Scandal at embassy: Minister demands $20k to compile protesters album

By Abebe Gellaw, Exclusive ǀ June 27, 2006

Meles Zenawi's strongman at the Ethiopian Embassy in Washington DC, Minister Fisseha Asgedom, demanded $20,000 to compile a name list and photos of Ethiopians who attended a protest vigil in front of the White House in remembrance of those killed in the November massacre, a classified letter obtained by Addis Voice reveals.

In a letter he wrote to Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin on December 9, 2005 (Hidar 30, 1998), Fisseha reported that the protesters were supporters of the opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy. According to Fisseha, what made the November vigil different from the others was that some of the participants were building homes and investing in Ethiopia and some are even staff members of the Ethiopian embassy in Washington. Fisseha mentioned Ato Fassika Belete, Ato Mesfin Teferra and Ato Mersha Yoseph  by name as regular attendees and organisers of protest rallies and vigils in the US.

The Minister without portfolio also reported that the protesters condemned “our Prime Minister and other senior government officials”. He listed down a number of slogans chanted by the protesters including: “Meles is a terrorist, Meles is Ethiopian Bin Laden, Meles Zenawi is a murderous dictator, Stop the massacre….”

Fisseha noted that it was difficult to get the full names of all the participants at the vigil. “We have already started work to have photo prints from the video we recorded.” However, he claimed that 20,000 USD was needed to have the job done and demanded the money to be sent to him in cash through ‘colleagues’ who were coming to Washington assigned to do a similar job.

The letter, which was sent with two video cassettes, one tape and a four-page list of names, went on to state that administrative measures were taken against some members of the embassy staff who participated in vigils and rallies. Fisseha also said that the matter was going “out of control” and demanded the ministry to give directions for a tougher measure against embassy staff members who were out of line.

The letter is one of the many documents leaked to Addis Voice that reveal how Ethiopian embassies are misused by the ruling party to spy on and undermine Ethiopian citizens who are opposed to the one-man rule in Ethiopia.

“I have been amazed to learn that our embassies are wasting their time, energy and the poor taxpayers money writing garbage in the name of reports,” said Mesfin Birhanu.

The exiled lawyer underlined that it was illegal, corrupt and useless to spy on members of the opposition, be it in exile or at home. “The TPLF seems to have lost directions. They think that there are two main categories of citizens. Those who are TPLF members and supporters are the chosen ones committed to peace, development and democracy. Those who are opposed to tyranny are, in the little minds of the TPLF leaders, anti-peace, anti-development and anti-democracy.”

He said the ruling party needs to start facing the truth. “The Meles regime must start facing the reality. The conflict in Ethiopia is between those few in power who want to kill, maim, jail, rob and oppress with impunity and the majority that demand for their dignity and rights.”

Mesfin said that it was outrageous to demand 20,000 dollars for useless list of names and photos. “I heard that, some 200 Ethiopians took part in that particular vigil. It means it cost the Ethiopian taxpayer $100 per name and photo of an innocent citizen who has every right to protest against injustice. It must have been one the most profitable photo albums ever compiled by an embassy. That is outrageous and corrupt. The money should have been spent on feeding the hungry.”

According to informed sources, the money was sent to Mr Fesseha within months. Neither the Ethiopian Embassy in Washington nor Ministry of Foreign Affairs were willing to comment on the case.

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Click below to download the classified document

Leaked Letter

Addis Voice has obtained many classified documents detailing illegal spying of refugees and exiles in the US and Europe. They will be released soon.