENT, UNLIKE OTHER AFRICAN NATIONS!!!
This is a good start and always recommended task. Those among us who are well disposed to the arts of diplomacy should come together in a group like this and engage in civil conversation devoid of raw emotion with elected and higher position officials. It is the better alternative than holding a bull horn and deafen passersby on the road leading to the White House and Congress. It is intelligible to the listeners anyway. It also gives others the wrong impression about our community. We should learn from those Iranian students of the late 1970’s. Those of you who were here at that time know what I am talking about. Those who secured audience with officials and representatives must do their homework properly and thoroughly. Individuals that conduct/lead the discussion should be selected not because of friendship but for their communication skills. They must be eloquent that could be easily understood so the listener will remain engaged throughout the conversation. Every word in the presentation should be painstakingly selected and decided by the group. Confrontation should be avoided by all means. The officials conferred with should be convinced at the end of the discussion and not left befuddled/at a loss. We should learn from other communities like the Indian and Jewish constituencies. I am sure there quite a few well read and skilled/gifted communicators among our Diaspora and I would like to see those leading such a blessed effort. First of all USA is not out there, as a national policy, to harm the old country and its innocent citizens. There has never been an official policy to see that country disintegrate into separate fiefdoms. There was never such a policy and will never be one. Rogue individuals may have come to a conclusion that the old country may have become too big to carry its own current weight. But these are individuals usually seen scavenging at college campuses or some so-called ‘think-tank’ outfits.