US Congressman Mike Honda on Tuesday urged the leadership of both the Ethiopian government and opposition parties to lead their followers on the path of peace



US Congressman Mike Honda on Tuesday urged the leadership of both the Ethiopian government and opposition parties to lead their followers on the path of peace

US Congressman Urges Government, Opposition to Lead on Path of Peace


US Congressman Mike Honda on Tuesday urged the leadership of both the government and opposition parties to lead their followers on the path of peace.

Speaking at a press conference held at Sheraton Addis, Mike Honda said that together they could restore calm and confidence by moving democracy forward, thereby demonstrating democratic leadership to all of Africa.

"I urge the parties to accept a peaceful settlement, based on the laws of your democratic institutions. As a Democrat from the US who participated in the 2000 elections, I know that democracy is not a perfect process, witb overnight miracles. Our democratic institutions provide us with that structure as we move on the path for the strongest possible democratic governance," the Congressman said.

Warning strongly against violence and incitement to violence, Congressman Mike Honda urged the security forces to show restraint and commitment to the universal principles of human rights as they maintain law and order.

In reference to the students protest, he urged the government of Ethiopia to respect the human rights of those arrested on June 6 and June 7 and observe judicial due process as provided by Ethiopian law.

Congressman Mike Honda, who is also the Chairman of Congressional Ethiopia Caucus, was here to visit the humanitarian mission of the Ethiopian North American Health Professional Association (ENAHPA). While here he also visited Zalambassa and met with UNMEE officials

When this story was posted in June 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:



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June 6: PC suspends Uzbekistan program Peace Corps has announced that it is suspending the Uzbekistan program after the visas of 52 Peace Corps volunteers who arrived in January were not renewed. The suspension comes after a State Department warning that terrorist groups may be planning attacks in Uzbekistan and after the killings in Andizhan earlier in May. Background: PCOL published a report on April 23 that Peace Corps volunteers who arrived in January were having visa difficulties and reported on safety and visa issues in Uzbekistan as they developed.

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June 5, 2005: Special Events Vote in the NPCA Election for new board before June 15 "American Taboo" author Phil Weiss in Maryland on June 18 "Rainforests and Refugees" showing in Portland, Maine until June 25 "Iowa in Ghana" on exhibit in Waterloo through June 30 RPCV's "Taking the Early Bus" at Cal State until Aug 15 RPCVs: Post your stories or press releases here for inclusion next week.

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May 28, 2005: This Week's Top Stories The Coyne Column: Love and War in Afghanistan 28 May Sam Farr supports Coffee Growers in Colombia 28 May Elaine Chao wins Woman of Valor award 27 May Nebraska has strong ties with Afghanistan 27 May Arthur Orr to seek Alabama State Senate seat 26 May Murder of John Auffrey remembered in Liberia 26 May Bill Moyers says journalists should be filters for readers 26 May Linda Seyler spent two years in Thailand digging latrines 25 May Chris Shays blasts Bush on stem cell research 25 May George Wolfe to head Loudoun Academy of Science 25 May David Rudenstine heads Cardozo School of Law 24 May Mark Schneider says declaration is "pretty thin gruel" 24 May Robert Blackwill supports seat for India on Security Council 24 May Chris Matthews weighs Thomas Jefferson nomination 24 May Jim Knopf is expert on xeriscape gardening 23 May Mae Jemison receives honorary degree at Wilson 23 May Kenneth Proudfoot says dreams come true 22 May

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